All BBC TV and Radio recently moved from an ageing satellite (Astra 2-D) to a temporary replacement (Astra 1-N).

The effect of this transition is that BBC domestic transmissions are (temporarily) easier to receive in Western Europe. Weak signals will be stronger, missing channels might have appeared. All this depends on your location and your dish size, of course.



As these channels are primarily destined for UK only reception, eventually a replacement for Astra 1-N will launch in November 2012 (Astra 2-F).
Astra 2-F, (and eventually in succeeding years) 2-E and 2-G is expected to be equipped with beams more tightly-aimed at the UK, which could render many installations useless, however this is not an exact science.


Sources of information:-

There is a BBC Blog here., which explains things.

Possible future launch details may be found at the sites listed below:-

http://www.satlaunch.net/p/launch-schedule-2012.htm

lhttp://www.satelliteonthenet.co.uk/index.php/launch-schedule