Millions of BBC fans urged to check 2 channels as UK prepares for ‘switch off’

TELLY fans are being urged to do a quick test or risk suddenly losing BBC One next year.

The BBC is converting all its channels on satellite to HD, meaning the standard quality versions will be shutdown.

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For anyone with an old Freesat set-top box this could mean you can’t access BBC One and the rest of the broadcaster’s channels at all in 2024.

Certain boxes are not equipped to handle HD.

The BBC says it needs to give up the SD (standard definition) channels to make way for crystal clear HD.

BBC One has already started switching this week, going through the various regional and national variations used to catch your local news.

The end result will be an end to the dreaded red screen which appears on the HD version of BBC One at 6pm when the local news is on.

And you’ll finally be able to watch your local news in beautiful HD.

All of the BBC’s SD channels via satellite will be closed early 2024.

How do I know if my set-top box is affected?

The changes affect SD-only satellite boxes.

There is a clever way to check if you’re not sure.

Freesat owners can go to channel 799 and it’ll automatically tell you whether you’re in the clear or whether you’ll need to upgrade your box.

Anyone with an old Sky set-top box could also be affected.

The best way on Sky is to go to channel 105.

If it’s showing Channel 5 HD as the channel then your box is capable of handling HD.

But if it only says Channel 5 and has no mention of HD, it means you’ve got an old SD-only box and you’ll need to upgrade.

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