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ITV is shuttering its Standard Definition (SD) channels on Sky and Freesat, with the switchover beginning next month. The major shake-up will improve the viewing experience for millions of people across the UK, with High Definition (HD) broadcasts available in all corners of the UK for the first time.
However, those with ageing set-top boxes from Sky TV and Freesat will need to upgrade to newer hardware ...or lose access to the popular ITV channels, including ITV3, ITV4, and ITVBe. Key parts of the ITV1 schedule will also stop working.
ITV1 has been available in HD for some time, but the lower-quality Standard Definition version of the channel was kept alive because some regional programming — like local news and weather bulletins — was not yet available in the higher-fidelity format. ITV has confirmed plans to upgrade all remaining areas stuck with SD local broadcasts to HD.
That clears the way to finally scrap the non-HD version of ITV1 (and other ITV channels with similar issues holding them back) completely from TV Guides nationwide.
If that sounds familiar, it's likely because the BBC is going through an almost identical process. The Beeb is upgrading local news and weather shows to High Definition (HD) in preparation for its deadline of January 2024 to remove all Standard Definition (SD) channels from satellite boxes across the UK.
Full story HERE
However, those with ageing set-top boxes from Sky TV and Freesat will need to upgrade to newer hardware ...or lose access to the popular ITV channels, including ITV3, ITV4, and ITVBe. Key parts of the ITV1 schedule will also stop working.
ITV1 has been available in HD for some time, but the lower-quality Standard Definition version of the channel was kept alive because some regional programming — like local news and weather bulletins — was not yet available in the higher-fidelity format. ITV has confirmed plans to upgrade all remaining areas stuck with SD local broadcasts to HD.
That clears the way to finally scrap the non-HD version of ITV1 (and other ITV channels with similar issues holding them back) completely from TV Guides nationwide.
If that sounds familiar, it's likely because the BBC is going through an almost identical process. The Beeb is upgrading local news and weather shows to High Definition (HD) in preparation for its deadline of January 2024 to remove all Standard Definition (SD) channels from satellite boxes across the UK.
Full story HERE
