satellite
channel changes

Channel changes are coming to Freeview satellite on 21 January 2025, with Sky Open, eden+1 and Bravo+1 moving to an advanced compression algorithm and Al Jazeera English moving to a new transponder.

These changes are being made in preparation for an upcoming satellite TV network update in April 2025, where the Optus D2 satellite carrying New Zealand TV transmissions will be replaced. Learn more here. 

If you’re tuned into Freeview through a satellite dish, then we recommend you check your satellite box to make sure you can watch Sky Open, eden+1, Bravo+1 and Al Jazeera English after January 21st. 

It's easy! Go to Freeview channel 20, if you can’t watch Al Jazeera English, then it’s time to replace your satellite box. If you can, then you’re all good. 

On the day, if your box or TV acts up on those channels – give it a retune.

You can choose from a range of options to replace your older satellite box.

• Where there’s good internet: stream Live TV channels with the Freeview Streaming TV app, it's free to download on most Smart TVs and preloaded onto SmartVU dongles. eden+1 and Bravo+1 will be added to Freeview Streaming TV following the January 21st channel changes.
• If you prefer a ‘like for like’ setup, you can get a new satellite box.
• If you’d like to go ‘box-free’, get a dual-tuner TV. Available across the Samsung, Panasonic and LG range.

Pick up your new satellite box, SmartVU dongle or dual-tuner TV from trusted electronics retailers nationwide.

These channel changes are being made to Freeview's satellite service only. So they will only have possible impact for you if you're tuned in through a satellite dish.

If you watch live TV on Freeview through a UHF aerial or use the Freeview Streaming TV app, these channel changes won't affect you in any way.

Here's a super easy way to tell how you're getting Freeview: check your channels! 

If you’re tuned in through a satellite dish, you should have George FM on channel 70.

If you’re tuned in through a UHF aerial, you should have CH200 on channel 200.

And if you stream using the Freeview Streaming TV App, you would have Juice TV on channel 38.

Currently Sky TV manages the satellite transmission for these Freeview channels and the changes are being made by Sky to optimize their capacity usage to support an upcoming satellite TV network update in April 2025, where the Optus D2 satellite carrying New Zealand TV transmissions will be replaced. Learn more here.

Some satellite boxes last a long time! There are still a small number of older satellite boxes in use today that still run on the older DVB-S broadcast standard, which does not support the advanced compression algorithm being introduced on Sky Open, eden+1 and Bravo+1 on Jan 21st. This is why older satellite boxes won't be able to pick up those channels after the channel changes take place.

Upgrading your satellite box now will future-proof your TV setup, as it's likely more channels will adopt the advanced compression algorithm later down the line.