Channel 4 “This programme is not available”

February 25, 2010

Have you ever switched over to Channel 4 and found a blue screen with the message “This programme is not available.” Firstly don’t worry this is not an error message, there’s nothing wrong with your box. Channel 4 simply does not have permission to show certain programmes in Ireland before the Irish networks do, so they simply block the broadcast to Irish subscribers and display the “not available” message.

Take “The Sopranos”, Channel 4 had the rights to broadcast in the UK but RTE had the rights to show this in Ireland. So when Channel 4 broadcast the show the night before the scheduled RTE broadcast they blocked the broadcast in Ireland by showing us the blue screen with the message “This programme is not available” during the scheduled time.

This only becomes an issue when you take time out and sit down to watch a show but find the dreaded blue screen message. There is a relatively simple work around to this that should take you no more than 10 minutes. If you go here you can find a step by step guide to tuning in other channels on your Sky box. Then tune in Channel 4 using the free to air frequency;

Freq: 10714

Polarity: H

Symbol: 22000

FEC 5/6

Once done, be sure to save your selection. Channels saved in Other Channels can be found by pressing the services button on your remote.

The next time you then sit down to watch something on Channel 4 and get the “not available “ message simply press services, select other channels and watch it.

Posted by paul | Filed Under News