Sky warns thousands of customers that their box will lose channels next year – affected viewers can claim a free upgrade

SOME Sky boxes will effectively stop working next year as part of a major upgrade.

The broadcasting giant has warned affected customers that they will lose channels as a result of a technical change.

AlamyBoth BBC and ITV are removing their SD channels next year[/caption]

It comes as Sky and other broadcasters including BBC and ITV prepare to switch off old SD (standard definition) channels next year in favour of HD-only.

However, older boxes can’t handle HD channels...