Freesat to move on BBC, ITV, C4 regions

Several regional variations of BBC One and ITV have been added to the Freesat electronic programme guide.

Digital Spy forum members reported the addition of BBC One South West, North West, West Midlands and South and ITV West Yorkshire and Meridian South yesterday.

Freesat launched with a limited lineup of BBC and Channel 3 variations, and only the London Channel 4 advertising region, in May.

The operators blamed "technical constraints associated with co-existence on the satellite platform", and a commitment to add the variations last month was not met.

Free to air satellite transmissions of the Channel 4 regional feeds, used only to vary adverts, have also appeared today.

A Freesat spokesman told DS that no timescale could be confirmed immediately, but that a general announcement on regions would be made later in the week.