BBC to shut News Multiscreen on Freeview

The BBC has revealed plans to remove BBC News Multiscreen and close the Red Button interactive channel on Freeview to make room for the high definition service.

Writing on the BBC Internet Blog, the corporation's Red Button controller Rahul Chakkara said that his team will soon switch off two of the three interactive streams used to deliver BBC content on the platform.

From October 27, BBC News Multiscreen and the interactive stream on channel 302 will cease to be available via the Red Button on Freeview.

All Red Button content, such as sporting coverage, will remain accessible to viewers, but will come via linear BBC channels rather than the interactive stream.

Chakkara explained: "Whereas before we have run Red Button content in long loops, meaning it is repeated frequently, we will now be scheduling shorter runs to make sure we fit in as much content as possible into the remaining space we have.

"To ensure that you can find this BBC content available behind the Red Button we will also be providing better scheduling information to TV listings magazines and improve our on screen now and next information so you can set your Personal Video Recorders to record this content."

All programming on BBC News Multiscreen will remain available via the Red Button on Virgin Media, Sky, Tiscali TV and BBC Online, but Chakkara acknowledged that some Freeview users will be "disappointed" by the move.

"However, a broad range of news text pages remain accessible on Red Button [via Freeview]," he said. "The BBC News Channel provides frequent summaries of the day's main stories and weather."

The changes are part of technical work to clear up the BBC's multiplexes in preparation for the commencement of Freeview HD broadcasts in the Granada TV and London regions this December.

Chakkara concluded: "We are looking at some of the emerging technologies to explore innovative ways of delivering the services we have taken off."