Re: One or two new channels coming to Freesat.
 

The BBC summer Red Button channels now have Freesat data. 'BBC RB 2' - 'BBC RB 6' are in the test region on LCNs 982-986. 'BBC RB HD' is on 980.

Now/next EPG data commences 15/7/19.

Re: One or two new channels coming to Freesat.
 

I've now been told by a trusted source that Freesports HD will be available on Freesat :)

Re: One or two new channels coming to Freesat.
 

Home is to be replaced by a UK version of Home and Garden TV (HGTV). No further details available as yet.

This is the first change since the UKTV split.

Re: One or two new channels coming to Freesat.
 

Sony Crime channel is dropping it's drama content from it's schedule from 1/7/19:

https://www.rxtvlog.com/2019/06/sony...s-channel.html

Viewing figures for Sony Crime channel have been very low since launch, maybe Sony are gearing up for another channel closure??

Channel 5 have reached agreement with Pluto TV to stream three of their channels on it's my5 online service:

https://www.rxtvlog.com/2019/06/my5-...-channels.html

Re: One or two new channels coming to Freesat.
 

Freesports HD has now been confirmed as coming to Freesat. It will be sometime after it's launch on Sky (which is 15/7/19).

Travel XP (having recently left Freeview) is to restart on Sky from 1/8/19, no word about Freesat yet.

Re: One or two new channels coming to Freesat.
 

I've read that the UK was the only market Travelxp was in SD. Maybe this restart will be HD.

I wonder if FreeSports will switch off SD on satellite.

Re: One or two new channels coming to Freesat.
 

I didn't know that, maybe it will return in HD then :)

Yes, Freesports will be switching off their SD feed. Not sure what they'll do once the HD valiant is on Sky whilst they wait for Sky do sort out the adaptation hub for Freesat. Maybe SD and HD will run in tandem for a short time, or the HD feed will be downscaled for Freesat??

Re: One or two new channels coming to Freesat.
 

I have seen online that TravelXP will launch on August 1st on Sky Channel 185 (Propeller TV old EPG slot).

Re: One or two new channels coming to Freesat.
 

Well they need a SD feed for Freeview still, so maybe they will downscale for both? Or keep it off-EPG like in-store TV streams. ;)

What does an adaptation hub actually do? I'm surprised to say I haven't heard of one before. If it is what it sounds like I don't see what Sky has to do with it, broadcasters buy transmission space from satellite companies, Sky don't own any satellites.

Re: One or two new channels coming to Freesat.
 

If a channel is on Sky, it will have data associated with the Sky EPG included with the transmission signal. If a company also wants their channel (using the same capacity) to be on Freesat, it will need Freesat data.

The problem though, is that this would interfere with the Sky data, therefore, Sky have to make adaptations to ensure that the Freesat data is applied correctly, without it affecting their own platform.

They have to do this if requested, but do make a charge for it (it's all done remotely from Osterley).

Re: One or two new channels coming to Freesat.
 

Further to the above (and slightly besides the topic), Sky has been known to speculatively buy up much more sat transponder space than it actually needs. Whether it sub-leases I don’t know, but it has been blamed for the shortage of available UK spot-beam capacity in the past.

Re: One or two new channels coming to Freesat.
 

Sky actually helped to pay for one of the Astra satellites when Sky Digital started, in return they received discounts on capacity of up to 50%.

This would tie in with what you say Chris and could be the reason why they managed to persuade some channels to encrypt. They could have offered cheap capacity on their own transponders to keep channels off Freesat and require a Sky card, whilst still making a profit.

I've no idea how long the discounts were for, but i'd imagine for the expenses of paying for a satellite that it would be for a considerable length of time. Sky Digital launched in 1998, so if it was for, say, twenty years, this could be the reason why Sky are now no longer incentivising (bribing) channels to encrypt or help with exclusive HD launches.

Sky have recently been actually closing HD channels and kicking others out of the Sub Club, whilst at the same time moving third party channels off their own transponders and making technical changes to make more efficient use of their own capacity.

It all seems to tie in together.

Re: One or two new channels coming to Freesat.
 

Thanks for those replies both of you.

I'm amazed that the EPG data format wasn't an industry standard they both used. I'd assumed it was just the EPG numbering/layout that was separated and neither interfered with either other.

Re: One or two new channels coming to Freesat.
 

The HD version of Freesports is now on 252. However, on Humax Foxsat boxes, the change will not be apparent until the 3am houskeeping task runs tonight.

Re: One or two new channels coming to Freesat.
 

The SD, as you said, has been removed from Sky. I've not looked to see if FreeSat is swapping or replacing. And we'll soon see whether they keep it running off-guide or downscale the HD version for Freeview.