Teletext to launch "Extra" listings service

Teletext is to re-brand with a new purple livery and launch a new service on Freeview, Teletext Extra, which will include a 14-day television listings guide. A launch date for the new services has not been announced, although you can already see the new look on Teletext Holidays, on Freeview channel 101.

Channel 4 to take over The Hits?

Channel 4 is considering a joint venture with troubled media company Emap to run its music channels. The deal, which would give Channel 4 access to The Hits on Freeview, would see the broadcaster become MTV's biggest competitor in the UK.

Four-screen BBC News Multiscreen launched

The BBC have updated the News Multiscreen on Freeview. The service, available on BBCi page 1001 or via the red button, now carries widescreen News Headlines, News Extra, Sport and Weather loops.

Cartoon Network leaves Top Up TV

Cartoon Network has left the linear Top Up TV service. The encryption was removed shortly before 10:00 this morning (an hour before the scheduled finish time for the channel) before the broadcast ceased altogether a few minutes later. I know because I was watching it. Cartoon Network programmes are still available on Top Up TV Anytime. The linear Top Up TV service is now down to just 20½ hours per day.

Sport and Weather for BBC News Multiscreen

The BBC has confirmed that the News Multiscreen will be expanded at the end of February with the addition of sport and weather loops. The Freeview service will then have a total of four extra streams, compared to the full five-loop service (the fifth being Entertainment) on satellite.

Sky to launch subscription service on DTT?

Sky plan to launch a new subscription service on DTT in the summer. The capacity currently used by Sky's three Freeview channels (Sky Three, Sky News and Sky Sports News) will be used to broadcast an extra MPEG4 stream - meaning these channels will no longer be available on Freeview and that a new box will be required to view the content. A monthly subscription will be charged for content, likely to include Premiership football and premium content. The service is yet to receive the green light from Ofcom, and highlights how seriously Sky is taking the threat of rival pay-TV providers (such as BT, Top Up TV and Setanta Sports) taking away revenue from satellite subscriptions.

Top Up TV Promo channel returns

The Top Up TV Promo channel has recommenced broadcasts on Freeview. The promotional video, found on Freeview channel 43, broadcasts between 13:00 and 23:00 from now until the end of February, when the Setanta Sports channel begins broadcasts.

Teletext Games launches

Teletext's latest channel, Teletext Games has fully launched on channel 103. The text service allows viewers to play games on a pay-per-play basis. The channel is the first commercial games service on DTT since the closure of YooPlay.

Discovery Channel leaves Top Up TV

The Discovery Channel will no longer broadcast on channel 27. The Top Up TV channel has been removed to make way for the new Setanta Sports channel, which launches on March 1. Programming from the channel is available via the Top Up TV Anytime service.

Setanta Sports launches on March 1

Setanta Sports' new subscription channel, exclusively available on DTT, will start broadcasting on March 1. Viewers will need a Top Up TV box, Freeview box with a card slot, BT Vision box or IDTV with a CAM: they will also need a subscription card. The monthly subscription charge will be £10.90/month; a £10 connection fee applies, but there is no minimum contract period.

Broadcasters want HD for All

A coalition called HDForALL have launched a campaign for high definition TV to be made available on Freeview. Not suprisingly, it's made up of HD television manufacturers, the BBC, ITV, Channel 4 and Five.

2 million Freeview boxes sold in 2006 Q4

2,000,000 Freeview receivers were sold in the last 3 months of 2006.

Discovery Real Time leaves Top Up TV

Discovery Real Time will no longer broadcast on channel 42. The Top Up TV channel has been removed to make way for the new Setanta Sports channel, which launches on March 1. Programming from the channel is available via the Top Up TV Anytime service.

Top Up TV Promo to return

Top Up TV's Promo channel will resume broadcasting on February 8. The promotional video will be carried on channel 43, between 13:00 and 23:00. In other news, Top Up's linear television service (British Eurosport, UKTV Gold and UKTV Style) is no longer available to new subscribers.