October brings a modest but useful update to Freeview, with a new kids’ channel joining the platform, a movie channel becoming more widely available, and a long-standing shopping channel getting a name change.
The changes are rolling out now, though as always, some viewers will need to retune their Freeview devices for the correct new numbers and channels to fall into place (some devices handle this retune automatically – see our recommended Freeview recorders here).
As always, some of these changes will also take place on the streaming Freely platform – though linear channel numbers are different on Freely.
Freeview, which started its life back in 2002, is the UK’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 without an aerial, you’ll need one of the subscription-based devices like Sky Stream or Virgin Media Stream (though not all Freeview channels are available on these devices), or use Freely, which supports SOME of the Freeview channels via broadband.
See our full Freeview guide here.
New Freeview Channels
This month brings with it two new Freeview channels – though one of them might look familiar if you were paying attention last year.
Wedotv Movies UK (Channel 98)
If you’ve got a sense of déjà vu about Wedotv Movies, you’re not imagining things. As we reported back in September 2024, the channel already launched as a hybrid connected Freeview channel on Channel 275, and has been available ever since on connected devices.
Some Freeview channels, like Channel Box and Wedotv, are Freeview IP channels – meaning they can only be delivered via broadband, and do not reach your house directly via the aerial.
To watch these 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 T4-R, Humax Aura and others) already support this standard.
Once your device is connected to the internet, you can reach these IP-only Freeview channels like a normal channel through the TV Guide (however, you ALSO need an aerial to be connected – hence why they’re called “hybrid channels”).
However, this month, Wedotv Movies UK has also become available as a regular over-the-air Freeview channel on Channel 98.
But there’s a catch again – it’s being broadcast from a transmitter that doesn’t have UK-wide coverage, so it’s not available across the whole country. Your mileage may vary depending on where you live.
So, somewhat confusingly, the same channel is now available TWICE on Freeview – once as a hybrid connected channel (Channel 275, available since September 2024) and once as a traditional aerial-based channel (Channel 98).
The Wedotv Movies channel focuses on “contemporary” films, though in practice this means a mixture of older classics and independent productions. It also has its own standalone free streaming platform.
Recent offerings include One-Eyed Jacks starring Marlon Brando and Karl Malden, Willow Creek (about Bigfoot!), and The Way starring Martin Sheen.
It’s not exactly the latest blockbusters, but if you’re in the mood for something a bit different from the usual fare on mainstream channels, it’s worth a browse.
Cartoon Classics (Channel 214)
The more genuinely new addition this month is Cartoon Classics, launching as a hybrid connected channel on Channel 214.
Cartoon Classics is a channel of classic animation which spans all generations. Whether you want to relive cherished memories from your own childhood or introduce your children to the world’s best animation, the channel aims to be a “forever home” for nostalgic telly watching.
The lineup includes The Smurfs, Sonic X, Count Duckula, and Leo & Tig – a decent mixture of vintage favourites and slightly more recent fare.
As a hybrid connected channel, you’ll need a modern Freeview device that supports the HbbTV standard and an internet connection to watch it (plus an aerial connection, as mentioned earlier).
Like the movie channel, Cartoon Classics will also be available only in some parts of the country.
Freeview Channel Changes
Gems TV Becomes Gemporia
Jewellery shopping channel Gems TV is changing its name to Gemporia on Freeview Channel 45.
If you’re a regular viewer (or buyer), nothing else is changing – just the name on the tin.
Coming Soon: Major Changes to Warner Bros. Discovery Channels
For those who missed the news earlier this week, Warner Bros. Discovery is making major changes to its UK channel lineup from January 2026.
TLC will become available free-to-air on both Freeview and Freesat, complete with a major content overhaul that includes the return of Mock the Week alongside scripted comedy series like The Big Bang Theory and Young Sheldon.
Meanwhile, HGTV will be shutting down entirely, with its home and garden content being folded into Really.
Retune Your Freeview Device
Whenever Freeview changes take place, some people need to retune their Freeview devices – otherwise, channel numbers and names won’t be correct, and new channels won’t show up.
Some devices do a 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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