Interruptions to television and radio services due to high winds in the Southwest

Image of transmitter within large clouds

High winds may cause TV and radio disruption in the Southwest

As Storm Goretti, affects weather in the UK, the MET office has issued an red wind warning for gusts of up to 80 to 100mph in parts of Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly this evening.  Also an amber snow warning on Thursday night and into Friday morning could bring up to 30cm of snow in Wales and the Peak District.

Regions with Weather Warnings

  • Isles of Scilly
  • Cornwall
  • Wales
  • Peak District

 The Met Office has issued red weather warnings for Thursday 8th January

You can check for issues with your local transmitter using our transmitter checker tool.

Disruptions may be caused by:

  • Weather-related damage to the transmitter
  • Power supply issues affecting the transmitter

Please note: engineers will work to restore services as quickly as possible, but can only access transmitter sites when it is safe to do so.

BBC On Demand: Stream with iPlayer & Sounds

If a transmitter fault is confirmed, you’ll need to wait for it to be resolved. In the meantime, you can continue accessing content via BBC iPlayer and BBC Sounds, where possible.

Aerial Damage from High Winds

High winds can damage external aerial systems used by TV and radio viewers. Only carry out visual checks once the storm has passed and it’s safe to do so.

What to check from the ground:

  • Does the aerial appear damaged or misaligned?
  • Is the cable loose or broken?

Some issues may not be visible from the ground. If you suspect damage, consider contacting a professional aerial engineer. If you're a tenant or using a shared aerial system, reach out to your landlord or managing agent.

We don’t recommend individual installers, but the Confederation of Aerial Industries (CAI) is a recognised trade body that can help you find a qualified member in your area.

Transmitter Fixed but Still Experiencing Issues?

If the transmitter checker tool shows the issue has been resolved:

  • Try retuning your device – visit Freeview Help for instructions.
  • Check for aerial damage using the guidance above.

Neighbour Also Affected?

  • If you share an aerial system, it may be damaged.
  • Use the transmitter checker tool again. If multiple transmitters are listed, check the status of each one.

Freesat/Sky Reception Problems During Storms

  • Heavy rain can disrupt satellite signals.
  • Your dish may have shifted due to the weather – it may need realignment. Visit our Satellite Reception Problems guide for further help.