Freeview is set to undergo a series of channel changes this month, as part of the platform’s monthly update, with new additions, closures, and shifts.
The biggest change this month is the demise of TalkTV’s linear channel – which will be replaced by a streaming-only, televised radio version of the channel.
TalkTV confirmed to us that the linear channel is set to stop broadcasting on April 30, 2024.
As always, there are also a few Freeview channels moving around and changing places, so most viewers would need to do a manual retune on their TVs or set-top boxes.
Most of the changes are effective as of March 24, 2024.
- If You Missed It: See Freeview’s March Updates.
Freeview, which started its life 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. You can watch it on any supported TV, or by using a set-top Freeview box.
To watch Freeview via broadband, you’ll need one of the new subscription-based devices like Sky Stream or Virgin Media Stream (though not all Freeview channels are available on these devices). Later in 2024, Freeview is set to launch its own broadband-based platform – “Freely” – see my first hands-on review of Freely here.
Also see our full Freeview guide.
Freeview Channel Closures
Zee World
Zee World, an English-language Bollywood entertainment channel owned by Zee Entertainment, launched on streaming-only Freeview Channel 278 just a few months ago – but this week, it has left the platform.
TalkTV’s Linear Channel
As we previously reported, TalkTV – Rupert Murdoch’s current affairs, entertainment, and sports coverage channel – announced last month that it would be moving away from its linear channel on Freeview and Freesat, instead focusing on an online streaming model.
The linear channel is set to close on April 30, at which point a new version of it will become available as a Freeview streaming channel (see below), but will mostly include video feeds from TalkRadio.
For Freeview viewers, this means TalkTV will no longer be available on Freeview Channel 237.
Radio Channels Closing
7 radio “channels” from Bauer Media have been removed from the Freeview platform. Those radio stations are:
- Hits Radio, Freeview Channel 711
- Kiss Fresh, Freeview Channel 712
- Kiss, Freeview Channel 713
- Kisstory, Freeview Channel 714
- Magic, Freeview Channel 715
- Greatest Hits Radio, Freeview Channel 716
- Kerrang!, Freeview Channel 717
New Freeview Channels
Talk TV (Streaming)
As mentioned, instead of its linear channel, TalkTV will operate a streaming-only channel on Freeview.
To watch streaming-only Freeview channels, you need a modern Freeview device that supports the HbbTV standard – most modern Smart TVs with Freeview Play, and Freeview Play set-top boxes (like the Manhattan T3-R, Humax Aura and others) already support this standard.
Once your device is connected to broadband, you will be able to access these IP-only Freeview channels like normal channels through the electronic TV Guide.
Talk TV’s streaming channel is available on connected Freeview Channel 294.
Purpose Media
Another religious channel is launching this month, and it’s also a streaming-only channel.
Purpose Media delivers Christian Television Programming from well-known Global TV Networks and leading Christian Ministries.
Purpose Media will be available on connected Freeview Channel 293.
Freeview Channel Changes
With TalkTV shutting down its linear channel, some of its local TV channels are changing their names, losing the “Talk TV” branding:
- Talk Birmingham is changing its name to Birmingham TV on local Freeview Channel 7
- Talk Bristol is changing its name to Bristol TV on local Freeview Channel 7
- Talk Cardiff is changing its name to Cardiff TV on local Freeview Channel 8
- Talk Leeds is changing its name to Leeds TV on local Freeview Channel 7
- Talk Liverpool is changing its name to Liverpool TV on local Freeview Channel 7
- Talk North Wales is changing its name to North Wales TV on local Freeview Channel 8
- Talk Teesside is changing its name to Teesside TV on local Freeview Channel 7
- Talk Tyne & Wear is changing its name to Tyne & Wear TV on local Freeview Channel 7
ITV’s +1 Channels Are Moving
Three of ITV’s +1 Freeview channels (that air programmes one hour after their original air time on the main channel), are changing places:
ITV4+1 Moved From Freeview Channel 93 To Freeview Channel 59
ITVBe+1 Moved From Freeview Channel 58 To Freeview Channel 93
ITV3+1 Moved From Freeview Channel 59 To Freeview Channel 58
Retune Your Freeview Device
As always, when Freeview changes take place, most people need to retune their Freeview devices and TVs – otherwise, channel numbers and names may be incorrect, and new channels will not show up.
Some devices do this retune automatically, but others might require a manual retune for this month’s changes to update correctly.
You can find more information on how to retune your device, on Freeview’s retuning help section.
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Those complaining about changes must complain to the broadcaster of the channel, not Freeview/Freesat/Sky/Sky Stream etc.
I have multiple Free view and Freesat boxes around the house. I’m fed up of blocking or deleting all the cr*p channels, reality TV, craft and gem shopping, cartoons, etc etc only for them all to reappear on a retune. Please leave the da*n system alone for a while!
leave freeview alóne sick of good channels being taken off and the crap channels been left on
I ask myself why! !!!!! ?
why because not everyone can afford the internet to listen or watch the channels that have been taken off freeview that’s why