Various channels went off air tonight on multiple platforms
 

Various channels went off air tonight on multiple TV platforms for varying amounts of time. Affected the likes of Channel 4, More 4, Channel 5, S4C and others apparently.

C4 HD was definitely affected on Virgin Media as my recording of Bettany Hughes' Treasures of the World recorded a static screen for much of it. I'm watching it on VM Catch-up as I type this as a result.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-58694894

Re: Various channels went off air tonight on multiple platforms
 

London was on Fire

https://rxtvinfo.com/2021/channel-4-...entre-incident

Re: Various channels went off air tonight on multiple platforms
 

Apparently the fire was at Red Bee Media according to this article. There's more details about how it affected various platforms rather than the rather unspecific BBC article.
https://cleanfeed.thetvroom.com/9502...t-tv-services/

Re: Various channels went off air tonight on multiple platforms
 

Reducing the number of playout centres and centralising everything has, no doubt, saved a lot of money. Although at the expense of quite a few jobs. Situations such as this expose the weaknesses of the broadcast chain. Concentrating resources in known locations such as White City & Media City also put the infrastructure at risk to terrorist attacks. Weaknesses in the system can be devastating for viewers as the loss of the mast at Bilsdale West Moor has demonstrated.

Wow I was gonna say maybe a sat went offline or something.......

Re: Various channels went off air tonight on multiple platforms
 

So much for terrestial TV. Were streaming services or sat tv affected ?

Re: Various channels went off air tonight on multiple platforms
 

Anything played out from Red Bee's centre at White City, regardless of the end platform. Some Freeview services took longer to be restored as some of the Freeview distribution is handled at White City. Some channels are currently using backup playout. The Channel 5 family of channels will have a black / white square in the top right corner indicating backup facilities are in use.

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https://rxtvinfo.com/2021/investigat...frozen-screens

Re: Various channels went off air tonight on multiple platforms
 

Cable and Satellite and Streaming versions of the linear broadcast channels were all affected too, they all run through same playout centre, though Cable and Satellite were restored quicker as there wasn't the same regional system complexities as DTT. As I said in the first post, my recording on my V6 from C4HD didn't record anything of the show I was trying to record, an it was an hour in length.

Apparently Streaming of the linear broadcast channels were bottom of the queue to get restored according to reports I read late last night.

It didn't affect all of terrestrial, just those that use Red Bee Media for playout. The BBC's systems apparently switched immediately to Salford so viewers didn't notice except for the continuity elements of their regional channels.

The whole thing seems to have occurred around about 6.30pm. Though the place I read it wasn't exactly convincing, so maybe I'll find a more accurate account this morning.

Re: Various channels went off air tonight on multiple platforms
 

Only the Red Bee playout from White City. A BBC news report incorrectly stated that ITV channels were also affected but ITV use the old Technicolor playout facilities in Chiswick and Leeds. Red Bee and the former Technicolor facilities are both part of Ericsson. As you say, streaming services were at the back of the queue. Red Bee also manages the streaming services for Channel 4 and Channel 5.

BT Sport also plays out of White City but BTS 1 & 2 were live at the time of the outage so managed continuity from their own facilities. BTS 3 was affected by the outage.

The location of the C&M centres for Freeview is supposed to be secret but, following this incident, it's fairly obvious where D3&4's C&M is located.

The broadcasters seem to be keeping a lot of their eggs in one basket.

Re: Various channels went off air tonight on multiple platforms
 

I have a vague recollection of reading the C&M centres for Freeview have changed recently as part of the preparation so they can implement regional HD for BBC and ITV on DTT.

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Red Bee are investigating and not going to comment until all services are restored to normal and their investigation is concluded.
https://rxtvinfo.com/2021/investigat...frozen-screens

Re: Various channels went off air tonight on multiple platforms
 

That will be the BBC B C&M's I guess. Individual multiplex operators will have their own arrangements.

Re: Various channels went off air tonight on multiple platforms
 

One of the posters on Digital Spy said both BBC and ITV had changed, but that they had both implemented C&M at different points in the distribution chain.

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a516digital on Twitter has said UKTV must be relieved as they'd just changed their playout and distribution from Red Bee to SES recently. Too right! :D

Can't say I was aware of this deal.
https://www.ses.com/ses-signs-bbc-st...video-channels

Re: Various channels went off air tonight on multiple platforms
 

As far as I know, D3&4 C&M is centralised rather than regional. The BBC and the commercial PSB's will have to pool resources and share the BBC B multiplex for their HD channels.

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There goes Ericsson's monopoly. :D

Although Sky handle their own playout, so it wasn't really a monopoly.

As Red Bee also handle playout of GB News it's amazing that this channel, so famous for technical problems, seems to have escaped this one.

Re: Various channels went off air tonight on multiple platforms
 

Had S4C on from 7 till about 9pm didn't notice anything,if that was in the time frame :confused:

Re: Various channels went off air tonight on multiple platforms
 

S4C's problems last night were mostly limited to Freeview because it's distributed via Channel4 opt out. S4C was broadcasting E4 output on Freeview at one point I read, which makes sense as that is the only difference on the D3&4 Multiplex in Wales compared to rest of UK.

Re: Various channels went off air tonight on multiple platforms
 

The S4C issues were on Freeview in Wales, where their signal replaces E4. It appears that E4 was restored everywhere, including incorrectly Wales initially, knocking out the terrestrial version of S4C. This didn't affect their other main platforms - i.e. Cable and Satellite.

Re: Various channels went off air tonight on multiple platforms
 

This is quite good for a blow-by-blow account of events:
https://tvliveforum.com/viewtopic.php?f=6&t=753

Re: Various channels went off air tonight on multiple platforms
 

Im curious why simply evacuating a building caused so many channels to die.

Do they really need someone in the room to work ?

Re: Various channels went off air tonight on multiple platforms
 

Mains power removal is often done in a real fire situation.

Re: Various channels went off air tonight on multiple platforms
 

Something triggered the fire suppression systems...which I'd imagine doesn't play well with electronic equipment.

Re: Various channels went off air tonight on multiple platforms
 

Gas fire suppression systems released at very high pressure can destroy electronic equipment, especially harddrives. Depending on the gas used some of the by-products can also be quite destructive. If a number of harddrives have been destroyed it could take a while to get everything back up and running.

Re: Various channels went off air tonight on multiple platforms
 

Modern fire suppression systems used to use Halon, most use a CO2 based, so unlikely to have any "mess" to clean up.

Re: Various channels went off air tonight on multiple platforms
 

Inergen is possibly the safest modern fire suppressant.

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It seems the fire suppression system has, indeed, caused damage to the servers.

https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/s...mmes-j2dqfx8ln

Re: Various channels went off air tonight on multiple platforms
 

BT Sport Ultimate still affected on both VM and BT.

Re: Various channels went off air tonight on multiple platforms
 

It's making a rather strange noise too on Virgin.

Re: Various channels went off air tonight on multiple platforms
 

It won't be a priority until scheduled content is due to be shown. Even then, BT could possibly playout from their gallery as they did with the main channels at the start of the incident. Just a guess, I don't know the actual setup at BT Sport.

Re: Various channels went off air tonight on multiple platforms
 

Film 4 HD #429 has no audio during movies, during adverts some adverts have sound and some don't, really puzzling.

Re: Various channels went off air tonight on multiple platforms
 

Magic TV (Channel 340) and Kerrang! TV (Channel 342) are both broadcasting The Box (Channel 335).

Re: Various channels went off air tonight on multiple platforms
 

I guess they got tired of having the "emergency tape" repeating on a loop on Magic and the same 2 songs repeating on Kerrang!. There's still a lot of issues, no subtitles or AD on C4 channels. C5 using the DR feeds for most channels and VM being locked in 16:9 resolution for 5USA, even when it is showing 4:3 content (Columbo).

Re: Various channels went off air tonight on multiple platforms
 

Anyone else not getting subtitles on Channel 4, E4 etc?

Re: Various channels went off air tonight on multiple platforms
 

Same here and E4 HD missing altogether.

Re: Various channels went off air tonight on multiple platforms
 

Does Wales not usually have access to E4? Is S4C on 104 and Channel 4 elsewhere on the EPG?

Re: Various channels went off air tonight on multiple platforms
 

Today it has gone worse, no picture no sound on Film4 HD, E4 HD.

No subtitles on 4 HD, C4+1, 4Seven,E4+1, More 4

Re: Various channels went off air tonight on multiple platforms
 

Anyone else's picture on channel 4 really washed out colour wise with a black horizontal line in the top left hand corner. Getting the same through the aerial so likely a Channel 4 issue.

Re: Various channels went off air tonight on multiple platforms
 

On Freeview E4 is on the SDN/COM4 multiplex instead of Great! Movies Action. E4+1 is on D3&4 which means E4+1 has wider geographic DTT distribution than the main E4 as S4C replaces it on that multiplex in Wales. It's the movie channel that Welsh DTT viewers are missing out on basically.

On Virgin Media in Wales Channel 4 is on 108 and S4C on 104. E4 is in same positions as rest of UK on Cable.

Re: Various channels went off air tonight on multiple platforms
 

Both channels are back to normal now.

Re: Various channels went off air tonight on multiple platforms
 

Box Hits (Channel 336) is still broadcasting Kiss TV also Magic TV (Channel 340) and Kerrang! TV (Channel 342) are both still broadcasting The Box (Channel 335).

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E4 HD is still down.

Re: Various channels went off air tonight on multiple platforms
 

Is it my imagination or has PQ of various channels reduced lately?

Re: Various channels went off air tonight on multiple platforms
 

Basically yes.

The main C4 SD channels (those on the terrestrial D3&4 multiplex): Film Four, More 4, E4 and C4 +1 all dropped from 720x576 to 544x576 resolution following the incident at Red Bee Media at White City and all of the C4 family are missing subtitles and AD. Similarly Paramount SD is having problems although Paramount HD seems fine. The BBC have escaped the worst of this by moving BBC 1 / 2 playout to Salford (those channels have dual playout facilities), other BBC channels routinely use Salford so aren't affected. The C5 family of channels are all coming from a disaster recovery playout site, so avoid many of the problems at the expense of live continuity announcements.

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Currently The Box is being simulcast on 4Music, Magic & Kerrang! With Kiss being simulcast on Box Hits. So, days after the incident at White City, things that were working at the start now aren't. The general expectation being things should get better rather than worse with disaster recovery procedures in place. I bet the BBC are glad they have dual playout.

Re: Various channels went off air tonight on multiple platforms
 

Looks like Virgin are currently using the SD feeds on some of the HD channels

https://community.virginmedia.com/t5...4831135#M20394

Assume that's due to the Red Bee issue and they'll be back in HD soon.

Re: Various channels went off air tonight on multiple platforms
 

This is where the situation gets even more complicated for Virgin. Because of the incident, a number of channels have been off-air at various times or operating with no sound etc. HD channels being particularly badly affected. TV360 users don't have the luxury of selecting the SD version. I never really liked the idea of the 360 limiting the number of channels available but, hey, progress. In cases like this, it seems that Virgin are using the, already downgraded, SD feeds. I've noticed reports on other sites about Virgin not carrying the same content as other platforms, this explains why. The big question here though is how long does it take Virgin to restore the HD feed when it jumps back into action? What a mess!

Re: Various channels went off air tonight on multiple platforms
 

Do you know where Channel 4 & S4C are on DTT? I've seen someone say that S4C is on 106 in Wales, but shouldn't it be on 104??

Re: Various channels went off air tonight on multiple platforms
 

Channel 4 is 7 in SD and 104 in HD in Wales, whereas S4C is on 4 in SD and currently isn't in HD on Freeview (though there's speculation it will get the BBC Scotland HD and, possible BBC3 HD, slot on BBCB/PSB3 multiplex).

On very new Freeview equipment HD swaps happen, so the HD channels with exactly the same contentto their SD counterparts will swap into the single digit EPG channel numbers.

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Here's the Freeview channel page table with the numbers for every area.
https://www.freeview.co.uk/corporate...-professionals

Re: Various channels went off air tonight on multiple platforms
 

Thanks.

Re: Various channels went off air tonight on multiple platforms
 

As far as I have noticed there is no SD for S4C at least l can't find it ! But why would l look for it really ? Seem to recall the switch was advised as happening some months ago.

Re: Various channels went off air tonight on multiple platforms
 

Still getting pixelation on Sky Sports. Anyone else?

Re: Various channels went off air tonight on multiple platforms
 

Watching the last leg last night, they were talking about if they would be able to stay on air.

Re: Various channels went off air tonight on multiple platforms
 

Sky Sport was nothing to do with the fire alarm at Red Bee - most likely a local issue for you which needs a call to VM.

Re: Various channels went off air tonight on multiple platforms
 

Subtitles still seem to be missing on the Channel 4 group of channels.

Re: Various channels went off air tonight on multiple platforms
 

And probably will continue to be missing while C4 channels are being played out from an unnamed disaster recover facility which, apparently, hasn't been updated for some time. DR facilities aren't really supposed to be used for this long. Probably not updated because of the dual playout facilities, specified in their renewed contract with Red Bee Media. Unfortunately, not ready in time for this incident.


Daily observations of the current situation can be found at https://cleanfeed.thetvroom.com/section/preswatch/

Re: Various channels went off air tonight on multiple platforms
 

That site seems to have a 'g' problem ?

Re: Various channels went off air tonight on multiple platforms
 

Sports channels pixelating are 502 and 503. Everything else is fine. Any ideas anyone?

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B42 area

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Tested network connection via setting V6 and it’s working now. This has been happening for about a week on and off

Re: Various channels went off air tonight on multiple platforms
 

Definite signal fault. Those two channels are on a very low frequency in Birmingham. Make sure all the cable connectors are tight. If that doesn't resolve, you'll need a technician visit.

Re: Various channels went off air tonight on multiple platforms
 

Cheers Spiderplant

Re: Various channels went off air tonight on multiple platforms
 

Box Hits has returned (for now). 4 Music, Kerrang! & Magic are still simulcasting The Box.

Re: Various channels went off air tonight on multiple platforms
 

UPDATE: 4Music has move from simulcasting The Box to simulcasting Box Hits.

Re: Various channels went off air tonight on multiple platforms
 

Now back as 4Music but with its own selection of music videos rather than scheduled programmes.

Magic and Kerrang! continue as simulcasts of The Box.

Re: Various channels went off air tonight on multiple platforms
 

UPDATE: Magic TV now back.

Kerrang! continue as simulcast of The Box.

Re: Various channels went off air tonight on multiple platforms
 

From what I've heard elsewhere, it's normal for 2 music channels to playout from a single server. So maybe Kerrang! won't be far behind.

Re: Various channels went off air tonight on multiple platforms
 

Well, it took much longer than expected but Kerrang! is finally back with its own service, no longer a simulcast of The Box

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Audio description and a normal subtitle service have also been restored on Channel Four, their accessibility & playout facilities have had to be rebuilt following the incident at Red Bee. https://rxtvinfo.com/2021/c4-accessi...ervices-return

Re: Various channels went off air tonight on multiple platforms
 

This topic should not be used for the VM TV outage.
Use: https://www.cableforum.uk/board/show...php?t=33710636