Red Button

Why am I being asked to sign in to watch programmes on Connected Red Button?

Steven.Derrick — Fri, 10 Sep 2021 13:25:38 +0000

Why am I being asked to sign in to watch programmes on Connected Red Button?

The Connected Red Button is a service that links to programmes in ��ý iPlayer. You need to sign in to a ��ý account to use ��ý iPlayer on your Connected TV.

Please refer to our FAQ for more information that will guide you through the process:

How do I sign in to ��ý iPlayer on my TV?

The FAQ also advises on how to sign in if you don’t have a second screen device, like a mobile, tablet or laptop and whether there are any known problems with sign in and ��ý account.

Steven.Derrick 10 September 2021

Why has my Red Button changed to Connected Red Button?

Steven.Derrick — Fri, 10 Sep 2021 13:56:26 +0000

Why has my Red Button changed to Connected Red Button?

There could be a few reasons why your version of Red Button has changed:

You’re on Sky Q. The ��ý updated the Red Button to the Connected Red button in 2019. You can read more about that in our FAQ Why has my Red Button changed to Connected Red Button on Sky Q?
You connected your television to the internet. Once connected to the internet, if your device supports the Connected Red Button, that will become the default version.
You have a new TV. Your new TV may only support Connected Red Button and may not have the technology for Red Button.
The software has changed on your TV. Your manufacturer may have updated the software on your TV and removed the ability to use Red Button, only allowing Connected Red Button.

What are the alternatives to the red button text service – and where can I find them?

There are lots of ways you can still access the information you previously found on the red button digital text service.

On TV…

The ��ý News channel has up-to-the minute news headlines and analysis on all the main news stories of the day – as well as regular sport, business and market bulletins. 

On Radio…

��ý Radio 5 Live and Radio 4 both also provide news headlines and analysis throughout the day and ��ý Local Radio stations offer local news, weather and travel updates.

Online…

If you have an internet connected TV you can go to ��ý iPlayer which has comprehensive news and sport sections, updated daily.

If you have an internet connection on your laptop, tablet or mobile then head to the ��ý website for the latest news, sport, business and weather headlines. These links on the ��ý website should help you get started:

National Lottery Results

There are also ��ý apps you can download onto your mobile and tablet for free from the app store, including ��ý News, ��ý Sport, ��ý iPlayer, and ��ý Sounds.

Steven.Derrick 10 September 2021

What is Red Button and Connected Red Button?

Steven.Derrick — Tue, 14 Sep 2021 13:43:09 +0000

What is Red Button and Connected Red Button?

Red Button and Connected Red Button is a service available by pressing the red button on your remote control. Both Red Button and Connected Red Button offer additional programming to what is offered on ��ý television channels. It’s commonly used for live coverage of sporting and cultural events. However, there are some differences between the two versions, and the version you have depends on the television set or set-top-box you are using and whether it’s connected to the internet.

Red Button – contains both text-based services (like news) and an additional television stream. The content is broadcast, just like we broadcast TV channels. The television does not need to be connected to the internet.

Connected Red Button – offers a range of additional programme content, using ��ý iPlayer. It also offers a link to ��ý Sounds. This is the default option for televisions connected to the internet. You’ll need a ��ý account to access content in ��ý iPlayer and ��ý Sounds.

Image. Left, Connected Red Button. Right, Red Button

How do I find out what’s on Red Button and Connected Red Button?

You can check the online red button schedule or use the EPG on your television and look for the ��ý Red Button 1 channel:

Freesat – 980
Freeview/Freeview Play – 601
Sky – 970
Virgin Media – 990

Unsure what version of red button you are using?

Read our FAQ - How do I know what version of Red Button my device is using? If you are unsure what version you have.

Can I change the version of Red Button my device is using?

In most cases, you are not able to change Red Button or Connected Red Button. Although, that’s not always the case. Read our FAQ on whether you can change the version of red button.

Steven.Derrick 14 September 2021

How do I find out what’s on Red Button and Connected Red Button?

Anonymous — Wed, 22 Sep 2021 15:25:03 +0000

How do I find out what’s on Red Button and Connected Red Button?

Both versions of Red Button offer additional programming to what is offered on ��ý television channels. It’s commonly used for live coverage of sporting and cultural events.

To discover what’s on, you can check the online red button schedule or use the EPG on your television and look for the ��ý Red Button 1 channel. Here are the channel numbers for each platform:

Freesat – 980
Freeview – 601
Sky – 981
Virgin Media – 990

Anonymous (not verified) 22 September 2021

Can I change what version of Red Button I’m using?

Anonymous — Fri, 24 Sep 2021 09:50:02 +0000

Can I change what version of Red Button I’m using?

The ��ý offers two different red button services that you access by pressing the red button on your remote control when on a ��ý channel:

Red Button – contains both text-based services and additional television streams. This is for those televisions not connected to the internet.
Connected Red Button – offers a range of additional content linking to ��ý iPlayer. This is the default option for televisions connected to the internet.

Image. Left - Connected Red Button. Right - Red Button

So, can you change the version of Red Button you are using?

Red Button to Connected Red Button
If you are using Red Button, try connecting your television to the internet then restart your TV. If you do not get the Connected Red Button, then this will be due to the manufacturer not supporting the technology on your television. You might want to contact the manufacturer about this. If you are using an older television, you could consider adapting it with a modern set-top box rather than replacing the television.

Connected Red Button to Red Button
If you are using the Connected Red Button, you may not be able to change to Red Button because the Red Button uses different (older) technology to Connected Red Button. Some manufacturers are choosing to not include the technology for both Red Button and Connected Red Button, favouring the modern ‘HBBTV’ technology used by Connected Red Button.

If you have an older connected television, it might be possible to switch back to Red Button, but you would have to disconnect your television from the internet. However, this might not be desirable if you want to access online services like ��ý iPlayer. Some might also find success by selecting the text button on your remote control (while on a ��ý channel). We don’t however feel this is possible on most television sets – it’s a long shot.

Anonymous (not verified) 24 September 2021

How do I know what version of Red Button my device is using?

Anonymous — Mon, 27 Sep 2021 13:55:03 +0000

How do I know what version of Red Button my device is using?

The ��ý offers two different red button services that you access by pressing the red button on your remote control when on a ��ý channel:

Red Button – contains both text-based services and additional television streams. This is for those televisions not connected to the internet.
Connected Red Button – offers a range of additional content linking to ��ý iPlayer. This is the default option for televisions connected to the internet.

Image. Left - Connected Red Button. Right - Red Button

If it's not apparent based on the information and image above on the version you are using, or you are wondering about a television set you have yet to purchase, you would need to check the specification of the device.

The technology for Red Button requires ‘MHEG’, while for Connected Red Button the device will need to support ‘HBBTV’. You may need to contact the manufacturer if you cannot find this via a manufacturer’s website or in the manual. Some newer television sets may only support HBBTV.

Troubleshooting
If you're having a problem with Red Button or Connected Red Button, read our Troubleshooting Red Button and Connected Red Button help guide.

Anonymous (not verified) 27 September 2021

What should I try if I have a problem with Red Button or Connected Red Button?

Anonymous — Mon, 27 Sep 2021 14:30:02 +0000

What should I try if I have a problem with Red Button or Connected Red Button?

If you’re having a problem with either Red Button service, try our troubleshooting guide:
Troubleshooting Red Button and Connected Red Button

If you are unsure if you are using Red Button or Connected Red Button, check our FAQ:
How do I know what version of Red Button my device is using?

Anonymous (not verified) 27 September 2021

Why has my Connected Red Button service changed on Freeview?

Anonymous — Mon, 22 Nov 2021 15:25:02 +0000

Why has my Connected Red Button service changed on Freeview?

We’ve updated the Connected Red Button on Freeview. Once you’ve pressed the red button (when on a ��ý channel) you’ll now be taken to the new Connected Bridge.

The Connected Bridge offers the ability to:

launch promoted programmes in iPlayer
restart the current live programme in iPlayer
launch ��ý iPlayer
launch ��ý Sounds

When you're on the Connected Bridge, audio/video will continue playing.

To exit the Connected Bridge, just press ‘Back’ or ‘Exit’ on your remote control.

Anonymous (not verified) 22 November 2021