Millions of Freeview viewers will need to retune their set-top boxes or TVs later today in order to retain access to key television channels following a service upgrade expected to take place around lunchtime.
As part of the upgrade, ITV4 will move to an alternative multiplex, paving the way for Five to become as widely available as BBC One, BBC Two, ITV1 and Channel 4. Technical preparations will also be made for future improvements to the Freeview service - including preparations for the upcoming roll out of Freeview HD.
In recent weeks, Freeview has launched a "Remember to Retune" campaign, urging users to retune on September 30th. Freeview warns that more than 18 million households will be unable to receive channel Five until they retune, adding that it expects some 460,000 households to lose access to ITV3 and ITV4.
Freeview estimates that approximately 25 million set-top-boxes and TVs will need retuning, but adds that some 20,000 older receivers may cease to function. Affected models include the Daewoo DS608P and SV900, Labgear DTT100, Triax DVB2000T and Bush IDVCR01.
The changes made to channels and services following today's upgrade are listed by Freeview as follows:
- Coverage of Five will increase. More than 500,000 Freeview homes will be able to receive Five for the first time; and these improvements will ensure that Five will be available to all Freeview homes at the point of switchover; along with BBC One, BBC Two, ITV1, and Channel 4.
- Some viewers who receive their Freeview service from a relay transmitter will no longer be able be able to receive ITV3 and ITV4. As a result of moving position on the Freeview platform, a small percentage of homes will find they lose these services after retuning.
- A new channel called "Quest" will launch on channel 38 on Freeview. It will be available to the majority of Freeview homes.
- Some BBC Radio stations will be affected in the 5% of UK homes that have already gone through digital switchover. Listeners in Border, West Country and parts of Wales will lose these services until they retune their Freeview equipment.
- The Community Channel will no longer be available on Freeview in areas that have already gone through switchover.
- After retuning, the viewer will find a small number of channels in a new position on their on-screen TV guide.
Further details, including instructions on how to retune, are available at TVretune.co.uk.
