Another month, another Freeview update – and this time, viewers are getting three new channels, along with a few minor changes and movements – and one that’s shutting down.
Among the new channels are the highly anticipated Rewind TV nostalgia channel (which was already available on Sky) and a new(ish) movie channel.
The 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 new 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 three new Freeview channels.
Rewind TV
As we previously reported, nostalgia-focused channel Rewind TV is now available on Freeview.
Rewind TV, which first launched on Sky in May 2024, is an independent channel dedicated to bringing classic British programming back to the small screen.
Founded by Oscar Beuselinck and Jonathan Moore, the channel offers a curated selection of beloved series, rare gems, and vintage films from television’s golden age.
With a focus on content from the 1960s through the 1990s, Rewind TV aims to satisfy viewers’ nostalgia while introducing newer generations to iconic shows of the past.
Tapping into the enduring love for retro content, Rewind TV now joins other nostalgia-focused channels on Freeview, such as Talking Pictures TV and That’s TV, further enriching the platform’s offering of classic entertainment.
Rewind TV is available on Freeview Channel 95.
Wedotv Movies
The Wedotv Movies channel, which focuses on “contemporary” films (mainly oldies and indies), was already available on Freeview as part of the Channelbox platform – but has not gotten its own standalone connected channel.
It also has its own standalone free streaming platform.
Some Freeview channels, like Channel Box and now 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”).
wedotv Movies is launching on connected Freeview Channel 275.
SonLife Channel
The SonLife Broadcasting Network (SBN) is a Christian multi-media network that offers a variety of live and prerecorded programs, specializing in music and teaching.
The channel was already available as a hybrid, connected Freeview channel – but is now getting its own standalone, aerial-based channel (so you can get it without being connected to the internet).
SonLife is available on Freeview Channel 96.
Freeview Channel Changes
Christmas is apparently in the air already, as Great! Romance is changing into Great! Christmas for a limited time, on Freeview Channel 52.
Also, music channel That’s Rock MCR (in the Manchester area) is changing into That’s Fabulous, on Freeview Channel 78.
Lastly, in another case of Freeview musical chairs, shopping +1 channel Warehouse TV +1 is moving from Freeview Channel 95 to Freeview Channel 94.
It only moved to Channel 95 in July, so we’ll see where it lands in another two months.
Freeview Channel Closures
Great! Real
Great! Real, the short-lived factual and reality TV channel, already shut down back in August – but it’s only being officially removed from Freeview’s EPG this month.
Therefore, you will no longer find its name on Freeview Channel 61.
Mech+
It’s time to say farewell to Mech+, which was dedicated to bringing viewers “the best in science, engineering, and robotics”.
The channel launched (as a hybrid connected channel) less than a year ago, and has now been removed from Freeview Channel 276.
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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