Warner Bros. Discovery is shutting down HGTV today – and replacing it with something completely different: the formerly Premium-only channel TLC.
TLC arrives on Freeview and Freesat for the first time, taking over HGTV’s channel as the home improvement channel closes down after nearly six years as a free-to-air service.
All of HGTV’s property programming is being folded into Really instead, whilst TLC gets a complete makeover and becomes free-to-air on Freeview Channel 12 (see the full Freeview and Freesat channel reshuffling below).
Until now, TLC has been a pay-TV channel – available through Sky, Virgin Media, and Discovery+, but not on Freeview. That changes from today, massively expanding the channel’s potential audience.
But it’s not just about making TLC free. Warner Bros. Discovery is completely overhauling what the channel actually is. Alongside TLC’s traditional reality shows like 90 Day Fiancé and Dr Pimple Popper, you’re now getting sitcoms like The Big Bang Theory.
And the biggest headline? Mock the Week is coming back – arriving on TLC from February 1 with Dara Ó Briain returning as host.
The changes are part of a wider refresh across Warner Bros. Discovery’s entire UK free-to-air portfolio. All six channels – TLC, Quest, Quest Red, Food Network, Really, and DMAX – are getting updated looks from today.
But for TLC specifically, this is more than just a visual refresh – it’s a complete reinvention.
HGTV Shuts Down, TLC Takes Its Freeview Slot
TLC’s arrival on Freeview comes at the expense of HGTV, which has closed down as planned.
HGTV had been sitting on Freeview channel 44 since launching as a free-to-air service back in March 2016 (it started life as UK Style way back in 1997, became Home in 2009, then HGTV in 2020).
The channel focused exclusively on home improvement and property programming – shows like My Lottery Dream Home with David Bromstad, Celebrity IOU with the Property Brothers, and Home Town.
Rather than keep HGTV running, Warner Bros. Discovery decided to consolidate all that home and garden content onto Really, which is already on Freeview channel 17.
Really’s getting “an injection of HGTV shows” including Celebrity IOU, Home Town, and My Lottery Dream Home, making it the go-to destination for property content within WBD’s free-to-air lineup.
TLC now takes over HGTV’s Freeview slot, but will be on Freeview Channel 12, with other channels moving around to accommodate this.
So What Actually Is TLC Now?
TLC built its reputation on reality and lifestyle programming – think Dr Pimple Popper, My 600-lb Life, The Bad Skin Clinic, and the hugely popular 90 Day Fiancé franchise.
All of that stuff is staying. But now you’re also getting scripted sitcoms thrown into the mix.
From today, The Big Bang Theory, Young Sheldon, and Mike & Molly are all airing on TLC – which Warner Bros. Discovery describes as its biggest order of scripted entertainment across the UK free-to-air portfolio.
The UK premiere of Georgie & Mandy’s First Marriage, the latest spin-off from The Big Bang Theory universe, follows on 18 January.
It’s a somewhat odd programming mix – you could be watching Sheldon Cooper one minute and someone getting a massive cyst removed the next – but WBD reckons there’s an audience for this blend of “big laughs, real emotions and true escapism.”
Mock The Week Is Back
The return of Mock the Week is probably the biggest news here.
The topical satirical panel show ended its 21-year run on BBC Two back in 2022, but it’s getting a second life with a nine-episode series starting 1 February on TLC.
Dara Ó Briain returns as host, with the new series featuring extended one-hour episodes – up from the BBC’s typical 30-minute format, so there’s more time for the panellists to do their thing.
The lineup includes Rhys James, Sara Pascoe, Angela Barnes, Ed Byrne, Ahir Shah, Milton Jones, Katherine Ryan, Hugh Dennis, Sarah Keyworth, Lou Sanders, Glenn Moore, Ellie Taylor, and Russell Howard – with more names to be announced.
Classic rounds like “If this is the answer, what is the question?”, “Wheel of News”, “Picture of the Week”, and “Scenes we’d like to see” are all returning, alongside some new rounds designed for the extended format.
Produced by Angst, the series is apparently staying true to what made the original work whilst taking advantage of the extra runtime.
Zero Stars: Deliberately Bad Travel
Arriving in April, Zero Stars sees comedians Roisin Conaty and Sara Pascoe travelling the globe visiting destinations with the funniest and worst reviews they can find.
Based on an original Danish format, the show’s produced by CPL and sees the duo seeking out terrible hotels, dodgy attractions, and questionable restaurants for “a truly unique travel experience.”
It’s the kind of format that should fit reasonably well alongside TLC’s existing reality programming without feeling too out of place.
Everything Gets A New Look
Beyond TLC’s content overhaul, all six of Warner Bros. Discovery’s UK free-to-air channels are getting updated on-screen looks from today.
Quest, Quest Red, Food Network, Really, and DMAX keep their existing content focuses but with refreshed branding designed to make them feel like part of a unified family whilst still maintaining their individual identities.
The updated look extends across all platforms where these channels are available – Freeview, Freesat, Freely, Sky, Virgin Media, and the Discovery+ app (where TLC shows will also be available to stream for free, though finding the free-to-air content within Discovery+ can be a bit of a faff).
Note that on Freely, you still need an aerial connected for these channels – but they’re set to join Freely’s streaming roster soon.
New Shows Coming To Quest And Discovery+
Warner Bros. Discovery has also confirmed several new and returning series for 2026 across its wider portfolio.
Discovery+ is getting:
- Vinnie Jones in the Country (series 3, from February 2) – Following the footballer-turned-actor’s 2,000-acre Sussex farm, with a particular focus on the long-awaited lakehouse renovation. Six episodes.
- Richard Hammond’s Workshop (series 6, late 2026) – The Herefordshire workshop tackles ambitious restorations whilst dealing with business expansion. Eight episodes.
- An American Serial Killer in Cairo (working title, late 2026) – A four-part true crime series about Lobna Yakout’s search for her missing son after escaping her abusive ex-husband, TikTok personality Karim Selim, who later became one of Egypt’s most notorious serial killers.
Quest is getting:
- Guz Khan’s Custom Cars (from 19 January) – The comedian explores car modification culture whilst attempting to mod his own vehicle. Eight episodes.
- Francis Bourgeois & Chris Harris: We Saved a Train (Spring 2026) – The train enthusiast and car presenter restore a dilapidated diesel locomotive. Eight episodes.
- Johnny Vegas’ Little Shop of Antiques (series 2, Summer 2026) – More antiques adventures from Dagfields. Eight episodes.
- Ant Anstead: Born Mechanic (series 3, Summer 2026) – Continuing the house renovation funded by classic car restorations.
What About The Netflix Deal?
These channel changes and new commissions are happening whilst Netflix’s proposed acquisition of Warner Bros. Discovery’s entertainment assets hangs in the balance.
Back in December, Netflix agreed to buy WBD’s film and television studios plus HBO Max for £54bn, though Paramount has since launched counter-bids for the entire company.
If the Netflix deal goes through, it won’t include Discovery or any of the linear channels. That means TLC, Quest, Really, and the rest of the free-to-air portfolio on Freeview would remain as a separate entity, likely continuing under Discovery ownership.
With HBO Max launching in the UK in late March (regardless of who ends up owning it), and the free-to-air channels continuing separately, Warner Bros. Discovery is essentially splitting its business in two.
The entertainment side – HBO, Warner Bros. films, DC Universe – is heading towards Netflix, whilst Discovery’s factual and lifestyle channels continue serving the UK free-to-air market (unless things change again with the Warner Bros. Discovery deal).
Where To Find TLC
TLC is launching on Freeview channel 12 and Freesat channel 144 – taking over Quest’s old channel numbers.
As part of the reshuffle, Quest is moving to Freeview channel 17 and Freesat channel 145 (taking Really’s old spot), whilst Really moves to Freeview channel 44 and Freesat channel 149 – taking over HGTV’s former channel numbers.
The other Warner Bros. Discovery free-to-air channels remain on their current numbers:
- Quest Red: Freeview 40, Freesat 146
- DMAX: Freeview 39, Freesat 147
- Food Network: Freeview 43, Freesat 148
As always on Freeview, some devices will need a retune for the new channel numbers to fall into place (but we don’t know the exact time Freeview will push these changes – so it might be better to wait until the evening).
On Sky, TLC SD and HD (satellite channels 133/828, Scotland 134/828) are now free-to-air, along with TLC +1 (satellite 233, Scotland 234).
HGTV (satellite 158, Sky Glass & Stream 153) and HGTV +1 (satellite 258) have closed permanently.
TLC is also available on Virgin Media and through the Discovery+ app for free streaming.
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Care to elaborate further then?
I expect what he means is, what has been speculated on another website.
In other words, it was just a big “cock-up”.
Great to have Mock the Week back, downside, is that there are no Subtitles.. who can I contact to see if this can be rectified..
Cheers John Cook..
TLC is deffo working now on freesat for all you big bang theory repeat addicts …..
The Georgie and Mandy’s First Marriage S1Ep1&2 are repeated Fri night and Sat morning.
It’s just been reported that T.L.C. is available again for free on Freesat.
Crazy times!
I can only think the reason for TLC’s encryption is to do with copyright / licence of some programmes being shown on the channel. The footprint for Astra at 28.2E covers parts of France, Spain, Italy, Belgium, Netherlands and into the Nordic regions.
If WBD has say an agreement for exclusive rights in one of these countries they are effectively breaking the terms of that licence by allowing another country to beam it free to air.
This is why it’s available still free to those on Freeview and Freely – the audience reachable can be more tightly controlled. It’s also the case with Sky Stream and Sky Glass, where the majority of customers using this form of IPTV to watch TLC will also be UK based only. Freesat/Satellite is the only one viewing option that makes the issue more difficult and I think WBD jumped the gun launching on Freesat without first checking they were able to do so with the copyright licences.
I think they have their tales between the legs and look very foolish at the moment. It is however, another reason why satellite viewers should start to look at migrating to Freely. The list of Freesat channels is depleting and has been in decline for the last few years. The interactive elements of the freesat box have reduced too.
I managed to get a glimpse of what two of the proposed amc+ channels looked like over the weekend. If you download the Rakuten app and go to the live channels, there are two amc channels on their live guide which I am certain will be part of the deal made by amc with freely.
These “fast” channels (as they are called by those in the trade) aren’t tv channels in the sense that we know tv channels to be but are created from a series of library media on a scheduled loop. the amc reality channel isn’t one that I’d be watching anytime soon but hope that the content is improved before it moves to Freely’s tv guide later this year.
Absolutely nothing to do with it.
According to RXTVinfo.com neither Freesat nor W.B.D. know why T.L.C. was encrypted over the weekend. Apparently they are looking into it.
Of course denying any knowledge stops WBD from having egg on their faces. We shall have to put this one down to the fact that we will never really know what went on except to say that at least TLC is now back for all those on freesat who want to watch the service. It will be interesting to see the ratings for the new TLC and whether the endless repeats of US comedies is a winner with UK audiences.
WBD appears to have taken a turnaround with their decision to allow those who have a Freesat receiver the opportunity of watching TLC.
Just to clear up the matter, TLC is free to air on Freeview, it is free to stream on Freely. However, it is free to view for those who have a Sky receiver or those with Sky Glass or Sky Stream but it is not free to view on Freesat or for those who have an ex-Sky digital dish.
https://rxtvinfo.com/2026/freesat-viewers-locked-out-of-tlc/
what is the point of putting tlc on freesat then a few days later can’t watch it because it says scrambled service if it’s watchable channel take it off and put channels back that was there before 😡😡😡
Freesat any problem enough channels didn’t more services.
I don’t know if CB is aware but the channel returned to being encrypted early Saturday on satellite, meaning Freesat viewers no longer have the channel.
I hadn’t noticed this but tend not to yuse the Freesat dish much these days. Both HD and SD are indeed scrambled so looks like it’s FTV but not FTA ruling out those that don’t have a Sky box/ Stream/Glass. How unfair.
yep its showing shows but just black screen.
Annoying 🙁
TLC not working on freesat, they’ve blocked it.
Everyone is referring to Freeview. However on Freesat although the Channel changes have taken place and the listings are shown there is no picture or audio for TLC HD. On channel 144 my LG tv’s display a message saying “ No CI module” and on my Humax Freesat recorder is displays “audio video buffer underrun”,
I assume they are not transmitting the channel in the correct format, but I can find no reference to the issue on the internet.
Not sure if there’s many Freesat users here but after lots of troubleshooting resulting in a factory reset of my TV, the TLC channel just shows as “No CI Module” suggesting it’s still encrypted.
I retuned several times before resorting to a factory reset, hoping it’ll clear out any old information about the channel but no luck.
Has anyone else had this problem or know a way to fix please?
As far as I know, to de-crypt satellite channels you always needed a C.I. module and a viewing card. C.I. modules were usually built-in, or could be plugged-in. It looks like you need a plug-in one, and then a viewing card as well.
Given Freesat is in slow decline, these may be hard to find, and-or too expensive to bother with.
I can confirm that TLC HD is again free to view for freesat viewers. I don’t have the SD channel tuned in so I cannot confirm the SD channel but certainly anyone with a free two air satellite receiver should have no problems once again in being able to watch TLC HD.
These six new W.B.D. channels (three so far) have reminded me that “Eden” hasn’t arrived on Freely (streaming only) yet. It’s over a year since it switched from pay-telly to free-telly!
Come on U.K.T.V., get your act together!
Eden isn’t on the u app yet.
It wouldn’t surprise me if eden was closed anytime soon. It completely lost all of the nature/science programming that it was supposed to specialise in and is now just another incarnation of a FTA Gold channel. U don’t care about the channel – not on the app like you say, not on Freely so it’s likely it won’t ever be IMHO. What I’d like U to do is change eden’s output to that similar of BBC Four, re-name it and stick to the programming genre instead of flooding the network with the same programmes that’s on Yesterday, W etc.
That’s disappointing news, because “U.K. Horizons” (Eden’s original name), was one of the best ever free satellite channels.
I’m devastated that HGTV has gone, are all the home build programs being shown on Really…. Sin city rehab, 100 day build !!!
I feel the same. I wondered why my recordings ‘failed to record’! I can not see any of the home build programmes on Really and wondering if they are gone for good. Not happy!!
Same here! And looking at the programs scheduled on Really I can’t see me watching that channel at all anymore, woke up this morning to some rubbish telly shopping program about cruises
Instead of building Alaska or Home town.
Really really bad plan by warner bros and discovery. (Pun intended)
I’ve got a Pleio puk and the WBD channels are yet to appear on the guide. I’ve switched it off at the wall for 10mins but no luck. Do I just wait?
Had previously stated by Alan,
34 Quest Red
35 Dmax
39 Food Network? Are on. Has I also have a Pleio punk..
Don’t know when other 3 channels will appear.
Thanks
I’ve just worked out how to rescan and the 3 have appeared. Freely told me on Instagram to look out for Quest etc next week
Good news Guy, thanks. Let’s hope its the full range of WBD’s fta channels. Why they are doing a phased introduction still beffles me unless there is something in the Freely set up which means they can only administer 3 new streams at any one time.
WBD Still not launched the remaining three channels yet. I spoke to both freely & Discovery customer service yesterday and neither could tell me when they will arrive..
Still no quest, TLC or Really. I’ve spoke to both Freely & discovery customer service yesterday & neither could tell me when these channels will arrive.
Hi Guy
No-one seems to have answered the question for you but should your Pleio Freely box fail to update by itself (mine doesn’t seem to want to either), here’s what to do:
– Press the HOME button on your Freely remote.
– From the main menu at the top, cursor across to the very end and press OK on the cog icon.
– From the settings menu, cursor down to the FREELY option and press ok.
– Choose the install services option and press ok.
– Enter your postcode and cursor down to submit.
– Press ok.
This will now add the current number of channels Freely (Wifi) has available.
– Cursor back (left arrow) to get back to the main full menu.
You should be all set when you follow this procedure.
Thank you, much appreciated however I solved my own problem yesterday, I did some exploring around the settings 😀
I just did a channel scan on Freely (streaming only) and found three new channels:
34 Quest Red
35 Dmax
39 Food Network?
Yes 39 is Food Network
Me too, I’ve also noticed that the freely website “help, what channels can I watch” has been updated. But why would they only launch 3 & not the whole 6.
Yes it’s strange. Hopefully the other three will arrive soon.
This “phased” introduction must be down to licence / copyright issues as it seems strange to launch TLC as a FTA channel with such a fanfare and then not include it on wi-fi only Freely sets, instead replacing it with Quest Red, DMax and Food Network.
I was hoping for a big boost of channels in January as I really want to see Rewind TV, That’s TV (1,2,3) all added to wifi only. I think that if Freely want to sell the wifi only option as the way forward they need to bring it into line with what’s available from Freeview through an aerial otherwise people will just not pay to make the move whether it be a set top box such as the Pleio or a brand new tv. The bosses at Everyone TV need this to be their focus and where needed, give assistance to channels to help them be accessible on wi-fi.
I totally agree with that statement chunx1970. I was also hoping that All the warner discovery channels would have gone WiFi only at the same time. But yes if freely wants people to pick freely over Freeview or Freesat then they do need to push & help smaller channel move over..
My Virgin Media available TLC is fine and Freeview TLC 17 Channel number my old box is Manhattan Plaza HD-T2 is available Data Channels have working fine now too locked cannot open 0000 and 1234 unhappy no longer fixed allowed keep old box.
I don’t want to Freesat old Hamax HD never 4K Smart is gone the end 2025 last year British people unhappy you need buy get new one Freesat 4K HD 2TB Argos and Amazon make sure. Happy New Year 2026.
Interestingly enough, I’m lucky to have an old sky dish connected to my Sony TV and as of 3:10pm this afternoon, HGTV is still broadcasting wth Celebrity IOU. Not sure how long it will last for but I expected it to have been switched off at the same time as all the other changes on Freeview and Satellite (Sky, Freesat and FTA).
If the output today is an indication on what TLC is going to be like now its gone FTA and come to Freeview, I’d rather have kept HGTV. There’s too many of these channels that rely on just one or two programmes to completely fill a schedule. I just hope that more thought goes into March’s daily schedules or this will be one channel that I won’t be watching.
They have launched the channel with over a months notice and it seems they currently have what has been E4’s programming in the afternoon for the past several years and nothing else. Even up coming movies which only seem to be the Transformers ones have regularly been on E4 and other Channel 4 channels recently. Not sure launching a new channel with a huge marathon of the big bang theory is going to get viewers either as it has been constantly been on E4 for the best part of 20 years and has even recently had days of almost nothing but that on E4 before it left the channel.
Hardly an inspiring first day schedule. You may as well just be watching the likes of e4….
12:00 PM
Young Sheldon
Pilot episode of the comedy prequel to The Big Bang Theory about nine-year-old Sheldon Cooper, starring Iain Armitage
12:30 PM
Young Sheldon
To appease his mother, who worries that he might be lonely, Sheldon employs the techniques described in a self-help book from the library in an attempt to make a friend
1:00 PM
Young Sheldon
Meemaw comes to babysit when Sheldon’s dad is rushed to the emergency room, but while she is sleeping the kids ‘borrow’ their grandmother’s car and make their own way to hospital
1:30 PM
Young Sheldon
The youngster fears solid food after choking on a sausage, and also discovers his first comic book. Iain Armitage stars
2:00 PM
Young Sheldon
The pre-teen brainbox uses statistics to help the football team, only to struggle with his new-found popularity, while Georgie feels sidelined
2:30 PM
The Big Bang Theory
Pilot episode of the comedy about a group of scientist friends. Leonard is immediately smitten with new down-to-earth neighbour Penny
3:00 PM
The Big Bang Theory
Sheldon tries to do a good deed for Penny when he sees how messy her flat is – but her reaction is not what he expected. Jim Parsons and Kaley Cuoco star
3:30 PM
The Big Bang Theory
Leonard is upset to learn Penny is dating someone, so his friends persuade him to ask another woman out. Guest starring Sara Gilbert
4:00 PM
The Big Bang Theory
Sheldon is fired and explores new activities in a bid to find a purpose in life other than physics, but Leonard takes drastic action to restore him to his old self
4:30 PM
The Big Bang Theory
Leonard fears he is wasting his time with Penny and ends up spending the night with Leslie, while Sheldon frets over a change to his routine. Starring Johnny Galecki
5:00 PM
The Big Bang Theory
Penny hosts a Halloween costume party, which proves the ideal opportunity for the boys to test their social skills. Kaley Cuoco and Johnny Galecki star
5:30 PM
The Big Bang Theory
Penny is forced to take Howard’s place in the boys’ video-game night while he is otherwise engaged with one of her friends. Starring Simon Helberg and Kaley Cuoco
6:00 PM
The Big Bang Theory
Raj’s parents set him up on a blind date in the hope of initiating an arranged marriage, but the girl in question seems more interested in Sheldon
6:30 PM
The Big Bang Theory
Leonard and Sheldon receive an invitation to present their research to a physics conference, but it causes conflict between them – and Penny’s intervention makes matters worse
7:00 PM
The Big Bang Theory
Sheldon and Leonard invent excuses to avoid going to watch Penny’s performance in a musical, but maintaining the pretence makes matters ever more complicated
7:30 PM
The Big Bang Theory
Sheldon falls ill and his friends stay well away, knowing he will be in a terrible mood, but an unsuspecting Penny offers to nurse him
8:00 PM
The Big Bang Theory
Sheldon feels threatened by a 15-year-old physics prodigy who is even cleverer than he is, and asks Leonard to help him discredit the teenager’s research
8:30 PM
The Big Bang Theory
Leonard, Raj and Howard kick Sheldon off their quiz team, so he decides to prove his superiority by forming a rival squad of his own. Johnny Gale and Jim Parsons star
9:00 PM
The Big Bang Theory
Penny makes fun of Leonard’s habit of collecting sci-fi memorabilia, so he decides to give it up – but his friends try to stop him changing his ways
9:30 PM
The Big Bang Theory
Sheldon’s friends all fall for his sexy twin sister, who is paying him a visit – but he declares he will have the final say on who can date her
10:00 PM
The Big Bang Theory
Penny plans to throw a surprise party for Leonard and enlists Sheldon to help with the arrangements, while Howard comes up with an elaborate plan to distract the birthday boy
10:30 PM
The Big Bang Theory
Penny finally agrees to go out with Leonard and they both ask Sheldon for advice on how to handle the forthcoming date. Johnny Galecki stars
11:00 PM
The Big Bang Theory
Pilot episode of the comedy about a group of scientist friends. Leonard is immediately smitten with new down-to-earth neighbour Penny
11:30 PM
The Big Bang Theory
Sheldon tries to do a good deed for Penny when he sees how messy her flat is – but her reaction is not what he expected. Jim Parsons and Kaley Cuoco star
That’s alot of big bang lol
I’ve tried re tuning this morning to update for tlc but got nothing . Do we need to update or will it just happen ?
You will need to retune for the new channel numbers to fall into place – but we don’t know exactly when this will be pushed out by Freeview
Thankyou. Hopefully we won’t have to wait to long .
i just did the same but nothing updaed so i guess we will all have to keep trying later in the day.
Its annoying really , but I’m sure it’ll happen. EVENTUALLY
Its arrived, i have tlc .
Sorry, I don’t know sure about Freeview more new channels yet a waiting.
Most modern Freeview set top boxes don’t need a retune, they happen automatically but if you haven’t had the update by 1pm, then try a retune then. Freeview tend to process their updates around lunchtime. If you’re watching by tv only and not using a set top box then again, try a retune around 1pm as you may otherwise lose some channels in the short term whilst the switch around completes.
Thankyou. I’ll leave it alone and follow your advice . Happy viewing .
When are Warner Bros. Discovery launching there channels on freely? Is Freely getting TCL today?
If you have an aerial connected to your Freely device (TV) then you’ll get the new TLC from today. If however, you have a Freely Pleio box then you’ll have to wait for it to be added to the “wi-fi only” option. Freely seem to be slow in adopting the new channels for some reason but perhaps they want to include them in some other form of a big push – after all more channels have been hinted as arriving on Freely in 2026 including several by AMC.
That raises two questions.
One, why are the Warner Brothers Discovery (W.B.D.) channels taking longer to arrive on Freely (streaming only) when compared to Freely (with an aerial)?
Two, is the delay caused by W.B.D., or Freely itself?