My ITV/C4 Freeview channels have disappeared - what can I do? Is it my SCART cable?
It is a feature of television signals that they can be effected by the weather. Aside from the obvious damaged that can be caused by wind or torrential rain, the onset of summer can cause a more intriguing problem called "inversion".
Basically, when the sun heats up the land, the hot air can get trapped below cold air at high level. This creates an "inversion layer" which acts like a polished mirror to TV signals. This causes two problems: you can receive both the original and a reflected signal from your own transmitter (on analogue TV this appears as "ghosting") or interference from TV transmitters that are normally too far distant.
The ITV/C4 multiplex of channels (ITV-1, ITV-2, ITV-3, ITV-4, CITV, C4, More4, E4, Quizcall) use a transmission "mode" called 64QAM, and it is sadly much more prone to these problems.
So, whilst a loft-mounted aerial will provide reception at some time, it will fail at others. The only real solution is to mount the aerial (or a new Class I aerial) outside on a pole, but some people report that changing the cable from the aerial to the set-top box to the high-grade satellite cable can also help.
The SCART connection, by the way, only carries a single TV picture, not the Freeview transmission multiplexes, so if this is disconnected it will result in degradation to every channel at once.
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EddThursday 24 May 2012 6:44AM
Ive just gave my mum a samsung tv for her bedroom and can only get 22 channels on the tv using autoscan but the tv down stairs can get every channel,ive swapped tvs round and its fine on the main tv but the samsung cant get itv channels and sometimes a rescan i cant get bbc channels and get itv channels,HELPjb38Thursday 24 May 2012 12:40PM
Edd: No two TV's have the same sensitivity unless they are of exactly of the same brand / model, however and although exceptions can apply, but these differences usually only show up in areas where the signal levels received are inclined to be on the low side, but though this being where its impossible to assess as to whether or not this is liable to be applicable in your case as you haven't given your location, this preferably in the form of a post code or at least one from a nearby shop or whatever.
By the way, tuners used in Samsung equipment generally demands a good level of signal for satisfactory operation. J walkerFriday 25 May 2012 9:34AM
I have lost all itv channelsJ Walker.Sorry but we cannot be of assistance to you,if your text has only six words ! DebMonday 4 June 2012 10:07AM
I have two television, one brand new,one a few years old, neither will pick up ITV1 or channel 4 clearly upstairs. The new television will pick up a very poor picture if I tune to the "Kent" option, rather than "East Sussex". I ve taken the television from downstairs (e.g a 3rd television) which is about 8 months old, and this will pick up ITV1 and channel 4 clearly when upstairs. I ve tried bringing both televisions downstairs, and again they won't receive those channels. This can not be a fault with the aerial. I thought it might be a problem with the television, but how can two televisions have the same fault. Very puzzled - any one help! TN35 Deb: At the first stage of switchover, BBC channels go up to full final power; the rest remain as they were. Two weeks later, the rest follow and the rest of the analogue is switched off.
You haven't said which transmitter your aerial is directed to, so I will guess at the most likely ones which are probably Hastings and Heathfield. These are inbetween first and final phases of switchover, and thus ITV1, C4 etc may still be unavailable or intermittent.
The two regional options you are given are in fact a selection of transmitter. The transmitters carry the name of their main service area.
I guess that you need to select "East Sussex" for Hastings or Heathfield transmitters.
If having done this, you still have no ITV1, C4, then you may be able to try manually tuning it, if the receiver has a manual tune facility and if you can identify which transmitter you are using.
Are you referring to digital (Freeview) or analogue reception of ITV1 and C4? Do these sets use the same aerial? WingyWednesday 6 June 2012 11:09PM
I tell you what my observations were. I have 5 different freeview boxes - Astratec, Humax, Panasonic,Pioneer and Sony. Connecting each to same TV (a 20" Samsung CRT flatscreen), only the Humax won't receive BBC4, ITV, CH4 and 5 no matter how I retuned. The other boxes can receive them but have to use attenuators to step down the signal strength as I live near the Crystal Palace transmitter. I think the issues posted here could be freeview box related.Graham ArthurSaturday 9 June 2012 10:42AM
Guildford I have been having problems with different multiplexes at different times but I now can't get the ITV ones at all I am using the Guildford transmitter via a Goodmans Ld 2412f2 tv with built in freebies. I also have a Sony blu ray player plugged into the hdmi socket. My postcode is GU1 1BT and I am in a flat with a shared arieal which I can't see from the outside so I think it must be in the loft. I have tried re tuning, using a signal booster and using an indoor aireal and nothing works. PLEASE HELPNickieSunday 10 June 2012 1:26PM
Plymouth Just purchased a Samsung smart tv with built in freeview hd but am unable to get itv 4. Live in Plymouth pl1 3qp and all the other TV in the house get this channel using the same aerial. Any suggestions please? jb38Sunday 10 June 2012 3:39PM
Nickie: Is Yesterday(12) also missing? as its on the same mux transmitter, if it is then go into your TV's tuning menu / manual tune and enter Ch56 into the box then press search or scan, or whatever your TV calls it.
By the way Ch56 is for reception from Plympton proper, not the North road relay which does not transmit commercial muxes, if though you receive your signal from Caradon Hill then the channel number required would be 27.
If you still have a problem then select ITV4 on the TV can receive it and carry out a signal strength check, as the mux channel number its picking it up from will be seen along with the signal strength.
karenSunday 10 June 2012 10:14PM
Burnley BB12 0HG have bought a new tv with freeview and had a new aerial put up on the roof. tv is working but after scanning for stations comes up as " no stations found"jb38Sunday 10 June 2012 11:18PM
karen: Unless a fault exists with your new aerial (not exactly impossible!) then you should beware in case you are receiving and excessively high level of signal from your local Pendle Forrest transmitter, and so if you can borrow a set top aerial from someone try that, giving your TV a retune once its plugged in.
You could even try using a short piece of wire (12 / 18") connected into the inner part of the aerial socket giving an update on results.
Karen,Burnley.Is your new aerial polarised horizontally receiving transmissions from the Winter Hill mast,or is it polarised vertically receiving transmissions from the Pendle Forest major relay instead.Also tomorrow preferably (too dark now) check the colour tips of your aerial as well.As you are located in Claremont Street i assume in the Ightenhill or Tim Bobbin area of Burnley off Padiham Road,looking at street view on Google Maps most external aerials are vertical facing Pendle Forest relay while a few are horizontal facing Winter Hill itself.I used to reside in Burnley myself so i do have a wee bit of knowledge of the town itself.
As for your text itself is your aerial connected to the TV,and is your TV itself Freeview incorporated as you stated.Also as for your new aerial does it have new cabling and co-ax aerial plug.Are you using any signal boosters.What is the model of your TV itself.One possibility if your aerial is vertical polarised and aimed at Pendle Forest relay is that if your aerial has black coloured tips denoting a group W wideband aerial then it is the wrong aerial to use as the 100w (0.1kw) Pendle Forest relay is an all group A mast.Even more so if the aerial is an inferior contract type group W wideband aerial which on the lowest frequencies especially on an all group A relay/main transmitter in rare cases no signals are picked up as such. Karen Furley: The rest of the channels come on 27th of this month.
That's the good news. There's two "buts"...
1. ...But "HD Ready" means that the set will not receive HD programmes over the air (via Freeview). I don't know whether you're aware of this as it catches a lot of people out (and which is probably why the marketeers like the phrase). All it means is that the TV can show HD pictures, but that they must come from another source, usually a set-top box.
2. ...But you may or may not be able to receive the full complement of Freeview channels.
The Public Service Broadcaster (PSB) channels are BBC, ITV1, ITV1+1, ITV2, Channel 4, Channel 4+1, E4, More 4, Channel 5 and the four HD channels. The rest are the Commercial (or "COM") broadcasters and they include ITV3, Pick TV, Yesterday, Film 4, Dave and many others.
If your aerial is directed to the Elham relay transmitter then you should be aware that it will carry only PSB channels. The aerial will be pointing north-easterly and will be vertical (elements up/down).
If your aerial is directed to the Dover transmitter, then you may be able to receive the COMs (it transmits PSBs and COMs). Dover is a little clockwise of east and your aerial will be horizontal.
The COMs cover 90% of the population whereas the PSBs cover about 98.5% of the population. The reason for the difference being that the COMs work on a profit-making basis selling advertising to show to viewers which they wish to aquire at lowest cost to themselves.
The COMs broadcast from the 81 largest (by viewer population) and achieve their 90% coverage. There are nearly 1,100 small "filler-in" transmitters like Elham and the cost for them to transmit from these is roughly equal to the amount it costs them for the 81 they have. When considered that the relays would only add 8.5% population to the potential viewer-base, it's not surprising that they're not interested.
The PSBs have a "Public Service" obligation, as the name implies, and the COMs don't.
The other main free-to-air service is Freesat and this may be particularly attractive for those not able to receive the Freeview COMs. Trish Stygle Friday 15 June 2012 9:01AM
Hi, we have just put up a new wide band aerial pointing towards the Chartham Transmitter. We do not get any of the ITV programmes, is there anything we can do.Trish Stygle: The Chartham transmitter currently carries only BBC services, which is what happens at the first stage of switchover.
At the second and final stage on 27th, the rest come on air. Until then, ITV and Channel 4 continue to be available in analogue, as does BBC One.
The bad news is that Chartham will only carry Public Service channels which are BBC, ITV1, ITV1+1, ITV2, Channel 4, Channel 4+1, E4, More 4, Channel 5 and the four HD services. Furthermore, aerials installed for Chartham which are Group A ones will be expected to work fine for digital and therefore a wideband aerial is unnecessary.
To get more channels, you will have to investigate how likely you might be able to receive from another transmitter that carries them, such as Dover. John BeanSunday 17 June 2012 2:37PM
We have samsung smart tv. We have lost all itv channels, 14th June 2012. I have retuned TV but still nothing, Can you helpjb38Sunday 17 June 2012 3:54PM
John Bean: Its quite impossible for anyone to be able to offer assistance when you have failed to mention your location, this in the form of a post code or one from a nearby location e.g: a shop etc.John JMonday 18 June 2012 11:58AM
Milton Keynes For the past ten days or so I am unable to receive various ITV channels (ITV 1 is OK), Film4 etc. My main TV is connected to a communal arial, another TV has a set-top arial and booster. Both have been OK until recently, with all digital TV and Radio channels working fine. John Bean.As JB38 rightfully states we cannot be of help to you if you do not provide a full postcode preferably or a nearby location as such ! margaret donnellyTuesday 19 June 2012 7:30PM
Glasgow margaret donnellyTuesday 19 June 2012 7:34PM
Glasgow Its a comunal. Outside aerialdaveThursday 21 June 2012 3:01PM
Hi,
yesterday evening all programs were working perfectly and suddenly this morning woke up and all my tv channels are gone!! I only watch free channels ,and i don't have sky box.
I have Samsung tv, it keeps saying "weak or no signal" I checked all cable connections and used auto program to set up channels and got nothing! I'm in Manchester-Green quarter- M4 -Lord street.
Can anyone help please ??Jon NSaturday 23 June 2012 8:49PM
My Freeview ITV signals all seem to have degraded over the last two weeks, particularly noticeable when Euro matches being played. My postcode is NR7 OTQ. Can you offer any advice of please? SueMonday 25 June 2012 5:45PM
Grimsby We have never had a problem with freeview until this last week. All of a sudden we lost majority of channels and others are unpredictable. We have retuned the tv a number of times but some times we have 40 channels (still low) the next we have 11..... Our post code is DN41
I know Belmont was having some work last week but why hasn't this problem now been resolved?? CarolineWednesday 27 June 2012 6:29PM
I have just retuned, as suggested by adverts, as ITV3 had disappeared - now I have ITV3 but have lost ITV1, C4, C5. There were there before the retune. My post code is RH16 - please advisejb38Wednesday 27 June 2012 7:23PM
Caroline: You should carry out a factory reset before retuning, factory reset also being called default setting on some devices. The post code provided, or to be more accurate part of the code, is not suffice for signal checking as it indicates that you can receive from more than one source.
If a factory reset / retune doesn't cure the problem then a full post code will be required, or at least one from nearby such as a shop etc.Rob AlkaWednesday 27 June 2012 11:56PM
Postcode is OX29. I can get Ch4 on Sky via my satellite dish but since this evening (June 27) not on Digital TV, where the screen reports "no signal" for ITV and Ch 4. Therefore can't trust my Digital recorder to record a series on Ch 4 (The Killing). I don't believe there is anything wrong with the aerial. Ch 4 has often had a poor signal. What with the high % of the programme devoted to commercial breaks, the signal breakup makes Ch 4 a washout for viewing. As for ITV, there is seldom anything on their channels that I want to see. I do hope your moderator does not misconstrue any of this as disrespectfulMike SFriday 29 June 2012 8:27AM
Uckfield We have four TV's,are located in TN22 2AY and receive from Heathfield. All re-tunes have been done.Panasonic in the lounge,fed by a Humax and a Polaroid in the kitchen will not pick up channel 10. Two bedroom units,both Venturer are ok. Labgear signal finder gives 50dB at source. Splitter unit used to distribute. Lounge cable via Humax gives 60dB all others 50dB. LouiseFriday 29 June 2012 7:54PM
Loughborough Hi, we've never had any problems with reception on any stations until this week. Suddenly all we can get is the BBC channels, all the ITV, CH4,5 etc start off as blank with no sound or picture and later in the evening start to clear up with intermittent sound and picture then end up OK at around 10pm. We're on the Waltham transmiter. Is there a reason why we've suddenly lost the signal? Is there any way to get it back? ThankspaulFriday 29 June 2012 8:08PM
Ipswich retuned on the 27th as told, got over 80 channels, following day lots of channels either gone or broken up, retuned again got over 80 channels, this evening lots of channels missing, retuned channels still mising, any ideas ? We ar in Ipswich, I believe on the sudbury transmitter.KMJ,DerbyFriday 29 June 2012 9:21PM
paul: If retuning restores channels which are broken up or missing, it suggests that possibly you are receiving signals from more than one transmitter. Does your receiver do an automatic retune each night? If so this facility should be turned off if possible, after tuning into the correct set of frequencies for the Sudbury transmitter. You do not say which muxes are giving problems. The PSB muxes are possibly being received additionally from Bramford which is in the same direction as Sudbury, but transmit with vertical polarisation. If it is the COM muxes that are giving problems, these are also predicted to be receivable from Tacolneston at your location. When doing a scan for channels try to note which frequencies are being stored when you have correct working channels, then if possible check which frequencies are being received when the channels are breaking up. I should also mention that in the (less likely) event that Bramford or Tacolneston signals give good reception whilst Sudbury gives breaking up reception this would indicate Sudbury to be delivering too much signal.agmacSaturday 30 June 2012 10:09AM
Glasgow samsung lcd series 5 no itv ch4 ch5 tried all retuning options without success.JimSunday 1 July 2012 9:27AM
I have just bought the latest humax. Tuned it in and I can't get itv4! I live at ST13 and annoying my relatives at st9 can get it. Anything I can do? Jim: The Commercial (COM) services, which include ITV4, don't have as wide a reach as the Public Service Broadcaster (PSB) ones.
The COMs transmit from 81 of the largest sites (largest by viewer population) and reach 90% of the population. There are over 1,000 small "filler-in" relays which carry only PSB channels because the COMs do not wish to invest in them. These cover 8.5% of the population.
The cost to the COMs to broadcast from these other sites is about the same as what it costs them for the ones they have now. As there objective is profit from selling advertising which they show to as many viewers as possible at lowest possible cost, then it's not surprising why they don't want to broadcast from the other sites. They don't have any "Public Service" obligation.
You've said that you reside in ST13 which is a big place and doesn't give any absolute indication of which transmitter you are receiving from. Indeed, provision of a full post code doesn't either, although it might narrow down the possibilities.
I do note that it is the area of Leek and that it has one of the PSB-only relay transmitters, so I wonder if you are receiving from it, hence why you are not picking up the COMs.
For a full list of services, see here:
DMOL Post-DSO Multiplex Channel Allocations
As shown, there are three PSB multiplexes (PSB3 is the HD one) and three COMs ones.
If you are using the Leek transmitter, then in order to see if you can ever receive the COMs terrestrial channels, then you need to investigate the possibility of receiving from one of the transmitters that carries them, such as Sutton Coldfield.
If you can't, then you will have to look at some other platform to receive additional channels. Freesat is a common alternative, particularly in areas where the Freeview COMs aren't available. There are some differences between full Freeview and Freesat. For example, Dave and Yesterday are not available on Freesat and this is probably because they are on Sky's subscription service. This does, of course, require a different box.
If you provide your location, preferably in the form of post code, we may be able to assess the likelihood/degree of difficulty you may have in trying to pick up the COMs. MikSunday 1 July 2012 7:41PM
Folkestone Signal keeps breaking up on bt vision box, goodmans digi box, works fine with cheap box from tesco. Aerial on roof pointing to Dover from ct188en. Live in a bungalow but aerial up high on a pole. Frustrating as have 3 goodmans box's in bedrooms. Any ideas?! Mik: The problem could be that, having carried out its scan of frequencies, the BT Vision box has decided to go with the signals from the Lyminge relay transmitter. This only carries the Public Service Broadcaster (PSB) services which are BBC, ITV1, ITV1+1, ITV2, Channel 4, Channel 4+1, E4, More 4, Channel 5 and the four HD services.
See if you can find out whether this is the case or not. I'm not familiar with the BT Vision box, but usually receivers give the UHF channel number (frequency) that they are tuned to on the signal strength screen.
BBC One should be tuned to C50 (for Dover) and not C22 (Lyminge). Similarly, ITV1 should be C51 and not C25.
If either of these are not tuned to Dover, then run the automatic tuning scan with the aerial unplugged up until 40% of the scan. This will miss out scanning of the frequencies used by the unwanted transmitter. jb38Sunday 1 July 2012 9:14PM
Mik: In addition to what has been suggested by Dave Lindsay, should any problems arise with the carrying out of the procedure mentioned another line of thought to consider is that as each of your bedrooms have a Goodman's Freeview box installed are these being fed from a powered booster / splitter? as if they are then for a test try by-passing the booster and connecting the aerial directly into one of the outputs that feeds one of the problem boxes.
On the other hand though, if you are simply using a passive type splitter (unpowered) then it could be the case that your signal level is on the low side that's just giving a picture and no more, and the sensitivity of boxes vary from brand to brand and this is why some work and some don't, BT vision boxes unfortunately having somewhat inferior tuners.
However as you are located at only 7 miles away from the 80Kw Dover transmitter the possibility exists that your signal level could be slightly too high which can also cause the type of problem mentioned albeit its more likely to show up on the BBC / ITV channels that are being transmitted on twice the power of the commercials such as ITV3, but this has to be verified and with that being the purpose of the first test, as if the problem is rectified by by-passing any booster / splitter that might be fitted then the signal is excessively high and likewise an attenuator will be require to be fitted on the aerial input socket of the booster / splitter.
GCMonday 2 July 2012 8:19PM
Sidcup I'm located nr DA15 7DN and have lost the BBC channels. I updated my 2 week old Sony KDL40EX723 today with the latest firmware and when I re-scanned my for digital channels, the set found 71 with the BBC channels (standard & HD)missing. These channels were available yesterday but I don't think their absence is due to the firmware upgrade. GC.Sidcup,DA15 7DN.Is your aerial polarised either horizontally facing either Crystal Palace or Bluebell Hill main transmitter,or vertically facing Woolwich relay.If you know which transmitter/relay you are using you may have to input the affected frequencies via manual scanning,or resetting your TV via unplugging aerial then performing auto scan which will find zero channels as such yet clears your TV's previous memory,then replugging aerial back into your TV and this time performing manual scan. BrianThursday 5 July 2012 6:12PM
Why dont we get all the channels advertised, ie sky news, sports,espn, dave, yesterday itv3 itv4 etc, have the basic 22 but no more and checking the transmitter for our region they do not have then listed....why is this I pay my license like everyone else but how come other areas of the country get 50+ channels compared. not right some how !!!!judy parslowMonday 9 July 2012 2:04PM
all itv channels have dissapearedSteveMonday 9 July 2012 8:42PM
Ilford I've just lost all of my ITV and ch4 channels.
I'm at IG2 6QN and the aerial is on the roof.
The TV is a Samsung LE40B551 and has integrated freeview.
I used the plug and play feature to reset the TV and auto search for channels, but it's still missing loads.
When I reset the TV at digital switchover (and up until today) everything was fine.
Your advice will be greatfully appreciated.
CraigMonday 9 July 2012 8:57PM
We live in London, E1 and have lost ITV1 and 2, channel 4, E4 and more 4 plus channel 5 - however - BBC1, 2, 3, 4 and ITV2+1, 3 and 4, and the other channel 5 channels are fine. Aerial and cables are as they have always been, freeview box is a Whalfedale DV832B, can anyone offer any ideas on what is going on?
Cheers allPeterTuesday 10 July 2012 3:58PM
Fareham My post code is po16 7hp. About a week ago I lost a most of my freeview channels including ITV, film 4, 5* and many more. I have a Samsung TV. When I lost my channels, the same night I plugged a separate TV in to another aerial in the house..not sure if they use the same aerial or not. I have since removed this TV but still my channels have not returned. Any help please, my wife is going to kill me.StuartThursday 12 July 2012 9:20PM
London Hello. About 6 weeks/2 months ago we suddenly lost all BBC HD and ITV HD reception. Well, occasional flickers on BBC HD. ITV 4 was awful and breaking up and unwatchable too. I have a LG new LED TV with built in Freeview. I followed the Freeview guidelines and unplugged the aeriel, retuned the tv, unplugged the tv for a minute, replugged it in and attached the aeriel. Ta Da!!! I've now lost all channels from 50 - 59. I don't know about those above, as I never watch them anyway. The importnat ones are BBC HD and ITV HD. Gone. I live in Brixton, London (SW9 8AY). Please can anyone help me get back my channels.jb38Thursday 12 July 2012 9:32PM
Stuart: As you are located at only about 3 miles or so from the Crystal Palace transmitter you could well be suffering from an excessively high level of signal and this type of situation will always affect HD reception before SD, with the latter in many cases appearing as being perfectly OK.
If you have access to a set top aerial then for a test try that, or even a short piece of wire (about 18" or so min) connected into the aerial socket, if this corrects the situation then you will require to purchase an attenuator to place in line with the TV's aerial socket.
Further advice dependant on findings.
StuartFriday 13 July 2012 11:42AM
Jb38
Really appreciate your reply, thanks. I've tried your suggestion, but without success. I can't understand why before, I was receiving it all, no problem at all. Did it coincide with the BBC HD switchover? Or did it coincide with the visit from the Virgin man who came to fix the internet that wasn't working. Is that possible? They were both around the same time...jb38Friday 13 July 2012 5:41PM
Stuart: If your LG TV has a manual tuning facility then you can use this to carry out a signal test "without scanning", so select the tuning menu / manual tune and enter Ch30 this being the HD mux on Crystal Palace, and if your tuning system operates in a standard fashion then as soon as you enter the mux channel number the signal strength of that channel should immediately appear, so make a note of the strength / quality seen.
Once you have noted the strength etc change the channel number to Ch23 (BBC1) and make a note of its strength, finally using the same procedure enter Ch28 (Yesterday / Film 4 etc) likewise noting its strength / quality and giving an update on results.
Should you have any problems in carrying out this procedure then please give the model number of the TV in question so that it can be checked out, as I am aware that the tuning menu's on some LG's and Samsungs aren't too flexible when it comes to manual tuning with one model actually starting to scan as soon as a channel number is entered, this defeating the object of the exercise.
Just out of interest, what type of aerial arrangements do you have?jb38Friday 13 July 2012 6:43PM
Stuart: Further to that said, on checking I see that the engineering page for Crystal Palace is indicating problems with the HD transmissions insomuch of them suffering from a very weak signal, plus that there is liable to be interruptions to the service over this week, this being the case I feel that further tests would not really serve any purpose until this situation has been sorted out, as this could be the entire cause of your problem.
If though in a week or so you find that the problems with HD are still in existence, then make another posting and an updated report can be given. 
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