Freeview changes are upon us again – and this month, several channels are changing and moving around, and we’re also getting a brand new Freeview channel.
In the past, Freeview EPG changes occurred near the end of the month, but recently, they started rolling out earlier in the month.
Most of the changes to Freeview’s channel lineup this month are channel numbering and branding changes (including the big UKTV transformation), but we did get one new channel, GINX TV, a channel dedicated to eSports and video game coverage.
As always, this week’s changes require a manual retune on most devices.
Also, as we reported last week, an even bigger Freeview reshuffle is expected in the near future, as Freeview’s hybrid streaming channels will be moving around – but we’re not there yet.
Freeview, which has been around since 2002, is the UK’s terrestrial television platform. It provides free-to-air TV channels and radio stations (via a Freeview aerial), including more than 100 standard and HD channels. You can watch it on any supported TV, or via 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). Earlier this year, Everyone TV also launched Freely, which lets you watch SOME Freeview channels via broadband – but the channel lineup is still quite limited.
Also see our full Freeview guide.
New Freeview Channel
The one new Freeview channel launching this week is a Hybrid streaming channel.
To watch streaming 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 and the new Manhattan T4-R, the Humax Aura and others) already support this standard.
Once your device is connected to broadband (AND to the aerial as well – hence the ‘hybrid’), you will be able to access these IP-only Freeview channels like normal channels through the electronic TV Guide.
GINX TV (Streaming)
Ginx.TV says it’s “the world’s first and largest gaming TV network”, with coverage ranging from live esports tournaments to original shows, expert interviews, reviews, news, and analysis, caters to gamers of all levels.
The channel is also available on Sky’s streaming platforms – Sky Glass and Sky Stream – though it’s no longer available on Sky’s satellite-based devices.
Ginx.TV is available on connected Freeview Channel 296.
Freeview Channel Changes
The following channels have changed places:
Seen on TV Moved From Freeview Channel 94 To Freeview Channel 79 (The channel was reportedly shut down last month, so it’s unclear why Freeview is moving it around).
- That’s TV 2 MCR Moved From Freeview Channel 92 To Freeview Channel 87
- That’s Memories MCR Moved From Freeview Channel 95 To Freeview Channel 88
- TV Warehouse Moved From Freeview Channel 87 To Freeview Channel 92
- TV Warehouse +1 Moved From Freeview Channel 88 To Freeview Channel 95
Channel Rebrands
Several channels have changed their names (and focus, on some) this month.
Chief among them is the major UKTV rebrand. As we previously reported, UKTV has undergone a major rebranding this week, transforming into ‘U’ across all its platforms.
The change, which took effect on July 16, 2024, has seen the broadcaster’s popular free-to-air channels adopt new names:
- Dave has changed to U&Dave on Freeview Channel 19
- Drama has changed to U&Drama on Freeview Channel 20
- W has changed to U&W on Freeview Channel 25
- Yesterday has changed to U&Yesterday on Freeview Channel 27
- DaveJaVu has changed to U&DaveJaVu on Freeview Channel 57
- Drama +1 has changed to U&Drama +1 on Freeview Channel 60
- Yesterday +1 has changed to U&Yesterday +1 on Freeview Channel 74
Additionally, the free streaming service formerly known as UKTV Play has been simplified to just ‘U’.
The transition also comes with an expanded content lineup, offering viewers nearly 8,500 hours of free content, including new original programming and exclusive shows.
Two more changes that are taking place this week:
- That’s 60’s has changed to That’s 80’s on Freeview Channel 75
- That’s 60’s MCR has changed to That’s 80’s MCR on Freeview Channel 77
Radio Channel Moves
In addition to the TV channels, Freeview has also reshuffled some radio station numbering this week (stations that you listen to via Freeview, that is).
| Radio Channel Name | Channel No. | New Channel No. |
|---|---|---|
| BBC Berkshire | 719 | 711 |
| BBC Bristol | 719 | 711 |
| BBC CWR | 719 | 711 |
| BBC Jersey | 719 | 711 |
| BBC Kent | 719 | 711 |
| BBC Leeds | 719 | 711 |
| BBC Manchester | 719 | 711 |
| BBC Newcastle | 719 | 711 |
| BBC Norfolk | 719 | 711 |
| BBC R Scotland | 719 | 711 |
| BBC Radio Ulster | 719 | 711 |
| BBC Radio Wales | 719 | 711 |
| BBC Radio Cymru | 720 | 712 |
| BBC Devon | 720 | 712 |
| BBC Radio Foyle | 720 | 712 |
| BBC H&W | 720 | 712 |
| BBC Lancashire | 720 | 712 |
| BBC R n Gaidheal | 720 | 712 |
| BBC Nottingham | 720 | 712 |
| BBC Suffolk | 720 | 712 |
| BBC Sussex | 720 | 712 |
| BBC Three Counties | 720 | 712 |
| BBC York | 720 | 712 |
| BBC Cornwall | 721 | 713 |
| BBC Cumbria | 721 | 713 |
| BBC Radio Cymru 2 | 721 | 713 |
| BBC Guernsey | 721 | 713 |
| BBC Humberside | 721 | 713 |
| BBC Leicester | 721 | 713 |
| BBC Radio London | 721 | 713 |
| BBC Shropshire | 721 | 713 |
| BBC Wiltshire | 721 | 713 |
| BBC Cambridge | 722 | 714 |
| BBC Lincolnshire | 722 | 714 |
| BBC Merseyside | 722 | 714 |
| BBC Oxford | 722 | 714 |
| BBC Solent | 722 | 714 |
| BBC Somerset | 722 | 714 |
| BBC Surrey | 722 | 714 |
| BBC Tees | 722 | 714 |
| BBC WM | 722 | 714 |
| BBC Solent Dorset | 726 | 715 |
| BBC Stoke | 726 | 715 |
| BBC Essex | 734 | 716 |
| BBC Northampton | 734 | 716 |
| BBC Sheffield | 734 | 716 |
| BBC Gloucestershire | 735 | 717 |
| BBC Derby | 735 | 717 |
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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We could do with that’s dance channel should be free to watch not streaming
Freeview and Freely?
Can you undo the HD channel swaps on Fire TVs? I used to have freesat TV now if the wind blows the wrong way get no signal on BBC 1,2,3,4 because the HD mux is too weak