Millions of Freeview users will lose BBC channel this month as major changes revealed

Freeview is dealing with a dramatic shakeup later this month that can see quite a few channels swapping positions on the TV planner and a few disappearing for good. The modifications are as a consequence of a broadcast sign – named COM7 multiplex – being switched off to make means for the most recent 5G cellular expertise. This COM7 service is at the moment used to beam a swathe of channels to thousands and thousands of houses throughout the UK and as soon as it is gone there will likely be a lot much less capability for the Freeview platform to make use of.

One of many first and largest casualties of the switch-off is BBC Information HD which is able to not be out there from June 30.

Confirming the information, the BBC mentioned: “As a consequence of the closure of COM7, BBC Information on Freeview will likely be out there solely in SD from the tip of June 2022. Nevertheless, you’ll be able to nonetheless watch it in HD on BBC iPlayer.”

Together with that channel disappearing, the BBC has additionally revealed that BBC 4 HD and CBeebies HD will transfer to new positions on the planner with prospects suggested that they might must retune their TVs and set-top bins later this month.

It is not simply BBC companies that will likely be affected by the COM7 multiplex modifications as channels together with FreeSports, Now 70s, More4 +1, PBS, QVC Magnificence HD and Quest HD additionally depend on this sign.

It is at the moment unclear what’s going to occur to those companies after June 30 though Freeview says it’s working with content material suppliers to scale back the affect of the upcoming sign modifications.

Chatting with Categorical.co.uk, a Freeview spokesperson mentioned: “The COM7 mulitplex’s Ofcom licence will expire on the finish of June, following an Ofcom public sale to make more room for 5G cellular companies. We’re at the moment liaising with the channels which might be on this multiplex to verify subsequent steps. An additional service replace will likely be offered to viewers in the end.”

So why is that this all occurring and who will likely be affected?

Final 12 months, UK community EE received the public sale to make use of the COM7 frequency to assist increase its new 5G information community.

5G is the way forward for cellular gadgets because it gives a lot quicker obtain speeds and a extra dependable sign which implies extra individuals can hook up with it without delay.

Though that is nice information for cellular customers, this all implies that on the finish of June 2022, Freeview’s COM7 multiplex will shut. Consequently, there will likely be much less broadcast capability out there and a variety of channels carried on COM7 should both shut or be reallocated to different multiplexes.

Hopefully, there will likely be a full replace on precisely what channels will likely be shut down and the place current companies which might be persevering with to broadcast their content material will likely be moved to.