bbc going hd

[Chris5964]

I have just one through what the BBC has instructed us to do to get future HD bbc and it states on the Sky bbcup grade at no extra cost but you have to do it with a remote that has a servies button on it mine doesn`t so I called to be told after 2 months I will have to pay for the privilage of having HD that 1one I can`t afford and two It isn`t my fault they are up grading plus on the up grade page it says free of charge not after 2 months you will be charge I`m fuming over this is this correct ?

[TimmyBGood]

@Chris5964 

The HD versions of the PSB channels* (1-5) are included by default in every Sky subscription bundle at no extra cost.

On Sky Q the HD add-on covers the other channels (including the Sky-branded channels) which have both SD and HD versions, and also upgrades Netflix Basic to Netflix Standard on the Ultimate TV product.  You can choose not to have this add-on and so only view the SD versions.

*Channel 3 services, Channel 4, Channel 5, S4C and the BBC, plus all their variations.

[xenon81]

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@Chris5964 wrote:

I have just one through what the BBC has instructed us to do to get future HD bbc and it states on the Sky bbcup grade at no extra cost but you have to do it with a remote that has a servies button on it mine doesn`t so I called to be told after 2 months I will have to pay for the privilage of having HD that 1one I can`t afford and two It isn`t my fault they are up grading plus on the up grade page it says free of charge not after 2 months you will be charge I`m fuming over this is this correct ?

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What Sky service do you have? If your remote doesn't have a services button you probably have Sky Q and if so there's no need to uprade. Just make sure you're watching the BBC HD channels and not SD.

[Chris5964]

Hi so this does this mean channels 1-5 are free on HD and it was wrong what the man was saying he would do it for free for two months then start charging me ?

[Chris5964]

yes I have Sky Q 

[TimmyBGood]

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@Chris5964 wrote:

Hi so this does this mean channels 1-5 are free on HD

PSB channels (1-5) are 'free-to-air' (including their HD versions).  That doesn't mean having a Q box is free though.

and it was wrong what the man was saying he would do it for free for two months then start charging me ?

That was incorrect for the PSB channels, but would be correct for other channels that have an HD version.

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[TimmyBGood]

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@Chris5964 wrote:

yes I have Sky Q 

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Then you already have the HD versions of channels 1-5 (and all their variations) and aren't paying anything extra for those.

[Chris5964]

Hi so why am I seeing this request every time I record on BBC I will now call them thank you for the info anythin to et money out you 

[TimmyBGood]

@Chris5964 

That's an unrelated Sky error, and needs to be sorted out by Sky.

 The 'upgrade' advice from the BBC regarding their SD satellite broadcast switch-off applies to non-HD-capable receivers (i.e. Sky digiboxes, Sky+ boxes that pre-date Sky+ HD and antique  Freesat kit)

[nigea99]

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@Chris5964 wrote:

Hi so this does this mean channels 1-5 are free on HD and it was wrong what the man was saying he would do it for free for two months then start charging me ?

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hi @Chris5964 

Yes BBC, ITV, Ch4 & Ch 5 are all watchable live in HD for free (although bizzarly catch up & On demand for C4 & C5 is only SD)

it is also possible that a couple of other channels are also available in HD without the HD add on but I haven't looked up which 

The adviser would have been just giving you the 'HD add on' for free for 2 months  as part of the deal & to tempt you to keep it - as @TimmyBGood says this allows you to watch other channels (such as the SKY Specific channels) in HD also (as well as catch up & on demand downloads in HD inc C4 & C5)  

Please note any offers such as this of 2 months free of HD requires you to cancel it with 31 days notice (they automatically start charging unless cancelled before due) 

[TimmyBGood]

I'd add that the BBC has announced their SD satellite channel switch-off is being brought forward from March 2024 to January 8th 2024: this will not affect any Sky Q hardware.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/reception/work-warning/news/hd-2023