Mastodon UK Cable TV Changes

Saturday, 14 March 2026

New FAST Services - Pre-launch Configurations:
 
ID 2397  8 Out of 10 Cats  -  FAST Channel Portal - Internal Networks Only
- Short EPG Name: 8Out10Cats 
- Added to TSID 8 SID 845 on traditional cable networks.
- Pre-launch EPG slot allocation - channel 250. Channel numbers are subject to change.
- Added to 2 internal networks often used for pre-launch configuration.
   - Code Download Test (Portsmouth)
   - NGRHEE Bromley
 
ID 2398  Pointless  -  FAST Channel Portal - Internal Networks Only
- Short EPG Name: Pointless 
- Added to TSID 8 SID 846 on traditional cable networks.
- Pre-launch EPG slot allocation - channel 251. Channel numbers are subject to change.
- Added to 3 internal networks often used for pre-launch configuration.
   - Code Download Test (Portsmouth)
   - NGRHEE Bromley
   - TTA Knowsley DMC (Hayes_RHE)
 
For both of the above regional services: 
- Flagged as the Entertainment Genre.
- Hidden from the EPG - Hide1 flag added.
- HD flag added.
- SDT root flags show that the services are not running and not encrypted.
- Subscription code segments had not been added at the time of the analysis.
- PMTs and elementary streams had not been added at the time of the analysis.
Note that the pre-launch channel allocations of 250 & 251 are already in use by other services. 
Early indications are that these services will not be available on V6 devices.
 
 
New Regional Services - Pre-launch Configurations - SDT Root Flags updated:
ID 2415  BBC ONE W Midlands HD  -  Internal Networks Only
ID 2416  ITV1 Central West HD
  -  Internal Networks Only
- SDT root flags show that these services are running and encrypted - encryption restored.
The status of these services have changed to indicate that encryption has been restored.
 
 
FAST Service - NIT Duplicates: 
ID 2389  Rakuten TV Sci-Fi  -  FAST Channel Portal - Not on V6 or Tivo
- Duplicate service records have been added to the NIT of multiple networks.
This will be recorded as an error on the SI Errors page.
Although all parts of the network can't be checked it is known that the duplicate entries have been added to 64 of the 68 networks on the ex-Telewest part of the network. 

Friday, 13 March 2026

New Service - Pre-launch Configuration - Update:
ID 2416  ITV1 Central West HD  -  Internal Networks Only
- Added to 1 internal networks often used for pre-launch configuration.
   - Code Download Test (Portsmouth)
Joins BBC ONE W Midlands HD on internal network - Code Download Test (Portsmouth).

Thursday, 12 March 2026

Housekeeping - Placeholder SIDs:
 
ID   244  HGTV - Placeholder - End of Service.
- Moved from SID 258 to placeholder SID 291 (TSID 2) on traditional cable networks. 
Releasing SID 258 for re-use as PreProd Test9. 
 
ID 1475  5 USA +1 - Placeholder - End of Service.
- Moved from SID 251 to placeholder SID 290 (TSID 2) on traditional cable networks. 
Releasing SID 251 for re-use as PreProd Test1. 
 
 
Ten New Internal Services - Pre-launch Configurations:
IDs 2401 to 2410  PreProd Test1 to PreProd Test10  -  Internal Networks Only
- Short EPG Names: PreProd1 to PreProd10 
- Added to TSID 2 SIDs 250 to 259 on traditional cable networks.
- Pre-launch EPG slot allocations - channels 941 to 950. Channel numbers are subject to change.
- Flagged as the Documentaries Genre.
- Hidden from the EPG - Hide1 flag added.
- HD flag added to IDs 2406 to 2410 only.
- SDT root flags show that the services are not running and encrypted.
- Subscription code segments had not been added at the time of the analysis.
- Added to 2 internal networks often used for pre-launch configuration.
   - Code Download Test (Portsmouth)
   - TTA Knowsley DMC (Hayes_RHE)
- Duplicate NIT entries were added to both networks for IDs 2405 & 2406 (this will be recorded as an error on the SI Errors page). 
PMTs and elementary streams had not been added at the time of the analysis.
These are pre-launch configurations for internal services. The purpose of these services is not known.
The encrypted but not running combination in the EPG root flags is rather odd. 
As these are internal services, a simplified layout has been used for this post. 
 
 
New Service - Pre-launch Configurations - SDT Root Flags updated:
ID 2415  BBC ONE W Midlands HD  -  Internal Networks Only
ID 2416  ITV1 Central West HD
  -  Inactive
- SDT root flags show that these services are running and not encrypted - encryption removed.
The status of these services indicates that encryption has been removed.
 
 
Duplicate Subscription Code Record Removed: 
ID 2415  BBC ONE W Midlands HD 
One of the three duplicate subscription code records, noted on yesterday's update, has now been removed.
This change will be recorded on the SI Errors page. 

Wednesday, 11 March 2026

This update covers Tuesday 10th to Wednesday 11th.
 
New Regional Services - Pre-launch Configurations:
 
ID 2415  BBC ONE W Midlands HD  -  Internal Networks Only
- Short EPG Name: BBC ONE HD 
- Added to TSID 101 SID 10126 on traditional cable networks.
- Pre-launch EPG slot allocation - channel 858. Channel numbers are subject to change.
- Added to 1 internal networks often used for pre-launch configuration.
   - Code Download Test (Portsmouth)
 
ID 2416  ITV1 Central West HD  -  Inactive
- Short EPG Name: ITV1 Central West HD 
- Added to TSID 102 SID 10242 on traditional cable networks.
- Pre-launch EPG slot allocation - channel 870. Channel numbers are subject to change.
- At the time of the analysis, this service had not been added to the NIT of any network.
 
For both of the above regional services: 
- Flagged as the Entertainment Genre.
- Hidden from the EPG - Hide1 flag added.
- HD flag added.
- SDT root flags show that the services are running and encrypted.
- Subscription codes added for M/Player/Mixit and above.
- Subscription codes added for the basic (inclusive channels) pack for Stream devices.
PMTs and elementary streams cannot be checked as these are regional services.
Not yet visible on the EPG.
 
These appear to be secondary regional services to be added to channels 858 & 870 for areas adjacent to the West Midlands. Possibly to cater for overlapping regional coverage in new build areas. 
Horizon data hadn't been checked at the time of the analysis, any differences will be added later. 
 
 
New (duplicate) FAST Services - Pre-launch Configurations - One Internal Network removed:  
ID 2412 Inside Crime Dup  -  FAST Channel Portal - Internal Networks Only
ID 2413 HomesUnderTheHammerDp  -  FAST Channel Portal - Internal Networks Only
ID 2414 Inside Outside Dup  -  FAST Channel Portal - Internal Networks Only
- Removed from one internal network often used for pre-launch configurations.
The service remains in the NIT of the other internal networks which had already been added.
 
 
SDT Root Flags updated:
ID   244  HGTV - Placeholder - End of Service 
ID   245  HGTV +1 - Placeholder - End of Service
- SDT root flags show that these services are running and not encrypted.
The status of these services have changed from encrypted to not encrypted - encryption removed.
 
 
Duplicate Subscription Code Records: 
ID 2191  BBC ONE W Midlands HD
ID 2415  BBC ONE W Midlands HD 
ID 2416  ITV1 Central West HD
Duplicate subscription code records have been added for all of the above, which includes the two new regional pre-launch versions. 
This will be recorded as an error on the SI Errors page. 
 
 
Data for Tuesday is not available for analysis (technical issues) so these changes could relate to either Tuesday or Wednesday, or both. 

Thursday, 5 March 2026

Closed Sports Services (Not on Stream) - Housekeeping (SDT Root Flags):  
ID 1921  Sky Sports + - Placeholder - End of Service 
ID 2326  Sky Sports Tennis - Placeholder - End of Service  
- SDT root flags have been updated to show that these services are running and not encrypted - encryption removed.   
This should complete the phased updates of SDT root flags.
 
 
Placeholder SID: 
ID 1548  Sky Showcase HD - Placeholder - End of Service.
- Moved from SID 2604 to placeholder SID 2654 (TSID 26) on traditional cable networks. 
Releasing SID 2604 for re-use as Sky Atlantic. 
 
 
FAST Service Removal:
ID 2361  Love Pets  -  FAST Channel Portal - Not on Original Tivo. 
- Removed from the EPG, SDT and from the NIT.
- Removed from TSID 21 SID 2104 on traditional cable networks. 
Releasing channel 245 for re-use.
 
 
New Service - Pre-launch Configuration:
ID 2391 Sky Atlantic  -  Internal Networks Only
- Short EPG Name: SkyAtlantic 
- Added to TSID 26 SID 2604 on traditional cable networks.
- Pre-launch EPG slot allocation - channel 111. Channel numbers are subject to change.
- Flagged as the Entertainment Genre.
- Hidden from the EPG - Hide1 flag added.
- HD flag added.
- Sky1 flag added. 
- SDT root flags show that the services are running and not encrypted.
- Subscription codes added for legacy Mix, Fun (deprecated) and above and the Entertainment "personal pick" tier (which will added the channel to all legacy personal picks).
- Subscription codes added for the essential entertainment pack for Stream devices.
- Added to 4 internal networks often used for pre-launch configuration.
   - Code Download Test (Portsmouth)
   - NGRHEE Bromley
   - TTA Knowsley DMC (Hayes_RHE)
   - VM Paddington 
PMTs and elementary streams had not been added at the time of the analysis.
Not yet visible on the EPG as these services aren't in the NIT of customer facing networks.

For readers interested in why this channel will not be made available to V6 devices, per VMO2 publicity, the Hide1 flag only applies to V6 devices. Leaving the flag set after the service is added to remaining networks would hide the channel from V6 devices, effectively withholding the channel.
 
Please note that flag names are internal to UKCTVC, as far as Virgin TV is concerned, these flags are just data. Please don't use these names when communicating with Virgin TV, they aren't official terms and they won't know what you mean.


Error - NIT entries duplicated:
ID 1548  Sky Showcase HD - Placeholder - End of Service.
The NIT entries appear to have been duplicated on each network which seems to be an error. This will be recorded on the SI Errors page on the next update.


New FAST Services Launched:
 
Channel 232 - ID 2396  World War TV  -  FAST Channel Portal - Not on Original Tivo.

Channel 245 - ID 2399  Nature Time  -  FAST Channel Portal - Not on Original Tivo.
- Moved from pre-launch placeholder channel 248.
Taking the channel number released by the removal of Love Pets.

Both FAST Services:
- Added to the NIT of remaining networks


Change of Channel Numbers: 
 
Channel 277 - ID 2279  5 Cops - FAST Channel Portal - Not on V6 or Tivo
- Previously on channel 225.
 
Channel 278 - ID 2289  Catfish - FAST Channel Portal - Not on V6 or Tivo
- Previously on channel 226.

Channel 279 - ID 2370  CSI on PlutoTV - FAST Channel Portal - Not on V6 or Tivo
- Previously on channel 246.
 
FAST channels not available on the V6 moved out of the V6 FAST channel number range. 
 
 
Temporary Rebrand:
- 1 movie channel reverting to its usual name following a promotional rebrand.
Virgin TV has reverted to the name Sky Select on channel 402 although this change has not been listed by Sky. 
 
 
Evening Analysis (run 2):
 
New Service - Pre-launch Configuration - Update:
ID 2391 Sky Atlantic  -  Internal Networks Only
PMTs and elementary streams have now been added. 
- SDT root flags show that the services are running and encrypted. - encryption added.
The pre-launch configuration has been updated during the evening.

Wednesday, 4 March 2026

Closed Sports Services (Not on Stream) - Housekeeping (SDT Root Flags): 
ID   320  Sky Sports Cricket - Placeholder - End of Service
ID   322  Sky Sports Golf - Placeholder - End of Service
ID 1923  Sky Sports Football - Placeholder - End of Service  
- SDT root flags have been updated to show that these services are running and not encrypted - encryption removed.   
Virgin TV appears to have scheduled the EPG root flag updates over a few days rather than all at once. 
 
 
New Service - Pre-launch Configuration: 
ID 2411 On Demand Streaming  -  Internal Networks Only
- SDT root flags updated to show that the service is running and encrypted - encryption added.  
- Traditional cable subscription package flags have been updated to the 4K versions (to hide the channel from legacy TiVo devices). 

Tuesday, 3 March 2026

Closed Sports Services (Not on Stream) - Housekeeping: 
 
ID   319  Sky Sports Main Event - Placeholder - End of Service
- PMT & Video Stream (closure slate) removed from TSID   2  SID  222 on traditional cable networks.
- SDT root flags updated to show that the service is running and not encrypted - encryption removed. 
 
ID   320  Sky Sports Cricket - Placeholder - End of Service
- PMT & Video Stream (closure slate) removed from TSID   9  SID  912 on traditional cable networks.
 
ID   321  Sky Sports Action - Placeholder - End of Service
- PMT & Video Stream (closure slate) removed from TSID   2  SID  206 on traditional cable networks.
- SDT root flags updated to show that the service is running and not encrypted - encryption removed.  
 
ID   322  Sky Sports Golf - Placeholder - End of Service
- PMT & Video Stream (closure slate) removed from TSID   4  SID  410 on traditional cable networks.
 
ID 1595  Sky Sports F1 - Placeholder - End of Service 
- PMT & Video Stream (closure slate) removed from TSID   3  SID  324 on traditional cable networks.
- SDT root flags updated to show that the service is running and not encrypted - encryption removed.  
 
ID 1786  Sky Sports PL - Placeholder - End of Service
- PMT & Video Stream (closure slate) removed from TSID   2  SID  217 on traditional cable networks.
 
ID 1921  Sky Sports + - Placeholder - End of Service 
- PMT & Video Stream (closure slate) removed from TSID   3  SID  314 on traditional cable networks.
 
ID 1923  Sky Sports Football - Placeholder - End of Service
- PMT & Video Stream (closure slate) removed from TSID   4  SID  423 on traditional cable networks.
 
ID 2326  Sky Sports Tennis - Placeholder - End of Service  
- PMT & Video Stream (closure slate) removed from TSID   4  SID  414 on traditional cable networks. 
 
Virgin TV appears to have scheduled the EPG root flag updates over a few days rather than all at once.