Forces TV ceases broadcasting after eight years

Forces TV ceased broadcasting at 11am today.

The closure is believed to come as a direct result of the loss of the channel’s Freeview slot on the COM7 multiplex, leaving the operation financially unviable.

COM7 closed down nationwide today, resulting in some channels dropping off the Freeview platform and others moving to alternative multiplexes.

Forces TV announced its closure plan on social media on 15th June, shortly before 11.30am:

@Forces_TV bids you farewell on 30 June. We’ve loved bringing you all your favourite classics. @ThisIsBFBS is a military charity and media organisation, now focusing our resources on our military news and stories on our @ForcesNews digital platforms. Thank you for your support.

@Forces_TV (Twitter)

The final Forces TV junction featured a montage of the many classic shows aired on the channel over the last eight years, including Citizen Smith, Surgical Spirit, The Dukes of Hazzard, Midnight Caller, Duty Free, The Equalizer and The A-Team.

There was a reminder of alternative sources for Forces News and channel details for BFBS Radio. Announcer Andy Marriott thanked viewers for watching and bid us farewell. The National Anthem was then played.

And just before switching to their “off air” graphic and music, Andy popped up again to remind us to switch off our TV set (a nod to the final remark made by many ITV regional announcers at closedown each night, in the pre-24-hour TV era).

Acknowledgements