Astra 2F. UK TV channels movement this coming week?

The Astra 2F satellite

From Astra SES - Facebook page 30/11/12:

"Thank you for your interest in ASTRA 2F. Services are currently being transferred to ASTRA 2F. BBC (Trp 2.061) has been migrated to Astra 2F whereas Channel 5 (Tp 2.057), ITV (2.059 & 2.063) and Channel 4 (Tp 2.068) will move to Astra 2F next Tuesday. This will then mark the completion of the transfer".

No mention of any of the other BBC or ITV or C4 frequencies / transponders....

What does this mean?

The first paragraph DOES NOT say BBC ITV C4 will all be moved to 2F by Tuesday.
It says one frequency has, and a further 4 frequencies will move on Tuesday.

I say "No mention of any of the other BBC or ITV or C4 frequencies / transponders".
So not all frequencies are moving.

For information:

The BBC transponder mentioned - (Trp 2.061) - is the 11023 carrying the two HD channels.
There is no mention of the other 4 bbc transponders (45,46,47,48) that carry the other bbc channels.

The ITV transponders mentioned - (59 and 63) - carry some ITV1, itv1+1 and iTV1hd regional variations.
There is no mention of the other 5 ITV transponders, (44,49,53,54,56) that carry the other ITV1 regions, and other ITV channels.

The C4 transponder mentioned - (68) - carries 4seven and C4HD.
There is no mention of the other 2 C4 transponder (41 42) that carries the other c4 channels.

EU Law: confused if you entitled to receive ALL UK TV channels in other EU countries?

With all the talk of new satellite signals, and potential loss of UK satellite TV channels in Spain, once again, there is talk that restricting TV signals from one EU country to another is against EU rule / law. 

The “rule” often quoted is the “Television Without Frontiers” Directive.

Unfortunately, many people (and installers!) take the title too literally.

And this “Television Without Frontiers” Directive was actually never 

law – however its updated version “Audio Visual Media Service” Directive is.

The directive provides guidance as to how to standardize the rules regulations and governing of European broadcasters. For example, how many minutes of adverts are allowed in an hour, rules on product placement and rules on violence on TV during hours when children may be watching.

There is nothing in this EU Directive that states that people should be able to watch all of their own language television channels in any member state. Perhaps they are getting confused with the section that states that EU countries cannot block transmission from other EU countries?

However, there is a rule under the EUs Freedom of Information, which says that all EU members should have the right to access news and information in any EU country in their own language. It could be argued that this particular rule is actually complied by the UK by channels like BBC World News, and Sky News International, which are available for free around the EU, on “small” satellite dishes. 

 

So, despite what you may hear or be told, there is no EU rule or law that states all EU countries TV channels must be available for free, with easy reception, to all other EU countries.

SES Astra say Astra 2F is now in position and ready for operations

SES Astra say Astra 2F is now in position and ready for operations



The Astra 2F satellite

According to a press reelease today, the ASTRA 2F satellite has successfully completed its in-orbit testing and is now fully operational and in commercial service at the orbital neighborhood of 28.2/28.5 degrees East.


See the full press release here


See Astra 2F reception reports for Spain on our reception report maps here


See Astra 2F predicted signal reception maps here

The US Grand Prix - Formula One - Live on Sky SPorts F1, Highlights on BBC

Formula One 2012 – Austin, Texas, USA – Live coverage on Sky Sports F1, Highlights on BBC

The 2012 Formula One season continues this weekend with round 19 from Austin, Texas..
It is the first time a grand prix has been held at the newly-built Circuit of the Americas, with many people eager to see how the drivers cope on a new track in what is the penultimate race of the 2012 season.
Only the Brazilian Grand Prix remains following this race, and events here could set up a fascinating finale in Sao Paulo.

Round 19 Coverage:
The action gets underway on Friday afternoon with Practice 1 at 3pm, followed by the second practice session at 7pm.

Sky Sports F1 will show both sessions live – the BBC will make available a short highlights packages on the BBC Sport website later on Friday.

At 11pm on Friday evening, Georgie Thompson and Ted Kravitz will host the F1 Show.
On Saturday, Sky Sports F1 will be live on air from 2.45pm for the third practice session, followed by qualifying at 5pm, session starts at 6pm..

Jake Humphrey will present TV highlights of qualifying on BBC Two at 9pm.

Sunday morning sees live coverage of the United States Grand Prix on Sky Sports F1 from 5.30pm, race starts at 7pm, and there will be an extensive highlights programme on BBC One from 10.25pm.

Friday 16 November
2.45pm – 1st Practice Session – Live – Sky Sports F1
6.45pm – 2nd Practice Session – Live – Sky Sports F1
11pm – The F1 Show: Unites States – Live – Sky Sports F1

Saturday 17 November
2.45pm – 3rd Practice Session – Live – Sky Sports F1
5pm – Qualifying – Live – Sky Sports F1
9pm – Qualifying – Highlights – BBC One

Sunday 18 November
5.30pm – United States Grand Prix – Live – Sky Sports F1
10.25pm – United States Prix – Highlights – BBC One

Which Sky+HD boxes are able to receive On Demand and BBC IPlayer services

Which Sky+HD boxes are able to receive On Demand and BBC IPlayer services

Which Sky boxes are compatible with On Demand?

A selection of On Demand TV is available on all Sky+HD boxes. Our full On Demand service is accessible from all Sky+HD boxes, except Thomson boxes and you will need to connect your Sky+HD box to your broadband router.

Sky are also in the process of updating the Sky Guide on these Sky+HD boxes to enable Catch Up TV and rebrand Anytime to On Demand. The rollout of the update is done in phases with the latest Sky+HD boxes now updated and more to be done in the next month.

To find out which Sky+HD box you have and when it will be updated, press Services on your Sky Remote, then press 0 to highlight Settings. Press 3 to highlight System Details. Note down the version Number 2nd line from the top of the screen.

If you have a version beginning with 4F31, then you have an Amstrad DRX890 or DRX895. You should already have the new Sky Guide.

If you have a version beginning with 4F30, then you have a Amstrad DRX780. You will receive the new Sky Guide in the next few weeks.

If you have a version beginning with 9730, then you have a Samsung. Subject to final testing, you will receive the new Sky Guide by the end of November.

If you have a version beginning with 9F30, then you have a Pace. Subject to final testing, you will receive the new Sky Guide by the end of November.

If you have a version beginning with 4E30, then you have a Thomson. Unfortunately, we are not updating this box with the new Sky Guide.

Formula One 2012 - Live on BBC Sport & Sky Sports F1 of the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix

Round 18 Coverage:
The action gets underway on Friday morning with Practice 1 at 9am, followed by the second practice session at 1pm. The BBC and Sky Sports F1 will show both sessions live.

At 5pm on Friday evening, Georgie Thompson and Ted Kravitz host the F1 Show on Sky Sports F1.

On Saturday, Sky Sports F1 will be live on air from 9.45am for the third practice session, followed by qualifying at 12pm.

The BBC will also show third practice live via the Red Button at 9.55am, and Jake Humphrey’s will present live qualifying from 12.15pm on BBC One.

Sunday afternoon sees live coverage of the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix on Sky Sports F1 from 11.30am, and on BBC One from 12.10pm..

Live Coverage on BBC And Sky Sports F1

Friday 2 November

8.45am – 1st Practice Session – Live – Sky Sports F1
8.55am – 1st Practice Session – Live – BBC Red Button

12.45am – 2nd Practice Session – Live – Sky Sports F1
12.55am – 2nd Practice Session – Live – BBC Red Button

5pm – The F1 Show: Abu Dhabi – Live – Sky Sports F1

Saturday 3 November

9.45am – 3rd Practice Session – Live – Sky Sports F1
9.55am – 3rd Practice Session – Live – BBC Red Button

12pm – Qualifying – Live – Sky Sports F1
12.15pm – Qualifying – Live – BBC One

Sunday 4 November
11.30am – Abu Dhabi Grand Prix – Live – Sky Sports F1
12.10pm – Abu Dhabi Grand Prix – Live – BBC One)