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02 Jan 2025

Viewers of Freeview HD channels may encounter significant changes next year as these channels face the possibility of removal. The BBC, which owns the multiplex that carries the last remaining HD channels on Freeview, has not renewed an Ofcom license, jeopardising the future of Freeview HD. If the situation does not change, nine HD channels could risk being axed. 

The BBC is currently the only significant broadcaster not to have committed to retaining Freeview services beyond the next two years, raising concerns about the future of HD TV on the digital terrestrial television (DTT) platform, which has been operational for 15 years since the public launch of Freeview HD. As it stands, Freeview viewers may lose access to HD channels before the end of next year. The HD channels are broadcast on a DTT multiplex operated by the BBC's commercial subsidiary, BBC Free to View Limited.

This is the only national multiplex operator that has opted not to renew its license. Additionally, it is the only multiplex currently configured to carry HD channels. BBC Free to View Ltd’s license is set to expire on November 16, 2026, unless it is renewed.

Nine HD and three SD channels must cease broadcasting if the license is not renewed. The BBC is the last major public broadcaster not to have committed to Freeview beyond the next two years, while ITV1, STV, Channel 4, and Channel 5 have all renewed their licenses for the next 10 years.

This ensures their channels will remain available on Freeview, although there are no obligations regarding their offshoot channels. The BBC has indicated that it cannot make long-term commitments due to the upcoming Royal Charter renewal, which will define the broadcaster’s role for the next decade.

The potential closure of HD channels may occur before discussions regarding the Royal Charter renewal are concluded. This underscores the urgent need to clarify the BBC’s responsibilities in delivering services on the HD multiplex. Some in the broadcasting industry support the controversial decision to close HD channels and reduce offerings, potentially encouraging viewers to switch to streaming TV platforms. The BBC and other broadcasters have warned Ofcom that the costs associated with terrestrial broadcasting will become unsustainable over the coming years. BT and Sky have also lobbied the DCMS to transition toward online TV platforms. However, switching off SD simulcasts of the main five channels, as has already been done on cable and satellite, in favour of HD-only broadcasts could accelerate the adoption of newer TVs that support hybrid terrestrial streaming services. This includes TVs compatible with the free-to-air, broadcaster-led Freely platform, which could facilitate the gradual winding down of Freeview in the long run.

24 May 13

East Midlands prepares for a retune

Freeview viewers in the East Midlands will need to retune their TV equipment on Wednesday 29 May as local airwaves are cleared for the roll-out of 4G mobile broadband. Technical changes at the Waltham transmitter group, affecting 815,000 homes, will free up frequencies for the future introduction of 4G mobile services. TV services will be subject to disruption from midnight on channels including BBC1, BBC2, ITV, Channel 4, and Five. Work at the main transmitter is expected to be completed by 6am and viewers can retune at any point after this.

08 May 12

Sandy Heath viewers need a retune

Viewers receiving TV from the Sandy Heath transmitter, serving Northamptonshire and Bedfordshire, will need to retune their equipment on 9 May, when important changes to local signals are carried out. The changes are necessary to move some channels to their final frequencies following switchover in the neighbouring London region. This will also allow thousands more viewers to receive extra commercial services, including ITV3, for the first time.

30 April 12

24 channels of HD TV Free for the Olympics!!

Freesat have announced they will carry all of the BBC’s 24 live HD Olympic channels throughout the London 2012 Olympics, offering the full range of live BBC Olympics coverage, bringing every Olympic sport from every Olympic venue.In addition to the 24 temporary BBC HD Olympics channels listed in the Freesat TV Guide, Freesat viewers will also be able to access the live 'streams' via the BBC Red Button service.

29 April 12 

30 April Germany ceased analog transmission via satellite ASTRA 19.2°E.

To receive digital broadcasting, you'll need either a digital-ready receiver (FTA top box) or a TV with integrated DVB-S receiver (IDTV) and a universal LNB.  Similar programs were broadcast using the so-called low band range (10.7 to 11.75 GHz), and older LNBs (12 + years) can only receive signals from that frequency band. Digital programs are primarily transmitted on the high-band range (11.8 - 12.75 GHz). For this reason a universal LNB capable of receiving both frequency bands is required to receive digital programming.

21 March 11

The East Midlands region will begin the switch to digital TV on Wednesday 30 March. As switchover begins at the Nottingham transmitter, with BBC2 analogue permanently turned off, changes will also be made at the Waltham transmitter serving much of the East Midlands, where switchover takes place later in August. Digital UK is advising Freeview, BT Vision and Top Up TV viewers to retune any time after 0600 on 30 March to regain access to channels that will have disappeared.

Around 880,000 households across the East Midlands are served by the Nottingham and Waltham transmitters, including areas such as Stamford, Leicester, Derby and Matlock. Waltham viewers will need to retune on 30 March and again on 13 April, 17 August, 31 August and 12 October 20

01 April 11

Viewers in Cambridgeshire, Northamptonshire, Bedfordshire and parts of Norfolk and Essex have completed the first stage of the digital switchover. BBC 2 analogue ceased from the Sandy Heath transmitter near Bedford on 30 March, boosting Freeview coverage to reach more than 45,000 homes across the region for the first time.

Freeview viewers may find their BBC TV channels are missing as these services have moved to new frequencies. They should be restored by retuning Freeview TVs and boxes. The second and final stage of the Sandy switchover takes place on 13 April 2011, when the remaining analogue channels will be switched off permanently.

On this date, further Freeview channels from ITV, Channel 4 and Channel 5 will also become available from relay transmitters for the first time.

05 july 11

Humax Freeview HD software update

A new version of the software for the HD-FOX T2 and HDR-FOX T2 is broadcasting shortly.

• HD-FOX T2 & HDR-FOX T2 (500gb & 1TB)

New Download (Broadcast)

Starting: 06/07/2011 @ 10am

Ending: 08/07/2011 @ 9am

Repeat Download (Broadcast)

Starting: 13/07/2011 @ 10am

Ending: 15/07/2011 @ 9am                                                                   

01 july 11

ITV  iPad Catch-up App

ITV has today launched a version of its catch-up TV service ITV Player in the iTunes Store for use on the iPhone, iPad and

 iPod Touch.The free ITV Player app, which is supported by advertising, gives users access to seven days worth of programmes from ITV1, ITV2, ITV3 and ITV4, including Coronation Street, Popstar to Operastar and Celebrity Juice.

 Video playback using the app is Wi-Fi only, meaning there is no 3G streaming.