Rogue satellite may cause problems for UK TV in the next few months

Rogue satellite may cause problems for UK TV in the next few months.


A lost satellite is starting to cause headaches for satellites operators, which may impact TV viewing across Europe.


Amos 5 has been declared as "dead" after suffering a major electrical problem in November just after launch. All attempts to recover the satellite were finally given up on in the past week.


However, without any control over the satellite, it can't be moved away from its current orbit, into the so-called graveyard orbit out of the way of operational satellites.


The powerless satellite, originally located at 17 East, has been moving slowly eastwards along "Clarke Belt", the operational satellite arc, towards other operational satellites.


More information :
http://www.satandpcguy.com/blog/2016/01/3577/

Cardsharing : Sky Italia down, Sky Germany and Sky UK next...?

Cardsharing : Sky Italia down, Sky Germany and Sky UK next...?


Reports this past few week suggest that Sky Italia is currently down on satellite cardsharing systems.
Cardsharing is a system where you can link one viewing card to a network of receivers, usually paying customers via the internet, to enable the viewing of pay tv channel without an official viewing card.
As cardsharing, the sale or and use of, is illegal, pay TV channels are always trying to improve their security to try and prevent this.
The reports from Italy are that Sky Italia have changed their encryption algorithm. This change has meant the loss of Sky Italia channel on cardsharing systems.


More : http://www.satandpcguy.com/blog/2016/01/cardsharing-sky-italia-down-sky-germany-and-sky-uk-next/

BBC II! - BBC Threes new identity and switch date

BBC II! - BBC Threes new identity and switch date


The BBC has unveiled new branding for BBC Three, and the date when BBC Three will cease terrestrials and satellite transmission and move to an online-only service.


The new BBC Three (or BBC II!) logo was unveiled today as part of a rebrand of the channel.


More information here : http://www.satandpcguy.com/blog/2016/01/bbc-ii-bbc-threes/

ITV takes over horse racing rights from Channel Four

ITV takes over horse racing rights from Channel Four


Horse racing in the UK will have a new home on terrestrial television from 2017.


It is being reported that ITV have won the rights from Channel 4 in a new four-year deal.


This ends a 31-year link between Channel Four and racing.


http://www.satandpcguy.com/blog/2016/01/itv-takes-over-horse-racing-rights-from-channel-four/

F1 moves from BBC tro Channel Four

The BBC have terminated their contract to show F1 races three years early.


And Channel 4 have snapped up the rights.


Channel 4 will now take over free-to-air coverage of Formula 1, and will show a selection of live races during 2016, 2017 and 2018.


The channel will broadcast 10 live races, including practice and qualifying sessions from 2016 to 2018. It will also broadcast highlights of all 21 grands prix and qualifying sessions including those shown live by Sky Sports. And to keep F1 fans happy, they have vowed that there will be NO advertising breaks will be taken through the duration of the live races.


http://www.satandpcguy.com/blog/2015/12/f1-moves-from-bbc-to-channel-4-from-2016/

Euro 2016 : BBC and ITV covreage annouce.

The BBC and ITV have announced how they will be sharing the coverage of the Euro 2016 Finals.

The opening match of the tournament between hosts France and Romania on 10 June will be on ITV.

The BBC will broadcast the highly anticipated home nations clash between England and Wales on 16 June.

More coverage details : http://www.satandpcguy.com/blog/2015/12/euro-2016-how-the-bbc-and-itv-will-share-coverage/

Channel Five satellite changes - Dec 2015 Update

There have today been changed for Channel Five on satellite.


As we reported a few weeks ago - http://www.satandpcguy.com/blog/2015/11/channel-five-satellite-changes-in-the-next-few-weeks/


Channel Five used to operate a number of different regional variations of Channel Five for different advertising in different regions of the UK. These advertising differences were stopped during mid 2015. And today there is now only one version, not the 5 regional versions, of Channel Five operating.


More here : http://www.satandpcguy.com/blog/2015/12/channel-five-satellite-changes-dec-2015-update/

Freesat to get three new channels in December

Looks like the three new UKTV channels ( Drama, Really and Yesterday) will be launching on Freesat tomorrow.

And these channels have moved from the European beam tot he UK beam, so some people in southern Spain and Portugal may now struggle to receive these (and a few other!) channels....

http://www.satandpcguy.com/blog/2015/12/new-freesat-channels-launching-8th-december-2015/

Is Channel 5 HD coming to Freesat soon?

Is Channel 5 HD coming to Freesat soon?


This would be a great addition of Freesat, as current Channel Five HD is a Sky HD subscription channel.


More information : http://www.satandpcguy.com/blog/2015/12/is-channel-5-hd-coming-to-freesat-soon/

Official : Freesat to get three new UKTV channels

As we reported over the past two or three days :

Official : Freesat to get three new UKTV channels.

Freesat has today confirmed the arrival of three new channels on to its service, but an exact launch date has not been announced.

http://www.satandpcguy.com/blog/2015/12/official-freesat-to-get-three-new-uktv-channels/