ITV viewers warned they may need a brand new box to continue watching favourite shows amid HD channel ‘switch’

ITV fans have been warned they may need to buy a brand new set-top box to continue watching some of their favourite shows.

The broadcaster is continuing with a major upgrade plan affecting satellite services in some regions.

ITVSD viewers will lose their usual regional ITV1 programmes[/caption]

Most ITV1 regions have already switched to HD on satellite but four areas are yet to benefit.

A standard definition (SD) version of ITV1 will continue to be available for the foreseeable future but viewers won’t receive the correct regional news and other regional shows.

Instead those programmes will only be available in HD.

The move will affect anyone with an older SD-only box on Freesat or Sky, as these can’t handle HD channels.

ITV says around 98 per cent of digital satellite homes can already receive HD channels so the vast majority of people should be fine.

For those with a HD-enabled box, channel 103 will automatically upgrade to HD with your regional programmes intact.

The firm says the changes are taking place in January.

It’ll happen across Border Scotland, Channel, Wales and UTV.

The move comes as the BBC edges closer to completing its own SD switch off in favour of HD.

Bosses announced that the date has moved forward by three months to January 8 as demand for support had been “much lower than expected”.

Unlike ITV, the BBC is pulling the plug on SD services entirely.

Support in the form of free vouchers towards a brand new box is being offered to some vulnerable viewers.

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