BBC removes six channels as part of major ‘switch off’ plan – check your TV box now

SIX BBC channels have disappeared from some TV set-top boxes as the broadcaster continues with its big switch plan.

But fear not, as the channels aren’t going completely.

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The BBC is getting rid of all its standard definition (SD) channels on satellite in favour of HD only.

Early next year, all the corporation’s SD channels on satellite will be switched off.

It means anyone with an old SD-only set-top box from Freesat or Sky won’t be able to watch BBC channels anymore.

In the first major step, SD versions of BBC Three, BBC Four, BBC Scotland, BBC News, CBBC and CBeebies have been delisted on some Freesat boxes.

So anyone who used the SD channels will need to go to the HD counterpart to continue watching their favourite shows.

The change doesn’t affect owners of older Freesat boxes not capable of showing HD channels just yet, according to RXTVInfo.

But by January 8 they will have to upgrade their box or lose all BBC channels.

Some viewers can apply for vouchers towards brand new kit.

The BBC recently moved forward the shutdown deadline by three months after support take-up was “much lower than expected”.

Kieran Clifton, Director for BBC Distribution & Business Development, said: “Demand for these resources, as measured by the activity and take-up of the support offered since our announcement in March this year, has been much lower than expected and we believe the number of homes still using SD-only satellite equipment is now far lower than anticipated.”

“Following the introduction of ‘lower-third-of-screen’ messaging in September, we are now in the final stages of migrating those remaining SD-only satellite homes on to HD-enabled devices.

“Because of this, we are moving the switch-off date of our SD channels on satellite platforms slightly from March 2024 to 8 January 2024.”

After the cut off, SD channels on satellite will show a “channel closed” message.

People will still be able to get support “for a short time afterwards”.

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