Some big changes are coming to Freeview but you’ll only be able to take advantage if you update your TV now.
Anyone with a Freeview TV or set-top box in their living room might want to follow the latest advice if they fancy getting some extra things to watch. The popular platform has just released a big update to its service which includes some new channels along with some changes to the telly planner.
Perhaps the biggest addition is a service called GREAT! Real which is showing back-to-back episodes of real-life and unscripted drama. Shows now being broadcast include documentaries like Paddington Station 24/7, Heathrow: Britain’s Busiest Airport, land Medics and Coast Guard Alaska.
If that sounds of interest you’ll find GREAT! Real on channel 61. “With an array of gripping observational series focusing on dramatic real-life events and moving human stories, brand-new free channel GREAT! Real gives TV audiences a compelling, behind-the-scenes insight into the lives of real-life heroes,” the firm behind the channel said.
GREAT! Real isn’t the only new service popping up on Freeview. Two other channels are now live and include shopping service Shop on TV (channel 89), That’s TV MCR (channel 92 Manchester only) and Filmstream (channel 269). This is a new movie streaming service showing independent world cinema and classic movies
This update is not just about new things launching with a bunch of popular channels also switching positions.
Here’s where you’ll find them. ITV4+1 switches from channel 89 to channel 93. Together TV+1 moves to channel 90, Pop goes to channel 205, Pop Max can now be found on channel 206 and Pop Player has changed to channel 208.
Explaining more about the update, Freeview said: “On 20 March 2024 some broadcasters are making important changes to their channels.
“You will need to retune to update your TV and keep your channels and TV Guide up to date.”
HOW TO RETUNE YOUR FREEVIEW TV
Freeview has issued advice on how to retune devices and here are the steps every user needs to follow.
• Press menu on your box or TV remote control
• Select ‘set-up’, ‘installation’, ‘update’ or a similar option. If you’re asked for a password, the default code is ‘1234’ or ‘0000’.
• Select ‘first-time installation’ (sometimes called ‘factory reset’, ‘full retune’ or ‘default settings’).
•Press ‘OK’ if your equipment asks if it’s OK to delete existing channels and then your retune should start automatically. If you’re prompted to, save the channels that are found.
