Türksat satellite transition causes TV channel access issues

Following the transition of television and radio broadcasts from the Türksat 3A satellite to higher-capacity satellites in the Türksat fleet, many users in Turkey have experienced issues accessing channels. The transition was prompted by the technological aging of the Türksat 3A satellite.

Technical issues such as black screens, missing channels, or audio problems have been reported. The Telecommunications Satellite and Electronic Industrialists and Businessmen Association (TUYAD) clarified that there are no faults in the broadcasting infrastructure or the hardware of the televisions. Instead, the issues stem from how certain device software processes the new frequency information. Specifically, some Samsung and LG Smart TV models have faced difficulties automatically processing the Türksat Channel Update System (TKGS) data.

Due to these technical hurdles, many users, particularly older individuals, have sought assistance from private technical services. In Istanbul, service providers have reportedly charged up to 1,000 TL for simple frequency adjustments, while rates in other major cities range between 500 and 750 TL.