The British private TV channel “Channel 4” will leave its HD channel “4HD” as well as its video on demand offer “All4” via the Freesat satellite platform on 22 February. The British DTH platform provider has informed its customers about the withdrawal of the channel’s satellite distribution in HD format on its website and regretted its deactivation. However, the shutdown only affects HD broadcasting, it continued. However, Freesat is anxious that the channels will appear on the satellite platform again, the platform operator informed its customers.
British media report that the reason for this is a “very significant” fee increase through the free-to-air satellite programme for the broadcaster.
Channel 4 is still available in standard resolution. The platform operator pointed out that all recordings planned for channel 4HD would have to be reset accordingly on the SD channel (via channel 104, 120 in Wales).
E4, More 4, 4seven and Film4 remain unchanged and can be accessed as usual via the TV Guide. The catch-up TVs for all Channel 4 channels are no longer available via your freesat box. Information on the All4 VoD service is available here.
All UK public service broadcasters are required to make their SD content available on all major platforms, but this does not apply to HD or VoD services.
The HD channel “4 HD” is broadcast free of charge via the unencrypted satellite Astra 28.2° East on the frequency 11.127 V, SR 22000, FEC 5/6. The SD version can be received via the frequency 10.714 H, SR 22000, FEC 5/6. Due to the transmission via the Ku-band spotbeam in Germany, reception is only possible in the far west with conventional satellite mirrors measuring about 45 cm in size.