Some Sky users will lose popular channels unless they upgrade, check your TV now

05 December 2023 , 07:36

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Thousands of Sky TV users are being blocked from free streams (Image: SKY • GETTY)

Anyone with an older Sky TV set-top box might want to consider switching over to something new. ITV has confirmed that it will soon start turning off its regular Standard Definition (SD) service and broadcast all of its shows via more impressive High Definition (HD) signals.

Many parts of the UK have already seen this change take place but now ITV is rolling it out across the entire country including Channel, Border Scotland, UTV and Wales Regions.

The changes mean those with ageing Sky SD equipment (or Freesat boxes that aren't HD compatible) will lose full access to channels such as ITV1 and ITV3, ITV4, and ITVBe.

Things will start being moved over to full HD from this month with the switch off of SD expected to take place from January 9, 2024.

"Here at ITV, we are making some major improvements to complete our upgrade to all-HD on satellite for ITV1 (bringing all the ITV regions and sub-regions which haven’t yet upgraded into HD) and all our other linear channels, bringing the best picture quality to all satellite viewers," ITV said in a blog post.

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ITV has confirmed that most viewers don’t need to do anything to take advantage of these changes and will find the right regional HD service at button 103.

However, a small number of people will need to take action if they want to continue watching shows such as Coronation Street and Dancing on Ice.

"From January 2024, households with an SD-only satellite set-top box in Border Scotland, UTV, Wales and Channel will still receive ITV in the usual way but will need to upgrade to a High Definition (HD) satellite receiver to continue to see the correct regional news and other regional content we provide for those regions.," added ITV.

If you think you are going to be affected now could be a good time to call Sky and check if they can upgrade your equipment to the latest Sky Q device. This will often be done for free so you shouldn't need to pay for the updated equipment.

The firm also now offers Sky Stream and Sky Glass products which don't require a dish and offer access to all HD channels along with streaming services such as Netflix, Disney+ and Apple TV+.

HOW TO CHECK YOUR SKY BOX

A number of older Sky boxes will be affected by the changes. To find out if yours is on the list simply press Services on your Sky remote. From the on-screeen menu then press the number 4, followed by the number 5. This will show you what box you have - if it's listed below you will lose ITV access and will need to upgrade.

• 4F2001 to 4F2006 (Amstrad)

• 4F2101 to 4F2118 and 9F2101 to 9F2137 (Amstrad or Pace)

• 9F2001 to 9F2024, PVR2, 9F2201 to 9F2235, 9F2301 to 9F2339 (Pace)

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• 4E2101 to 4E2141 (Thomson)

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