HEALTHPLAN MAGAZINE

For those of you who enjoy putting your feet up and tuning into some of your favourite British television programmes right here in Spain, you may or may not be aware of what is regarded as the "Big Switch-off", which is due to take effect around the end of January 2014.

For many years, British TV has been transmitted in Spain and other parts of Europe via the Astra 2D and Astra 1N satellites. The signals have been open meaning that anyone with a big enough satellite dish has been able to pick up the signals and enjoy the free-to-view tv channels such as BBC1, BBC2, ITV, Channel 4 and Channel 5.

In 2000, the signals were transmitted from the Astra 2D which over the years has served everyone well. Due to the average lifespan of a satellite dish being around 13 years, the 2D started to see a decline in performance recently meaning that the channels were moved to the 1N satellite.

It now turns out that the channels will be moved once again around the end of January 2014 to the new Astra 2E satellite which will use "spot beams". The new spot beams are more highly focused on the British Isles meaning that those who have previously been enjoying UK channels here in Spain, will no longer be able to receive a signal.

But never fear. If you can't stand the thought of never seeing Strictly Come Dancing, The X Factor, Britains Got Talent or heaven forbid, Big Brother, you will be pleased to know that local satellite installers have solutions in place. You will still be able to view English TV in Spain, but will need to have an IPTV system so that you can view the UK channels via your broadband internet connection. For further details, please contact your local satellite TV installation company.