How to get a free Sky set-top box upgrade as millions set to lose BBC channels – are you eligible?
SKY is offering free TV upgrades to customers as millions are set to lose BBC channels from their screens from this week.
Certain TV channels such as BBC One and BBC Two are switching their local programming to wholly HD over the next two months.
The broadcaster is switching off its standard definition (SD) channel feeds in favour of high definition (HD) only.
BBC One South, BBC One Northern Ireland and BBC Two Northern Ireland started the switch this week.
BBC One East and BBC One East Midlands will follow next week.
It means anyone with an older Freesat or Sky+ box that doesn’t support HD won’t be able to get the BBC’s channels unless they buy a new box.
Luckily, Sky is offering upgrades to customers so they don’t have to lose their local shows.
The completely free upgrade is being given out to those who have one of the older boxes.
If you have one of the affected boxes you’ll get a message on your screen which says: “The BBC is making all its services available in HD.
“To watch local BBC One programmes, you need to upgrade to HD.”
People can trade in their aging boxes for the latest Sky Q box.
An engineer will come to your house free of charge and swap out the boxes for you.
Sky is encouraging customers to check if their TVs will be affected by the change.
You’ll need to select channel 105 on your remote and if you see Channel 5 HD, you’re not affected.
If you see Channel 5 in SD, you are and you’ll need to upgrade your Sky box.
You can also press services on your Sky remote, then press “four” then “five” and check the version number.
You’ll need to update your box if yours is one of the following:
Digibox
- 4F01 to 4F06 (Amstrad)
- 4E01 to 4E05 (Grundig)
- 9F01 to 9F08 and 9F0A (Pace)
- 0F01 to 0F05 (Panasonic)
- 4E06 to 4E08 (Thomson)
Sky+
- 4F2001 to 4F2006 (Amstrad)
- 4F2101 to 4F2118 and 9F2101 to 9F2137 (Amstrad or Pace)
- 9F2001 to 9F2024, PVR2, 9F2201 to 9F2235, 9F2301 to 9F2339 (Pace)
- 4E2101 to 4E2141 (Thomson)
If your box is one of those affected then all you need to do is call Sky on 0333 759 5121 to get your upgrade.
Or you can head over to www.sky.com/help/bbcupgrade.
We’ve asked Sky exactly how many people will be affected by the change and if there is a deadline for people to upgrade and will update this story when we hear back.
Meanwhile, Sky TV customers can also get Discovery+ at no extra cost simply by downloading the app.
The offer is available to Sky Q, Sky Glass and Sky Stream customers.
Plus Sky customers can also bag themselves £100s of rewards with this trick.
And, this Sky customer managed to shave £360 off her bill with a handy Martin Lewis tip.
Do you have a money problem that needs sorting? Get in touch by emailing money-sm@news.co.uk