Analogue television in the United Kingdom
Encyclopedia
Analogue television in the United Kingdom includes terrestrial
, satellite
and cable
services broadcasting using analogue television signals.
, Channel Islands
and the Isle of Man
used to receive television. Analogue terrestrial television
is currently being phased out very slowly in the UK and will be completely replaced by digital terrestrial television in the United Kingdom
by the end of 2012. Until then some people may struggle to receive the digital transmissions as power levels are very low from some transmitters.
The major provider of satellite television in the UK, BSkyB
launched a digital service (called Sky) in 1998 based on DVB-S
. This allowed many more channels and was marketed with a smaller dish. Take-up was very successful and Sky discontinued the former analogue service in 2001, although some of the channels which had been part of their package, such as CNN
and CNBC Europe
, have continued broadcasting unaffected by Sky's departure.
Cable has not fully transitioned to the digital format (DVB-C
) as some parts of the physical cable network are not suitable for transmitting the digital signals.
Virgin Media will cease all analogue television transmissions by April 2010. [1][2]
The switch-off is being carried out in phases across the network. Currently only areas which have digital TV available are affected, and no plans have been announced for the "analogue-only" areas.
Before any area has analogue TV switched off, all analogue TV customers in the area will receive a letter from Virgin Media offering a free switch to their digital TV service. If the customer chooses not to migrate to digital, they will lose all TV channels when the switch off occurs.
Customers with the cable feed plugged directly into their TV or have an RF bypass installed, which allows them to watch the analogue terrestrial channels independent of their set-top box, will also cease to receive channels when the analogue signal is switched off. Customers will still be able to receive channels via their digital set-top box. In some parts of the network where digital cable is available, analogue transmissions have been ceased in order that the bandwidth may be utilised for more data for the digital platform, in others both systems run alongside each other, though often new channels will launch on digital at the expense of channels on the older analogue network, which encourages those users to switch.
The five terrestrial television
channels are carried FTA
on cable television
along with the BBC News, CNBC Europe
(Ex-NTL)/Bloomberg UK
(Ex-Telewest
) time shared with E4, Disney Cinemagic
(Ex-NTL) & Hallmark Channel
(Ex-Telewest
). However to view these feeds you need to have a TV that is capable of tuning frequencies used for cable. Plus note that no channels are receivable in Ex-Telewest
areas as Virgin Media
have stopped their analog television
in these areas.
Terrestrial television
Terrestrial television is a mode of television broadcasting which does not involve satellite transmission or cables — typically using radio waves through transmitting and receiving antennas or television antenna aerials...
, satellite
Satellite television
Satellite television is television programming delivered by the means of communications satellite and received by an outdoor antenna, usually a parabolic mirror generally referred to as a satellite dish, and as far as household usage is concerned, a satellite receiver either in the form of an...
and cable
Cable television
Cable television is a system of providing television programs to consumers via radio frequency signals transmitted to televisions through coaxial cables or digital light pulses through fixed optical fibers located on the subscriber's property, much like the over-the-air method used in traditional...
services broadcasting using analogue television signals.
Analogue terrestrial television in the United Kingdom
Analogue terrestrial television in the United Kingdom is, traditionally, the method most people in the UKUnited Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
, Channel Islands
Channel Islands
The Channel Islands are an archipelago of British Crown Dependencies in the English Channel, off the French coast of Normandy. They include two separate bailiwicks: the Bailiwick of Guernsey and the Bailiwick of Jersey...
and the Isle of Man
Isle of Man
The Isle of Man , otherwise known simply as Mann , is a self-governing British Crown Dependency, located in the Irish Sea between the islands of Great Britain and Ireland, within the British Isles. The head of state is Queen Elizabeth II, who holds the title of Lord of Mann. The Lord of Mann is...
used to receive television. Analogue terrestrial television
Terrestrial television
Terrestrial television is a mode of television broadcasting which does not involve satellite transmission or cables — typically using radio waves through transmitting and receiving antennas or television antenna aerials...
is currently being phased out very slowly in the UK and will be completely replaced by digital terrestrial television in the United Kingdom
Digital terrestrial television in the United Kingdom
Digital terrestrial television in the United Kingdom encompasses over 100 television, radio and interactive services broadcast via the UK's terrestrial television network and receivable with a standard television aerial...
by the end of 2012. Until then some people may struggle to receive the digital transmissions as power levels are very low from some transmitters.
Analogue satellite and cable television in the United Kingdom
Initially, satellite and cable systems broadcast using standard (PAL) signals though often scrambled to prevent people watching the channels without paying a subscription.The major provider of satellite television in the UK, BSkyB
British Sky Broadcasting
British Sky Broadcasting Group plc is a satellite broadcasting, broadband and telephony services company headquartered in London, United Kingdom, with operations in the United Kingdom and the Ireland....
launched a digital service (called Sky) in 1998 based on DVB-S
DVB-S
DVB-S is an abbreviation for Digital Video Broadcasting — Satellite; it is the original Digital Video Broadcasting forward error coding and demodulation standard for satellite television and dates from 1994, in its first release, while development lasted from 1993 to 1997...
. This allowed many more channels and was marketed with a smaller dish. Take-up was very successful and Sky discontinued the former analogue service in 2001, although some of the channels which had been part of their package, such as CNN
CNN
Cable News Network is a U.S. cable news channel founded in 1980 by Ted Turner. Upon its launch, CNN was the first channel to provide 24-hour television news coverage, and the first all-news television channel in the United States...
and CNBC Europe
CNBC Europe
CNBC Europe is a business and financial news television channel, the pan-European sister station of CNBC. The network is owned and operated by NBC Universal and headquartered in London, where it shares the Adrian Smith-designed 10 Fleet Place building with Dow Jones...
, have continued broadcasting unaffected by Sky's departure.
Cable has not fully transitioned to the digital format (DVB-C
DVB-C
DVB-C stands for Digital Video Broadcasting - Cable and it is the DVB European consortium standard for the broadcast transmission of digital television over cable...
) as some parts of the physical cable network are not suitable for transmitting the digital signals.
Virgin Media will cease all analogue television transmissions by April 2010. [1][2]
The switch-off is being carried out in phases across the network. Currently only areas which have digital TV available are affected, and no plans have been announced for the "analogue-only" areas.
Before any area has analogue TV switched off, all analogue TV customers in the area will receive a letter from Virgin Media offering a free switch to their digital TV service. If the customer chooses not to migrate to digital, they will lose all TV channels when the switch off occurs.
Customers with the cable feed plugged directly into their TV or have an RF bypass installed, which allows them to watch the analogue terrestrial channels independent of their set-top box, will also cease to receive channels when the analogue signal is switched off. Customers will still be able to receive channels via their digital set-top box. In some parts of the network where digital cable is available, analogue transmissions have been ceased in order that the bandwidth may be utilised for more data for the digital platform, in others both systems run alongside each other, though often new channels will launch on digital at the expense of channels on the older analogue network, which encourages those users to switch.
The five terrestrial television
Terrestrial television
Terrestrial television is a mode of television broadcasting which does not involve satellite transmission or cables — typically using radio waves through transmitting and receiving antennas or television antenna aerials...
channels are carried FTA
Free-to-air
Free-to-air describes television and radio services broadcast in clear form, allowing any person with the appropriate receiving equipment to receive the signal and view or listen to the content without requiring a subscription or one-off fee...
on cable television
Cable television
Cable television is a system of providing television programs to consumers via radio frequency signals transmitted to televisions through coaxial cables or digital light pulses through fixed optical fibers located on the subscriber's property, much like the over-the-air method used in traditional...
along with the BBC News, CNBC Europe
CNBC Europe
CNBC Europe is a business and financial news television channel, the pan-European sister station of CNBC. The network is owned and operated by NBC Universal and headquartered in London, where it shares the Adrian Smith-designed 10 Fleet Place building with Dow Jones...
(Ex-NTL)/Bloomberg UK
Bloomberg Television
Bloomberg Television is a 24-hour global network broadcasting business and financial news. It is distributed globally, reaching over 200 million homes worldwide. It is owned and operated by Bloomberg L.P...
(Ex-Telewest
Telewest
Telewest, formerly Telewest Broadband and Telewest Communications was a cable Internet, broadband internet, telephone supplier and cable television provider in the United Kingdom...
) time shared with E4, Disney Cinemagic
Disney Cinemagic
Disney Cinemagic is the premium subscription movie service, available through Sky, TalkTalk TV and Virgin Media. The channel first appeared on 16 March 2006, airing previews, preparing for the official launch that took place at 17:00 on 19 March 2006....
(Ex-NTL) & Hallmark Channel
Hallmark Channel (UK)
The Universal Channel is a television channel owned by NBCUniversal.The channel mainly broadcasts United States imports including drama series and TV movies such as House MD and Law & Order. However the channel also screens British dramas including Hustle and Spooks, and Australian series like Sea...
(Ex-Telewest
Telewest
Telewest, formerly Telewest Broadband and Telewest Communications was a cable Internet, broadband internet, telephone supplier and cable television provider in the United Kingdom...
). However to view these feeds you need to have a TV that is capable of tuning frequencies used for cable. Plus note that no channels are receivable in Ex-Telewest
Telewest
Telewest, formerly Telewest Broadband and Telewest Communications was a cable Internet, broadband internet, telephone supplier and cable television provider in the United Kingdom...
areas as Virgin Media
Virgin Media
Virgin Media Inc. is a company which provides fixed and mobile telephone, television and broadband internet services to businesses and consumers in the United Kingdom...
have stopped their analog television
Analog television
Analog television is the analog transmission that involves the broadcasting of encoded analog audio and analog video signal: one in which the message conveyed by the broadcast signal is a function of deliberate variations in the amplitude and/or frequency of the signal...
in these areas.