The first major Freeview channels shakeup of the year is coming next week, on February 1, as 10 channels are about to switch places, and one channel is set to shut down.
As always, this means some viewers will need to retune their Freeview boxes, in order to keep the Electronic Programmes Guide up to date (though some devices do this retune automatically – see our recommended Freeview recorders here).
Last year was saw quite a few Freeview channel changes – and now we’re getting the first major reshuffle of 2021.
Freeview, which was established back in 2002, is the United Kingdom’s terrestrial television platform. It provides free-to-air TV channels and radio stations (via a Freeview aerial – see the ones we recommend), including more than 80 standard and HD channels (See our full Freeview guide here).
Note that some of these upcoming changes will only take place in Manchester, while the rest will be country-wide.
The upcoming channel changes, which will take place on Monday, February 1, are:
NOW 70s (Manchester Only)
The ’70s hit songs channel, is moving from Channel 78 to Channel 75.
Now 80s (UK-Wide)
The 24/7 ’80s party channel, with non-stop hits from the decade, is moving from Channel 83 to Channel 76.
Now 90s (Manchester Only)
The 24/7 music channel the features classic pop from the ’90s, is moving from Channel 84 to Channel 78.
Clubland (Manchester Only)
Another music channel, this one focuses on club and dance. It is moving from Channel 82 to Channel 79.
Together TV (UK-Wide)
A “feel-good” channel dedicated to inspiring people to better their lives and communities. It is moving from Channel 87 to Channel 82.
Together+1, the channel’s 1-hour catch-up version, is moving from Channel 88 to Channel 83.
PBS America (UK-Wide)
The local version of the popular American Public Broadcasting Service channel, which showcases documentaries, nature and history programmes. It is moving from Channel 91 to Channel 84.
PBS America+1, the 1-hour catch-up version, is moving from Channel 93 to Channel 87.
Country Music Entertainment (Manchester Only)
A channel dedicated to country music from around the world. It is moving from Channel 98 to Channel 88.
Here’s the full table of the Freeview Channel Number changes:
| Name | Current No. | New No. |
|---|---|---|
| Now 70s | 78 | 75 |
| Now 80s | 83 | 76 |
| Now 90s | 84 | 78 |
| Clubland TV | 82 | 79 |
| Together TV | 87 | 82 |
| Together TV +1 | 88 | 83 |
| PBS America | 91 | 84 |
| PBS America +1 | 93 | 87 |
| Country Music | 98 | 88 |
CCX TV Channel Closing
As we reported earlier this week, another change that’s coming on February 1, is the closure of the short-lived CCX TV channel (Channel 73), which aired new episodes of The Bold And The Beautiful. Read more about the CCX TV closure here.
Retune Your Freeview Device
After the changes take place (usually at mid-day, on February 1), you will need to retune your Freeview device, otherwise the channel numbers won’t be correct.
Some devices do a retune automatically, but others might require a manual retune.
You can find more information on how to retune your device, on Freeview’s retuning help section.
Great movies.. Another new freeview channel that does NOT give subtitled option. Deafness is a disability, and should be treated as such. I don’t think you could open a restaurant without giving disability access. So why is this situation still happening. There are now more channels without this access then the is. Time this was changed.
I live in the coastal Suffolk with Sudbury being the transmitter that serves this area (Felixstowe). During the Xmas period 2019 there was a major fault on this transmitter when all channels disappeared for nearly a week. Since then we constantly loose certain channels pixalating on the others. Since Sept last we have lost channels including the horror QVC Sony movies to name but a few after several retunes still the same. The only channels with 100% signal strength are BBC ITV Cha 4 & 5. I have a high quality aerial which has been checked. I realise that certain weather conditions are responsible for poor reception but this is ridiculous.
There was NO transmitter fault over Xmas 2019 to New Year, it was entirely due to extremely unusual weather conditions called “tropospheric ducting” which can occur with high pressure. This particular occurrence was very severe and worse than is more commonly seen in summer. It causes signals from other transmitters (mainly from Europe in your case) to travel a lot further than normal and cause interference. Maybe you haven’t considered that climate change could be a significant factor in such things!
As for other reception problems, not everyone is guaranteed to receive the COM or Local multiplexes, you may be in an “awkward” location as parts of Felixstowe are not well covered by Sudbury – that’s why there is a relay transmitter at Felixstowe but is only has the 3 PSB multiplexes. Also periodically there is transmitter maintenance when power is reduced. As for the Sony channels, a lot of them are on Local multiplexes which mostly only cover some major urban areas from a limited number of main transmitters.
I seem to have to totally reset and restart my TalkTalk Youview box almost every week and it takes an absolute age. Even BBC SD channels often pixilate, buffer and ‘hiccup’. Pretty cheesed-off with it and seriously considering unsubscribing. Can get what I want more easily with a dongle.
Good for Manchester getting extra channels
Least iv got them all on freesat.
What is the necessity for this inconvenience?
After the last re-tune l am woken every morning at about 6am when the TV switches itself on,
They need to upgrade all to HD sd is awful picture time to get into 2021
I agree totally. I just can’t watch SD broadcasts any more. Yet my DVD’s look absolutely fine on my TV. Get rid of all the junk channels and the +1 channels and upgrade the picture quality of the rest. What’s the point of more choice when most of the channels look terrible. Here’s a tip broadcasters, STOP blowing up 4:3 programmes to fill a 16:9 screen. This makes the picture look even worse.
Going forward , could new boxes,TV, not auto update themselves as having to manually update ,updating manually is beyond some people’s ability especially older people.
I am in East Anglia. Although you say UK wide most of these channels we cannot get anyway.of those you have mentioned we get PBS America which is changing and cctv which is leaving freeview so will depend on your local transmitter
You’ll probably find that those channels you can’t get are only available on TV’s and set top boxes ect, that receive free view HD
If you can have a dish on your property, Freesat is a much better option in East Anglia. We were served by a small relay transmitter which only has about 20 channels – Freesat has loads more.
Why the change? If some isn’t broken don’t fix it, leave it alone.
Its all well and good but the problem is still there from 5g upgrade ,bought a new tv box tuned it in to about 90 channels and now have to use tv box for freeview as tv wont connect to signal but beforec5g upgrade there wasnt a problem
Can’t they leave things as they are??
Anything happening with freesat??
There are no imminent major channel number changes on Freesat that I’m aware of.