TNT Sports Channels removed from various subscription packs:

Channel 527  -  ID 1744  TNT Sports 1 HD

Channel 528  -  ID 1745  TNT Sports 2 HD

Channel 529  -  ID 1837  TNT Sports 3 HD

Channel 530  -  ID 1405  TNT Sports 4 HD

Channel 531  -  ID 1954  TNT Ultimate  -  4K Service - Not on Original Tivo.

- Subscription pack codes removed for legacy XL / Full House customers.

- Subscription pack codes removed for Maxit customers.

 

 

TNT Sports Extra Channels removed from various subscription packs:

ID 1795  TNT Sport 5  -  Red Button Service - Not on Stream.

ID 1839  TNT Sport 6  -  Red Button Service - Not on Stream.

ID 1840  TNT Sport 7  -  Red Button Service - Not on Stream.

ID 1841  TNT Sport 8  -  Red Button Service - Not on Stream.

ID 1842  TNT Sport 9  -  Red Button Service - Not on Stream.

ID 1843  TNT Sport 10  -  Red Button Service - Not on Stream.

ID 1846  TNT Sport Extra 0  -  Red Button Service - Not on Stream. 

- Subscription pack codes removed for legacy XL / Full House customers.

- Subscription pack codes removed for Maxit customers.

 

 

TNT Sports IPTV Test Channels (Deprecated) removed from various subscription packs:

ID 2160  TNT Sport 1 HD  -  Placeholder - IPTV - SDT Only

ID 2129  TNT Sport Extra 1  -  IPTV - SDT Only

- Subscription pack codes removed for legacy XL / Full House customers.

- Subscription pack codes removed for Maxit customers.

The IPTV tests weren't available to customers so the code removals will make little difference.

For all 3 categories above, subscription codes remain for the stand-alone, premium, TNT Sports package.

As an interim measure, existing legacy and Maxit customers will have the premium TNT Sports package added at no extra cost while they remain on their current packages (Maxit or legacy Full House).

Customers who have not used the TNT Sports channels often will not automatically have the TNT Sports pack added but can to respond to a mailshot to get the channels reactivated.

Temporary Rebrand:

- 1 movie channel with a promotional rebrand.

Changes During the Day: 

 

Channel Closure - Slate Removed From The EPG:

Channel 603  -  ID 2057 Channel Update  -  Information Slate.

- The slate announcing the closure of Sky News has been hidden from the EPG after 7 days. Hide1 flag added. 

 

 

Channel Closure - Clean-up:  

ID 1385 Sky News  -  Placeholder - Inactive.

- PMTs & Elementary Streams removed during the day. 

This service had been hidden from the EPG on June 20th.

 

 

Channel Update - Clean-up:
ID 2057 Channel Update  -  Information Slate.

- PMTs & Video Stream removed during the day.

Pop-up Service Reverting from Inactive Status to Pre-launch Configuration:

ID 2176 Eurosport UHD  -  Pop-up Service - Internal Networks Only.

- Moved from TSID 7 SID 701 to TSID 514 SID 1409 on DVB-C networks.

- SDT root flags show that encryption has been removed.

- Removed from the NIT of all networks except for 3 internal networks often used for pre-launch configuration.

   - Code Download Test (Portsmouth)

   - NGRHEE Bromley

   - TTA Knowsley DMC (Hayes_RHE)

Effectively hiding the service from customer devices during the pre-launch configuration.

The elementary streams etc were observed as being added to TSID 514 on June 25th.

 

These changes indicate that the Eurosport UHD pop-up service is about to be reactivated for coverage of the Olympic Games.

 

SDT Linkage Substitute Service - SDT Root Flags:

ID 2052 TuneAway HD Hidden  -  SDT Linkage Substitute Service

- SDT root flags show that encryption has been removed.

Encryption ended when elementary streams were removed on June 25th.

 

 

Temporary Rebrand:

- 1 movie channel with a promotional rebrand.  

Late changes:

 

Pop-up Service SDT Root Flags:

ID 2176 Eurosport UHD  -  Pop-up Service - Internal Networks Only.

- SDT root flags show that encryption has been restored.

Encryption has been added during the day.

New Service - Changes to the Pre-launch Configuration: 

ID 2348 NOW 90s & 00s  -  Internal Networks Only.

- Added to the NIT of a further internal network used for pre-launch configurations:

   - NGRHEE Knowsley

- Pre-launch EPG Channel Number changed from 289 to 287. Channel numbers are subject to change.

   - Now using a vacant EPG slot rather than the previous one, which was already allocated to Magic TV.

- Hide flag removed (Hide1). This would normally make the service visible on the EPG.

- Subscription pack codes were added for M / Player / Mixit and above for traditional cable boxes.

- Subscription pack codes were added for the inclusive channel / basic package for Stream devices. 

- SDT root flags show that the service is running and has been encrypted.  

Encryption was added to the new elementary streams on June 24th

This service will not be visible to customers until it is added to the NIT of customer networks.

The channel should be available to all subscribers from launch.

 

 

New Service - Changes to the Pre-launch Configuration:

ID 2349 Aaj Tak  -  Internal Networks Only.

- SDT root flags show that the service has been encrypted.

Encryption was added to the new elementary streams on June 24th

 

 

New Service - Changes to the Pre-launch Configuration:

ID 2350 Zee Punjabi  -  Internal Networks Only. 

- SDT root flags show that the service has been encrypted.

Encryption was added to the new elementary streams on June 24th

 

 

Channel Closure - SDT Root Flags:

ID 1385 Sky News  -  Placeholder - Inactive.

- SDT root flags show that encryption has been removed.

Encryption was removed when the closure slate was added on June 20th. 

 

 

Late changes: 

 

Pop-up Service - PMT & Elementary Streams Added:: 

ID 2176 Eurosport UHD  -  Pop-up Service - Inactive

- PMTs, Video and audio streams added during the day to TSID 514 SID 1419 on DVB-C networks.

Initial housekeeping work for Eurosport UHD to.return on a different transport stream for coverage of the Olympic Games.

Currently still showing the video loop used for coverage of the French Open.

Housekeeping - PMT & Elementary Streams Removed:

ID 2052 TuneAway HD Hidden  -  SDT Linkage Substitute Service

- PMTs, Video and audio streams removed during the day from TSID 514 SID 1403 on DVB-C networks.

Presumably removed to release capacity for the Eurosport UHD service. Expected to return later.

This service could temporarily return on another transport streams if required for a channel 100 showcase event during the Olympic Games coverage.

New Services - PMTs & Elementary Streams Added:

ID 2348 NOW 90s & 00s  -  Internal Networks Only.

ID 2349 Aaj Tak  -  Internal Networks Only.

ID 2350 Zee Punjabi  -  Internal Networks Only.

- PMTs, Video and audio streams added during the day.

Further progress in the pre-launch configuration of these new services.

New Service - Pre-launch Configuration:

ID 2350 Zee Punjabi  -  Internal Networks Only.

- Short EPG Name changed from ZeePunjabi to Zee Punjabi

Service Removal:

ID 1340 Tiny Pop -  Placeholder - End of Service.

- Removed after preserving recordings for 93 days.

- Any recordings made from this channel will no longer be playable.

- Was TSID 4 SID 412 on traditional cable boxes.

 

 

Channel Closure - SD Service:

Channel 603  -  ID 1385 Sky News  -  Placeholder - Inactive.

- Placeholder flag added.

- Hide flags changed removing the channel from the EPG. Hide2 flag removed.

- Moved to a placeholder EPG Slot on channel 1857.

- Customers with boxes supporting HD/SD channel number swaps, carrying Sky News on channel 602, will find that this has been replaced by Sky News HD.

The placeholder flag should preserve any recordings for a short period following a channel closure.

Replaced on the EPG by a Channel Update closure slate.

As the End of Service flag has not been added by Virgin TV, the annotation has automatically updated to "Inactive".

 

 

Channel Closure - Information Slate:

ID 2057 Channel Update  -  Information Slate.

- Change of EPG slot from channel 140 to channel 603.

- Change of Genre from Entertainment to News.

- Hide flags changed making the information slate visible on the EPG on channel 603. Hide1 flag removed.

Information slate advising viewers of the closure of the standard definition version of Sky News and redirecting viewers to the high definition version on channel 602.

 

It was noted, several days ago, that the Channel Update service had been restored. 

On this occasion, Virgin TV had not configured the video stream, seemingly keen for the details of this change not to be released in advance.

 

 

Change of Subscription Packs:

Channel 602  -  ID 1801 Sky News HD

- Subscription pack codes were added for M / Player / Mixit and above for traditional cable boxes.

- Subscription pack codes were added for the inclusive channel / basic package for Stream devices.

- Subscription pack codes were removed for the Essential Entertainment package for Stream devices.

Making the HD channel available to customers previously only able to view the SD version. 

Previously available with the legacy Mix pack and above, all legacy personal picks, Maxit, and Stream Essential Entertainment.

 

 

New Service - Change of Genre: 

ID 2349 Aaj Tak  -  Internal Networks Only.

- Change of genre from International to News.

 

Temporary Rebrand:

- 1 movie channel with a promotional rebrand.

 

 

Observation:

The slate carried on ID 2057 Channel Update has replaced the video feed on ID 1385 Sky News (VPID 2101). ID 1385 is now on channel 1857 and out of the range of the EPG of traditional boxes. 

 

It is known that update slates have been problematic for Stream devices, which have sometimes been left with a frozen video feed rather than a closure slate, so this could be some sort of compromise. 

 

Note that devices with IP based EPGs such as Stream and TV360 allocate their own channel numbers and don't have to use the channel number allocated in the SI data. 

 

If this is a compromise for displaying slates on multiple devices, it is worth noting that this method also works for older devices. In fact, it was the preferred method of displaying slates some time ago, before Channel Update services became Virgin TV's preferred method.

Channel Closure - SDT Root Flags & Housekeeping:

ID 2254 Talk TV  -  Placeholder - End of Service.

- Moved from SID 1510 to placeholder SID 1551 on traditional cable networks.

- SDT root flags show that encryption has been removed.

Encryption ended when the closure slate was added on May 5th.

 

 

New Service - Pre-launch Configuration:

ID 2349 Aaj Tak  -  Internal Networks Only.

- Added to TSID 3 SID 311 on traditional cable networks.

- Pre-launch EPG slot allocation - channel 626. Channel numbers are subject to change.

- Added to 5 internal networks often used for pre-launch configuration.

   - Code Download Test (Portsmouth)

   - NGRHEE Bromley

   - NGRHEE Knowsley

   - TTA Bromley DMC (Bromley RHE)

   - TTA Knowsley DMC (Hayes_RHE)

- SDT root flags show that the service is running and not encrypted.

- Marked as the International genre. - Although in the news section of the EPG.

- Subscription codes added for M / Player / Mixit and above and for the basic, inclusive channels, pack for Stream devices.

Elementary streams (video & audio) have not yet been added. 

Aaj Tak is a news channel in the Hindi language.

 

 

New Service - Pre-launch Configuration:

ID 2350 Zee Punjabi  -  Internal Networks Only.

- Added to TSID 515 SID 1510 on traditional cable networks. Using the SID number released by Talk TV.

- Pre-launch EPG slot allocation - channel 811. Channel numbers are subject to change.

- Added to 5 internal networks often used for pre-launch configuration.

   - Code Download Test (Portsmouth)

   - NGRHEE Bromley

   - NGRHEE Knowsley

   - TTA Bromley DMC (Bromley RHE)

   - TTA Knowsley DMC (Hayes_RHE)

- SDT root flags show that the service is running and not encrypted.

- Marked as the International genre.

- Short EPG Name: ZeePunjabi

- HD flag present.

- Subscription code added for Asian Mela.

Elementary streams (video & audio) have not yet been added. 

Zee Punjabi is a general entertainment channel in the Punjabi language.

Channel Closure - SDT Root Flags:

ID 1387 Sky Arts  -  Placeholder - End of Service.

- SDT root flags show that encryption has been removed.

Encryption ended when elementary streams were removed on June 14th.

Temporary Rebrand:

- 1 movie channel with a promotional rebrand.  

 

 

Changes During the Day: 

 

Channel Closure - Clean-up:
ID 1387 Sky Arts  -  Placeholder - End of Service.

- PMTs & Elementary Streams removed during the day. 

This service had been hidden from the EPG on June 5th.

 

Channel Update - Clean-up:
ID 2057 Channel Update  -  Information Slate.

- PMTs & Video Stream removed during the day. 

This information slate, announcing the closure of Sky Arts, had been hidden from the EPG on June 13th.

Channel Closure - Slate Removed From The EPG:

Channel 140  -  ID 2057 Channel Update  - Information Slate

- The slate announcing the closure of Sky Arts has been Hidden from the EPG after 8 days. Hide1 flag added.

 

 

Pop-up Service - Closure: 

Channel 523  -  ID 2176 Eurosport UHD  -  Pop-up Service - Inactive

- Hidden from channel 523 on the EPG. Hide1 flag added.

This pop-up service has been removed from channel 523 following pop-up coverage of the French Open.

 

 

Temporary Rebrand:

- 1 movie channel with a promotional rebrand.  

Spurious Entries Reversed:

The spurious data added to the SI tables yesterday has now been removed by Virgin TV.

Spurious SI Data:

Several anomalies appeared in the SI data overnight. 

- These have been recorded as "possible errors" and are expected to be reversed relatively soon.

This seems to be an ongoing pattern as Virgin introduced these exact entries in December, January and February, only to reverse them at a later day. The changes are mainly to placeholders and internal test services and should have no impact on the end user. Fewer changes this time as some of the services previously affected have now been removed.

Temporary Rebrand:

- 1 movie channel reverting to its usual name following a promotional rebrand.

Temporary Rebrands:

- 2 movie channels with promotional rebrands.

- 1 movie channel reverting to its usual name following a promotional rebrand.

Channel Closure - SD Service:

Channel 140  -  ID 1387 Sky Arts  -  Placeholder - End of Service.

- End of Service and Placeholder flags added.

- Hide flags changed removing the channel from the EPG. Hide2 flag removed.

- Moved to a placeholder EPG Slot on channel 1852.

The end of service / placeholder flag combination preserves any recordings for a short period following a channel closure.

Replaced on the EPG by a Channel Update closure slate.

 

 

Channel Closure - Information Slate:

ID 2057 Channel Update  -  Information Slate.

- Change of EPG slot from channel 287 to channel 140.

- Change of Genre from Music to Entertainment.

- Hide flags changed making the information slate visible on the EPG on channel 140. Hide1 flag removed.

Information slate advising viewers of the closure of the standard definition version of Sky Arts and redirecting viewers to the high definition version on channel 123.

 

 

Change of Subscription Packs:

Channel 123  -  ID 1564 Sky Arts HD

- Subscription pack codes were added for M / Player / Mixit and above for traditional cable boxes.

- Subscription pack codes were added for the inclusive channel / basic package for Stream devices.

- Subscription pack codes were removed for the Essential Entertainment package for Stream devices.

Making the HD channel available to customers previously only able to view the SD version.

Previously available with the legacy Mix pack and above, all legacy personal picks, Maxit, and Stream Essential Entertainment. 

 

 

Pop-up Service - SDT Root Flags:

ID 1484 TNT Sports HD Final  -  Pop-up Service - End of Service

- SDT root flags show that encryption has been removed.

Encryption ended when elementary streams were removed on June 4th.

 

 

Changes to Eurosport Pop-up Channels:

New	ID		Service	Annotation	Former	New	New	Former	Former
Chan			Name		Chan	TSID	SID	TSID	SID
563	2169		Eurosport 3 HD	Pop Up Service - Internal Networks Only	1821	7	703	11	1152
564	2170		Eurosport 4 HD	Pop Up Service - Internal Networks Only	1827	7	704	11	1163
565	2171		Eurosport 5 HD	Pop Up Service - Internal Networks Only	525	7	705	11	1164
566	2172		Eurosport 6 HD	Pop Up Service - Internal Networks Only	540	7	706	11	1158
567	2173		Eurosport 7 HD	Pop Up Service - Internal Networks Only	541	7	707	515	1551
568	2174		Eurosport 8 HD	Pop Up Service - Internal Networks Only	542	7	708	515	1552
569	2175		Eurosport 9 HD	Pop Up Service - Internal Networks Only	543	7	709	515	1553

- Transport streams were changed on traditional cable networks, although the old slots were just placeholders.
- New pre-launch channel numbers allocated. Channel numbers are subject to change.

- SDT root flags of IDs 2169-2171 (Eurosport 3,4 & 5 HD) show that encryption has been removed.

- SDT root flags of ID 2172 (Eurosport 6 HD) show that the service is now running.

- Placeholder and End of Service flags have been removed.

- Each Service has been removed from the NIT of all networks except for 3 internal networks often used for pre-launch configuration.

   - Code Download Test (Portsmouth)

   - NGRHEE Bromley

   - TTA Knowsley DMC (Hayes_RHE)

Although only available on internal networks, at the time of analysis the services still carried flags to hide them from the EPG (Hide1).

At the time of the analysis SDT root flags were not consistent across all of the Eurosport pop-up services.

Elementary streams (video & audio) have not yet been added. 

 

Presumably in preparation for coverage of the Olympic Games. 

 

 

Temporary Rebrand:

- 1 movie channel with a promotional rebrand.  

 

 

Late changes:

 

New Service - Pre-launch Configuration: 

ID 2348 NOW 90s & 00s  -  Internal Networks Only.

- Added to TSID 4 SID 416 on traditional cable networks.

- Pre-launch EPG slot allocation - channel 289. 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)

- SDT root flags show that the service is not running and not encrypted.

- Marked as the Music genre.

- Short EPG Name: NOW90s&00s

Although only available on internal networks, at the time of analysis the service carried a flag to hide it from the EPG (Hide1).

At the time of the analysis, subscription codes had not been added.

Elementary streams (video & audio) have not yet been added.

Pop-up Service - Clean-up:
ID 1484 TNT Sports HD Final  -  Pop-up Service - End of Service.

- PMTs & Elementary Streams removed during the day. 

This service had been hidden from the EPG on June 3rd.

Pop-up Service - End of Service: 

ID 1484 TNT Sports HD Final  -  Pop-up Service - End of Service

- End of Service and Hide flags added (Hide1). 

With the UEFA Finals now over, the service is marked as end of service and hidden from channel 524 on the EPG. The placeholder flag, which preserves recordings, has not been added so any recordings made may not be playable.

Temporary Rebrand:

- 1 movie channel with a promotional rebrand.

Temporary Rebrands:

- 2 movie channels with promotional rebrands.