BBC viewers who watch through set-top box warned that…

BBC viewers who watch through set-top box warned that they risk losing channels

Anyone who watches TV through a set-top box has been warned that they could face losing access to BBC channels in the near future.

The BBC is set to upgrade all its channels to HD (high definition) on satellite by April, including BBC One, BBC Two, BBC Parliament and the BBC Red Button channel. The broadcaster will therefore be closing the SD (standard definition) versions of its channels, meaning that these will disappear from SD-only set-top boxes.

If you are a Freesat viewer with a device that doesn't support HD, you risk being left unable to watch BBC One, Two, Three and Four once the changes have been made. You will need to purchase an HD-enabled satellite device to continue watching the channels, which are available from many high-street retailers, CoventryLive reports.

If you are unsure whether your Sky box is SD-only, you can check this by visiting channel number 105. If you see 'Channel 5 HD', there is nothing you need to do - however, if it reads 'Channel 5' without the HD at the end, this means that you will need to upgrade to avoid losing the channels.

If you pay Sky monthly for your TV, then you can contact them directly and they will assist you in the upgrade. If you only use your Sky box to watch free-to-air-channels and don't pay for Sky TV itself, a Freesat replacement box will ensure you can keep watching the BBC.

BBC distribution and business development director Kieran Clifton explained via the broadcaster's website: "Unfortunately, to roll regional versions of BBC One HD in England on satellite plans, we need to close the standard definition (or SD) versions of our channels on the digital satellite platform. 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 until now.

"However, the number of SD-only satellite devices is now at a much-reduced level so to hold back the closure of our SD channels any longer would deny the benefit of all our channels being available in HD to a much greater proportion of the audience. A few other technical factors, along with that much lower number of SD-only satellite viewers, make this the right time to start the rollout of our BBC One HD feeds for the English regions."

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