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BBC satellite switch worst news for Costa del Sol expat viewers
| Published: | 7 Feb at 6 PM |
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The long awaited BBC switch to its new satellite was expected to improve UK channels and possibly affect overseas viewers, but Costa del Sol expats didn’t expect to lose the free service entirely and are making their views known.
The migration of the service to the Astra 2E satellite is expected to be followed by Channel 4 and ITV as early as tonight, and Sky and Fox have already moved, possibly leaving tens of thousands of expat subscribers without any English language TV channels. The BBC switch took place yesterday, with the immediate result that Costa del Sol expats lost all BBC free channels.
To make matters worse, the Costa Blanca and inland Spain are experiencing improved reception, although Almiera is now reported to have lost the service, along with Andalucia, Southern Portugal, the Canaries, Italy and most of Catalunya. BBC radio channels are also affected, with a total loss in most of the above affected areas.
The satellite company’s much-publicised map shows coverage for the whole of Italy as well as a swathe of eastern Europe, although reports are coming in that reception in eastern Europe is now poor at best. According to Astra, once all migrations between the old and new satellites are completed, adjustments to the beam can be made, but it remains to be seen how many millions of viewers will ultimately lose their favourite soaps, movies and English langauge news broadcasts. .
The migration of the service to the Astra 2E satellite is expected to be followed by Channel 4 and ITV as early as tonight, and Sky and Fox have already moved, possibly leaving tens of thousands of expat subscribers without any English language TV channels. The BBC switch took place yesterday, with the immediate result that Costa del Sol expats lost all BBC free channels.
To make matters worse, the Costa Blanca and inland Spain are experiencing improved reception, although Almiera is now reported to have lost the service, along with Andalucia, Southern Portugal, the Canaries, Italy and most of Catalunya. BBC radio channels are also affected, with a total loss in most of the above affected areas.
The satellite company’s much-publicised map shows coverage for the whole of Italy as well as a swathe of eastern Europe, although reports are coming in that reception in eastern Europe is now poor at best. According to Astra, once all migrations between the old and new satellites are completed, adjustments to the beam can be made, but it remains to be seen how many millions of viewers will ultimately lose their favourite soaps, movies and English langauge news broadcasts. .
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