After a few quiet months on the Freeview front, we’re getting a (slightly) more substantial series of updates this June – including three brand new channels, one popular channel being shut down, and a few other movements and name changes.
The changes have already started to roll 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).
As always, the new channels are 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 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
There are three new Freeview channels launching this week:
ITV Quiz
As we reported earlier this week, ITV Quiz has now officially launched, replacing ITVBe which has now been shut down.
It is dedicated to quizzes and broadcasts daily from 9am to 1am.
The launch lineup includes popular formats like Tipping Point, Who Wants To Be A Millionaire, Lingo, Tenable, Deal or No Deal, and Wheel of Fortune, featuring hosts such as Jeremy Clarkson, Stephen Mulhern, and Warwick Davies.
- ITV Quiz is available on Freeview Channel 28
In addition to Freeview and Freely, the new channel is also available on Freesat (119), Sky (131), Virgin Media (119), and YouView (28).
While the channel is available in HD on most platforms, Freeview users will unfortunately only get the standard definition version.
OUTflix Proud
The second channel launching on Freeview this month is a connected (“hybrid”) channel: 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 (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”).
OUTflix Proud brings a signature mix of LGBTQ+ original series, reality shows, documentaries, and feature films, from the makers of the OUTtv streaming platform.
The channel represents an important milestone as the first dedicated LGBTQ+ channel on the Freeview platform, launching appropriately during Pride Month.
Brad Danks, CEO of OUTtv, explains that this launch is “a major step forward in our mission to make LGBTQ+ stories more accessible to viewers around the world,” adding that the UK has “an audience looking for life-affirming queer content.”
- OUTflix Proud is available on Hybrid Freeview Channel 288
Must Have Ideas
A shopping channel that’s also available on Freesat and Sky, the channel hasn’t started broadcasting on Freeview yet (as of this writing), but now has a placeholder.
- Must Have Ideas is available on Freeview Channel 96
Freeview Channel Moves
Rewind TV, the channel dedicated to retro and nostalgic programming, is moving (yet again).
Back in March, Rewind TV moved to Channel 92. Now, the channel is sliding down (or is it up?) the Freeview channel ladder again – now to Freeview Channel 81.
Blaze+1, which previously resided on Channel 81, is relocating to Freeview Channel 92.
Freeview Channel Name Changes
- That’s Pride Channel is changing its name back to That’s Dance, on Freeview Channel 76
- The same goes for That’s Pride Manchester, changing its name back to That’s Dance Manchester, on Freeview Channel 79.
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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Some of us still have TVs without playback connections! Mine is only just too old so not worth upgrading. I have an old Humax box so can record and use that for seeing – without ads – programmes I have missed. I do not want a huge TV screen in my small room and don’t want fantastic picture quality – I actually like old films!
Scrap all sd channels all with programs that are decades old.
Have premium freeview HD only or premium freesat 4k only. Who watches these other channels with their poor picture quality?
I do, Dean. And I’m not alone. Monthly, Talking Pictures attracts nearly 3 million viewers. Add another 1.3 million viewers for Rewind TV. (Official BARB figures obtained from their website.)
There’s a big market for quality archive TV, millions of discerning viewers aren’t bothered by poor picture quality and can appreciate television from a golden era where television was unafraid to innovate.
When are we going to get a sports TV channel back again on Freeview like men and motors or fishing or other sports like that
FYI: On your Freeview Box recommendations you refer to the T3-R (which I have) but you also say “You can still see some of these boxes mentioned online, and some retailers may even sell old stock – but be mindful of the fact that they’re no longer supported, and some features – along with some apps – may eventually stop working.” This may well be true in general and for other boxes but Manhattan have just updated my “old” T3-R. I knew they would be updating the T4-R (subtitle issues etc) thanks to your posts but I was VERY pleasantly supplied that my discontinued box was updated.
OutFlix is on Plex channels and it’s pretty good as far as FAST channels go. Obviously it has a very specific market so wont appeal to everyone, some of the shows are old seasons of stuff on WOWpresentsplus but for those in the community it’s definitely nice to have.
So basically, more crap.