Maybe worth having a go at 7w. Information below.
I have never tried the 26E MBC channels, but I have tried the 7W MBC channels.
Down here in North London/Hertfordshire, it is possible to just lock the 7W NWA beam MBC channels on 1.2m dish
at certain times of the day.
A full and reliable signal is possible with a larger 1.5m dish. I have seen both of these in action down here.