Freeview
By 2012 the UK will be watching TV digitally, meaning that everyone will be receiving TV signals via a digital receiver of some kind rather than through an analogue connection. This is known as the Digital Switchover.
Freeview is a regional service, so the channels you receive depend on where in the UK you live.
There are over 50 TV channels, including Film4, E4, ITV2, BBC Three, Sky News and Cbeebies, are available for free from Freeview. To receive Freeview channels you need to buy a Freeview box (various models and makes are available), for a one-off cost. There is no monthly subscription, although you can subscribe to Top Up TV.
Freeview Channels
With Freeview you get over 50 free digital TV channels, over 24 free digital radio station and many interactive services at the press of a red button.
These services include:
Soaps, Comedy and Drama
There's plenty of choice including ITV2, BBC Three, BBC Four, ITV3, Sky Three, as well More 4, Film4, Dave, Fiveer, Five USA, E4, ITV4.
Children's
CBeebies, CBBC and CITV.
Music and Entertainment
4Music and Viva
Shopping
QVC, Ideal World, Bid TV, Price-Drop TV.
News
BBC News, Sky News, BBC Parliament, Aljazeera English.
Regional Channels
Freeview is a regional service. If you live in Wales, you will have access to Channel 4, S4C and S4C2. In Scotland you will have access to TeleG and STV. In Northern Ireland you will get UTV.
Radio
Over 20 channels are available, including all the major BBC channels and digital channels, as well as the national BBC radio channels.
High Definition (HD)
BBC One HD, ITV1 HD, Channel 4 HD, BBC HD (as well as, in Scotland, STV HD, and in Wales, Clirlun)
Availability of service
Use the Digital UK Postcode checker to find out if you can get Freeview in your area.
Even if you can't currently receive Freeview now, nearly everyone in the UK will be able to receive it after Digital Switchover.
