Radio Times: Channel 4, E4, More4, E4 Extra, 4Seven and Film4 to close on Freesat SD Boxes by December

Story from Radio Times online:

Channel 4 will be closing the SD version of its main channel, Channel 4, on satellite next month as part of its ongoing pivot to becoming a digital-first business, the broadcaster has exclusively revealed to RadioTimes.com.

The move comes soon after a number of other broadcasters including ITV and Sky have adopted the same approach and will just affect a small number of viewers – with the channels only set to become unavailable in Freesat households watching via very old legacy devices.

A statement from a Channel 4 spokesperson reads: "We are changing the technology we use to broadcast our channels to Sky and Freesat households – ensuring we are delivering the highest quality HD viewing experience to all, and, opening up the potential for new services in the future.

The move will start later this month, and by late November Channel 4 will be available only in HD on all platforms except Freeview and YouView.

Some of Channel 4 channels will no longer be available to the very small number of viewers using older  Freesat boxes (but will remain available to all satellite customer groups) starting later this month, culminating in a loss of all channels by late November.

Channel 4 will become available only in HD on all platforms – except Freeview / YouView – from the end of November.