| Freeview - Digital Terrestrial |
Freeview, is the name of the free-to-air services on the Digital Terrestrial Television platform in the UK. The service is jointly run by its five equal shareholders, BBC, ITV, Channel 4, Sky and transmitter operator Arqiva. DTV Services is designed to market changes to the platform. DTV Services is responsible for marketing services such as Freeview+, the PVR brand and Freeview HD.
The technical specification for Freeview is published and maintained by the Digital TV Group, the industry association for digital TV in the UK who also provide the test and conformance regime for Freeview, Freeview + and Freeview HD products. DMOL, a company owned by the operators of the six DTT multiplexes (BBC, ITV, C4, and Arqiva) is responsible for technical platform management and policy, including the electronic programme guide and channel numbering. |
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| To receive the services on Freeview, either a television with an integrated digital tuner, or an existing standard analogue television receiver (used as a display device) plus a set-top box or digital PVR is required, DTT tuners for computers are also available. |
| Website: www.freeview.co.uk |
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| Coverage |
As of 2010, 77% of the UK population can receive the full Freeview service, with more able to receive some channels before digital switchover and all channels after. Coverage is being increased as digital switchover takes place across the UK.
Ofcom estimates that the coverage level of the three public-service broadcasting multiplexes will reach 98.5% of the population (the same as analogue television) and six-multiplex reception will cover 90% of the population once the digital switchover has been completed in 2012.
The full package of sixty Freeview channels (six-multiplex) will only be available via the main transmitter in each transmitter group, and a number of other Relay Transmitters that are deemed to be important in terms of the large coverage area they serve.
Those who rely on a local self-help relay transmitter, or other Relay transmitters covering a small village or area will only receive around eighteen channels (three-multiplex) after digital switchover. This is often refered to as 'Freeview Light'.
If you live in an area with poor or limited Freeview reception, satellite reception may be a better option. There are two services available, Freesat and Sky.
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Freeview Lite refers to those areas only served by the public service multiplexes. These areas are served by relays and not by the main transmitters. Commercial multiplexe opperators have decided that in certain areas (due to their small populations), that it is not ecconomically viable to broadcast their services to certain (mainly rural) areas. Most affected are northern and central Wales, the Scottish Highland and islands, parts of England, the Isle of Man and the Channel Islands.
Viewers with limited or poor Freeview reception, can receive most Freeview channels on satellite, either through Freesat or Freesat from Sky. |
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| Freeview Channels |
The Freeview service broadcasts free-to-air television channels, radio stations and interactive services from the existing public service broadcasters. Channels on the service include the BBC, ITV, Channel 4 and Channel 5 terrestrial channels, as well as their digital services. In addition, channels from Sky and UKTV, text services from Teletext and radio stations from BBC and Bauer amongst others are available. There are currently four HD channels available, BBC One HD,BBC HD, ITV1 HD and Channel 4HD, these are broadcast with the DVB-T2 standard.
The full range of channels broadcast via digital terrestrial television includes pay television services from operators such as Top Up TV and ESPN. These channels, although available only to subscribers with appropriate equipment, are listed in the on-screen electronic programme guides displayed by many Freeview receivers but may not be viewed. |
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| Freeview+ |
Freeview+ and Freeview+ HD is a consumer brand created in the UK by DTV Services Ltd (Freeview) to "raise consumer awareness and promote sales" of Freeview capable digital TV recorders otherwise known as personal video recorders. Players which meet specific quality and functionality criteria carry the Freeview Playback, Freeview+ or Freeview+ HD logo, and benefit from joint marketing and consumer confidence. Standard definition Freeview+ recorders were available from May 2007 and high definition Freeview+ HD recorders were available from May 2010.
Many recorders have more than one tuner, so that two or more programmes may be received at the same time allowing one programme to be recorded while another is being viewed. Some even allow two programmes to be recorded simultaneously while a third is being viewed live or played back. PVRs that meet the Freeview+ and Freeview+ HD standard may be marketed as such.
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| Freeview HD |
Freeview HD offers high definition TV from the BBC, ITV and Channel 4 without subscription via a TV aerial. You will need a Freeview HD receiver or Freeview HD TV.
Freeview HD was the first operational TV service in the world using the DVB-T2 standard, which will require the purchase of new compatible reception equipment.
Channel 5 HD may launch on Freeview in the future |
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| What channels are available through Freeview? |
| Click HERE for Freeview's TV and Radio line-up. |
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| Freeview in the Channel Islands |
The Channel Islands TV region has switched, so Freeview is available throughout the Channel Islands. There is one transmitter group in the Channel TV region, (Fremont Point and its seven relay transmitters)..
Note, not all Freeview muxes are available in the islands, to receive more channels you will need to use a satellite platform, either Freesat or Sky.
ITV1 HD is not available in the Channels Islands on Freeview, to receive this channel use a Freesat HD receiver and an English post code. |
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| Freeview on the Isle of Man |
Freeview is available on the Isle of Man from the Glenmaye transmitter, though not all commercial muxes are available, reception of the others may be possible from the mainland. The island is covered by the Granada ITV region.
The Isle of Man is a dependency of the British Crown, it is not part of the United Kingdom or a member of the EU. The local government controls broadcasting on the island.
The island is close to the British mainland, has no local television channels and receives television and radio services from the British mainland. |
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