Astra 2A frequencies moved to Astra 2E and 2F - better UK TV reception for many in Spain

Astra 2A frequencies moved to Astra 2E and 2F - better UK TV reception for many in Spain

Today, it appears that frequencies on the old Astra 2A satellite have been moved to the newer Astra 2E and Astra 2G satellites.

For us in Spain, it means that those channels on the harder to receive Astra 2A north beam, should be easier to receive than before.

Astra 1N channels move to Astra 2A - frequencies and channel affected.

Further to our previous posts (http://www.satandpcguy.com/blog/2014/02/uk-tv-satellite-changes-channels-swap-satellites/ ) regarding channels moving from Astra 1N to the Astra 2A satellite, we think we now know which channels and frequencies have moved.

These can be viewed at : http://www.satandpcguy.com/blog/2014/02/satellite-changes-sky-chabnnesl-change-satellites-channels-frequencies/

BBC channel to move from astra 1N to Astra 2N this week

The BBC has confirmed that its TV and radio services currently broadcast across the British Isles on the Astra 1N satellite will switch to Astra 2E this week.

The move will be in the "early hours" of Thursday, 6th February 2014.

More information : http://www.satandpcguy.com/blog/2014/02/bbc-channel-move-astra-1n-astra-2n-week/

Astra 2A channels move to Astra 2E - frequencies and channel affected.

Further to our previous post (http://www.satandpcguy.com/blog/2014/02/astra-2e-channels-start-move/ ) regarding channels moving from Astra 2A to the new UK TV satellite, Astra 2E, we think we now know which channels and frequencies have moved:

11.720 H : MTV Live HD, Sky Sports 2 HD, Lifetime HD

11.758 H : Disney XD HD, Animal Planet HD, ITV 2 HD, ITV 3 HD, ITV 4 HD

11.778 v : Sky Guide / EPG

11.798 H : Sky Sports HD 1, Sky Sports News HD, Sky Living HD, Sky Sports 1 HD, Sky Sp NewsHD, Channel 5 HD

11.836 H : Sky Action, Sky Comedy, Sky SciFi / Horror, Sky Select, Sky Disney, Sky Family, Sky Movies Premier, Sky Movies Premier +1, Sky Thriller, Sky Valentine, Sky Modern Greats

11.856 H : Eurosport HD, Fox HD U.K., E4 HD, Eurosport 2 HD

11.914 H : Sky Atlantic +1 11.934 V : Sky intro, Sky Box Office

12.012 H : Sky Family HD, Sky Movies Premiere HD, Sky Thriller HD, Sky Select HD UK

12.344 H : Sky Sports HD 4, Sky Atlantic HD, Sky1 HD, Sky Sports 2 HD,

12.383 H : Sky Insider HD, Universal HD UK, Dave HD, E! HD, Alibi HD

12.460 H : Sky 3D, Sky News HD, Sky Arts 1 HD, Sky Showcase HD

Astra 2E Update : 04/02/14 : Sky channels move to Astra 2E

Astra 2E Update : 04/02/14 : UK TV Satellite Update:

It looks, note looks, like some channels from Astra 2A (north and south beams) have been moved to 2E.

So for some sky channels reception in some areas may have changed. In Spain for the better. It looks like 11778 - the sky epg frequency on 11778 has also moved - which is good news for Spain, as there is no need to change the "default transponder frequency" as it is now on a stronger beams! We shall be confirming this during the day, but o far no changes to BBC or ITV channels.

Some channels that used to be hard to receive in the middle of the afternoon even on 2,.4m dishes, because they were on the Astra 2A north beam, are now located on the Astra 2E European beam. Meaning reception of channel like Sky Movies, and some HD channels reception should be better...even on smaller dishes.

Reports are that the following frequencies have moved to the new satellite : 11856V, 11.934V, 11.914H, 12.012V, 11.720H,11.739V, 11.758H, 11.778V, 11.798H, 11.836H. None of these carry BBC or ITV or C4.

More;http://www.satandpcguy.com/Site/astra_2e_satellite_reception_testing_news_updates.php

Astra 2E Update : New UK TV satellite is now at location.

Press release from SES Astra this morning :

ASTRA 2E has now been deployed at its final destination in the orbital arc of 28.2/28.5 degrees East, where it is co-positioned with ASTRA 2A, ASTRA 2F and ASTRA 1N.
Over the coming weeks, BSkyB, Channel4, ITV and BBC programming in this arc will be transitioned to the new satellite with its powerful footprint over the British Isles.

http://www.satandpcguy.com/Site/astra_2e_satellite_reception_testing_news_updates.php

British newspapers in Spain serving the British community have been referring to the Great British TV Switch-off, with biased opinions by IPTV / internet TV / Smart TV / Brit Box TV sellers.

This has confused many expats residents, as they worry about losing reception of the channels from the country they left behind.

Many rumours, bar talk and misinformation have been spread about the sudden loss of UK TV in Spain. Many of these rumours have been spread by people wanting to sell lower image quality internet streaming devices- many of which require a subscription even to watch the free channels like BBC and ITV..

Until the Astra 2E satellite is fully operational, and actually has some transponders and frequencies turned on, no-one knows the exact nature of Astra 2Es reception in Spain, despite what some IPTV / internet TV / Smart TV / Brit Box TV sellers claim.

As reception varies so much over Spain, some areas of Spain maybe better off reception wise, but yes some areas of Spain maybe worse off. It is difficult to generalise about UK satellite TV reception in Spain and is really incorrect to say that all of Spain will lose all UK TV.

This is especially so when some areas of Spain can receive some BBC HD channels, ITV1, ITV1HD, C4HD and FIves that are on the first new satellite Astra 2F that has been operational since Decemeber 2012,and can be received on a 1m satellite dish in most of my service area.

So, despite all the IPTV / internet TV / Smart TV / Brit Box TV sellers claim, there will NOT be a total loss of all UK TV channels in Spain.

Astra 2E News : Transfer of channels from 1N to 2E will take place "early February 2014"

Astra 2E News : According to SES, who own and operate the new Astra 2E UK TV satellite, the transfer of channels from 1N to 2E will take place "early February 2014"

Channels in this transfer will include BBC ITV C4 and Sky pay channels.

"The transfer will have no adverse implications for viewers in the UK and Ireland as the affected channels will continue to operate on the same frequencies and will be broadcast at the same, or slightly improved power levels, across the UK and Ireland"

So no changes in UK TV reception in Spain for a couple of months yes, despite what you may have heard on the rumour mill - probably from some "Not So Smart" TV box sellers!!

http://www.satandpcguy.com/Site/astra_2e_satellite_reception_testing_news_updates.php

Astra 2E - The New UK TV Satellite- News Update

Astra 2E Update : 28/11/13 :

Astra 2E, the new UK TV satellite, is still located at 43east.

At the moment it is unknown as to why it has not yet started to move to the UK TV Astra slot at 28 east.

This means that is it still unclear as to when UK TV transmissions from the likes of BBC ITV C4 will commence from Astra 2E.

Will it start before Christmas or in the New Year? We simply do not know at the moment...

http://www.satandpcguy.com/Site/astra_2e_satellite_reception_testing_news_updates.php    
Astra 2E Satellite Information - Reception in Costa Blanca and Spain
Astra 2E Satellite Information - Signal Footprint Reception Maps
Astra 2E Satellite Information - Transponders, Frequencies and Channels
Astra 2E Satellite Information - Images and Pictures
Astra 2E Satellite Specifications and Launch Details
Astra 2E News Updates and Testing Information  

Astra 2E Launch Poster

Sky TV outage on on 28th November 2013

Sky has advised all broadcasters of planned maintenance on 28th Nov, between 0100 and 0300, which will result in a "brief outage of between 10-20 seconds"

What does this mean...?

http://www.satandpcguy.com/blog/2013/11/sky-tv-outage-28th-november-2013/

A list of the channels and frequencies affected by the recent "satellite shuffle" between Eutelsat 28A and Astra.

A list of the channels and frequencies affected by the recent "satellite shuffle" between Eutelsat 28A and Astra.

Below is a list of the channels and frequencies affected by the recent "satellite shuffle" between Eutelsat 28A and Astra.

Note that for some people in some areas of Spain, channels on the Astra 2F UK beam may be unavailable, as your satellite dish may be too small to receive these frequencies.

As a general rule of thumb, if you can receive Channel Five, then you should be able to receive those other channels on Astra 2Fs UK beam.

If you are struggling to receive those channels on the Astra 2F UK beam, then it may be possible to search for the channels on their "Final" frequencies, as some of the channels are actually operating on their final frequencies.

On a Sky box, you simply go to the "Add Channels" menu option, and then add the channels to your Sky boxes "Other Channels" list, accessed via the Services Menu.

Hopefully by the 10th October, all channels will be on their final frequencies, and the Sky Guide and the Freesat Guide channel lists are all correctly "mapped" to the new frequencies.

Astra 2E Launch - September 2013 - images / pictures

Astra 2E Launch - September 2013 - images / pictures  

Astra 2E launch details - the launch of the new UK TV Satellite Astra 2E

Mission Profile:
The Proton M launch vehicle, utilizing a 5-burn Breeze M mission design, will lift off from Pad 39 at Baikonur Cosmodrome, Kazakhstan, with the ASTRA 2E satellite on board. The first three stages of the Proton will use a standard ascent profile to place the orbital unit (Breeze M Upper Stage and the ASTRA 2E satellite) into a sub-orbital trajectory. From this point in the mission, the Breeze M will perform planned mission manoeuvres to advance the orbital unit first to a circular parking orbit, then to an intermediate orbit, followed by a transfer orbit, and finally to a geosynchronous transfer orbit. Separation of the ASTRA 2E satellite is scheduled to occur approximately 9 hours, 12 minutes after liftoff.

Target Orbit at Separation:
Perigee: 4,202 km
Apogee: 35,736 km
Inclination: 23.0 degrees
Spacecraft Separation:
Approximately 9 hours, 12 minutes after liftoff
ILS Mission Statistics:
_5th ILS Proton Launch in 2013
_82nd ILS Proton Launch Overall
_23rd SES Satellite Launched on ILS Proton
_17th Astrium Satellite Launched on Proton

You can watch the launch of Astra 2E live Astra 19 East, frequency 11.023MHz SR 22000, FEC 5/6, and will begin half an hour before the satellite launch.

"Astra-2E" UK TV satellite and Proton rocket moved to launch platform

Astra 2E News Update: 26/09/13 : Astra 2E satellite, the new UK TV satellite, and its launch vehicle, the Proton M rocket, have been rolled out onto Pad 39, in preparation for its launch on Sunday night. (see video below)

"Proton-M" rocket with the upper stage "Breeze-M" and the "Astra-2E" UK TV satellite moved to launch platform "Pad 39"

This is in preparation for the launch on the evening of Sunday 29th (Eurotime) and 30th Sept (Baikonur Cosmodrome time).

Launch time: 2138 GMT Sunday / 22.38 UK and 23.36 Central Europe

The launch will also be shown live on Astra 19 East, frequency 11.023MHz SR 22000, FEC 5/6, and will begin half an hour before the satellite launch.

More Astra 2E news and updates at : http://www.satandpcguy.com/Site/astra_2e_satellite_reception_testing_news_updates.php

More incorrect rumours and untruths about the future of satellite TV in Europe - mainly from some IPTV / Internet TV sellers.

Time again to clarify some of more of the incorrect rumours and untruths about the future of satellite TV in Europe and about the so called "Big Switch Off" of UK TV in Spain.

Again, as mentioned before in my blogs ( http://www.satandpcguy.com/blog/2013/08/loss-of-uk-tv-in-spain-more-misinformation-by-iptv-retailers/ ) , these "rumours" are coming from some (not all I hasten to add!) sellers of IPTV / Internet TV systems.

One such incorrect rumour that has been doing the rounds, and even spread on a Expat Radio Stations here in Spain, is that:

"All BBC, ITV, Ch4 and Ch5 TV channels etc. will disappear from the SKY platform at end of October beginning November. None of these channels will physically reach Europe mainland via Satellite."

No.
This is incorrect.
a) BBC, ITV, Ch4 and Ch5 TV channels etc will not disappear from Sky - or Freesat. These UKTV channels will still be on those Digital Satellite systems. Why would these channels be removed from the most popular Digital TV services ?

b) "None of these channels will physically reach Europe mainland via Satellite."

No.
This is incorrect.
They will reach Europe mainland via Satellite.
The beams may be more focused on the UK, but there will be satellite signal overspill into other areas, just like there has been signal overspill into Europe for the last 20 plus years

In fact, in some areas of Spain you can and should still be able to receive these UK TV channels (BBC1HD, ITV1HD, C4HD, Channel Five) on a 1m satellite dish from the first new satellite, Astra 2F, that has been operating since December 2012.

Also, the official SES Astra predicted signal footprint map (seen here http://www.satandpcguy.com/Site/astra_2e_satellite_reception_footprint_map_uk_tv_spain.php ) for the new UK TV satellites says that its beams can be received in most of France on a 60cm dish.
Last time I checked France was in mainland Europe.

So in fact these channels will physically reach Europe mainland via Satellite, contrary to what these IPTV / Internet TV sellers claim.

Some IPTV / Internet TV sellers are confusing people by misrepresenting the aforementioned official SES Astra signal footprint map.

http://www.satandpcguy.com/Site/Resources/ASTRA_2EFG_UK_ku_band_spotbeam.jpg

The map shows SES Astra's prediction of their new satellites UK beam for users with a 45cm satellite dish and 60cm satellite dish. As you can see the Astra 2E satellites UK beam should be available to more than half of France if you are using a 60cm satellite dish.

However, some IPTV / Internet TV sellers are using this as a basis for their misrepresentations, by saying anyone outside that "60cm satellite dish" contour will not be able to receive ANY signals at all.

This is incorrect.

Just because the map does not show data outside that 60cm contour, does not mean that n signals will be available in those areas.

In fact, this is the same map showing the same data for the first new satellites, Astra 2F.

And like I said before, some areas of Spain can receive this signal on a 1m satellite dish - in areas where these IPTV / Internet TV sellers say it is impossible.

Yes, some areas will be affected more than other areas. Some may find that they can still use smaller 1m and 1.25m and 1.4m satellite dishes in Spain for reception of their UK TV .

Yes, some areas, like the Costa del Sol, may have to increase the size of their satellite dishes, and use 1.8m or 2.4m satellite dishes, just like the Costa Blanca has had to use for the last 10plus years.

Until the new Astra 2E satellite has been launched, expected around the 30th September 2013 ( http://www.satandpcguy.com/Site/astra_2e_satellite_reception_testing_news_updates.php ) , tested (which will take place at another location in the skies), positioned at 28 east along with the other UK TG satellites, and is transmitting signals from that location, no-one will know for sure what reception will be like in Spain, and Europe, or what sized satellite dishes you will need to receive these signals in Spain and Europe.

Another delay to the launch of the new UK TV / Sky TV Satellite Astra 2E...?

Astra 2E News Update: 10/09/13 : Reports from Ukraine are saying that the launch of Astra 2E on the 16th / 17th September has again been delayed. "A technical problem was found during the final inspection of the rocket Proton carrying the satellite Astra 2E on the cosmodrome Baikonur, a source in the cosmodrome said. No new launch date has been mentioned.

http://www.satandpcguy.com/Site/astra_2e_satellite_reception_testing_news_updates.php

Astra 2F launch - September 28, 2012

In preparation for the launch of the new UK TV satellite Astra 2E next week, here is the launch of the last UK TV satellite, Astra 2F.

Astra 2F was launched from Kourou in French Guiana on September 28, 2012.

Commercial operations at 28.2°E began on November 21, 2012.

The first UK TV channels started to transmit from Astra 2F on the 4th December 2012.

Astra 2F News and Updates for reception in Spain : http://www.satandpcguy.com/Site/astra_2f_satellite_reception_launch_specifications_spain.php
http://www.satandpcguy.com/Site/astra_2f_satellite_reception_testing_news_updates.php

Update on Astra 2E launch date, and Russian rocket failure

Below is an update on the 2 July 2013 Russian Federal Proton M/Block DM-03 GLONASS mission failure.

Russian Investigation and FROB Status

The Russian State Commission has completed its review of the Roscosmos Commission findings. A translated summary of the findings is expected to be provided to ILS on Saturday, August 3.

The summary includes information pertaining to the improper installation of the three yaw angular rate sensors located on the Proton launch vehicle and details that the premature Loss of Contact (LOC) of the electrical/pneumatic launch pad interface was not a contributing factor to the failure.

An official ILS/KhSC public release of the Russian State Commission findings based on the summary information provided will follow, along with a schedule for the upcoming Failure Review Oversight Board (FRO.

Based on the progress to date, it is expected that the Failure Review Oversight Board (FRO will begin on August 9 and will tentatively conclude by August 16.

Astra 2E Campaign Status, Return to Flight and Proton Manifest

The Astra 2E team will resume campaign operations after the Russian State Commission and ILS FROB complete the required work on root cause and required corrective actions and all parties agree to re-start the campaign.

The schedule for the return to flight and subsequent missions will be determined once the Russian State Commission and ILS FROB complete their efforts and the required corrective actions have been implemented. A public release will be issued at that time.

This is a result of the rocket failure early in July, which delayed the launch of the new UK TV satellite Astra 2E ( http://www.satandpcguy.com/blog/2013/07/astra-2e-could-the-launch-be-delayed-after-rocket-launch-failure-at-baikonur/ )

More Astra 2E launch news: http://www.satandpcguy.com/Site/astra_2e_satellite_reception_testing_news_updates.php

Astra 2E - could the launch be delayed after rocket launch failure at Baikonur

An unmanned Russian Proton-M rocket has crashed just seconds after its launch from the Russian Baikonur facility in Kazakhstan.

This is the same launch facility that will be launching Astra 2E, which is scheduled for launch on the 20th / 21st July.

More information at:
http://satandpcguy.com/blog/2013/07/astra-2e-could-the-launch-be-delayed-after-rocket-launch-failure-at-baikonur/

Latest News about the 'Big TV Switch Off' in Spain 2013 - Panic or Keep Calm?

Many people living on the Costas in Spain are currently worrying a little about the coming changes satellite TV reception, which may, or may not, affect Freesat TV, UK TV and Sky TV reception in Spain later this year.

This is all down to some of the current UK TV satellites being replaced with new satellites.

The first new satellites, Astra 2F, is already in operation. In some areas of Spain, there have been no changes in reception to channels that are on this new satellite. However, in other areas of Spain, particularly the Costa del Sol, reception of channels on Astra 2F, as been affected, especially the loss of Channel Five when it switched satellites.

The second new satellites, Astra 2F, is schedule for launch on the 20th July 2013, and expected to be in operation sometime in September 2013.

For all the latest news about the new UK TV Astra satellites, and more information about "the big switch off" of UK TV in Spain, please see : http://www.satandpcguy.com/Site/astra_satellites_2012_2013_reception_spain.php

Astra 2E : New UK TV Satellites arrives at launch site

The second new UK TV satellite, Astra 2E, arrived this week at the launch site, in Baikonur, Kazakhstan.

It will under go various checks and preps, before its scheduled launch on the 19th July 2013. Latest Astra 2E news at : http://www.satandpcguy.com/Site/astra_2e_satellite_reception_testing_news_updates.php