Many Freesat users, mostly with Humax set-top boxes, are reporting errors with Freesat’s Electronic Programmes Guide (EPG), with some of Channel 5’s channels – such as 5USA and 5Star – disappearing.
It’s unclear yet where the fault lies, but the TV guide information for the affected channels (see the full list below) is missing, both on the set-top boxes themselves, and on Freesat’s website.
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.
But it’s even worse for some users, who apparently can’t even watch the affected channels.
Freesat viewers took to social media to complain about these issues, with some getting in touch with us as well.
While most of the reports seem to be coming from users with Humax boxes, if the problem lies with Freesat’s EPG, then the newer 4K Freesat boxes are likely affected as well.
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)
- 5Star (Freesat Channel 131)
- 5Select (Freesat Channel 133)
- 5Star+1 (Freesat Channel 141)
Update, August 1: The issue is still ongoing. We reached out to Freesat, and are waiting for their response. So far, on Twitter, Freesat had this to say:
“We have been made aware of issues affecting the EPG information for several of the Channel 5 stations on Freesat.
“Our Broadcast Team is currently looking into this and we hope to have this resolved soon. Our apologies for any inconvenience this may cause.”
