The BBC is switching off its SD channels on satellite and is replacing them with HD versions of those channels.
If you have a Sky SD-only device (usually a standalone set-top box) then you will be impacted. Firstly, if you pay a monthly amount to Sky for your TV, then you can contact Sky directly by going to www.sky.com/help/articles/bbcupgrade and they'll assist you in the upgrade.
If you’re not sure if your Sky box is an SD-only box then the easiest way to check is to go to channel number 105. If you see “Channel 5 HD”, then you're good to go and there's nothing else you need to do. However, if you see “Channel 5” without HD at the end then you’ll be impacted and need to upgrade.
- As above, if you pay a monthly amount to Sky for your TV, then you can contact Sky directly by going to www.sky.com/help/articles/bbcupgrade or calling them on 0333 759 5121 and they'll assist you in the upgrade.
- However, if you only use your Sky box to watch free-to-air channels (and you don’t pay anything to Sky for your television services), then one of our Freesat replacement boxes will get you back on track.
If you have a Freesat SD-only device (usually a standalone set-top box) then you will be impacted.
The quickest way to check on your Freesat device as to whether you’re going to be impacted or not is to go to channel 799 on your satellite set-top box. You’ll see one of the following messages:
If you see this on channel 799...
This message means you're not impacted by the switchover and you should now have your version of BBC One in HD on channel 101.
Relax, you don't need to do anything else!
Or this on channel 799...
If you see this message it means you are going to be impacted by the BBC’s changes to its SD and HD channels. But don't worry, we're here to help!
To find out if you qualify for extra support, please go to our eligibility checker tool.
If you are impacted, then you’ll need to upgrade your Freesat set-top box to a HD device.
Several high-street retailers have a range of HD-enabled satellite devices for you to choose from.
Alternatively, you can check out Freesat’s own range of HD-enabled devices. These 4K Set Top Boxes will not only give you access to all of the BBC’s HD channels, but will also provide access to catch-up TV apps like BBC iPlayer and ITVX so long as you have an internet connection, and will allow you to record live TV if you choose a Freesat Recordable 4K set-top box.