- 0870 111 0384
- www.freeview.co.uk
What is Freeview?
Freeview is a free digital TV service offering over 40 TV channels including Film 4, E4, ITV2, BBC Three, Sky News and CBeebies. It only requires a one-off payment for the equipment and there's no monthly subscription.
What equipment do I need?
All you need is a digital box or digital TV recorder which will work with your existing TV. Or alternatively a digital TV with the box already built in.
How much does it cost?
Digital boxes are available from around £30 to £250. The more expensive boxes include a digital TV recorder so you can watch one English (U.K) programme while recording another. Digital TVs are available from around £100 to £3,500. Integrated Digital TVs start from around £100.
Is payment by a one-off cost or by subscription?
A one-off payment for the digital box or digital TV.
How is it installed?
You connect the digital box to your existing TV and rooftop aerial. Or just connect the digital TV to your rooftop aerial. In some cases an aerial upgrade may be required, which could cost between £80 to £150. Look for a Registered Digital Installer (RDI), or an Associate RDI, to carry out the work. If you use a set top aerial now you will need a good set top aerial to ensure that you are able to receive digital TV. As many as 50% of all set top aerials will need replacing.
What channels and services do I get as standard?
With Freeview you get over 40 free digital TV channels, over 20 free digital radio stations and a host of interactive services at the press of a red button, all in digital quality picture and sound.
You can watch previews of comedy and drama in channels like E4, More4 and BBC Three as well as catch-up editions of soaps and expanded coverage of selected shows on ITV2 and ITV3. There’s popular entertainment on Sky Three with 24, dedicated children’s channels with CBeebies, CBBC and Citv as well as 24-hour rolling world news.
You can also keep up with the latest scores and top stories in the world of sport with Sky Sports News and ITV4 which brings you live boxing, UEFA Champions League football and the Tour de France. In addition, BBCi will give you extra interactive coverage on the top sporting events such as Wimbledon, golf and the World Cup.
With Freeview you can also access interactive games through your TV with channels such as CBeebies.
What additional services does Freeview offer?
With most digital boxes and digital TVs you can receive eight-day programme information which enables you to control your viewing and watch TV when it suits you.
With a twin-tuner digital TV recorder you can record one channel whilst watching another, pause live TV and record your favourite programmes directly onto the digital TV recorder.
Digital text and enhanced TV, including background programme information and additional live footage for events such as Wimbledon, Open Golf are also available.
Many digital boxes and digital TVs have a parental lock facility which enables you to control which channels can be viewed.
Availability of service
To find out if you can receive Freeview now use the Digital UK postcode checker on this page.
If you can't currently receive Freeview now, virtually everyone will be able to receive it after digital switchover.
Your aerial may need to be upgraded.
Terms & conditions:
The Freeview service is subject to coverage. An aerial upgrade may be required. Freeview™ and logo © DTV Services Ltd 2002.
