Freeview - Free to view Digital TV in the UK

This page provides information about the Freeview channel line-up.

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Freeview's channel line-up

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

Channel news & rumours:

• This section has been moved to our Freeview News page
  

Where ITVDigital / onDigital left off...

In October 2002, Freeview, jointly owned by the BBC, Crown Castle International and BSkyB, launched in October 2002 as providers of the UK's Digital Terrestrial TV network, taking over from ITVDigital and onDigital. Totally free to view, the service is technically more stable than ITV Digital, as the transmitter power has reportedly been increased and the channel multiplexes are less compressed due to the lower number of channels. You can check what your coverage is likely to be with the DTG postcode checker

Freeview offers an alternative to cable or satellite, as Freeview makes it possible to get an increased number of channels by plugging straight into your existing aerial. Best of all, there's no subscription fee and channels are free to view.

ITV Digital Monkey?
Even after the demise of ITV Digital, their major success story 'Monkey' lived on... at least for a while. Until 2005, it was possible to buy Monkey from online from The Gadget Shop , but it looks like their doors have finally closed to Monkey stock. Now, if you want to own one of these collectibles, you'd better get searching for this endangered species... at good old Ebay

How to get Freeview

Here are the things you'll need if you want to get Freeview's extra channels:

1. Coverage - To receive Freeview, you must be in range of a Freeview transmitter. To check this, enter your postcode at www.digitaluk.co.uk/postcodechecker/.
   
   
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 £25 and can be bought from high-street stores such as Comet and Currys. Shopping online for a set-top box is often the best route, as there are some good bargains to be had.
   
   
3. Connect - Plug your new Freeview set-top box to your existing TV aerial. Connect another lead to a spare SCART socket on your TV, and you should be ready to go. (Click here for help with connecting). Note that in some cases, your TV aerial may not be suitable and may need upgrading.

Remember, there's no subscription costs, or rental agreements, so the one-off cost is all you'll pay for the extra channels.

Set-top box information

Set-top boxes can be purchased for a one-off fee of around £25, depending on the features and styling you're looking for. Here are a few things to consider when buying a Freeview box:

• Price: Boxes cost upwards of £25 - no subscription, installation or ongoing costs.
  
  
• Connectivity: All boxes have a single SCART socket as standard, for connection either to a TV or video. You may want to consider improving your options with a second SCART socket that allows connection to both a TV and video recorder. If connecting to a TV or video that doesn't have a SCART socket, you need to look for a box that has a modulated output (that can transmit TV on a special channel that you can tune your TV/VHS into).
  
  
• Features: Starting with basic boxes that support interactive services and subtitles, to boxes with electronic programme guides, built-in games and programme timers, to top-of-the-range boxes with CD and DVD players, DVD recorders, and hard-disk recorders.

Radio & Telly's Freeview Quick Picks
Basic, easy-to-use, low-priced Freeview box with 2 SCARTs, the Matsui DTR3. Currys £24.99	Freeview, hard-disk recorder with video-on-demand. Box free to BT Total Broadband customers. More	The Humax PVR-9200TS box includes a hard-disk recorder that hold 160 hours of TV. Martin Dawes & Dixons £155

If you're looking to buy a Freeview receiver, see our set-top box page for the full range of UK boxes. Boxes are available from: Dixons, Comet, Currys, John Lewis, Empire Direct, and 24-7 Electrical.
If you're looking for a cheaper alternative, you may want to try Ebay.co.uk for a bargain used onDigital / ITVDigital box

Old ITV Digital / onDigital receivers - If you own an old ITV Digital / onDigital set-top box, you'll be glad to know that you can pick up Freeview on this box without having to pay a subscription. The software on the box may now be out-of-date, and still branded as the old name, but the box should allow you to watch the new channels without having to buy a new box.

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 from Freeview's text and interactive services:

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 reception page
• Other Freeview problems or questions? See our Freeview FAQ page
  
  
• If your question isn't answered, please leave a message in our Freeview forum

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