The Sun: Some TV boxes will lose ITV1 and ITV2 channels in days unless viewers upgrade ahead of major shake-up It will affect both Sky and Freesat viewers

Story from The Sun:

ITV1 and ITV2 will disappear from some TV boxes in a matter of days due to a big satellite overhaul.

The British broadcaster is pulling the SD (standard definition) version of its two main channels from satellite altogether in October.

This will affect Sky or Freesat viewers with dated boxes.

Freeview and Virgin Media services remain unchanged.

Broadcasters have been gradually switching off their SD output on satellite in favour of HD only.

The BBC already completed its plan earlier in the year.

And Sky is about to do the same, forcing owners of old kit to upgrade or face their subscription being cancelled automatically.

ITV has already yanked SD versions of ITV3, ITV4 and ITVBe.

But in October, ITV1 and ITV2 will join them, completing the company's transition.

ITV says only one per cent of satellite set-top boxes are SD only.

Some older boxes are only able to receive SD broadcasts, meaning affected viewers will no longer be able to watch ITV unless they get a new box.

Dated boxes in Scotland will also lose STV as a result.

"Here at ITV, we have completed our upgrade to all-HD on satellite for ITV1, bringing the best picture quality to all satellite viewers," ITV explained earlier this month.

"From October 2024, households with an SD-only satellite set-top box will need to upgrade to a High Definition (HD) satellite receiver to continue to watch ITV1.

"ITV1 and ITV2 nationally will no longer be available in SD on satellite."

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