Re: Freeview changes
 

@ cheekyangus

Have you seen any up to date info on when COM 7 is set to close?

I know it got an "No later than June 2022" date.

Re: Freeview changes
 

Nope.

Will depend on the mobile phone companies if they want space before that date and their work on neighbouring frequencies doesn't affect it by being too close. COM8 would've still been around to close in June if it had been commercially viable. I think COM7 will probably run very close to June, but will probably make it.

I believe the mobile companies have to give them 3 months notice if they want the space, so we'll likely know one way or another fairly soon.

Re: Freeview changes
 

CONFIRM: The Craft Store to close on February 25th.

Hochanda Global Limited has today reveal a following will happen from February 25th on Freeview:

85 The Craft Store will be closing*
95. Create & Craft will move to Channel 85*

*Note at time of posting Hochanda Global Limited has still reveal what Freeview slot their would keep.

-Hochanda Global Limited have got a 24/7 slot on COM4 for Create & Craft.
-Hochanda Global Limited have got a part time slot on COM5 for The Craft Store (Broadcasting 7am to 10pm).

https://thecraftstore.com/about/what...Is0DNl0unTg2Bc

Re: Freeview changes
 

UPDATE: RXTV is reporting that Create & Craft did only sign a two year deal with COM4 for it channel slot in 2020 and it up on February 25th.

So RXTV says Create and Craft will then use The Craft Store part time slot on COM5.

https://rxtvinfo.com/2022/the-craft-...h-create-craft

Re: Freeview changes
 

That link for the The Craft Store you gave says in the FAQ what the Freeview hours for the "new" Create & Craft will match those of the COM5 slot. So the RXTVlog article is probably correct about it.

That means SDN/COM4 will be, from 25th February, and until any other announcements, back to 16 video streams like COM5 and COM6.

Re: Freeview changes
 

Talk TV is set to launch in a coming months on Freeview and other networks.

Re: Freeview changes
 

They haven't said who their carriage was with, so that's why I wrote "until any further announcements". COM4 just looks most likely at this point in time.

Re: Freeview changes
 

I think COM4, COM5 and COM6 will pick up 5 SD Channels from COM7 from later this year.

SD Channels on COM7:

-FreeSports
-More4+1
-NOW 80s
-PBS America +1
-Forces TV
-That's TV (UK)
-Quest Red+1

So take your pick.

I pick PBS America +1 and Quest Red +1* to be axe.

Quest Red +1 can still be on Freeview if Discovery close Really and move programmes to Quest Red and HGTV. (Quest Red, HGTV and Really broadcast lifestyle programmes)

Re: Freeview changes
 

Quest Red and Really, though going for the same type of demographic, both rate well, and similarly. It would be business sabotage to remove one, it wouldn't double the viewership of the remaining one, or spread those viewership hours without loss onto any other channels its content found itself on. There will be viewers of say Quest Red that dislike Really content and vice versa. Just because they are aimed at the same people doesn't mean they aren't very different and aren't both worth existing. BBC3 and E4 are for same demographic notionally, but their schedules are mostly very different.

Also, TV channels work on the model that a certain proportion of the hours is repeats, broadcasters can't justify the cost of new content all over the schedules. The amount of new content would likely significantly drop. E.g. You may have 20 hours new content a week spread over two channels become 13 hours when the two merge.

Quest+1 ( I know that's not COM7 but that's part of my point) would likely be axed on Freeview before any Really/Quest Red consolidation, the +1 ratings will be much lower than the main channels, especially given how much a permanent Freeview stream costs.

Re: Freeview changes
 

Look like Shopping Quarter is set to become know as HobbyMaker on Freeview

Source: Ofcom/UK Terrestrial TV

---------- Post added at 10:37 ---------- Previous post was at 10:19 ----------

A Presenter of The Craft Store thinks that Freeview will update The Craft Store EPG name today to be listed as Create & Craft on Freeview Channel 85.

Saw announcement live on The Craft Store today at 7am.

---------- Post added at 10:49 ---------- Previous post was at 10:37 ----------

RXTV: Channel 5 owner ViacomCBS becomes Paramount Global.

https://rxtvinfo.com/2022/viacomcbs-...ramount-global

Re: Freeview changes
 

Can confirm the Hobbymaker channel name change. It is labelled as Hobbymaker on my TV right now.

No swap at time of typing though.

Re: Freeview changes
 

Craft Store TV, has changed to Create & Craft on COM5

Create & Craft, has changed to Create & Craft Extra on COM4

https://twitter.com/ukdtt

Re: Freeview changes
 

Makes sense. Craft Store TV customers who haven't yet taken on-board the changes may find it easier to understand the company hasn't went belly-up if another channel name immediately replaces it, rather than a crafting channel disappearing entirely from their Guide at the same time. Using the Extra channel for the remainder of the COM4 contract gives those that don't immediately grasp the change something that hints at that change if the on-screen reminders weren't enough.

---------- Post added at 12:16 ---------- Previous post was at 12:10 ----------

Particularly since the Create & Craft channel will now be in a shorter slot rather than 24 hrs going forward. The Extra version gives them just over a week of C&C branded screen time outside those new Freeview hours.

Re: Freeview changes
 

Looks like UKTV’s W channel will be joining freeview and freesat as well.

https://www.broadcastnow.co.uk/uktv/...o-air%20switch

Re: Freeview changes
 

Surprising, I was expecting Eden first, and I wasn't the only one.

---------- Post added at 17:08 ---------- Previous post was at 17:05 ----------

I see they haven't actually changed the channels yet on Freeview, just the channel name labels.

https://rxtvinfo.com/2022/freeview-c...hannel-changes