Vintage TV leaves Freesat, coming to Freeview

Vintage TV has left the Freesat satellite platform. The removal of the channel from Freesat comes just before Vintage TV is due to launch on Freeview channel 86.

Vintage TV, previously available on Freesat 505, and specialising in older music videos and performances was dropped from the free-to-air satellite service this week without any prior warning to viewers. Despite enquiries from annoyed viewers on social media, the channel is staying tight-lipped about the reasoning behind the Freesat decision, but viewers with Freesat can currently still access Vintage TV using the manual tuning function on their Freesat boxes (technical parameters below).

Vintage TV launched on both Sky and Freesat in 2010, and was named Best Themed Channel in the 2011 Freesat Awards.

The channel continues to be available on Sky (channel 369) as well as on Virgin Media (channel 343) and is planning a July launch on Freeview channel 86, although Freeview coverage will be limited. It has also been available as a ‘streamed channel’ on compatible connected Freeview and YouView devices via channel 242.

Of the impending Freeview launch, the founder and CEO of Vintage TV, David Pick said earlier this month:

“We have identified and successfully filled an obvious and substantial gap in the market, recognising that good music lasts forever and emanates from every generation. We’re especially delighted to be bringing our channel into more homes in the UK through Freeview, while we continue to seek more ways in which we can deliver our ever-growing library to music lovers here and around the globe.”