Advanced Television

Freeview guide expands to meet new channel demand

April 3, 2017

Digital UK – the body that supports digital terrestrial TV in the UK – has confirmed that following an industry-wide consultation, the TV guide for DTT platform Freeview is set to be updated and expanded on Wednesday August 2nd 2017. This change is designed to increase capacity for the launch of new channels in the future and strengthen consumer protection measures to further minimise risks around minors viewing inappropriate content. Some existing channels will move to new numbers.

The main changes are: 

Genre Current range New range
General Entertainment 1-99 1-99 / 140 -199
HD 101-119 101-139
Children’s 120-129 200-229
News 130-149 230-249
Text 200-224 250-259
Streamed services (MHEG-ICS) 225-299 260-299
Interactive services 600-620 600-609
SD simulcast area N/A 610-669
Adult 170-199 670-699

Digital UK’s policy for allocating channel numbers is also being simplified to provide greater flexibility for channel providers.

Freeview viewers may need to retune on or after this date to ensure they have the latest channel line-up, where equipment does not do this automatically.

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