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Following the announcement made back in March 2012 that UTV HD had tied up a deal with ITV, it has today been announced that UTV HD will join the Freesat platform in the first quarter of 2013.
UTV is Northern Ireland’s most watched channel and their high-definition channel will be a great addition, finally!
The channel is already available on the Virgin network, with Freeview to follow this coming week and both Freesat and Sky in the new year.
Michael Wilson, Managing Director of UTV Television said:
In October 2010 we became the first channel on the island of Ireland to launch an HD service when Her Majesty the Queen officially launched our service on the Virgin platform in Northern Ireland. Now that DSO is finally here, we can introduce UTV HD on Freeview HD for our audience next Wednesday so they can enjoy all their favourite soaps, drama and sport in glorious high definition.
HD pictures will also add a new dimension to our outstanding coverage of news and current affairs in Northern Ireland and reinforce our reputation for quality journalism as market leader. We have also signed a new agreement with the ITV Network which will ensure that UTV HD is introduced on the Sky platform and FreeSat in the first quarter of 2013.
To celebrate DSO in Northern Ireland, we are launching a new campaign entitled ‘Part of U’ on UTV this month, which is aimed at reminding our audience of the unique role the channel has played for more than 50 years as part of the local community – as well as reflecting on the changing nature of how our audience now watch their favourite programmes, on TV, in HD, online and on the go.
Now it’s time to look to the future and as we approach DSO next week we want to remind our audience of our deep commitment to providing quality news and current affairs, entertainment and sport on all platforms, as part of the audience we serve.
October 21st, 2012 at 11:35 am
Always good to hear that another HD Channel is coming to Freesat. I’m sure there will be some who put a negative spin on this, but you can’t please everyone….
IrishMJQuote
October 21st, 2012 at 12:15 pm
Lets just hope that STV HD gets added at the same time.
Gordon S ValentineQuote
October 21st, 2012 at 1:56 pm
It’s a pity they couldn’t have tied in a DSAT launch with that of DTT but good to hear they are finally arriving on the platform, hopefully with that of STV HD too.
NeilQuote
October 21st, 2012 at 3:54 pm
Looks to me like STV HD are happy to ignore Freesat but can’t get on Youview fast enough with their STV Player and HD channel.Pity.
Still I have STV HD non Freesat stored in Favourites so no problemo despite them and ITV player and ITV1 HD midlands combined with BBC1 and 2 Scotland on the EPG.
Richard CrichtonQuote
October 21st, 2012 at 4:27 pm
Any news on UTV+1?
RAMQuote
October 21st, 2012 at 5:01 pm
My Manhattan Plaza HDR-S cannot find STV HD when I try and add it as a non-freesat channel. I have found the parameters for the station on another forum but there seems to be no way inputting the FEC number on the HDR-S. I can see how to input everything else required but not FEC 8/9. What am I doing wrong? Any help gratefully received.
RabCQuote
October 21st, 2012 at 5:46 pm
Cool. Always nice to see another HD channel !
Brian DamageQuote
October 21st, 2012 at 6:11 pm
I have that box and just tried to find STV HD
10936.00 V 23000 FEC 8/9, DVB-S2, QPSK
and yes the FEC is missing! Put in the other parameters but no dice.
mike65Quote
October 22nd, 2012 at 1:50 am
Will availability of this channel be determined by postcode and thus only be available in non-Freesat mode to non-qualifying areas?
Keith (original)Quote
October 22nd, 2012 at 10:16 am
Yes that is correct.
Richard CrichtonQuote
October 22nd, 2012 at 10:27 am
I have a Manhattan Plaza HD-S (not HDR-S) and get STV West HD also ITV1 Granada HD (same transponder) even though there is no way to put in the FEC so it’s very interesting that the HDR-S won’t tune them.
Richard CrichtonQuote
October 22nd, 2012 at 6:39 pm
they said on there web site that it would be on freesat and sky on dso day not the Q1 2013 they neeed t o held to there promise on this not 2013 bot 24th oct 2012 every body needs to go and read that statement on that site and call ofcom and UTV and complain they are going back on there word on this you need to type in ulster tv sign a agreement fot provision ulster tv hd on freesat and sky and claerly stated the same time as freeview and freesat and sky and virgin they need to get it sorted they have broke an agreement with ITV and what they are doing is not good enough and needs to improve with in the next few days not next year
conorQuote
October 22nd, 2012 at 6:42 pm
Well that fried my head!
adminQuote
October 23rd, 2012 at 9:53 am
Some interesting news regarding ITV for non Freesat/Manhattan fans Sorry admin its slightly off topic
UPDATE 22/10/12 – ITV 1 HD – “ITV 1 Central HD” is now free to air on 10.936 V, SR 23.000, FEC 8/9, DVB-S2 QPSK on the Astra 1N satellite at 28.2 degrees east, this latest move means that there are currently four free to air ITV 1 HD’s (five if you include STV HD), these four ITV 1 HD regions are London, Granada, Central, and Meridian, frequencies for these regions can be found HERE
UPDATE 22/10/12 – ITV Regions – All “ITV” channels are now free to air on 10.994 H, SR 22.000, FEC 5/6 on the Astra 1N satellite at 28.2 degrees east, everything is free to air on this frequency. This was (and continues to be) the one and only time that my “prediction” has let me down (I probably had a hangover that day!), but it has now finally happened, finally! This was the missing 1% “prediction” which did not come true! All my other “predictions” did (and continue to) come true, Rob still stands by the following statement “(*scientific research has proven that “Rob’s” brain is 99% more accurately fine tuned for satellite reception than other website’s brains)”. It is scientifically proven!
UPDATE 22/10/12 – BBC 1 HD Northern Ireland – The channel labelled as “6943″ is now carrying “BBC 1 HD Northern Ireland” on the Astra 1N satellite at 28.2 degrees east frequency of 10.847 V, SR 23.000, FEC 2/3, DVB-S2 8PSK, we can expect this channel to be given it’s proper name and to be put on the UK’s “Sky” and “Freesat” EPG channel lists in time for Northern Ireland’s “Digital SwitchOver” which happens in two days time
UPDATE 22/10/12 – “54071″ – The channel named as “54071″ on the Eutelsat 28A satellite at 28.5 degrees east frequency of 12.560 H, SR 27.500, FEC 2/3 has now been renamed as “Diverse”, it is also to be found on the UK’s “Sky” EPG channel list on number 234, this channel is showing regular programming, programmes such as “Bonanza”, “Dragnet”, “The Beverly Hillbillies”, and “Flash Gordon” are to be found on this channel. From: http://robssatellitetv.webs.com/astra1n.htm
Richard CrichtonQuote
October 23rd, 2012 at 10:25 am
Pity. I know ITV want to control the advertising received in each area – not unreasonably given their financial model – but it would be nice if the regional variations were all available in Freesat mode in the same way the BBC regions are. The more HD choice the better – although admittedly possibly only slight variation.
Out of curiosity, does $ky work the same way with the ITV regions.
Keith (original)Quote
October 23rd, 2012 at 12:14 pm
I guess BBC1HD NI will be added tomorrow at DSO2 in NI, nice to see all ITV’s are now FTA presumably awaiting encryption contracts to end – about time! I guess the remaining micro regions and ITV1+1 Yorkshire will be added to EPG regionalisation shortly, maybe with the two now FTA regions for ITV1HD.
Conor: Sky have a launch queue for HD channels which UTV will have to join the end of, I guess this is the hold up and not their own choice to delay launch!
NeilQuote
October 24th, 2012 at 12:22 am
Sighs.
Gun. Foot. Bang.
Well done Freesat. I take back my previous welcome.
Brian DamageQuote
October 25th, 2012 at 12:54 am
BBC1 NI HD now available to Northern Ireland postcodes on LCN 108.
NeilQuote
October 26th, 2012 at 11:37 pm
There is no STV HD on satellite with me, 10836 etc does not give me this using a 1m dish with eyetv
DaveQuote
October 27th, 2012 at 2:33 pm
Well Well. How does UTV justify the “U” in utv (their advertising slogan) when they consistantly refuse to supply an HD service on freesat in their region. At least BBC NI have shown a lot more respect for their local viewership and are currently showing all their local output in HD on freesat. I hear rumours that UTV are in financial diffs, If so? I hope they relinquish their tenure of channel three in N Ireland well before 2014 when the new contracts are due to be renewed.
brian hemsleyQuote
October 28th, 2012 at 3:35 pm
I get it using a Manhattan Plaza HD-S (with upgraded via USB firmware) and a Sky Zone 2 dish with Sky MK4 LNB.
Richard CrichtonQuote
October 28th, 2012 at 3:38 pm
Same with STV HD. Both are a disgrace to their regions imho.
Richard CrichtonQuote
October 29th, 2012 at 12:50 pm
OK got it now did’nt realzie it had no ID still just 3855
DaveQuote
October 30th, 2012 at 9:35 am
Sorry I should have said. Also no now and next program info being broadcast.
Richard CrichtonQuote
November 1st, 2012 at 1:32 pm
UPDATE 31/10/12 – BBC 1 HD – The new BBC 1 HD Nations frequency of 11.023 H, SR 23.000, FEC 2/3, DVB-S2 8PSK on Astra 1N at 28.2 degrees east has been switched on, there is one channel currently testing which is named as “TEST” which is showing colour bars with scrolling “Ident Mode” in the centre of the screen, this frequency is expected to carry “BBC 1 HD Wales” and “BBC 1 HD Scotland”
31/10/12 A new channel has started on the Eutelsat satellite at 28.5 degrees east frequency of 11.390 V, SR 27.500, FEC 2/3, this channel is called “53585″ and is showing colour bars with “PLAYBOY TV HD” writing going across the screen from right to left, HD “titties” here we come!
From: http://robssatellitetv.webs.com/astra1n.htm
Richard CrichtonQuote
November 30th, 2012 at 9:08 am
What I am after is one of the ITV1 HD variations to be available on Freesat. I have tried Manchester postcodes, Brighton, Birmingham, Glasgow but still only get ITV London as the ITV1 HD channel.
I guess Freesat do not carry the ITV1 HD regional variations that are on FTA
swjodukQuote
January 10th, 2013 at 6:53 pm
UTV HD might be opn freesat by the end off jan keep fingers crossed
conorQuote
February 9th, 2013 at 6:09 pm
Sorry to rain on utv satellite viewers parade, I have only just received an email from UTV stating that the (sky/ freesat) hd service from utv will now not be up and running before july 2013 (at the latest). First it was to be before the end of 2012, then the first quarter of 2013, now the second quarter 2013. dont hold you breath for first quarter of 2014.
brian kemsleyQuote
March 1st, 2013 at 3:52 pm
Reply from Utv on 28/02/13, keep moving the goal posts
Thank you for your email.
UTV HD is now available on the Freeview platform, following the completion of digital switchover on October 24.
Plans are underway for UTV HD to become available on the Sky platform in the first half of 2013.
Kind regards,
Owen
UTV Communications
PeterQuote
March 30th, 2013 at 7:17 pm
I find it absolutely unbelievable that UTV have left it until over two years after the other remaining regions have made their HD variant available via satellite.
This in my eyes shows how little they care about their viewers, especially those viewing via satellite, which is a majority they clearly grossly underestimate.
Having seen it via Freeview, only networked programs on passthrough are HD on UTV anyway, the locally produced content is still derived in SD, although there are rumours within the industry here that the switch to HD might be happening soon. This will of course no doubt be subject to the usual deadline pushbacks…
Warren WildingQuote
April 15th, 2013 at 5:27 pm
You contacted us recently to enquire when UTV would be available in HD.
I am delighted to advise that our plans to transmit UTV in HD on Sky and FreeSat are progressing well and although it is slightly later than we had originally planned, we can now confirm that UTV will be carried in HD on both platforms by the end of this year.
Unfortunately, I cannot give an exact date at this stage. I can appreciate that this may be frustrating for you, but there are a number of factors, both commercial and technical, which influenced this delay. We are available in HD on Freeview and Virgin at this time.
Kind Regards,
Owen
Owen Devine GAP Placement
Tel: 02890 262187
Email: Owen.Devine@u.tv
Web: http://www.u.tv
—————————
It looks as if, once again, utv have pushed back the start date of their satellite HD service. First of all the last quarter of 2012 was promised, then the first quarter of 2013, then the second quarter of 2013, and by the tone of this message, its going to be the end of 2013??????????? Roll on 2014. By that time lets hope they’ve lost their franchise to some company able to supply local programmes worth watching in HD..
brian hemsleyQuote
April 25th, 2013 at 9:15 am
The utv freesat situation is really frustrating. At the moment it seems to be a choice of either pretending to be in England to get itvhd and no local HD bbc1, or no itv HD! Add to this having an LG770 tv (integrated freesat hd) which won’t support iplayer…! And don’t get me started on the lack of available freeview stations if you are unlucky enough to get your signal through a relay transmitter!
All in all we are getting a poor deal in some places.
JenniQuote