Freeview: Where are the public service (Freeview Light) transmitters? | Digital switchover
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Where are the public service (Freeview Light) transmitters?

Whilst 8.5% of the population of the UK will have only the public services after switchover, this ranges from 6% in England to 34% in Wales.

Whilst 8.5% of the population of the UK will have only the publ
Published on by on UK Free TV

There are many TV transmitters in the UK, but only 81 of them carry all the services including the three commercial multiplexes. The other 1,036 transmitters will only carry the three public service transmitters, sometimes called www.ukfree.tv link icon Freeview Lite.

The commercial operators, SDN (originally S4C Digital Networks, now part of ITV plc) and Arqiva (originally as Crown Castle International, the privatized BBC Engineering) declined the invitation from Ofcom to extend their transmission network, see www.ukfree.tv link icon  No new full Freeview transmitters.

As the transmitters can cover millions of homes down to less than 100, this means that:

In England, there are 54 full service transmitters and 583 public service transmitters, but the three-multiplex transmitters only serve 7% of the population.



The main reason for the commercial operators not extending their networks is the uneconomic nature of these sites. It is not simply a question of being allocated frequencies by Ofcom (these were freely available to the operators) - the cost of installing the three antennas on each mast, the considerable capital expense of providing the transmission equipment and the ongoing network, power and monitoring costs.

In Scotland, the 14 main transmitters cover 85% of the population with full Freeview, but those in the mountains and islands are again uneconomic. Indeed, the Black Hill transmitter alone covers 40% of Scots.



Looking to Northern Ireland, the Divis transmitter provides services to 67% of the population, with two other full service transmitters providing the next 13%. However, again 20% of the population are provided by the other 43 and these will provides just the public services.



TV viewers in Wales stand the most chance - one in three - of being short of channels. Nine main transmitters cover 66% of the population, and in the mountains and valleys the other 196 transmitters cover very small populations each.



Map showing public service only areas in England, Wales, NI and Scotland.

www.ukfree.tv link icon 







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chrisw
Tuesday 20 September 2011 11:41PM Otley
I decided to carry out an experiment, so ordered an aerial. It is a Maxview 25 element, CAI standard 2 wideband.
I received this today, so went up into the loft and connected it up to my old CRT TV. I was able to receive the analogue channels from Emley Moor, albeit fairly noisy.

I then took up my Grundig GUD20USB3 digital box and connected that up. (This is for a kitchen TV normally). I did a full scan and was rewarded with 42 channels.
21 from Wharfedale (off the back of the beam and wrong polarisation) and 21 from BBCA on Emley Moor.

The quality report from the Grundig box varied between 2 & 4 out of 10, and there was occasional pixelation.

I will try this again later in the week after switchover and see how the other multiplexes come in after power up.

It seems to me that with a class 2 Group B aerial properly installed (professionally I might add... ) I should be able to get a reasonably reliable signal, as it should be at least 10dB up. I would also consider adding a masthead amplifier, probably worthwhile in order to overcome the cable loss.

Chris
Val Davies
Thursday 20 October 2011 3:01PM Otley
I live in otley, postcode LS21 1DE and receive digital television from the Clifton mast.
On my new TV I only receive 35 channels.
Can you explain why this is please
Briantist
Thursday 20 October 2011 3:07PM
Val Davies: Please read the article.
John
Tuesday 21 February 2012 7:26PM Perth
My postcode is PH1 1PG and I get limited freeview channels from Perth transmitter. I understand that somehow in 2012 I should be able to tune to the Angus transmitter which carries many more channels. Is this true?
John Robinson
Thursday 23 February 2012 11:06AM
John: I don't see anything on the site about anything happening in 2012 - DSO's already happened across Scotland. The Digital UK tradeview estimator suggests you might be able to get the commercial muxes from Angus already with a good group C/D aerial with horizontal polarisation pointing approximately ENE (a bearing of 59°) in place of your current group B aerial with vertical polarisation pointing south. I wouldn't like to make any guarantees - maybe there are some hills in the way? - but if you already have a half decent wideband aerial you could go up on the roof with a compass and re-orient your aerial and see if you can get any sign of any signal on channels 53 and up (PSB muxes included) before you go buying a good group C/D aerial.
Greebo
Thursday 23 February 2012 11:13AM
John, the Digital UK postcode checker shows this: www.digitaluk.co.uk link icon Postcode Checker - Trade View

Angus looks like your best bet, with a little improvement due from March 6th on the commercial muxes.
Jo
Wednesday 7 March 2012 8:13PM
Help don't have a clue! I like to watch tv in bed but since moving into my new-build house 2 years ago, husband put up aerial in loft (from b and q) in loft and has tried and tried and can't get a signal with tv we have no aerial on roof but we have sky downstairs but not looking to have sky upstairs is there a way we can sort this?
jb38
Wednesday 7 March 2012 8:28PM
jo: Its impossible for anyone to offer advice without them having knowledge of your location, this preferably in the form of a post code for purposes of greater accuracy when assessing the signal levels expected in your area.
ELAINE BAYES
Saturday 31 March 2012 6:31PM
I have a HumaX BOX. AND AM TRYING TO GET CHANNEL 12 (YESTERDAY). kEY IN 12 AND PRESS ENTER. nOTHING HAPPENS. pLEASE ADVISE
jb38
Saturday 31 March 2012 8:11PM
ELAINE BAYES: This is likely because you are not receiving the multiplex that's used by programme Ch12 (Yesterday), which could either be caused through having poor reception or alternatively by being located in a Freeview "light" transmitter area, exactly which impossible to verify without knowledge of your post code.
Paul Murphy
Monday 23 April 2012 12:51AM Bourne End
How are the channels on 'Freeview Light' decided upon?

We've just finished the Digital Switchover and using the Wooburn relay (SL8 5DQ) we get just the 'Freeview Light' channels. This is a big let down but its exacerbated by the fact that there are '+1' channels using up valuable space that standalone channels could (should) be using instead ie ITV 1 +1 instead of ITV 3 (or 4), Channel 4 +1 instead of Film 4. Surely the delayed channels must be considered a 'luxury extra' that should be made available only if there is sufficient multiplex capacity after the main 'live' channels are provided.. How was this decided upon and who is responsible?

We may not be able to get more multiplexes (for cost/benifit reasons) but I can't see why they shouldn't try to please more customers with more distinct channels. If people really need '+1' channels, that's what video recorders/time shift TVs are for. My TV Tuner equipped Windows 7 HTPC does this perfectly but even the best of such devices won't get additional 'commercial' Freeview Channels in such locations. We already have a new (professionally installed) aerial and receiving directly from Crystal Palace is not an option (the guy checked) so it's important to make the most of what multiplexes we do have access to! Who can I write to?
Dave Lindsay
Monday 23 April 2012 2:23AM
Paul Murphy: There are different regions for ITV1+1, thus the multiplex that it is carried on must have different regional variants.

The SDN Commercial multiplex which carries ITV3 has two variants: Wales and everywhere except Wales. Putting ITV1+1 on it would mean quite a few more variants would be needed, pushing up costs.

Also, I expect that consideration will have been given to what will bring in the most revenue from advertising.

I wouldn't waste my time writing to anyone; it is as it is. It looks as though you will have to go down the Freesat route if you want these extra channels.

There are some differences between Freesat and full Freeview:

www.ukfree.tv link icon Compare Freeview and Freesat TV | ukfree.tv - independent free digital TV advice
Paul Murphy
Tuesday 8 May 2012 8:17AM Bourne End
Dave Lindsay: Thanks for the swift and clear answer. In the case of ITV 1 (+1) what they've done does make alot of sense for the reasons you've given but does the same apply for Channel 4 (+1) do you know? I thought there was just the one Channel 4 all around the country - the same as Film 4 (rather than there being regional variants). Although many people may watch the +1 channels, I suspect if they weren't there such people would either be watching the original broadcast (or recording it for playback later) and watching another channel instead so I don't see how the commercial argument would be strong in the long run.
ps when I put my postcode into your 'My Freeview page, it incorrectly gave High Wycombe Transmitter details rather than Wooburn. I'm in an area not covered by the High Wycombe transmitter (and the map shows this) so maybe you can fix this on your system? A generally very helpful and informative website BTW!
Briantist
Friday 18 May 2012 6:03PM
Paul Murphy: Please see www.channel4sales.com link icon Macro Map | Interactive Map of Our Regions with Data - Channel 4 has regions for adverts, but not programmes.
John F
Friday 6 July 2012 12:12AM West Kilbride
My postcode is KA23 9EH. Having had to wait several years even to receive Channel 5 we looked forward to the delights of Freeview, only to discover that we get only the bare minimum (Freeview Light?). No ITV3 or 4, no Film 4 etc. Now we have had our noses rubbed further in the dirt by being told to retune for the Olympics and Channel 4's mew weekly summary of goodies. Who makes the decisions about which segment of the population is deserving and who is not? Probably someone in Englandshire who thinks we still live on porridge and cultivate haggis for a treat..
Dave Lindsay
Friday 6 July 2012 12:22AM
John F: Err, no. It's down to the laws of capitalism and it is explained above !!!

The Commercial broadcasters selected the most lucrative transmitters (those with most viewers).

The rest cover 8.5% of the population and the cost to run them is about equal to the cost of the 81 they have which cover 90% of the population.

As they are profit making organisations, showing advertising to as many viewers as possible which they aquire at lowest possible cost, then it's not surprising that they aren't interested.
Mark Fletcher
Friday 6 July 2012 12:50AM Halifax
John F.West Kilbride,KA23 9EH.Then again you could always opt for Freesat,or if you are served by Virgin Media in your locality Cable TV.
Michael
Friday 6 July 2012 1:00PM
John F - all of the BBC services are carried on the relay transmitters so you will get all the Olymipic coverage.

Just a bit unfortunate that neither the Black Hill or Darvel transmitter reach far enough west...
Martin Bradley
Wednesday 24 October 2012 8:42PM
not only do we not get commercial operators but we don't even get on your map. Poor N. Ireland.
Peter Henderson
Tuesday 4 December 2012 1:23AM Newtownabbey
Martin: There are three transmitters that carry the COM multiplexes. These are Divis, Brougher Mountain, and Limivady. In addition, there are also three sites that broadcast the NI mux (i.e. TG4, RTE 1 and RTE 2). Add to the fact that Saorview also covers much of the province (Saorsat is also available) and I think we are pretty well served with free to air television compared to the rest of the UK.

Anyone who is covered by a Freeview Lite transmitter can of course avail themselves of Freesat. With the addition of Pick TV, Challenge TV, and Sky News today, there really isn't that much difference between it and Freeview.

I'm not sure why Brian has left NI out of the coverage map.
David Jones
Monday 24 December 2012 1:29AM
This issue really makes my blood boil as well!

I live in an area that receives only Freeview Lite. My main issue is that most of the channels are utter rubbish. For example, when there was just one ITV channel, they had to provide content for everyone. Now that they have several 'tailored' channels if you don't get the ones that provide you with content that interests you, you're stuck with unwatchable channels. ITV2 is my idea of TV hell. ITV1 is little better (which I get twice with the +1). So, now I'm worse off than before! Channel 4 has now become a channel aimed at teenagers. If you don't get Film4, then you're stuck watching 'The Joy of Midget Teenage Group Sex' or 'Illiterate Gypsy Weddings'. So even though I now have more channels, I actually get less content I want to watch than when there was just one CH4 or ITV.

Let's do a summary of what's on Freeview Lite:-

BBC 1 and 2 - Decent general viewing.
BBC3 - Utter rubbish aimed at teenagers.
BBC4 - Good quality documentaries.
ITV1 - Soaps, celebs, reality TV, gossip, talent shows, Jeremy Kyle. A nightmare.
ITV1+1 - The same nightmare except 1 hour later.
ITV2 - Extended versions of what's on ITV1.
Ch4 - Mostly junk aimed at those under 25.
CH4+1 - The same junk one hour later.
More4 - The same junk yet again.
S4C - Even if you do speak Welsh, most of the content is of low quality.
Channel5 - Reasonable, except too much celeb gossip.
BBC News - Good news channel.
BBC Parliament - Boring beyond words.
CBeebies + CBBC - Timeshare with BBC3+4. Even kids programs are preferable to hours and hours of the loathsome Jeremy Kyle!


Basically 'Freeview Lite' should be called 'Freeview Teenage and Chav', because unless you belong to one of those groups, there's precious little for you in the package.
Michael
Monday 24 December 2012 12:14PM
David Jones: Going by your general opinion of the PSB channels, I doubt the commercial channels you're missing are going to be much better for you! But what channels do you feel you are missing out on by being on Freeview lite?
David Jones
Tuesday 25 December 2012 2:52AM
I specifically wanted ITV3 and ITV4, as the older stuff ITV used to produce is of much higher quality (in my opinion) than the rubbish they generally produce these days. I'd rather watch Minder or The Professionals for the 15th time than celebrate shallow, idiotic stupidity by watching The Only Way Is Essex or Take Me Out. And the films on ITV1+2 are generally tailored for the kinds of audience those channels are aimed at.

I also wanted Dave (for comedies like Red Dwarf and League of Gentlemen), Yesterday (for documentaries) and Film4. Channel 4 shows very few films since it now has a dedicated film channel. If you don't get that channel, then you don't get the films. This was never the way things were meant to be; creating multiple specialised channels from single generic ones and then denying access to millions of people to content they may prefer. Ofcom should have stipulated that anyone purchasing licences would have to upgrade ALL transmitters as they have now allowed a 2 tier situation to arise, which is deplorable.
Briantist
Tuesday 25 December 2012 11:18AM
David Jones: You can get most of what you want (except Dave) on Freesat... www.ukfree.tv link icon Compare TV FLight/F'sat | ukfree.tv - 10 years of independent, free digital TV advice .
Dave Lindsay
Tuesday 25 December 2012 11:18AM
David Jones: Ofcom should indeed have mandated that the Commercial licence holders broadcast from all transmitters. However it felt that it had no legal power to compel them to do so.

This must come down to Parliament for not ensuring that the law was not strong enough to require them to mirror the Public Service Broadcaster networks.
Briantist
Tuesday 25 December 2012 11:31AM
Dave Lindsay: It is worth pointing out that the "digital dividend" expected from selling off the 800MHz band is going to be worth between £2.5 billion and £3.5 billion[1].

Ofcom is required by law to make the most efficient use of the radio frequencies - and so was legally forbidden to require them to be used for DTT.

It may still be that in 2018 other bands are taken away from DTT and the coverage of the COM multiplexes will drop to lower than now (and move to DVB-T2).

[1] www.forbes.com link icon The UK's 4G Auction Will Hobble The Networks To Reduce The National Deficit - Forbes
Briantist
Tuesday 25 December 2012 11:33AM
...so basically, there is no way Ofcom is going to be allowed to turn down BILLIONS of pounds of income from 4G users, in return for getting Dave and Channel 5+1 to 8% of the population in return for no additional income to HM Exchequer.
Briantist
Tuesday 25 December 2012 11:59AM
Briantist: The relevant stuff is here on the Ofcom site stakeholders.ofcom.org.uk link icon Ofcom | Television Multiplex Licence Renewals - Statement

"In November 2010, Ofcom received an application from Arqiva to renew the two [Broadcasting Act] Licences. Arqiva reconfirmed its application in March 2011. Under section 16 of the 1996 Act, when considering whether or not to renew a television multiplex licence, Ofcom has to decide whether to require additional obligations relating to ... the coverage of the service ... Following consultation we have decided not to require any such additional obligations."
Briantist
Tuesday 25 December 2012 12:07PM
As for Multiplex A, the decision was earlier, but the same (from stakeholders.ofcom.org.uk link icon http://stakeholders.ofcom….pdf ):

"Our decision is therefore as follows:

• We do not intend to require the applicant to furnish a supplementary
technical plan under section 16 (a) (i) of the Act, in particular in relation to coverage obligations on Multiplex 2 and Multiplex A;

• We do not intend to require further proposals from the licence holders of Multiplex 2 and Multiplex A under section 16 (a) (ii) of the Act with respect to promoting or assisting the acquisition of digital equipment; and

• We intend to set a zero PMR rate for the duration of the licence, using AIP as the sole pricing mechanism starting from 2014.

...

AIP (Administered Incentive Payment) fees charged for access to spectrum to reflect its value. AIP applies in bands for which significant demand exists for that spectrum either in its current use, or for an alternative radio service, and acts as an incentive to users to use their spectrum as efficiently as possible."
David Jones
Tuesday 25 December 2012 7:19PM
Briantist: So basically, capitalist economic principles apply here! Why bother to build hospitals in the South Wales Valleys or Southern Scotland because people here are poorer than the median income in the UK!!!?
This is like the Ayn Rand economics!
Have to run, missing Coronation Street on ITV1 and then have to apply leeches to my leg ulcer.......
David Jones
Tuesday 25 December 2012 10:31PM
Briantist: You are like someone who would justify slavery in the 1700; slaves pay for the rich parts of the UK, therefore the poor parts have no right to complain.
The poor parts are subsidised by our wealth and should move to ports where they can too buy slaves to move up the social ladder.
Peter Henderson
Wednesday 26 December 2012 12:58AM Newtownabbey
Brian: You're quite correct.

The difference between full Freeview and Freesat is now only three or four stations (Dave, Yesterday, and Viva I think). Freesat also has loads of stations that aren't even on Freeview.

Personally, if I was being served by a Freeview Lite transmitter I'd go for Freesat.

Don't forget David, you can also install an octo LNB and have Freesat in as many rooms as you want without the need for a subscription or telephone line.

If you're stuck with Freeview Lite Freesat is a no brainer.
John Robinson
Wednesday 26 December 2012 6:07PM
David Jones: I don't think Brian sounds like he'd justify slavery, etc. He's relaying information on government decisions, not making or justifying them. If you have a problem with government decisions, I think you should write to your MP rather than insult people who are trying to be helpful.
Mazbar
Wednesday 26 December 2012 8:44PM
Brian one other thing if every transmitter had to carry every multiplex would there be enough channel numbers not to cause interference. Like here in some places you could receive signal from winter hill storton wood moy e park Yorkshire Lancaster sklmersdale and parbold there also needs to be blank channel numbers for things like sky from rf2 and then the 4g clearance wouldn't it just be fun and games hope you have had a good Christmas
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