It’s that time of the month again, when Freeview gets a fresh batch of new channels (including a Christmas channel!), as well as a few changes to existing channels – and three that are shutting down.
Among the new channels this month is Eden from UKTV, which used to be a premium channel on pay-TV platforms (such as Sky) until today – and is now available for free on Freeview, Freesat and Freely.
This month’s changes have already started to roll out, but as always, some viewers will need to retune their Freeview devices for the correct new numbers and channels to fall into place (some devices do this retune automatically – see our recommended Freeview recorders here).
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 subscription-based devices like Sky Stream or Virgin Media Stream (though not all Freeview channels are available on these devices).
See our full Freeview guide here.
New Freeview Channels
This month brings with it four new Freeview channels:
U&Eden
Eden, formerly a premium pay-TV channel exclusive to platforms like Sky and Virgin Media, has now made its debut on Freeview and Freesat as U&Eden (following UKTV’s U-based rebranding).
This UKTV-owned channel has traditionally focused on nature documentaries and science programming, but in recent years has expanded its lineup to include a variety of factual entertainment and reality shows.
Viewers can expect a mix of content ranging from wildlife series and environmental documentaries to popular programmes like Inside The Ambulance, Warbird Workshop and Anthony Bourdain: Parts Unknown.
- U&Eden is now available on Freeview Channel 57.
New Hybrid Freeview Channels:
The next three channels are Freeview connected (“hybrid”) channels: Some Freeview channels, like Channel Box, 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”).
CNA
CNA is a channel based in Singapore, that offers the latest news from Asia, as well as award-winning documentaries and current affairs programmes with an Asian perspective.
- CNA is available on Freeview Hybrid Channel 276.
New Media TV
New Media TV is a religious Christian channel.
- It is available on Freeview Hybrid Channel 269.
GIGS
The GIGS channel, which is operated by Universal Music Group’s (UMG) Mercury Studios, airs live performances and documentaries from across UMG’s audio-visual catalogue.
It features artists including The Cure, Def Leppard, The Police and The Rolling Stones, among others – as well as special featured episodes from Live From Abbey Road.
- GIGS is available on Freeview Hybrid Channel 284.
New Christmas Channel
Last but not least, believe it or not, but Christmas is right around the corner – at least judging by our TV channels.
So starting today, music and nostalgia channel That’s TV 3 is transforming, temporarily, into That’s Christmas.
This is true for both That’s TV 3 Channel 71, and – in Manchester – That’s TV 3 MCR Channel 88.
Freeview Channel Closures
Three channels are being removed from Freeview:
- Al Jazeera Eng is being removed from Channel 235 (but will continue to be available on Hybrid streaming channel 251)
- Amazing Discoveries is being removed from Channel 269
- U&Yesterday+1 is being removed from Channel 74 (and will be replaced by U&DaveJaVu, which is moving from Channel 57 to 74).
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 week’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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Thankyou for the updates. I noticed freesat on my humax hdi 1000 500 gb wasn’t working last week for about 4 day on demand but now it’s returned did anyone else have the same problem.
Freesat updated its software this last week. I think the guide etc has gone from bad to worse.
“New Media TV is a religious Christian channel.
It is available on Freeview Hybrid Channel 269.”
Only in areas that have access to a Local TV multiplex though.
.
All the more reason to delete it’s brain-washing content instantly!
Not missing out on much then if not able to get them.