Clyde 1 only a temporary replacement for 3C

Emap have confirmed that Clyde 1 is not a permanent replacement for closed country music station 3C. Emap said it would unveil a permanent replacement for the station - which it claimed “[lacked] the potential for scale or growth” - on Freeview and DAB within the next few months.

Emap and C4 to launch new Freeview channel

Media group Emap and Channel 4 are to launch a new joint-venture channel on Freeview, offering music videos and youth programming. As deeteetee reported in February, the two companies have been in discussions for some time over the new venture, which sees Channel 4 gain control over more Freeview capacity and gives Emap access to better quality programming. The new channel will launch in place of Emap’s The Hits channel.

Clyde 1 replaces 3C on Freeview

As previously reported, 3C has left Freeview today and has been replaced by its Scottish sister station Clyde 1. 3C, which was available on Freeview and in some parts of the country via DAB, was the UK’s only national radio station to broadcast from Scotland: it has now ceased operations entirely. Clyde 1 broadcasts to Glasgow and West Central Scotland on FM: it is not clear at this stage if it is only a temporary addition to the Freeview line-up.

Reports: 3C to close?

Presenters on country music station 3C are warning listeners that the station is about to close. The station, available on Freeview channel 724, is owned by the beleaguered Emap group, who are looking to off-load radio stations in an attempt to sure-up their business.

Ofcom to investigate pay-television market

At the request of BT [Vision], Top Up TV, Setanta Sports and Virgin Media, media regulator Ofcom is to launch an investigation into the UK pay-television market. In other words, they will investigate the dominance of Sky and whether they should be referred to the Competition Commission. Despite not yet having received an application, Ofcom will also pre-empt Sky's "plan" to launch a pay service on DTT by investigating the effect it would have on the marketplace. Sky have responded in a typically-childish manner, claiming "BT, Top Up TV and Setanta all have a commercial interest in preventing Sky from increasing customer choice by developing a new pay-TV service on DTT".

Switchover begins on October 17

The switchover from analogue to digital terrestrial television will commence on October 17, Ofcom confirmed today. Viewers in Whitehaven (Border region) will see on-screen messages from May advising of the switch; BBC Two analogue will be switched off on October 17; the remaining analogue channels will cease transmissions on November 14. "At least 18" Freeview channels will be available.

ITV2+1 launches on Freeview

ITV2+1 has launched on Freeview channel 31. The channel is a time-shifted version of ITV2 (surprisingly) and will broadcast 24 hours a day. It is expected that ITV2+1 will only be a temporary addition to the DTT line-up while ITV develop a new channel for the slot, possibly ITV Movies.

3.8 million Freeview receivers sold in 2006

GfK sales figures reveal 3.8 million DTT receivers were sold last year, with the total number of DTT-only households up to 7.7 million. This figure does not include households with other digital television providers who use DTT boxes for "second-sets". 77.2% of the UK now has digital TV.

ITV Play scrapped, ITV2+1 to launch on Freeview

ITV's money-making premium-rate phone-in channel ITV Play has been closed and will not return as a standalone channel (although quiz television shows will still be shown overnight on ITV1 and ITV2). The channel will be replaced on Freeview by time-shift channel ITV2+1 on Thursday, March 15.

Sky consider keeping Freeview channels

As suspected, Sky are reportedly reconsidering their decision to remove their three channels from Freeview in order to launch a subscription service on digital terrestrial. Already facing significant audience losses on their flagship channel Sky One (since it was removed from the Virgin Media cable line-up), Sky are now considering throwing films and football at the channel to keep advertisers happy. This strategy would replace their ridiculous idea to launch a Sky-in-miniature service on DTT.

Teletext rolls out new look

The new-look Teletext on ITV and Teletext on 4 services have been rolled out onto Freeview today. Pressing text is now a very purple affair.

ITV Play suspended

ITV is to suspend premium-rate phone-in channel ITV Play and all associated programmes on ITV1 and ITV2 with immediate effect. While an audit of the channel's practises is carried out, no competitions will be broadcast. Programming will return on an individual basis.

Top Up TV placeholders removed

Placeholders for old Top Up TV and pay-per-view services have now been removed from the Electronic Programme Guide. Closed channels (including Discovery Channel, Cartoon Network and the Top Up TV Promo) will no longer appear on set-top boxes after a re-scan.

Setanta Sports launches

Setanta Sports have launched their new subscription service on DTT. Viewers will need to re-scan their receivers in order to pick up the new channel, which broadcasts between 12:00 and 03:00 daily, on channel 34. Setanta Sports will be bringing subscribers top-flight European football, US PGA golf and Magners League rugby, 7 days a week.

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.