Freeview - Spectrum Clearance and Technical changes

We knew this was coming from the moment the extra muxes launched, but sadly it seems Freeview didn't have a plan other than hoping the authorities would change their mind, meaning some HD channels and the SD channels on those muxes will now be closing.

There really should have been a better plan in place so when this day came it would be the original SD muxes closing and the T2 muxes remaining. Although nothing is closing that isn't available elsewhere, it is just madness we're closing HD streams and keeping SD streams when we should be doing the opposite, especially considering we're now further on the otherside of DSO than DSO was from the launch of digital TV.

The channels closing are:
55 5Star+1
56 5USA+1
67 CBS Reality+1
69 CBS Justice+1
109 Channel 4+1 HD
110 4seven HD
115 TJC HD

Several other channels move - full details at RXTV.

https://www.rxtvlog.com/2020/06/major-freeview-change-to-reduce-channel.html

I really cannot see any loss there.

We lost these channels a while back here - I’ve only got 1-5 in HD now.

I honestly think there needs to be a rethink about Freeview. I’m sure many would prefer fewer channels in HD than any old tat in SD like we have now.

Well apart from the loss of the Channel 4 catchup channels in HD, I won't particularly miss those channels either. However, it's worth remembering that there has been an awful lot of shuffling of channels in recent months that have seen COM7 and 8 mainly become home to SD +1 channels and HD simulcasts.

The remaining services will be split between other multiplexes, which will then bring us back to virtually full capacity on Freeview again.

Switching one of the current commerical DVB-T multiplexes to DVB-T2 would create some additional capacity, but they're now full of channels from the big broadcasters, who are unlikley to want to take the hit that will come from losing viewers with older equipment.

In this modern age of streaming, I'm finding Freeview less relevant than it would have been even a few years ago. I largely watch BBC1 SD for the regional news, BBC1 HD, ITV HD, C4 HD, C5 HD and BBC News HD via my aerial, none of which are affected.

Regular re-tuning sessions so you can watch a cheap SD channel heavily compressed so that 544x576 is normal is a waste of time when you can watch shows in at least HQ SD or 720p as the bare minimum online.

My main tv automatically tunes in the channels with no issues, but my older sets still require manual tuning.

I understand why some people use Freeview when they can't afford to stream or for secondary rooms, but I'm finding the platform less desirable.

Yes, though to be honest I'm not even sure there needs to be a reduction once simulcasts begin to disappear, even with a few more channels switched to HD.


Looking at the latest list here and the digital bitrate I think there are about 80 SD streams and 14 HD streams across all muxes now. With more forward thinking I think across the 6 main muxes they could have had room for at least 24 HD channels and 48 SD channels, and with further tweaks and a bit of shuffling around get to where they are now. Indeed I think COM7 and COM8 already had their capacity reduced by a 6th in preparation for 5G, so replacement muxes would have a capacity for those extra channels.

It maybe nothing but strange its seems to be the networks mostly taken the hit out of this are Channel 4 and Channel 5/Viacom, surprised they haven't went the full hog to get rid of all HD channels from 101 onwards... (I don't understand the techy side of this apologies here)

Hopefully in the not too distant future that might happen as more people upgrade their TVs to ones that have DVB-T2 built in as standard. I think it's only really become standard within the last 5 years, and I got caught out a few years ago when upgrading (though thankfully that TV uses Virgin). I imagine PSB1 and PSB2 will likely be the last to switch over from DVB-T due to their channels providing the pre-DSO channels, and ensuring all Freeview users could at least recieve a basic service. If converting the other remaining multiplexes to all be DVB-T2 would improve the picture quality of some of the SD channels it would be good.

Am I right in thinking the HD versions of C4+1 and 4Seven were only available on Freeview? They were pretty much there from the start so we're at the end of that contract now and I guess either C4 have decided they're not worth renewing or Arquiva haven't the space available for them.

4seven HD is on Virgin, C4+1 HD is Freeview exclusive. Both started July 2014 on Freeview, just over six months after COM7 launched.

4Seven HD is on Virgin as well as Freeview HD. C4+1 HD is Freeview only. No news yet if 4Seven HD will continue on cable?

Seeing as C4 are looking to save costs at the moment, these channel closures are probably a blessing in disguise.

When C4 announced cuts, I half expected these HD channels to be withdrawn around the anniversary of them first launching on Freeview, they're an easy cut to make.

This is an entirely commercial decision by Arqiva and broadcasters needing to cut costs to do it now - the 5G auction is delayed until the autumn, there won't be any 5G services on former TV frequencies until some point in 2021 at the earliest and Ofcom is not requiring Arqiva to surrender its licence for COM8.