Many Freesat users, mostly with Humax set-top boxes, are reporting errors with Freesat’s Electronic Programmes Guide (EPG), with some of Channel 5’s channels – such as 5USA and 5Star – disappearing.
It’s unclear yet where the fault lies, but the TV guide information for the affected channels (see the full list below) is missing, both on the set-top boxes themselves, and on Freesat’s website.
- Update, August 1: We have been informed the issue has been fixed. If you’re still seeing this issue on your TV, let us know in the comments.
- Update, November 15: It looks like the same issue is back again.
Besides not being able to see future programming information, without a properly updated EPG viewers can’t set any future recordings, and have to manually set timings if they want to record anything on those channels.
But it’s even worse for some users, who apparently can’t even watch the affected channels.
Freesat viewers took to social media to complain about these issues, with some getting in touch with us as well.
While most of the reports seem to be coming from users with Humax boxes, if the problem lies with Freesat’s EPG, then the newer 4K Freesat boxes are likely affected as well.
Freesat told us they’re aware of the issue, and are working with Channel 5 on a fix (see their full response below).
Freesat has been around since 2007, offering more than 200 free-to-air TV channels and radio stations, all transmitted via digital satellite.
Last year, a big shakeup was announced, when Freesat and Freeview came under the roof of a single company, Digital UK, which is owned jointly by the BBC, ITV, Channel 4 and Channel 5.
To watch Freesat, you need a dish outside your house and a Freesat receiver (see our recommended Freesat boxes here).
Until 2020, Humax was the king of the Freesat set-top world – until they stopped making Freesat boxes. At that point, Freesat launched a new set of boxes from Commscope (formerly Arris) – both regular and recording boxes that also support 4K.
Nevertheless, many people are still using those older Humax Freesat boxes, therefore issues with them can affect a lot of viewers.
Earlier this year, there was a widespread recording fail issue on some of Humax’s boxes, and then in April BBC iPlayer stopped working on them for a few days.
Channel 5’s Freesat EPG Issues
From the reports we’re seeing, the current issue is affecting several channels owned by Channel 5 / Paramount:
- 5USA (Freesat Channel 129)
- 5USA+1 (Freesat Channel 130)
- 5Star (Freesat Channel 131)
- 5Select (Freesat Channel 133)
- 5Star+1 (Freesat Channel 141)
A quick check on Freesat’s online EPG shows that, as of this writing, the listings for these channels are indeed empty.
@freesat_tv Why is there no epg data this week for 5USA, 5Star and 5Select? pic.twitter.com/mDwo99fghp
— Name (@JackieHanow) July 30, 2022
Some users are also reporting issues with the channels themselves, and not just their listings, with blank screens appearing instead of the actual TV feed.
@5star_tv @channel5_tv @freesat_tv Anyone else lost 5Star, 5USA & 5Select on Freesat? No EPG, and the channels themselves have all gone dead – no transmissions. Signal & quality on the Humax box both showing as 'full strength'🤔
— Lexham (@Lexham_1) July 30, 2022
For now, it looks like there are no issues with Channel 5 itself, or with 5Action.
A workaround for those who can’t currently watch (or record) the affected channels on their Freesat box, is to use Channel 5’s streaming app, My5, if it’s available on your Freesat box.
You can also watch My5 via Channel 5’s website.
With this being the weekend, we can’t get an official response from Freesat yet, but we’ll keep updating in the coming days if the problem persists.
Freesat’s Response
Update, August 1: The issue is still ongoing, and a Freesat spokesperson gave us the following statement:
“We are aware of an issue with programme listings on some of Channel 5’s channels.
“We are working with Channel 5 and their schedule provider to try to fix this as soon as possible. If viewers are unable to set recordings they may be able to use catch-up instead by going to My5”.
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Seams we have no channels at all in our area now
Today 1st Dec still no channel 5 or any of the 5 channels what exactly is going on Nobody seems to know or get a answer as to when it will be back so frustrating there are good programmes on it
I have got the channels showing in the guide on Samsung with built in Freesat, but cannot watch any of the 5 channels, plus a couple of others, more 4 I think. It says there is no signal in those channels. Have done a retune, they show in the guide, just can’t watch. Tried to contact Freesat, but could not find their contact information.
I am in France using a freesat and human combination and had channels disappear and programme schedules but thankfully your wonderful readers commented I would be ok in a few days and am so far back to normal.
I keep seeing channels I don’t want appear for example legend and talk TV but others have disappeared forever.
I keep seeing you must “stream” for some but am 65 and live alone and have no idea what that means or how to do it!
Technology and I are not on good terms 😒 I was able to watch the first 2 series of yellowstone for example but now the channel has disappeared. Please can someone help me in very simple language to understand what to do? I live alone and without TV will be lost and totally isolated. Thank you
Different issue – Losing news channels. CNN, Al Jazeera,… only got BBC 1 & BBC Parliament, plus TRT World and CNBC.
Living in West Sussex and using a very old Goodmans Freesat SD box, primarily for news, in our kitchen.
We understand that CNN was pulled as it became a paid channel, but why loss of al Jazeera, and continental, Asian etc channels? The Freesat website doens’t acknowledge recent losses – or hasn’t been updated.
I have a humax box quite a few years old, had no trouble till last week when channel five disappeared now all the other channels have followed suit and though I can still play all the stuff I’ve recorded in the past I can no longer receive any tv or radio stations at all. Is the box defunct, how can I tell?.
Can see programme listing for a couple of days in advance but no further!
Still the same issue 3 August with Four7. I have a 4K box.
I have an old HUMAX BOX and as of 3 August I have all the problems mentioned in your article.
Hi, I have a Manhattan freesat box and some chanels have suddenly stopped working. The chanel switches over ok and the guide is visible, however the screen displays “no signal” but most chanels are fine so I reckon there’s a problem with box. Signal quality is 100% and signal strength is 62%. Any advice
Yes I got two music channels missing from my humax feeeview box
Right bought brand new box and program knew insulation and all the channels are all over the place not on there channel numbers why are they not there
Same issue today with Four7
All these various problems that only seem to affect Humax boxes, it’s not Freesats way of trying to make us buy one of their new Comcast boxes is it? surely not
Humax have confirmed to my query, confirming that this is a FreeSAT issue – they are not broadcasting the EPG info. You do not need to buy a new Set Top Box or update your current Humax software.
FreeSAT gave an identical response to Cordbusters, and confirmed all the above comments about how you can actually watch the missing channels
Seems that the same issue is back today, 15th Nov 22. None of the “5” channels programmes listed, so no way to set any recordings. Thought this issue was sorted in August, but seems not.
I have Freesat ( Sky regional ) coming in direct through my dish and it is the same problem with channels that have been mentioned no EPG but all channels are still watchable
Thank you for this, tried it and it works!!
Since yesterday I can’t see programme planning for 5 USA but so far can se the programmes. I have a humax box so will it be OK or do I need to get another box? If so what and where do I order it because I am 65 and totally confused 😕
I hope we’ll know more tomorrow, but this will most likely get fixed within a few days so you shouldn’t have to replace your box.
My Humax box is also missing the same 5 EPG info so don’t know what is comming on for the week & can’t record. This is getting stupid that no-one seems to know what or who is causing this problem.
How much longer will freesat viewers have to put up with this problem?
Hi there, I have the same problem but I have a 4K Panasonic box not humax although I have a humax in my bedroom that is actually working fine with all channels 🤷🏻♀️ Very strange
Yes, those channels are missing info in the EPG, and you can’t select those empty channels by selecting the channel from the remote. However, you can select a working channel nearby and press “channel up or down” on the remote until you get to the “absent” channels, and they are actually there to watch. Still no info though. And you can’t record as you watch. Mine is the last version of the Humax.