An error on Freesat’s Electronic Programmes Guide (EPG) is causing failed recordings for many users, with some of Channel 5’s channels – such as 5USA and 5Action – disappearing from the TV guide.
A similar error affected Freesat users back in July, with the EPG information for the affected channels (see the full list below) missing on Freesat’s set-top boxes and on Freesat’s website.
Today (November 15) Channel 5’s channels moved to a different satellite transponder – and the issue is apparently related to that.
Freesat’s online TV guide also seems to be having technical issues (as of this writing), with programming information getting updated very slowly, or not appearing at all.
Besides not being able to see future programming information, without a properly updated EPG viewers can’t set any future recordings, and have to manually set timings if they want to record anything on those channels.
It seems that the channels themselves are accessible, by keying their numbers directly on the remote – it’s just the EPG information that is currently missing.
Freesat viewers took to social media again, to complain about these repeating issues, with some getting in touch with us as well.
As before, while most of the reports seem to be coming from users with older Humax boxes, if the problem lies with Freesat’s EPG, then the newer 4K Freesat boxes are likely affected as well.
Freesat is aware of the situation, and a fix is being worked on (see their full response below).
Freesat has been around since 2007, offering more than 200 free-to-air TV channels and radio stations, all transmitted via digital satellite.
Last year, a big shakeup was announced, when Freesat and Freeview came under the roof of a single company, Digital UK, which is owned jointly by the BBC, ITV, Channel 4 and Channel 5.
To watch Freesat, you need a dish outside your house and a Freesat receiver (see our recommended Freesat boxes here).
Until 2020, Humax dominated the Freesat set-top world – until they stopped making Freesat boxes. At that point, Freesat launched a new set of boxes from Commscope (formerly Arris) – both regular and recording boxes that also support 4K.
Nevertheless, many people are still using those older Humax Freesat boxes, therefore issues with them can affect a lot of viewers. Earlier this year, there was a widespread recording fail issue on some of Humax’s boxes, and then in April BBC iPlayer stopped working on them for a few days.
Then in July, the same issue we’re seeing now took place – with some of Channel 5’s info disappearing from Freesat’s EPG.
Channel 5’s Freesat EPG Issues
From the reports we’re seeing, the current issue is affecting several channels owned by Channel 5 / Paramount:
- 5USA (Freesat Channel 129)
- 5USA+1 (Freesat Channel 130)
- 5Action (Freesat Channel 132)
- 5Select (Freesat Channel 133)
- 5Star+1 (Freesat Channel 141)
As for 5Star (Freesat Channel 131), I’m seeing updated information on some days, with missing information on other days.
For now, it looks like there are no issues with the main Channel 5 itself.
Many users took to social media and community forums to complain about the errors:
@freesat_tv Humax box. No listings for any of the Channel 5 channels. Rebooted but no difference. Kent area. General problems or my end? How to fix?
— White Eagle (@GreatWhiteEagle) November 15, 2022
A possible workaround for those who can’t currently record the affected channels on their Freesat box, is to use Channel 5’s streaming app, My5, if it’s available on your Freesat box.
My5 features box-sets and catch-up content from the various Channel 5 channels – though not every programme will be available there.
You can also watch My5 via Channel 5’s website.
Freesat’s Response
Freesat took to social media to respond to some of the complaints, saying that “This is a known issue that our technical teams are currently looking into.”
We also reached out to Freesat, and were told that they’re working with Channel 5 and their EPG schedule provider, RedBee, to resolve the issue.
Freesat expects this to be fully resolved “within the next few hours.”
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