Re: Freeview changes
 

I was thinking same re: FreeSports after I learned of Local mux happening today. I think they ceased FreeSat transmission to save the pennies for DTT, hoping some opportunity would present itself. I doubt the Local mux was on their radar, I think it's an opportunity that may have only just presented itself, assuming it's not really technical difficulties (I doubt it is, I just don't think there was an appropriate slate available).

UKTV have a history of replacing +1s with new FTA launches, so W will replace Dave Ja Vu since it's most prominent and its demographic is more likely to use On-demand rather than a +1.

That's TV UK is on one of the Freeview IP portal services I seem to recall, so it will still be available on Smart TVs, not just Local Mux variant.

I'm not sure if Forces TV will make the transition after closure, they may move onto an IP Portal.

I wouldn't be surprised is Now Music took the remainder of the Ideal World slot overnight as it wouldn't suit many channels.

Re: Freeview changes
 

Apparently, when the mux that provides regionalisation for the PSB's has been rebuilt, it"s believed that there will be room for an extra HD channel. It's thought that this will be used for BBC News or BBC4. BBC4 would be better (unless they have plans to close it now with the new TVL freeze), as BBC News is available in HD for much of the time anyway when it simulcasts with BBC1 & BBC2.

Freesports initially said that they wouldn't be joining Freeview because it was too expensive, but then the much cheaper temporary Com muxes became available. Unless they have now become really successful, I can't see them being able to afford a 'proper' slot that's available.

If it could go onto all the local muxes, this would broadly be the same number of potential viewers as Com 7.

If it has to come off Freeview, I wonder if it might return to Freesat to help to replace their lost viewers (especially now that Freesat has a new charging structure)??

The other option is for them to remain on Freeview via streaming, but I imagine that a lot of people don't bother with this option for various reasons. It will help now that streaming channels are allowed to have their own EPG slot.

Re: Freeview changes
 

What I find a little bizarre when most people on various forums talk about this is they always only mention BBC4, and ,more recently, almost always mention its possible closure. And yet they never mention CBeebies HD which BBC4 HD shares with. CBeebies is a significant ratings winner for the BBC, extremely highly regarded, and often outrates BBC4. And it's extremely important that the BBC keep catering for the youngest of demographics.
Many channels have went on Freeview without being successful beforehand. Freeview is the biggest platform by far, so just being on a main mux can be enough to give a significant boost to keep them there once on it. As they say, you have to spend money to make money.

All the Local muxes carry the same channels except for the Local channel itself. So it's either on all the Local muxes or none. (I'm not counting the NI and Manchester muxes as Local muxes, those are different beasts.)

COM7 even with its limited geographic coverage and DVB-T2 only tuner availability probably still is on significantly more screens than via Freesat boxes. If it can't find a way to stay on DTT I have no doubt it'll return to Freesat, but I think it came off mainly to save money to fund future options on DTT, with a "wait and see approach" to see what possibilities may crop up as they wait for COM7's inevitable closure.

Streaming channels have been allowed their own EPG slot for years in the Ch260-upwards range. Most of the streaming services on Freeview are presented as part of a portal partner rather than individual channel numbers, but there has been an option of an individual listing for some time even if few have chosen to do so. Current examples of streamed channels with EPG slots that aren't part of portals are Sonlife Ch 263 and Arise News Ch 269. Most Freeview streamed channels clearly prefer the portal route, I'm guessing as it's cheaper to pay a partner (i.e. the portal operator) than paying for the individual EPG slot.

The change that happened amongst the recent(ish) consultation was that broadcasters with a Freeview Play app will be able to add IP-only channels to the Freeview channel list between Ch300 and Ch599.

It's not clear to me what this gives over what is currently available via the Ch260-range streamed channels. My only guess is that broadcasters can bulk-add channels they already stream via their own apps, and this would work out cheaper and more convenient.

Re: Freeview changes
 

UKTV Channel changes from March 28th:

25. W (New Channel)
74. Dave ja vu (Moving from Channel 25)

74. Drama +1 to close on Freeview.

Sources: RXTV and Advanced Television

https://advanced-television.com/2022...vs-w-goes-fta/

https://rxtvinfo.com/2022/freeview-c...fle-as-w-joins

---------- Post added at 13:12 ---------- Previous post was at 12:19 ----------

Media Boy UK sources says "UKTV eventually want all their channels FTA and on Freeview, plans are already in action to get Alibi and GOLD FTA and on Freeview, the general feeling is EDEN will be scrapped and morphed into yesterday."

Re: Freeview changes
 

Makes sense. I can see a situation where channels are either FTA or sold directly as part of a streaming pack. The UKTV channels aren't strong enough to be a stand-alone streaming service themselves so logic dictates they go FTA.

Re: Freeview changes
 

On-screen message now on Ch25 confirms this officially.

Re: Freeview changes
 

UKTV buy Freeview slot from ITV?

RXTV is reporting that Drama +1 is set to move to Channel 60 from Monday.

https://rxtvinfo.com/2022/freeview-c...fle-as-w-joins

ITV4 +1 is broadcasting on Channel 60 right now.

Re: Freeview changes
 

Just beat me to it :D

No indication if they using the slot or just the number, they may pair it with space elsewhere.

Re: Freeview changes
 

Maybe my source was right yesterday when I was told:

Dave Ja Vu - Alibi?
Drama +1 - GOLD?

---------- Post added at 13:24 ---------- Previous post was at 13:11 ----------

More Freeview channels happening on Monday:

-ITV4+1 stays on Freeview but move to channel 89.

-S4C HD & Channel 4 HD swap places in Wales

-Ideal Extra has close on the local TV multiplex (ch. 94).

-Drama+1, Together TV & Xpanded TV are all earmarked for 'change in coverage'.

Source: a516digital.

https://twitter.com/a516digital/stat...58476569346053

Re: Freeview changes
 

Official source confirmation
https://www.freeview.co.uk/channel-c...-28-march-2022

What’s changing
New Channel Launches
Channel Name - Channel Number

W Ch25

Asharq News - Ch272

Al Arabiya - Ch273

Channel Number Changes
Channel Name - New Channel Number

Dave Ja Vu - Ch74

Drama +1 - Ch60

ITV4 + 1 - Ch89

S4CHD - Ch104 C4 HD Ch110 (Wales only)

Changes to coverage
Channel Name - New Channel Number

Together TV Ch83

Drama +1 - Ch60

Adult Xpanded TV - Ch678

Channel Closures

Ideal Extra - Ch94

Re: Freeview changes
 

I think I know what is set to happen on Monday:

Together TV - may move from COM5 to Local Mux.

Drama +1 - may move from COM4 to COM5 using Together TV slot

Adult Xpanded TV - may move from COM5 to COM6 to start timeshire with Ideal World.

Re: Freeview changes
 

Yeah, I agree. That's what I was thinking.

Suspect the gifted slot for Together TV was looking exceedingly generous with COM7 closing soon.

Re: Freeview changes
 

Early on I did think of Adult Xpanded TV moving to Local Mux to timeshare with Together TV - but then I think no Adult channel can broadcast on Local Mux.

Then the wee bit later I did think a extra slot maybe added to Local mux for Drama +1

Then I started to think the way I posted on my last post.

Re: Freeview changes
 

I thought that too at first, but I quickly thought otherwise as it's not a "can it", more a why would Xpanded want to when there's multiple alternative late/early slots.

There's no space for more streams on the Local mux I've read multiple times recently. The Great! family of channels on the Local mux all got their picture resolution dropped when the stream for Ideal Extra was added. Comux would've added another stream at the same time if it was viable. When SDN/COM4 added the 17th and 18th streams they were clearly prepared for at the same time as they were added within 2 months of each other.

Re: Freeview changes
 

Here is the up to date list of space on Freeview being unused.

24 hours slots:
-Old 5Select slot on COM4
-Old Create and Craft Extra slot on COM4
-Old RT slot on COM6
-Old Ideal World Extra slot on Local Mux
-Old RT HD slot on COM7

Part time slots:
-Smithsonian Channel slot on COM5 (3am to 7am only) - From March 28th.
-Ideal World slot on COM6 (12am to 7am only)
-Jewellery Maker/PBS slot on COM5 (5am to 8am only)

All information right as of March 24th.

All following Channels are set to close/or move to other streams on Freeview by July 2022.

SD:

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

HD:

Quest HD
BBC NEWS HD
BBC FOUR HD
CBeebies HD

Plus Talk TV is set to launch soon on Freeview.

Set to happen on March 28th?
Together TV will move to LTV Mux
Drama +1 will launch on COM5
Adult Xpanded TV will move to COM6 to timeshare with Ideal World

So I think a following may happen (My own views):
TalkTV will launch on COM4
NOW 80s will move to COM6
Forces TV may move to COM4

I think That's TV will stay on Freeview but only on Channel 7/8 and via IPTV (Line up is the same as That's TV UK anyway.)

I think it safe to say the following is set to close on Freeview:

Quest Red+1
More4+1
PBS America+1
That's TV (UK)
Forces TV
Quest HD
BBC NEWS HD
BBC FOUR HD
CBeebies HD

What’s changing from March 28th:

New Channel Launches
Channel Name - Channel Number
W - Ch25
Asharq News - Ch272
Al Arabiya - Ch273

Channel Number Changes
Channel Name - New Channel Number
Dave Ja Vu - Ch74
Drama +1 - Ch60
ITV4 + 1 - Ch89

Channel Number Changes
Channel Name - New Channel Number
S4CHD - Ch104 (Wales only)
CH4 HD - Ch110 (Wales only)

Changes to coverage
Channel Name - Channel Number
Together TV - Ch83

Need to retune after Midday on Monday to carry on Watching
Channel Name - Channel Number
Drama +1 - Ch60
Adult Xpanded TV - Ch678

Channel Closures (On Freeview)
Channel Name - Channel Number
Ideal Extra - Ch94

All information is right as of March 24th.