NHS Direct to launch on Sky Text

NHS Direct - the health information text service that has been promising to launch on Freeview since the dawn of time - will be launching on Sky Text. Tuning to channel 108 and pressing the blue button (or going to Sky Text page 800 or 802) currently displays a “coming soon” message.

Report: Flextech could drop subscriptions

A feud between Sky and Flextech over subscription revenue could see Flextech channels go free-to-air. The channels - including Living, Bravo and FTN - are currently only available with a basic Sky subscription on satellite. A move onto Freeview for the channels could be feasible: Flextech have a 75% stake in the stream used for FTN and UKTV Bright Ideas; rumours suggest that FTN could even be re-branded to become the company’s flagship channel.

BBC to trial own “on-demand” service

Following the launch of Top Up TV Anytime, the BBC is to launch a trial of its own on-demand service, BBC+, in London. The 3-month trial will see 300 householders equipped with a PVR which automatically records 50 hours of BBC content each week, and that has capacity for 50 hours of personal recordings.

Radio Music Shop launches on Freeview

Radio Music Shop has launched on Freeview channel 729 (and Sky Digital channel 0208) today. The station plays a wide range of music, all of which is available to purchase by calling 0906 6800081.

Ofcom reveal post-switchover figures

Media regulator Ofcom has confirmed that 98.5% of households will have access to the Public Service Broadcast multiplexes (1, 2 and B) after digital switchover. This figure matches the proportion of the country that currently has access to analogue terrestrial television. Commercial multiplexes A, C and D will be available to at least 90% of households; improving this last figure is the responsibility of the multiplex owners who would have to apply for additional transmission sites.

FTN to drop Quiz Call - for programmes!

FTN looks to be attempting to shake off its reputation as one of the weakest Freeview channels with a new schedule from the beginning of next year. Several popular shows from its sister channels - including The L Word, Bullseye and The Crystal Maze - will be replacing quiz and travel shop programming.

BT Vision launched

BT have officially launched their BT Vision Freeview-plus-broadband offering. The service provides on-demand content, delivered via your broadband connection, alongside the standard Freeview line-up. Initially, the service is only available to BT Total Broadband subscribers (as the BT Home Hub is required), although new customers can choose to subscribe to Total Broadband at the same time to take advantage of the special installation offers.

In other news, Teletext Cars is now a regional service, only featuring cars available in your region. As a result, it now uses less bandwidth, most likely paving the way for the launch of Teletext Games. The “Noggin” children’s block on TMF is now known as Nick Jr., and simulcasts the channel’s morning programmes.

“Anytime” boxes released December 4

The set-top boxes required to access the new Top Up TV Anytime service will begin being sent out to customers from Monday, December 4. Boxes should be sent out on a first-registered, first-served basis. The move coincides with the launch of BT’s rival Freeview-plus-broadband "on-demand" service, BT Vision.

Teletext Games appears on channel 103

Teletext Games has appeared on Freeview channel 103. The channel will feature Keno, Roulette and Face-Up Hold’em from “the New Year”. It is currently broadcasting some (rather tinny) audio alongside a placeholder. Teletext Games can be found on multiplex A.

Film4+1 launches on Freeview

Film4+1 has replaced the Quiz Call channel on Freeview. It can be found on channel 32. Quiz Call programming is still available on FTN and overnight on Five. Film4+1 is a temporary measure, filling the capacity until Channel 4 launch a new channel in the slot.

BBC Parliament goes full-screen

BBC Parliament is now available in full, widescreen on Freeview. The channel had only been accessible as a quarter-screen feed due to space-sharing with the BBC News Multiscreen service on DTT. You may need to re-scan your digital box to see the change: the existing quarter-screen service will move to channel 305. Until then, the service is still temporarily available in quarter-screen.

Freeview brand gets a new look

As previously reported, the Freeview brand has been given a mini-revamp, with a new logo and website launched today. The new look and “free TV land” promotion can be seen at freeview.co.uk and in upcoming Christmas marketing campaigns.

Heart, Radio Music Shop appear

Placeholders for radio stations Heart and Radio Music Shop have appeared on Freeview channels 728 and 729, respectively. As yet, there is no data or audio being broadcast. The stations are being carried on multiplex 2 (ITV/Channel 4).

Five US launches on Freeview

Five's second digital sister channel, Five US has launched on Freeview channel 35. Broadcasting 24 hours a day, initially only showing programming from 16:00 each day, Five US will showcase the best of Five's imports from America and extended coverage of American sport.

Five Life launches on Freeview

The first of Five's two new digital channels, Five Life has launched on Freeview channel 36. The channel will show children's programming every morning under the Milkshake! brand, with spin-off programming and repeats from Five throughout the afternoon and evening. Five Life will broadcast from 06:00 to 23:00 every day.

Placeholders for Five Life, Five US appear

Placeholders for new Freeview channels Five US and Five Life have appeared on channels 35 and 36 respectively. Viewers may have to retune to receive the new services which launch later this month.

Freeview channels change places

A number of Freeview channels have moved to new LCNs (channel numbers) today. ITV4 has moved to 28 (from 30), Film4 moves to 29 (from 31), E4+1 moves to 32 (from 30), ITV Play changes from 35 to 31 and Quiz Call switches to 32 from 36. Five US and Five Life will broadcast on channels 35 and 36 respectively.

Five confirm new channel details

Five have today confirmed details of the two new sister channels they will launch on Freeview this October. Five Life will broadcast between 06:00 and 23:00 on channel 26, launching on October 15. Five US will broadcast from 16:00 to 01:00 on channel 35, and launches October 16.

TVTV Digital appears on Freeview

TVTV Digital has appeared on Freeview channel 304. The new service will provide electronic programme guide (EPG) listings for selected digital receivers by broadcasting data overnight between 02:00 and 06:30. It shares capacity with Virgin Radio during these hours.

Film4 launches on Freeview

Film4 has launched on Freeview channel 31. The first movie shown on the new-look and subscription-free channel was Lost in Translation: from tonight, the channel will broadcast daily from 15:00 to 03:00, showing classic films in the afternoons, blockbusters in the evenings and specialist/foreign films later at night.

Switchover will start in Whitehaven

The government have revealed details of the first place in the UK to undergo digital switchover. Whitehaven in Cumbria will be the first town to see its analogue television signals switched off and replaced by digital broadcasts in Autumn 2007. The surrounding Border region will not complete its switchover until mid-2009.

Virgin Radio launches on Freeview

Virgin Radio has launched on Freeview channel 727. The station broadcasts in 128kbps stereo between 06:30 and 02:00, and 96kbps mono between 02:00 and 06:30 when it shares its capacity with YooMedia (who lease the station broadcast capacity).

FilmFour begins video testing

Promotional video testing has begun on FilmFour (Freeview channel 31) ahead of its launch on July 23. As expected, the testing has replaced the live stream from the Big Brother house (channel 305) before the reality series' conclusion.

Five announce launch of new digital channels

Five has announced it will launch two new digital sister channels on Freeview in the autumn. "Five Life" will be aimed at a female audience with dramas and soaps, and will also show children's programmes under the Milkshake! brand; "Five US" will showcase first-run US drama such as CSI, Law and Order, Greys Anatomy and Criminal Minds.

The capacity for the new channels will come from the channel slots currently leased to Top Up TV, meaning the subscription television package currently offered by the company will no longer be possible from autumn. Without access to as many primetime streams as before, a new service "Top Up TV Anytime" will see the company switch from providing conventional channels to "on-demand" style programming. Using overnight capacity, programmes will be "downloaded" to a new set-top box, the Anytime PVR, for viewers to watch later in the day at their leisure.