This could just be Ofcon getting more licence fee income by regularising the present situation, or perhaps The Zone will take the unused 6pm-6am slot (except Wales) on Mux A / SDN timesharing with CITV?

http://licensing.ofcom.org.uk/tv-bro...updates/102011

I also see that "ITV Preview 1" has ceased to be licensed.

Should "allow" them to have it on a different LCN ? - even if it stays on the ITV stream (as a time-share).

OFCOM may have stiffened the definition of a channel - perhaps more teleshopping 'channels' may be moved from their parent channels - perhaps this is something to do with DMOL - and also notice the jump to LCN 60 in a newly allocated shopping channel (The Jewellry Channel).

I doubt it would have anything to do with DMOL just yet. Changes in the EPG listings/LCN allocation are subject to a forthcoming consultation, until then the old policy applies.

They have a degree of flexibility - if not, how do you explain the jump to 60?

The 50s are HD channels so they couldn't put it there.

...sorry for me being stupid - excuse is I move the HD channels to their 'correct' positions - so there is a gap on our TV.

The Zone has appeared on LCN39 on Mux A with a caption stating "The Zone - the place to shop & play".

Assuming that this channel will be using CITV downtime, then it will not be available in Wales.

Also LCN35 has been left vacant even though ITV Preview 1 used this LCN.

The Freeview EPG for The Zone is showing from next Monday 14th November:

1800-2100 Teleshopping
2100-2200 JML
2200-0300 Jackpot 247

...and that's as far as my EPG will go...

Teleshopping and gambling, which is what you get on The Zone on ITV1 already. So no departure from the familiar format.

If ITV got LCN 39 for The Zone, I would imagine that strengthens the case for C5+1 to get 35.

I assume C5 got into the DMOL request queue first.

Looks like the Welsh got the best deal

Indeed - the DMOL website states 'ESNI Only' which I can only assume means 'England, Scotland & Northern Ireland only'.

Reminds me of ITV Play.

Great, another channel to delete... EDIT, just noticed it is on my TV already, so have just deleted it.

I assume this channel will probably appear on Sky and Freesat too using CITV downtime.

Surprised that a gambling channel on Northern Ireland muxes doesn't fall under the same rules that led to CNN being removed for carrying roulette during downtime.

I'm guessing the Teleshopping slot will be QVC with 'The Zone' branding?

I'd be surprised if it was. I expect it'll just be some teleshopping.

I don't think QVC would want to be duplicated on channel 16 and 39. You can understand QVC being on channel 3 via ITV1, because of it's position.

Interestingly, the EPG shows 0300-1800 Teleshopping, indicating 24 hour service, but given its omission from Wales [thus being the CITV slot], I think this might be a mistake.

However the might want overnight hours for QVC Beauty perhaps?

Quite possible, albeit perhaps 1800-2100. 2100 is already listed as JML time . 2200-0300 is gambling.

Seems the Northern Ireland government are looking to change their gambling laws, they put out a consultation in February, but there's been an election since then.

Virgin One played out their Challenge Jackpot into NI via Mux D without any problem. How they did it is a mystery if broadcasting roulette is illegal in NI. I suspect it may depend on knowing the gamblers' location.

What happens on Channel 5 at the moment? Do NI viewers get different programming overnight?

The Zone now on CH 39 with coming soon displayed.

The caption on LCN39 The Zone now confirming that it will start at 6pm tonight (except Wales).