Last updated on July 4, 2022
Freeview is an operator of free digital terrestrial television in the United Kingdom, using the DVB-T and DVB-T2 standards. The Freeview brand name, owned by DTV Services, is used to promote free digital terrestrial television services as a whole and those services operated by companies who rent capacity from Freeview Consortium shareholders.
Re-tuning
Common Freeview problems such as missing channels and incorrect channel numbers are due to the frequent multiplex changes implemented by Freeview. Freeview viewers need to re-tune their TVs or boxes from time to time to receive the latest channel line-up.
Some set-top boxes will automatically advise when re-tuning is necessary and an on-screen retuning menu appears. Delete the current EPG Channel List on your set-top box or IDTV and then carry out a full channel re-installation using your Freeview boxes “automatic” or “manual” channel installation mode. Automatic tuning is often referred to as ‘Auto Set Up’, or ”Factory Reset’ or full ‘Auto-Tune’, depending on the make or model of the TV or set-top box.
Manual channel tuning mode allows channel search and installation by UHF channel number and is recommended in areas where Freeview signals from more than one transmitter can be received.
Freeview Lite
Com4, Com5 & Com6 Com7 and Com8 are not available in Northern Ireland, the Channel Islands & the Isle of Man. Only PSB multiplexes are available in these areas.
Viewers should consider supplementing Freeview with a satellite option (Freesat or Sky).
Website: www.freeview.co.uk
For more information on Freeview (DTT) see:
Complete table of DTT UK London (digitalbitrate.com)
DTT channel and multiplex listings for industry professionals (Freeview)
Freeview Channels (Freeview)
Freeview Channels and Channel Numbers (KSL Technical)
List of DTT channels in the United Kingdom (Wikipedia)
Bitrates on Freeview HD (Nigel Whitfield’s digital TV & technology blog)
How signal strength, quality and bitrate relate (UK Free TV)
For frequencies & multiplexes, see www.terrestrialtv.uk
Freeview Bitrates
TV bitrates are variable (Variable Bitrate – VBR), as services are carried in a multiplex and are usually statistically multiplexed within that. The various platforms, satellite and Freeview have different channels and data capacities per mux, so this adds another variable.
The total bitrate available for all the HD channels on Freeview is around 40 Mbits/second. HD Multiplexes are set up so that each channel has a variable amount of capacity, of between 3 and 17Mbits/second.
Bitrates change depending on the complexities of the pictures of all the channels on that individual multiplex. DVB-T2 multiplexes make more efficient use of available bandwidth than DVB-T multiplexes, though High Definition (HD) channels require more bandwidth than Standard Definition (SD) channels.
Fast moving complex pictures require higher bitrates in order to give good picture quality, whereas slow-moving, more static, less complex pictures need a lower bitrate.
Computer controlled algorithms determine the bitrate for each channel on the multiplex and therefore the bitrate is constantly changing for each channel depending on the complexity of that channel’s picture as well as the pictures on all the other channels on that multiplex.
| Freeview TV Channels | ||||||
| Only mational multiplexes are liste (with the exception of NI). PBS1 (BBCA) PBS2 (D3 & D4) PBS3 (BBCB) COM4 (SDN) COM5 (ARQA) COM6 (ARQB) |
||||||
|
EPG
|
Channel
|
Genre | Information | Resolution | Audio Bitrate | MUX |
|
1
|
BBC One (Regional)
|
Entertainment | 24 hours | 704 x 576 | 256 kbps | PSB1 |
|
2
|
BBC Two (Nations)
|
Entertainment | 24 hours | 704 x 576 | 256 kbps | PSB1 |
|
3
|
ITV (Regional)
|
Entertainment | 24 hours | 720 x 576 | 192 kbps | PSB2 |
|
3
|
STV (Scotland only)
|
Entertainment | 24 hours | 720 x 576 | 192 kbps | PSB2 |
|
3
|
UTV (NI only)
|
Entertainment | 24 hours | 720 x 576 | 192 kbps | PSB2 |
|
4
|
Channel 4
|
Entertainment | 24 hours | 720 x 576 | 192 kbps | PSB2 |
|
4
|
S4C (Wales only)
|
Entertainment | 24 hours | 720 x 576 | 192 kbps | PSB2 |
|
5
|
Channel 5
|
Entertainment | 24 hours | 720 x 576 | 192 kbps | PSB2 |
|
6
|
ITV2
|
Entertainment | 24 hours | 720 x 576 | 192 kbps | PSB2 |
|
7
|
Local TV in England
|
Various | 24 hours | 720 x 576 | 192 kbps | Local Mux |
|
8
|
Local TV in England
|
Various | 24 hours | 720 x 576 | 192 kbps | Local Mux |
|
7
|
Channel 4 (Wales only)
|
Entertainment | 24 hours | 720 x 576 | 192 kbps | PSB2 |
|
8
|
BBC Alba (Scotland only)
|
Gaelic language | Limited hours | 720 x 576 | 192 kbps | PSB1 |
|
9
|
BBC Four
|
Culture | 19.00 – 04.00 | 704 x 576 | 192 kbps | PSB1 |
|
9
|
BBC Scotland (Scotland only)
|
Entertainment | Various | 704 x 576 | 192 kbps | PSB1 |
|
10
|
ITV3
|
Entertainment | 24 hours | 544 x 576 | 128 kbps | COM4 (PSB2 C.I.) |
|
11
|
Sky Arts | Entertainment | 24 hours | 544 x 576 | 128 kbps | COM5 |
|
12
|
Quest | Entertainment | 24 hours | 544 x 576 | 128 kbps | COM5 |
|
13
|
E4 | Entertainment | 24 hours | 720 x 576 | 192 kbps | PSB2 |
|
14
|
Film4 | Entertainment | 09.00 – 03.00 | 720 x 576 | 192 kbps | PSB2 |
|
15
|
Channel 4 +1
|
Films | 11.00 – 08.45 | 720 x 576 | 192 kbps | PSB2 |
|
16
|
QVC • Red Button service available
|
Shopping | 24 hours | 544 x 576 | 128 kbps | COM4 |
|
17
|
Really
|
Entertainment | Various | 544 x 576 | 128 kbps | COM5 |
|
18
|
More4
|
Entertainment | 24 hours | 720 x 576 | 128 kbps | COM6 |
|
19
|
Dave
|
Entertainment | Various | 544 x 576 | 128 kbps | COM6 |
|
20
|
Drama
|
Lifestyle | Various | 544 x 576 | 128 kbps | COM5 |
|
21
|
5USA
|
Entertainment | 12.00 – 01.00 | 544 x 576 | 128 kbps | COM5 |
|
22
|
Ideal World
|
Shopping | 24 hours | 544 x 576 | 128 kbps | COM6 |
|
23
|
BBC THREE | Entertainment | Various | 704 x 576 | 128 kbps | PSB1 |
|
24
|
BBC FOUR
|
Entertainment | 19.00 – 04.00 | 704 x 576 | 256 kbps | PSB1 |
|
25
|
W
|
Entertainment | Various | 544 x 576 | 128 kbps | COM6 |
|
26
|
ITV4
|
Entertainment | 24 hours | 720 x 576 | 192 kbps | PSB2 |
|
27
|
Yesterday | Entertainment | 24 hours | 544 x 576 | 128 kbps | COM6 |
|
28
|
ITVBe
|
Entertainment | Various | 544 x 576 | 128 kbps | COM4 |
|
29
|
ITV2+1
|
Entertainment | 24 hours | 544 x 576 | 128 kbps | COM4 |
|
30
|
E4 +1
|
Entertainment | Various | 720 x 576 | 192 kbps | PSB2 (COM4 in Wales) |
|
31
|
E4 Exstra | Entertainment | 24 hours | 720 x 576 | 128 kbps | COM5 |
|
32
|
5STAR
|
Entertainment | 06.00 – 23.00 | 544 x 576 | 128 kbps | COM4 |
|
33
|
Paramount Network | Entertainment | 24 hours | 544 x 576 | 128 kbps | COM4 |
|
34
|
GREAT! movies | Films | 24 hours | 544 x 576 | 128 kbps | COM5 |
|
35
|
ITV+1
|
Entertainment | 24 hours | 720 x 576 | 192 kbps | PSB2 |
|
35
|
SVT+1 (Scotland only)
|
Timeshift of STV | 24 hours | 720 x 576 | 192 kbps | PSB2 |
|
35
|
UTV+1 (NI only) | Entertainment | 24 hours | 720 x 576 | 192 kbps | PSB2 |
|
36
|
Pick | Entertainment | 18.00 – 00.00 | 544 x 576 | 128 kbps | COM4 |
|
37
|
QVC Beauty • Red Button service available
|
Shopping | 17.00 – 01.00 | 544 x 576 | 128 kbps | COM6 |
|
38
|
QVC Style
|
Shopping | 01.00 -17.00 | 544 x 576 | 128 kbps | COM6 |
|
39
|
DMAX | Entertainment | 24 hours | 544 x 576 | 128 kbps | COM4 |
|
40
|
Quest Red
|
Entertainment | 10.00 – 00.00 | 544 x 576 | 128 kbps | COM6 |
|
41
|
Legend | Entertainment | Various | 544 x 576 | 128 kbps | COM6 |
|
42
|
GREAT! movies action
|
Entertainment | Various | 544 x 576 | 128 kbps | COM4 |
|
43
|
Food Network
|
Food | Various | 544 x 576 | 128 kbps | COM5 |
|
44
|
HGTV | Entertainment | Various | 544 x 576 | 128 kbps | COM6 |
|
45
|
Gems TV
|
Shopping | 01.00 – 11.00 | 544 x 576 | 128 kbps | COM5 |
|
46
|
Channel 5+1
|
Entertainment | 24 hours | 544 x 576 | 128 kbps | COM4 |
|
47
|
Film4+1
|
Entertainment | 24 hours | 544 x 576 | 96 – 112 kbps AC3 | PSB3 |
|
48
|
Challenge
|
Entertainment | Various | 544 x 576 | 128 kbps | COM5 |
|
49
|
4seven
|
Entertainment | Various | 544 x 576 | 128 kbps | COM6 |
|
50
|
GREAT! tv
|
Films | Various | 544 x 576 | 128 kbps | COM5 |
| 51 | Ideal World | Shopping | 18.00 – 22.00 | 544 x 576 | 128 kbps | COM5 |
| 53 | TG4 (NI only) | Entertainment | 24 hours | 544 x 576 | 192 kbps | NI mux |
| 54 | RTÉ One (NI only) | Entertainment | 24 hours | 544 x 576 | 192 kbps | NI mux |
| 55 | RTÉ Two (NI only) | Entertainment | 24 hours | 544 x 576 | 192 kbps | NI mux |
| 56 | 5Select | Entertainment | Various | 544 x 576 | 128 kbps | PSB3 |
| 57 | Smithsonian | Entertainment | Various | 544 x 576 | 128 kbps | COM5 |
|
58
|
ITVBe+1 | Entertainment | Various | 544 x 576 | 128 kbps | COM4 |
| 59 | ITV3 +1 | Entertainment | 04.00 – 05.00 | 544 x 576 | 128 kbps | COM4 |
|
60
|
Drama +1 | Entertainment | Various | 544 x 576 | 128 kbps | COM5 |
|
64
|
Blaze | Films | 05.00 – 04.00 | 544 x 576 | 128 kbps | COM4 |
| 65 | That’s TV (UK) | Entertainment | Various | 544 x 576 | 128 kbps | COM6 |
| 66 | TBN UK | Religion | Various | 544 x 576 | 128 kbps | COM5 |
| 67 | CBS Reality | Entertainment | Various | 544 x 576 | 128 kbps | COM4 |
|
69
|
CBS Justice | Entertainment | Various | 544 x 576 | 128 kbps | COM4 |
|
70
|
QUEST +1 | Entertainment | Various | 544 x 576 | 128 kbps | COM5 |
|
71
|
Quest Red +1 | Entertainment | 13.00 – 23.00 | 544 x 576 | 128 kbps | COM6 |
|
72
|
Jewellery Maker | Shopping | 08.00 – 13.00 | 544 x 576 | 128 kbps | COM6 |
|
73
|
HobbyMaker | Shopping | Various | 544 x 576 | 128 kbps | COM6 |
|
74
|
Dave ja vu | Entertainment | Various | 544 x 576 | 128 kbps | COM4 |
|
75
|
Yesterday +1 | Entertainment | Various | 544 x 576 | 128 kbps | COM5 |
|
78
|
TCC | Entertainment | 03.00 – 05.00 | 544 x 576 | 128 kbps | COM4 |
| 81 |
Blaze +1
|
Entertainment | Various | 544 x 576 | 128 kbps | COM4 |
| 82 |
Talking Pictures TV
|
Films | Various | 544 x 576 | 128 kbps | COM4 |
| 83 | Together TV | Music | Various | 544 x 576 | 128 kbps | COM5 |
| 84 | PBS America | Music | Various | 544 x 576 | 128 kbps | COM5 |
|
85
|
Craft Store TV | Crafts, Hobbies | Various | 544 x 576 | 128 kbps | COM4 |
| 86 |
More +1
|
Entertainment | Various | 720 x 576 | 192 kbps | COM8 |
| 87 | PBS America +1 | Entertainment | Various | 544×576 | 128 kbps | COM5 |
| 89 | ITV4 +1 | Entertainment | 04.00 – 06.00 | 544 x 576 | 128 kbps | COM4 |
| 91 | Classic Hits | Entertainment | Various | 544×576 | COM6 | |
|
100
|
Freeview
|
Information | 24 hours | N/A | N/A | PSB2 |
|
101
|
BBC One HD (England only)
|
HD Simulcast | 24 hours | 1920 x 1080 | 128 – 160 kbps AC3 | PSB3 |
| 101 |
BBC One Scotland HD (Scotland only)
|
HD Simulcast | 24 hours | 1920 x 1080 | 128 – 160 kbps AC3 | PSB3 |
| 101 | BBC One Wales HD (Wales only) | HD Simulcast | 24 hours | 1920 x 1080 | 128 – 160 kbps AC3 | PSB3 |
| 101 | BBC One N.I. HD (NI only) | HD Simulcast | 24 hours | 1920 x 1080 | 128 – 160 kbps AC3 | PSB3 |
|
102
|
BBC Two HD
|
HD Simulcast | 24 hours | 1920 x 1080 | 128 – 160 kbps AC3 | PSB3 |
| 103 |
ITV HD
|
HD Simulcast | 24 hours | 1920 x 1080 | 128 – 160 kbps AC3 | PSB3 |
| 103 |
STV HD (Scotland only)
|
Entertainment | 24 hours | 1920 x 1080 | 128 – 160 kbps AC3 | PSB3 |
| 103 | UTV HD (NI only) | Entertainment | 24 hours | 1920 x 1080 | 128 – 160 kbps AC3 | PSB3 |
|
104
|
Channel 4 HD
|
HD Simulcast | 24 hours | 1920 x 1080 | 128 – 160 kbps AC3 | PSB3 |
|
105
|
Channel 5HD
|
HD Simulcast | 24 hours | 1920 x 1080 | 128 – 160 kbps AC3 | PSB3 |
|
106
|
BBC Four HD
|
HD Simulcast | 19.00 – 04.00 | 1920 x 1080 | 128 – 160 kbps AC3 | PSB3 |
|
108
|
BBC Scotland HD (Scotland only)
|
HD Simulcast | 24 hours | 1920 x 1080 | 128 – 160 kbps AC3 | COM7 |
|
109
|
BBC THREE | HD Simulcast | Various | 1920 x 1080 | 128 – 160 kbps AC3 | PSB3 |
| 201 | CBBC | Children’s TV | Various | 704 x 576 | 192 kbps | PSB1 |
| 202 | CBeebies | Children’s TV | Various | 704 x 576 | 192 kbps | PSB1 |
| 203 | CITV | Children’s TV | Various | 544 x 576 | 128 kbps | COM4 |
| 204 | CBBBC HD | Children’s TV | Various | 1920 x 1080 | 96 – 112 kbps AC3 | PSB3 |
| 205 | CBeebies HD | Children’s TV | Various | 1920 x 1080 | 96 – 112 kbps AC3 | PSB3 |
| 206 | POP | Children’s TV | Various | 544 x 576 | 128 kbps | COM6 |
| 207 | Tiny Pop | Children’s TV | Various | 544 x 576 | 128 kbps | COM5 |
| 211 |
Ketchup TV
|
On-Demand | N/A | N/A | N/A | COM4 |
| 212 |
YAAAS!
|
On-Demand | N/A | N/A | N/A | COM4 |
| 231 |
BBC News
|
News | 24 hours | 704 x 576 | 128 kbps | PSB1 |
| 232 | BBC Parliament | News | 24 hours | 544 x 576 | 128 kbps | PSB1 |
| 233 | Sky News | News | 24 hours | 544 x 576 | 128 kbps | COM5 |
| 234 | RT | News | 24 hours | 544 x 576 | 128 kbps | COM6 |
| 235 | Al Jazeera Eng | News | 24 hours | 544 x 576 | 128 kbps | COM6 |
| 236 | GB News | News | 24 hours | 544 x 576 | 128 kbps | COM6 |
| 237 | TalkTV | News | 24 hours | 544 x 576 | 128 kbps | COM4 |
| 250 | BBC Red Button | Data Service | 24 hours | N/A | N/A | PSB1 |
| 251 | 365 Travel | Data Service | 24 hours | N/A | N/A | COM4 |
| 252 | Kiss Chat & Date | Data Service | 24 hours | N/A | N/A | COM4 |
| 253 | Proud Dating | Data Service | 24 hours | N/A | N/A | COM4 |
| 261 | Racing TV | Sport | Various | N/A | N/A | COM4 |
| 263 | Sonlife | Entertainment | Various | N/A | N/A | COM4 |
| 264 | Vision TV | Entertainment | Various | N/A | N/A | COM4 |
| 265 | On Demand 365 | Entertainment | Various | N/A | N/A | COM4 |
| 269 | Arise News | Entertainment | 24 hours | N/A | N/A | COM4 |
| 271 | Channelbox | Entertainment | Various | N/A | N/A | COM4 |
| 555 | Accessible TV Guide | Data Service | N/A | N/A | N/A | PSB2 |
| 601 | BBC RB 1 | Various | Various | 544 x 576 | 128 kbps | PSB1 |
| 670 | Adult Section | Data Service | N/A | N/A | COM6 | |
| 673 | smileTV3 | Adult | 544 x 576 | 128 kbps | COM5 | |
| 674 | Babestation | Adult | 544 x 576 | 128 kbps | COM6 | |
| 678 | Xpanded TV | Adult | 544 x 576 | 128 kbps | COM5 | |
| 679 | Studio 66 | Adult | 544 x 576 | 128 kbps | COM6 | |
| 680 | Xpanded2 | Adult | Unknown | Unknown | COM4 | |
| 699 | Adult Section | Data Service | N/A | N/A | COM6 | |
Freeview Radio
There are currently 29 stations available nationally on Freeview, these include both BBC and commercial radio stations.
Channel numbers are liable to change without notice and bitrates can also change from time to time.
Freeview radio quality on most BBC national radio stations is 192 kbps, though this is acceptable quality, it is still not as good as FM.
Voice quality is almost identical between Freeview and FM, speech does not make great demands on bandwidth.
However, when music becomes more demanding, with more background instruments playing at the same time, FM still provides a much more enjoyable listening experience.
It is not that FM is better than Freeview, it is more to do with bandwidth limitations and the bitrates broadcasters use on the platform.
Currently, all radio stations are on DVB-T multiplexes using older less efficient MPEG 2 encoding.
As is the case with DAB, Freeview is a space-constricted platform with a limited number of multiplexes. Freeview will never be able to offer the same range of stations available on other UK platforms.
| Freeview Radio | |||||
| EPG No. | Station | Multiplex | Bitrate | Audio | Description |
| 700 | BBC Radio 1 | PSB1 | 192 kbps | Joint-Stereo | Current hit music, dance and rock. |
| 701 | BBC 1 Xtra | PSB1 | 160 kbps | Joint-Stereo | Urban music, hip-hop, grime and dancehall. |
| 702 | BBC Radio 2 | PSB1 | 192 kbps | Joint-Stereo | Adult contemporary, oldies, country, jazz, soul and funk. |
| 703 | BBC Radio 3 | PSB1 | 192 kbps | Joint-Stereo | Classical, jazz, world music, arts, culture and drama. |
| 704 | BBC Radio 4 | PSB1 | 192 kbps | Joint-Stereo | Spoken-word programming, drama and philosophy. |
| 705 | BBC Radio 5 Live | PSB1 | 96 kbps | Mono | News, current affairs, discussion and sport. |
| 706 | BBC Radio 5 SX | PSB1 | 96 kbps | Mono | Additional sports coverage. |
| 707 | BBC 6 Music | PSB1 | 160 kbps | Joint-Stereo | Alternative music, rock, reggae and other minor genres. |
| 708 | BBC Radio 4 Extra | PSB1 | 160 kbps | Joint-Stereo | Archive programming, including drama, plays and comedy. |
| 709 | BBC Asian Network | PSB1 | 128 kbps | Joint-Stereo | Station for the British-Asian community. |
| 710 | BBC World Service | PSB1 | 96 kbps | Mono | International radio station for current affairs. |
| 711 | Hits Radio | Com6 | 64 kbps | Mono | Contemporary pop music. |
| 712 | Kiss Fresh | Com5 | 64 kbps | Mono | Hip-hop, R&B, EDM, House and Garage. |
| 713 | Kiss | Com5 | 64 kbps | Mono | Dance, hip-hop, R&B. |
| 714 | Kisstory | Com5 | 64 kbps | Mono | Electronica, dance, R&B, trip-hop, acid house, alternative dance. |
| 715 | Magic | Com5 | 64 kbps | Mono | Hot Adult Contemporary. |
| 716 | Greatest Hits Radio | Com6 | 64 kbps | Mono | Contemporary music. |
| 717 | Kerrang! | Com5 | 64 kbps | Mono | Rock music. |
| 718 | Smooth Radio | Com6 | 64 kbps | Mono | Adult contemporary. |
| 719 | BBC Local Radio | PSB1 | 96 kbps | Mono | Local radio in England. |
| 719 | BBC Radio Scotland (Scotland only) | PSB1 | 128 kbps | Joint-Stereo | BBC Radio Scotland is Scotland’s national radio station. |
| 720 | BBC Radio Nan Gàidheal (Scotland only) | PSB1 | 128 kbps | Joint-Stereo | BBC radio station, broadcasting in Scottish Gaelic. |
| 719 | BBC Radio Wales (Wales only) | PSB1 | 128 kbps | Joint-Stereo | BBC Radio Wales is Wales’s national English language radio station. |
| 720 | BBC Radio Cymru (Wales only) | PSB1 | 128 kbps | Joint-Stereo | BBC Radio Cymru is Wales’s national Welsh-language radio station. |
| 719 | BBC Radio Ulster (NI only) | PSB1 | 128 kbps | Joint-Stereo | BBC Radio Ulster is one of two national stations in NI. |
| 720 | BBC Radio Foyle (NI only) | PSB1 | 128 kbps | Joint-Stereo | BBC Radio Foyle is one of two national stations in NI. |
| 721 | BBC Radio London (London) | PSB1 | 96 kbps | Mono | Local BBC radio for London. |
| 719 – 721 | BBC Local Radio | LOCAL | Various | Various | Local radio from the BBC. |
| 723 | Talksport | Com5 | 64 kbps | Mono | Sports commentary, discussion and news. |
| 724 | Capital | Com4 | 128 kbps | Joint-Stereo | Contemporary hit radio, news, entertainment, speech, showbiz. |
| 725 | Premier Radio | Com6 | 64 kbps | Mono | Christian programming. |
| 726 | BBC Local Radio | LOCAL | 160 kbps | Joint-Stereo | Soft AC/Oldies/Easy listening. |
| 727 | Absolute Radio | Com4 | 128 kbps | Joint-Stereo | Modern adult contemporary. |
| 728 | Heart | Com4 | 128 kbps | Joint-Stereo | Rhythmic AC & Hot AC. |
| 729 | RTÉ Raidió na Gaeltachta (NI only) | NIMUX | 192 kbps | Joint-Stereo | Irish-language radio service from RTÉ. |
| 730 | RNIB Connect | Com5 | 64 kbps | Mono | Radio for the Blind and partially sighted (RNIB). |
| 731 | Classic FM | Com5 | 128 kbps | Stereo | Classical music. |
| 732 | LBC | Com5 | 64 kbps | Mono | Rolling news and discussions. |
| 733 | Trans World Radio (TWR) | Com7 | 64 kbps | Mono | Christian programming. |
| 734 -735 | BBC Local Radio | LOCAL | Various | Various | Local radio from the BBC. |
