Freeview Reshuffle Planned For September

Freeview LogoFreeview viewers can expect a re-shuffle of some of the TV channel numbers on the 19th of September 2012, it’s been revealed

Here is a summary of the changes:

  • Channel 8:  (England and Northern Ireland) will become the slot for “local TV”. We can expect up to 21 local TV services in the UK. In Wales and Scotland, the “local tv” channel number will be 45
  • Channel 100: Will become a Freeview information page
  • Channels 101 to 120: The Freeview HD channels. There are only 4 on Freeview at the moment, but there are now slots available for up to 20
  • Channels 121-130: Children’s channels
  • Channels 131 to 150: News channels
  • Channels 171 to 198: Adult channels
  • Channels 200 to 224: The Text-based channels
  • Channels 225 to 299: MHEG content services
  • Channels 400 to 499: Channesl for Internet-enabled TV sets

Channels used for services like Top Up TV (300+) and radio (700+_ won’t change )

In general, the changes seem to make sense, and at least give some kind of structure to the numbering.

The changes, announced by DMOL (the organisation responsible for the allocation of Freeview channel numbers), follows a consultation with key players in the digital TV market. The changes are apparently: “designed to create extra capacity for new services and make the guide easier to navigate.”

The Freeview channel number changes, set to roll out across the UK on the 19th of September, will of course require another mass Freeview channel retune

11 comments

  • John H Williams

    Hi,Hope that west Wales will be included in this change. LL40 1LT area
    do not receive all Freeview channels at present. It seems to be unfair
    that channels are not included in the allocation. Is there a reason for
    this ?, & when will these changes occur for us to have the full package.

  • John Bellis

    It probably makes sense, but could a major reshuffle make navigation even easier: That is, make BBC1 to 4 channels 1 to 4,
    ITV1 to 4, 11 to 14 (with extras for +1)
    Ch4 on 41 & up.
    Ch5 on 51 7 up
    and so on?

  • Stuart

    John Williams, you are served by a relay transmitter. You will only ever get about 15 standard definition channels and 5 HD channels on 3 multiplexes. The other 3 multiplexes are run on a commercial basis, and they are content to reach 90% of the population with just the 80 main transmitters in the UK. You now have more channels than you did with analogue, if you want more than this you should get Freesat or Sky.

    This change has nothing to do with more capacity being allocated, only changing numbers to futureproof the guide. There may be more channels squeezed in and there may be new multiplexes from main transmitters.

  • gary

    Does this mean more childrens channels will be made available, such as the ones on freesat? As much as my children like CBBC and CITV they do get somewhat fed up of them after a while

  • Janice

    Can you tell me why my digital signal has deteriorated since installing a Freeview Plus box?

  • David

    I can get all the BBC channels but no other. If I install a freesat box will this give me all the missing channels ?

  • gary swift

    Retuned my freeview box. What was the point again? The internet/data channels moved. The childrens channels are still where they were. Yesterday harped on about moving from 12 to 19. It too has stayed where it was. What`s new? Argos TV. Whoop-de-doo. Freeview is definitely falling behind. Freesat gives more in terms of free channels.

  • Robert Schofield

    Was on Yorkshire tv ( Olivers Mount, Scarborough) until 19 sep when I carried out an automatic search as requested by a screen message, this caused me to then pick up Tyne Tees. Now cannot record on my 2 year old Humax recorder which was working perfectly until then. Why has this happened?

  • the teletuner

    Robert Schofield, with the guide showing on the recorder, go through the channels and look to see if you have duplicates in the high numbers. If so you can record with the guide from those.
    That will get you out of the hole you are in for now.

    the following is for Humax 9150, 9200 and 9300 and its similar got the HD Humax recorders.

    Then you’ll need to do an Edit Channels manual retune, but you will need the Real Channel Numbers for the 5/6 frequencies and if you have the HD box you’ll need that to.

    Look through the Humax for a each of these one at a time; BBC1, ITV1, ITV3, PickTV, FilmFour (and BBCHD if you have it) and if the recetion is good use Menu > System > Signal Condition.

    It will probably tell you it is Yorkshire, make a note of the CH numbers that will help you manually retune it. (the numbers will be between 21 and 61).

    When you have all the info, go to Menu > Edit Channels > Edit Channels List. Then press to the right to select (Group) TV and then press OK. Go down to Select All and OK, then down to Delete All and OK. This will delete all TV.

    Next, go back up to Group and press to the right and the n go down to select Radio. Press OK and go down to Select All and OK it. Then down to Delete All and OK. This will delete all Radio.

    Next press Exit and OK to save the results.
    It will tell you you need to search for channels, and this is important…..Press OK once only. DO NOT select automatic. Then go down to Manual Search. And OK that.

    A channel box with 21 in it will show. Use the numbers you collected earlier. I’ll let you figure out how.
    Then go down to Search (not network search) and OK.
    The screen will change and start to search. The word Stop will be highlighted at the bottom. When it dissapears and Save is highlighted press OK.

    Then go back up to the number and repeat with your other numbers.

    Finally press Exit. And if it works keep for future reference.

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