BBC bosses issue warning to viewers to prepare for major change to channels tomorrow

BBC bosses have issued a warning to viewers ahead of a major change to channels on Wednesday.

Currently, terrestrial TV viewers have to change over to BBC One to see their local news, as BBC One HD has not been equipped to broadcast it.

However, that's all set to change for a number of regional programming from tomorrow onwards for anyone watching the BBC on Freeview or YouView in England.

Areas including London, East Midlands, West Midlands, Yorkshire, East Yorkshire and Lincolnshire and the Channel Islands will be the first regions to receive this exciting new update.

The remainder of the regions will receive their regional programming on BBC One HD on Channel 101 next month on April 26.

BBC issues warning to viewers ahead of major change to channels tomorrow (In Pictures via Getty Images)

The final areas to receive the update include North East and Cumbria, North West, West, South West, South and Oxford, East (including Cambridge) and the South East.

Tomorrow's changes for the first six regions will take place automatically, with viewers not having to lift a finger.

However, some unlucky BBC viewers may be prompted to retune their box in order to get the latest TV broadcasting update.

BBC bosses first announced the change last November before it started moving regional programming to BBC One HD on satellite platforms in January.

BBC bosses first announced the change last November (Getty Images/EyeEm)

At the time, the BBC said in a statement: "This is not a decision that's been taken lightly – indeed, it's been one of the key reasons why we've held back so long in our HD rollout plans."

It meant BBC One HD switched from channel 106 to 101 on satellite platforms, replacing BBC One SD.

And by the time March 2024 rolls around, all standard definition BBC channels will have been retired for satellite users.

By the time March 2024 rolls around, all standard definition BBC channels will have been retired for satellite users (Getty Images)

This means users with out-of-date boxes will have to upgrade to continue watching.

Tomorrow (Wednesday March 22) the regional programming that will be shown on BBC One HD include local news broadcasts during BBC Breakfast and at 1.30pm, 6.30pm and 10.30pm on weekdays.

However, those watching BBC One HD on BBC iPlayer will not be able to see the regional programming and will still get the 'red slate'.