Freeview - The free UK digital TV service

Information about the Freeview TV service, how to get Freeview, and answers to common questions

 

What is Freeview?

Freeview is a Digital TV service that allows you to watch over 40 TV channels via your TV aerial. No dish required, no subscription, no ties, no contracts, and no installation costs. Just buy a set-top box for free access to the Freeview channel lineup...

What channels do I get on Freeview?

Below is a summary of the channels on offer to Freeview users:

Entertainment	BBC One, BBC Two, ITV 1, Channel 4 and five, ITV 2, ITV 3, ITV 4, BBC Three, Sky Three, BBC Four, E4, More4, Film4, Yesterday, Dave, Fiver, Five USA, CNN, Virgin 1 , Teachers TV, Community Channel
News / Sport	BBC News, Sky News, Sky Sports News, BBC Parliament.
Kids	CBBC, Cbeebies, CiTV
Shopping	QVC, Bid TV , Price-drop TV , Ideal World
Music	4 music, The Music Factory
Radio	BBC Radio 1, BBC Radio 2, BBC Radio 3, BBC Radio 4, BBC Radio 5 Live, BBC Radio 5 Live Sports Extra, BBC Radio 6, BBC 1Xtra, BBC Radio 7, TalkSport, BBC Asian Network, BBC World Service, Smash Hits, KISS, Kerrang, Smooth Radio (formerly Jazz FM), Heart, Absolute (formerly Virgin), The Hits, Q, Magic, Heat & Premier Christian
Interactive / Info	BBCi, Teletext, FourText, Sky Text, NHS Direct

For more on the Freeview channels, see our info page, or see our channel lineup page

 

The FrequencyCast podcast features Freeview news and chat. Listen online or download to your MP3 player What is FrequencyCast? | Get us via iTunes | Catch our Latest Show

 

How do I get Freeview?

Here's what to do if you're looking to get Freeview's extra channels:

1. Check Coverage - To receive Freeview, you must be in range of a Freeview transmitter. To check this, enter your postcode on the Digital UK Postcode checker. More on Freeview Reception
   
   
2. Box - If you are in a coverage area, you'll need to get a free-to-air set-top box. Boxes cost from around £20 and can be bought from high-street stores such as Dixons, Comet, and Currys. Shopping online for a set-top box is often cheaper. For help choosing, see further down this page.
   
   
3. Connect - Plug your existing TV aerial lead into your Freeview set-top box, then connect a SCART lead from the box to your TV's SCART socket, and you should be ready to go. Follow the instructions supplied with the set-top box, and scan for available Freeview channels.

The cost? There's no subscription costs or rental agreements, so the one-off cost for the set-top box is all you'll pay for the extra channels.

For help with getting started, see our 'New to Freeview' page.

 

Freeview set-top boxes

There's quite a range of set-top boxes, with differing features and styling. Here are a few things to consider when buying a Freeview box:

• Price: From around £20 - no subscription or ongoing costs.
  
  
• Connectivity: All boxes have a single SCART socket for connection either to a TV or recorder. You may want to consider improving your options by getting a box with a second SCART socket, so you can connect to both a TV set and a video / DVD recorder.
  If connecting to a TV that doesn't have a SCART socket, you need to look for a Freeview box that has a modulated output (e.g. the BT Vision box, or the TVonics MFR-200).
  
  
• Features: Basic boxes tend to support Freeview's interactive services and subtitles. More expensive boxes come with two-week electronic programme guides, built-in games and programme timers. At the top-end, boxes have a built-in a hard-disk recorder - These hard-disk recorders, known as PVRs, support live pause, and many allow you to record one digital channel whilst watching another.

If you're looking to buy a Freeview receiver, take a look at our set-top box page for the full range of UK boxes. Below, you'll find our 'Quick Picks' - three different types of box, to suit differing budgets:

Radio & Telly's Freeview Quick Picks
TVonics MFR-200: Tiny, and works on TVs without a SCART socket. Argos Online £38.99	BT Vision: Freeview recorder plus on-demand content. Available to BT Broadband customers. More info: get.btvision.bt.com	Humax PVR-9300: Includes a hard-disk recorder that holds 160 hours of TV. Laskys £164

For info on set-top boxes, see our Freeview Boxes page

Interactive services

Freeview offers digital services, such as programme listings, digital teletext and games. Check out BBCi on channel 105 for an example of the text services available. Below are some screenshots of Freeview's text and interactive services (click the image to get a larger version):

Teletext Weather

BBCi News Multiscreen

Channel 4 Listings

Freeview problems?

• Problems receiving Freeview? See our Freeview reception page
• Problems connecting your Freeview box? See our Freeview connection page
• Other Freeview problems or questions? See our Freeview Help page
  
  
• If your question isn't answered, please ask in our Freeview forum

Freeview Links

• Freeview set-top boxes - More on the available boxes
• Freeview forum - Discuss Freeview and set-top boxes with others
• New to Freeview? - Considering Freeview? Read on...
• Freeview podcast - Regular updates on Freeview in our mp3 podcast, Frequencycast
• Freeview FAQ - Our page containing answers to common Freeview questions and problems
• Topping Up Freeview - How can I get extra channels?
• BT Vision - Freeview receiver, hard disk recorder and on-demand content... free box!
  
  
• Splitters and boosters - Help on using an amplifier to improve your Freeview signal
• Cables and connectors - From our Accessories shop
• Digital TV - The Digital TV options explained
• On Your PC - How to watch Freeview on your desktop
• Channel comparison - See which TV service carries your favourite channel
• TV Listings - Information on Freeview listings / guides to help schedule your Freeview viewing
  
  
• Freeview Channels - List of the Freeview channel numbers plus multiplex lineup
• Digital UK postcode checker - See if Freeview is available in your area
• Wolfbane's TX info - Transmitter coverage maps for UK digital TV
• BBC Transmitter work - Check for problems with your local digital transmitter
• DTG Software Download Schedule - Information on over-the-air software upgrades
  
  

The FrequencyCast podcast features Freeview news and chat. Listen to our free shows online or download to your MP3 player What is FrequencyCast? | Get us via iTunes | Catch our Latest Show

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