Matt returned from Sri Lanka early April after having an amazing time. He is planning on writing a piece for the magazine about his trip and you will be able to read that later in the year. Though it could be in competition with Jo’s (CCC editor) tales of her trip to Australia!!

Matt really enjoyed meeting so many people in Sri Lanka and managed to fit in mural painting in a local village school..... elephant conservation project work ............turtle watch on a remote beach.............safari with leopard and elephants......as well as meeting people who had been in the tsunami.

Sri Lanka is an incredible and inspirational place to spend time ............so look out for his feature in the magazine over the next few months............................

Right now some TV news!!!................... lots of you have taken up our special offer to up grade to 1.45m dish from a 1.35m. I think we can say all of you who have done it are pleased with the result..............for clients interested call us for details...............provided we can locate the new dish in the same place as the old and on the same bracket then the cost is not so bad considering the vast improvement you will get in TV reception.

My report last month that BBC and ITV may go it alone with a satellite system did cause a bit of a stir and concern! I think it is quite unlikely that we will lose BBC and ITV (possibly 4 and 5 as well) down here in southern Spain but two things may make that a reality. Firstly it is well known and well documented that the BBC and ITV do not “get on well” with Sky and they would like to break the dependence on Sky for satellite services. Secondly if they do that and go it alone with their own satellite system then it will be for and aimed at the UK. It may or may not be intentional but it may not be possible to get the signal here. Just to add personal thought ’ I expect you have all heard about the major wrangle between Sky and Virgin – Virgin took over most cable networks in the UK and Sky promptly withdrew all the Sky channels!!!! Well what may the BBC, ITV and Virgin be talking about now?

Sky HD (high definition) is still not “bug” free. A recent software update for “sky anytime” caused many HD boxes to crash – mostly fixed now but the sky telephone lines were jammed with customers wanting their HD boxes fixed. My advise is still hold on – let the enthusiasts sort the system out in its infancy and wait till the prices come down. HD will come to us all eventually as the only way to receive TV. It is years away but slowly, FX channel is the latest, all TV suppliers will go HD. This year’s Oscars were transmitted in HD.

National geographic is to launch a new channel called “wild”. Think it will be more about “wildlife” and “wild animals” than the things your “wild” children get up to!

That’s all for this month. Don'’ forget we are happy to answer any UK TV questions you may have – either through this article if it’s a general query or directly if it pertains specifically to you. Call or email us.

Article sponsored by rainbow satellites – contact Matt or Alan for free friendly advise on all aspects of UK TV in Spain.

Phone 686 358 475 or email rainbowsats@terra.es