ITV warns viewers they have one week left to upgrade their telly before broadcaster shuts down three major channels

ITV viewers have just one week left until they need to upgrade their TV boxes – otherwise they will lose access to three popular channels for good.

The broadcaster is finally waving goodbye to three of its standard-definition (SD) channels on 9 January: ITV3, ITV4 and ITVBe.

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Going forward, these channels will be be available in HD format.

So viewers will have to upgrade their old TV boxes to a newer, HD compatible, box by next week to avoid the blackout.

ITV has noted that there aren’t many SD-only satellite device users still out there.

But those who are still using an old Freesat or Sky box have been encouraged to buy a newer one.

Unlike the BBC, ITV will only be axing three of its remaining SD channels next week.

The BBC, however, will be shutting down all SD channels from 8 January, including:

• BBC One SD
• BBC Two SD
• BBC Three SD
• BBC Four SD
• CBBC SD
• CBeebies SD
• BBC News SD
• BBC Scotland SD
• BBC ALBA SD
• BBC Parliament SD

Is my TV affected by the HD satellite upgrade?

Viewers who are not sure what type of set-top box or TV they have, can use the BBC’s checking tool, which is live on Channel 799 on Freesat.

On that channel, you will see one of two messages:

• “Good News, you’re not affected and can continue to use your box as normal.”
• “Sorry, your satellite set-top box is not capable of receiving high-definition services. You will be affected by the satellite changes.”

Sky has shared the exact models affected, which are:

Digibox

• 4F01 to 4F08 (Amstrad)
• 4E01 to 4E05 (Grundig)
• 9F01 to 9F08 and 9F0A (Pace)
• 0F01 to 0F05 (Panasonic)
• 4E06 to 4E08 (Thomson)

Sky+

• 4F2001 to 4F2006 (Amstrad)
• 4F2101 to 4F2118 and 9F2101 to 9F2137 (Amstrad or Pace)
• 9F2001 to 9F2024, PVR2, 9F2201 to 9F2235, 9F2301 to 9F2339 (Pace)
• 4E2101 to 4E2141 (Thomson)

Sky viewers should head to channel 105 – if it’s listed as “Channel 5 HD” your equipment is HD capable.

But if it simply says “Channel 5” with no mention of HD on the end then you will need to upgrade.

Must-know Sky tips and tricks

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Try a whole host of Sky tricks to take your TV to a whole new level.

This post first appeared on Thesun.co.uk