Another month, another Freeview update. Not a whole lot of changes this time – but there’s one new channel, and a couple of movements.
The changes are already rolling out, but as always, most 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).
It’s worth noting that the new channel is also coming to Freely – but only if you have an aerial connected to your Freely TV (as these are not streaming-only channels).
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 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), or use Freely, which supports SOME of the Freeview channels via broadband.
See our full Freeview guide here.
New Freeview Channels
There’s one new Freeview channel launching this week – and it’s a Hybrid (connected) channel.
Some Freeview channels, such as 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 (as does Freely).
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”).
India Today
India Today is an English-language news channel from the India Today Group, delivering 24/7 news, current affairs, and analysis on Indian and global events from an Indian perspective.
The channel was removed from Sky just this month – but will now be available on Freeview.
- India Today is available on Hybrid Freeview channel 258
Freeview Channel Moves
Two of the Great! network channels – movies and TV – are switching places. So:
- Great! Movies is moving from Freeview Channel 34 to Freeview Channel 50
- Great! TV is moving from Freeview Channel 50 to Freeview Channel 34
Freeview Channel Closure
As we previously reported, ITV’s reality TV channel – ITVBe – was shut down in June, and replaced by ITV Quiz.
As expected, ITVBe’s +1 version is also gone – but that channel is only now “officially” losing its place.
- ITVBe+1 removed from Freeview Channel 93
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 changed channels won’t update properly.
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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I wish someone could explain the reasoning for these channel swaps? Why switch “Great TV” and “Great Movies”? I’m sure it is done just to inconvenience the viewer! Some of us have relative in their 90’s that suddenly find they can’t find what they want to watch. Teaching an elderly relative, over the phone, to use the EPG is an uphill struggle.
Unless any new channels are HD, then forgot adding them. Freeview has way too many SD channels as is.
Hopefully more channels will come later 😁
Wish Gold would come to free view
I don’t think the manhattan t4 has enough good apps
For what you pay for the box. Also Netflix should be added to it
The problem with most of the less popular channels is that the picture quality is awful. I tuned to one of the “thats” channels and Benidorm was on but the quality of the picture was barely watchable . Im watching o a Humax box
When is the new channels coming to freeview
Thank you for the latest in a long line of informative monthly updates.
Keep it up!