BFBS TV dishes up Multi-Channel TV to Cyprus

Direct To Home TV via satellite on Track
The DTH roll-out program is moving on apace with the Married Quarters in British forces Cyprus all completed in time for the start of the 2006 FIFA World Cup. All Hirings have also been finished and all recipients of 'Rent Refund Allowance' who have applied have had their system installed.

The order of installation in each area was determined by the local Command. You can see the order of installation and installation progress here.

Installation in Single Living Accommodation
Progress of installation into SLA has been very good. The projected completion date for the SLA, which will mark the end of the installation phase for the whole project, is mid-to-late February. This will be over a month ahead of schedule.

Installation involves fitting a satellite dish to your block and cabling an outlet to each designated bedspace. You don’t need to change your TV, but you will need to collect a viewing card from the DTH Office before drawing a set top box from your QM or Accommodation Cell.

See the FAQs page for more details or contact the BFBS Satellite office in your area.

Viewing Card Re-Activation
If you are receiving the mesage that your viewing card is due to expire please contact your local BFBS Satellite office to re-activate your card.

Switch-off of Encrypted Terrestrial Television
The encrypted or “scrambled” television service, which serves the wider Sovereign Base Areas for both WSBA and ESBA, will be switched off on 2nd April 2007. This means that the black box decoders will no longer work and should be returned to your issuing point. We have been forced to take this step as the equipment used for this service is old and spares are no longer available. With the arrival of DTH on-island we are now able to finally switch this service off.

There are currently no plans to switch off the clear TV transmitters which serve Akrotiri, Episkopi and Dhekelia garrisons, so if you watch terrestrial BFBS television without the need for a black box your service will be unaffected.

If you currently receive the encrypted service and have so far resisted the urge to move over to the DTH package, with it's choice of six channels in digital quality, then don't worry, there's still time. Simply call your local BFBS DTH office who will be able to put you in touch with our installer. If you rent privately or own your property you will have to pay for your installation but applications received before 16th February will be guaranteed an installation appointment before the 2nd April.