Service Removals:

 

ID   258  MTV 90s - Placeholder - End of Service

- Removed from TSID 4 SID 452 on traditional cable networks.

 

ID   259  Club MTV - Placeholder - End of Service

- Removed from TSID 4 SID 454 on traditional cable networks.

 

ID 1404  MTV Live HD - Placeholder - End of Service

- Removed from TSID 16 SID 1654 on traditional cable networks.

 

ID 1733  MTV MUSIC - Placeholder - End of Service

- Removed from TSID 4 SID 456 on traditional cable networks.

 

ID 1895  POP - Placeholder - End of Service

- Removed from TSID 9 SID 960 on traditional cable networks.

 

ID 2090  MTV 80s - Placeholder - End of Service

- Removed from TSID 4 SID 457 on traditional cable networks.

 

ID 2367  High Street TV Shop - Placeholder - End of Service

- Removed from TSID 16 SID 1651 on traditional cable networks.

 

All services listed above:

- Removed from the SDT and the NIT.

These placeholder services have been removed after preserving recordings for 88 days.
Any recordings will no longer play.

 

 

FAST Service Removal:

ID 2291  NextUp Live Comedy - FAST Channel Portal - Not on Original Tivo

- Removed from TSID 4 SID 452 on traditional cable networks.

Temporary Rebrands:

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

- 1 kids' channels with a promotional rebrand.

Change of Active Hours - Start of British Summer Time:

Start of BST				28/03/2026	29/03/2026
ID-Ref		Service Name	Annotation	Active Hours	Active Hours
312		Television X		22:00:00-05:30:00	21:00:00-04:30:00
314		Adult Channel		22:00:00-05:30:00	21:00:00-04:30:00
1759		CBBC HD		05:31:00-18:58:00	04:31:00-17:58:00
1760		CBeebies HD		05:31:00-18:58:00	04:31:00-17:58:00
1959		XXX GirlGirl		22:00:00-05:30:00	21:00:00-04:30:00
2088		Nat Geo WILD HD		08:00:00-04:59:59	07:00:00-03:59:59
2240		BBC THREE HD	VM England	18:59:00-05:30:00	17:59:00-04:30:00
2241		BBC THREE HD	VM Wales	18:59:00-05:30:00	17:59:00-04:30:00
2242		BBC THREE HD	VM Scotland	18:59:00-05:30:00	17:59:00-04:30:00
2243		BBC THREE HD	VM Northern Ireland	18:59:00-05:30:00	17:59:00-04:30:00
2244		BBC FOUR HD	VM England	18:59:00-05:30:00	17:59:00-04:30:00
2245		BBC FOUR HD	VM Wales	18:59:00-05:30:00	17:59:00-04:30:00
2246		BBC FOUR HD	VM Scotland	18:59:00-05:30:00	17:59:00-04:30:00
2247		BBC FOUR HD	VM Northern Ireland	18:59:00-05:30:00	17:59:00-04:30:00

As broadcasting systems work in Coordinated Universal Time (UTC), the active hours have changed to reflect the change to BST.

- Active hours in UTC moved back by 1 hour to counteract the effect of the clocks moving forward by 1 hour for BST.

Start of a Free To View period:

Channel 175  -  ID 2033 Virgin TV Ultra HD  -  Not on Original Tivo.

Channel 999  -  ID 1989 Virgin TV Ultra HD  -  Not on Original Tivo.

- Temporary subscription pack codes added for M/Player/Mixit on traditional cable networks and for the basic, inclusive channels, pack for Stream devices.

- Temporary subscription pack codes added for More (deprecated) on traditional cable network.

- Temporary subscription pack codes added for the basic, inclusive channels, pack for Stream devices. 

These channels are now available to all customers from 28th March to 12th April.

Temporary Rebrand:

- 1 movie channel with a promotional rebrand.

Temporary Rebrand:

- 1 movie channel with a promotional rebrand (not actioned by Virgin TV).

New Service - Pre-launch Configuration - SDT Root Flags:

ID 2390  Panjab TV  -  SDT Only

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

Changed from not running to running and from not encrypted to encrypted (encryption added). 

Catching up with the encryption of the elementary streams added yesterday.

 

 

New Service - Pre-launch Configuration - Duplicate Subscription Code Record (SI Error):

ID 2390  Panjab TV  -  SDT Only

- A second subscription pack record has been added but with no subscription pack codes. 

This has been registered on the database as an unsafe duplicate. 

Unsafe as the record with no subscription code conflicts with the original record, which contains the Asian Mela subscription code. 

This will be recorded on the SI Errors page. 

 

 

Renamed Service: 

Channel 402  -  ID 1519  Sky Adventure 

- Previously named Sky Select. 

Sky's latest list of changes does not list this as a temporary change so, for now, this will be assumed to be a permanent change of service name 

This entry will be updated if the situation changes. 

New Service - Pre-launch Configuration - Housekeeping:

ID 2390  Panjab TV  -  SDT Only

- PMTs and elementary streams (video, audio etc) added.

New Service - Pre-launch Configurations:

ID 2390  Panjab TV  -  SDT Only

- Short EPG Name: same as service name

- Added to TSID 3 SID 312 on traditional cable networks.

- Pre-launch EPG slot allocation - channel 839. Channel numbers are subject to change.

- Not added to the NIT of any network at the time of the analysis.

- Flagged as the International Genre.

- Hidden from the EPG - Hide1 flag activated.

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

- Subscription code added for the Asian Mela pack.

- PMTs and elementary streams had not been added at the time of the analysis.

New FAST Services - Pre-launch Configurations - Update:

 

ID 2397  8 Out of 10 Cats  -  FAST Channel Portal - Internal Networks Only

- Moved from SID 845 to SID 810 (TSID 8) on traditional cable networks 

 

ID 2398  Pointless  -  FAST Channel Portal - Internal Networks Only

- Moved from SID 846 to SID 814 (TSID 8) on traditional cable networks 

 

For both of the above regional services: 

- SDT root flags show that the services are running and not encrypted - changed from not running to running.

- Subscription codes added for the 4K versions of M/Player/Mixit and above on traditional cable devices.

- Subscription code added for the basic tier, Inclusive Channels, on Stream / Flex devices. 

- PMTs and elementary streams had not been added at the time of the analysis.

The pre-launch channel allocations remain duplicates of existing services.

This configuration now indicates that these services will be available on V6 devices.  

The 4K versions of the subscription codes prevent the channels from being accessed on legacy TiVo devices where the services will be greyed out on the EPG. 

New Service - Housekeeping:

ID 2391  Sky Atlantic  -  Withheld from V6 and TiVo devices 

- PIN flag added - Watershed - allows access to restricted content pre-watershed by entering a PIN number.

New Service - Launched: 

Channel 111 - ID 2391  Sky Atlantic  -  Withheld from V6 and TiVo devices

- Added to the NIT of remaining networks.

- This service has been added to Horizon configuration data since the last observation and the Horizon hide flag is not active. 

Sky Atlantic has launched with a promotional loop and is now visible on the EPG of TV360 and Stream / Flex devices. The service remains hidden from V6 and TiVo devices, where hide flags are still active.

 

 

New On Demand Portal - Launched: 

Channel 206 - ID 2411  On Demand Streaming  -  On Demand Portal - Not on Original Tivo

- Added to the NIT of remaining networks.

This service has now launched. It is an app linked to the EPG, with a red button prompt screen on V6 devices. It is visible but greyed out on the EPG of legacy TiVo devices.

 

 

New Regional Services - Launched in the Bristol 2 (ex Aztec) area: 

Channel 858 - ID 2415  BBC ONE W Midlands HD  -  VM Bristol 2

Channel 870 - ID 2416  ITV1 Central West HD  -  VM Bristol 2

- Removed from the NIT of the Code Download Test (Portsmouth) network (often used for pre-launch configurations). 

- Added to the NIT of the Bristol 2 (ex Aztec) network.

- The hide flag combination have changed to make these channels visible on the EPG - Hide1 flag removed.

This service has now launched, making the West Midlands services of BBC1 and ITV1 available, as a secondary service. Primarily intended for viewers who would normally receive a terrestrial TV service from West Midlands transmitters.

 

 

Housekeeping - Regional Services: 

Channel 101 - ID 2184  BBC ONE South East HD  -  VM Ashford, Brighton, & Basildon 2 areas.

Channel 858 - ID 1763  BBC ONE South HD -  VM Guildford / Farborough area.

Channel 858 - ID 2199  BBC ONE South East HD  -  VM Basildon 1/3/4 areas.

- Hide1 and Hide2 flags removed.

Hide flags have been removed (values changed from 1 to 0) on these regional services.

There is no no change to channel visibility on the the EPG as both of these combinations make the service visible. 

 

 

Temporary Rebrands:

- 2 movie channel with promotional rebrands (not actioned by Virgin TV).

 

 

There is an ongoing analysis to check regional services on the ex-NTL side of the traditional cable network, which is not included in the overnight cable analysis. This post will be updated if any changes are detected.

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. 

 

 

Temporary Rebrand:

- 1 movie channel with a promotional rebrand (not actioned by Virgin TV).

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).

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. 

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. 

Temporary Rebrand:

- 1 movie channel with a promotional rebrand (not actioned by Virgin TV).

 Temporary Rebrand:

- 1 movie channel with a promotional rebrand (not actioned by Virgin TV).

Temporary Rebrand:

- 1 movie channel with a promotional rebrand (not actioned by Virgin TV).

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.

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). 

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. 

New FAST Services - Pre-launch Configurations - Further Internal Networks Added:  

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
- Added to 4 further internal networks often used for pre-launch configurations.
   - NGRHEE Bromley
   - NGRHEE Knowsley 
   - TTA Knowsley DMC (Hayes_RHE)
   - VM Paddington

Temporary Rebrands:

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

- 2 kids' channels with promotional rebrands.