I can't get Freeview yet, when will it start in my area?
See Your analogue shutdown date
General:In the UK there are over 1,100 TV transmitters. Around 40 of these transmitters serve very large areas with a single strong signal. However the majority are smaller transmitters that "fill in" the signals where the terrain is hilly.
82 of these transmitters carry the Freeview service at the moment. From my understanding, there is still considerable discussion going on about the technical challenge and the cost of upgrading these to carry Freeview.
The reason for this is because it may be considerably cheaper for some areas that are served by a large number of low-power transmitters to switched off, and satellite reception be provided to each home in these areas.
The cost savings of removing the transmitter from service, possible resale to mobile phone companies, and the savings associated with not having to do an expensive transmitter upgrade can be used to fund the equipment and installations of the homes served.
However, this may not be practicable in some areas, because the Astra satellites appears to be lower down in the sky in Scotland than in the South of England. This makes satellite reception more problematic in the very areas it may be supposed to be "filling in".
Because the Freeview service has been developed using low-power signals of frequencies that could not have been used for new analogue services, this also makes adding in Freeview services a technical challenge.
For example, if the people living in your area were given a six-month timeframe to switch over everyone from analogue to Freeview what would happen? This may have to be done so that the frequencies used for the analogue TV could then be reallocated for Freeview services elsewhere.
If new set-top boxes were subsidized, for example, how could this be done in a fair way? There are not just the technical issues, but also general training and assistance for those who need it too.
So is not so much that some areas are "forgotten", more "not yet assessed". I suspect that we will have to await the outcome of the research in the next year from the various government departments and bodies that have been given the task of organising the switchover to digital TV.
Meanwhile, you can still get a digital satellite box from Sky for £120 without subscription, and get the £23.50 card for itv-1, Channel 4 and five.
North Cornwall: You may be well advised to consider digital satellite, because I suspect that it going to be a long time (if ever) that the areas around the north Cornwall coast get "filled in".
Eastbourne: Because of the Freeview frequency plan, the transmitters around the south coast are on very low power, because the signals cannot interfere with TV transmissions in France and Belgium. Therefore you can be quite confident that Freeview will not be available in this area for some time.
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Gitta: Is the set attached to a rooftop aerial? Mrs. E. FinnettWednesday 26 January 2011 3:00PM
Romney Marsh I saw a reminder that I have to adjust our television connection last night that will expire today, 26 January 2011. Is there any way that I can restore back the digital connection? My husband's and my favourite Channel 12, Yesterday, is gone. Our postcode is TN29 0NQ (zero, not capital O).Bob EllwoodWednesday 26 January 2011 5:08PM
I live in Dymchurch and I have just done mine and my neighbours without any problems, and got 104 programmes!Margaret WardWednesday 23 February 2011 2:33PM
Northampton I have just had a new aerial installed ready for the switchover. (Anglia region) A new freeview box has also been installed. I could receive freeview channels before this installation on my old box but now I cannot receive Freeview and have been told I will not be able to until the switchover in my area on the 31st March. Is this correct please?Margaret Ward: No, that is not correct. If you could get Freeview before your "new aerial" was installed, you should still have it. Liam mc KennaSaturday 5 March 2011 8:50PM
Belfast I have just bought a new free view box and a new 48 element digital aerial designed for free view.I have installed the aerial in the loft as directed and tried to tune the box,however I have been told by a local aerial installer that free view is not available in this area even though the Black mountain transmitter is less than a mile away.When will this be fixed as you can imagine I have just spent over £100 for the equipment only to be told it wont work,any ideas? Liam mc Kenna: Yes, Freeview reception is possible at your location.
You will need to use a rooftop aerial as the signals are not going to be at full levels until 2012. gerard mc morrowSunday 6 March 2011 10:56AM
hi liam the problem with loft instalations is that the tiles on your roof and the felt effect your siggnal dramatically if you set it up on your chimney and point it a the right transmitter you have a far greater chance of getting free view channels hope this helpsSteveMonday 7 March 2011 10:17AM
Blandford Forum Complicated issue here.
Just installed new Aerial and 75ohm Cable throughout the house the new Aerial is located on the West side of property facing South toward the Winterbourne Stickland Transmitter 4.9 miles away.
Prior to installing all the new gear I was receiving all Freeview channels through a NEW SAMSUNG TV we purchased that has its own built in Freeview Receiver, this was also the case prior to renewing the Aerial and Coax.
Initially the signal strength was coming in at 36% after fitting the above it increased to just over 60% but the quality is only 10%.
We have two TVs in the children’s bedrooms with built in Freeview but these are unable to receive any Freeview at this time, in fact they only just receive 4 of the Analogue channels TV to some satisfactory degree.
In my bedroom I have a HUMAX Freeview Box that I purchased about 4 years ago it was very expensive at the time, I am unable to receive any over the air updates for the system, updates were available this week as I checked the update listings for the model I have specifically, I am also unable to receive any Freeview through the HUMAX due to NO or WEEK SIGNAL yet the signal is showing 60% but as above only 10% on Quality.
Any advice would be welcomed.
AndyTuesday 26 April 2011 4:34PM
Nottingham I could receive most freeview channels with excellent picture quality before switchover a couple of weeks ago, now I can only get a few channels and the picture is unrecognisable it keeps pixalating and now i cannot watch any tv. I have done factory reset on my tv and still no joy. My postcode is NG5 5TH. Any advice will be greatly appreciated
ThanksAndrew WightmanSunday 1 May 2011 9:15PM
Sevenoaks I was able to get all channels on Freeview with no problems at all, up until about 3 or 4 wks ago.
Bought a new HD ready Samsung Regza TV with built in Freeview about 3 mths ago - I could still get all Freeview channels but about 3 wks ago all but the BBC channels are either pixelated or have interference. I was still able to watch them through the Freeview on my Samsung Freeview/DVD player instead, but now that also has all but BBC channels with interference. Why has this started happening now?
Postcode is TN13 2UB.Patricia BanksMonday 23 May 2011 12:15PM
Is is possible to get channels on freeview if you live in the G83 area (Balloch, Alexandria)
ThanksPatricia Banks: Can you supply a full postcode please? RAYMonday 30 May 2011 2:51PM
a friend of mine got a telly with freeview built in it .he lost channel 5 .so retuned it but lost all channels and could not get them back .so he bought new ariel and lead but stll cannot get any freeviw channels.EddieMonday 6 June 2011 1:46PM
hi EDDIE here can you advice me I have an aerail on my outside wall of my house about 15 feet up and I am running 1 computer and 2 freeview tvs of it I have one signal booster and signal is showing 10 can you tell me if this will be alright when we go all digital on 22 6 11 my post code is g776 bl regards EDDIEMike DimmickMonday 6 June 2011 2:18PM
Eddie: You're predicted to have a very high probability of reliable reception. If you have problems, try removing the booster.
You will need to retune this Wednesday 8 June, as the current low-power BBC multiplex will close down and the new high-power one starts up in place of analogue BBC Two. You should do a full reset (also called first time installation, default setting or full retune) to ensure that the TV forgets about the old location for these channels and stores whatever it finds.
You then need to retune again on the 22nd to complete the process.
The transmitter shuts down at just after midnight (usually when whatever programme is on finishes) and is expected to be back up by 6am. You should retune after 6am on both days to ensure that all services are running before retuning.jimFriday 10 June 2011 5:40PM
Airdrie Last week i bought a new 42in panasonic viera with built in freeview hd but i dont get the hd station...only the freeview i had b4r on my old set.I live in a flat and the aerials were upgraded last year.Im looking at the other flat roofs and it seems to be only one aerial,for each building, with a satelite dish connected to the pole...it does look the part right enough.When will i be able to get my hd channels and if i cant get them what can i do about ti,Thanx in advanceF BuckmasterTuesday 21 June 2011 7:25PM
Poole When will I be able to get Freeview in my area? My post code is BH14 8QQ. At the moment I have to get any stations other than terrestial stations via Cable. I would like to do without Cable when I can receive Freeview.Val AdamsMonday 11 July 2011 9:03PM
My mother who lives in Pembrokeshire can only get challenge on free view in the day time, after 7pm it states transmission starts again tomorrow morning, why is that?KMJ,DerbyMonday 11 July 2011 11:46PM
Val Adams: In Wales S4C is transmitted on Mux D3+4 instead of E4. This results in E4 being carried full time on the SDN mux instead of Challenge TV which in turn is carried part-time during the time slot which is occupied by CITV in the rest of the UK.mr v wardSunday 18 September 2011 9:01PM
Market Harborough who do i ring to get help with getting freeviewMike DimmickSunday 18 September 2011 11:15PM
Mr V Ward: You will need a Freeview box or an integrated digital TV. You can pick up a Freeview box at electrical retailers and even many supermarkets.
If you can't get digital TV after that, you might need your aerial system looked at. Perhaps try the Confederation of Aerial Installers' directory at 
Directory Search Page or the Registered Digital Installers Licensing Body at 
Registered Digital Installers Licensing Body | Welcome , or look for a local aerial installer in the Yellow Pages or phone book.
All your nearby transmitters have already switched over, or at least begun. Sutton Coldfield is the last and it will complete switchover on Wednesday, so you do need to sort it out - all analogue will end on Wednesday morning.
The Waltham transmitter needs a wideband aerial for all services, but most are available from a grouped aerial, as you would have had for analogue TV. At Sutton Coldfield, all services will be in the analogue group. MikedSunday 6 November 2011 12:47PM
Eastbourne Hi have just had a communial Digital aerial fitted to the top of the block of flats i live in post code BN21 1LS. Got my freeview box. No freeview channels? Why?jb38Sunday 6 November 2011 1:33PM
Miked: I think it would be prudent to make enquiries with your neighbours to find out if they can receive anything, as the trade predictor does not indicate Freeview reception being possible at the post code given until May 2012, only analogue until then.
ShirleyThursday 22 March 2012 1:57PM
Whitstable I live in Whitstable, Kent and can only get Freeview via a Sky digibox with a card in it. I want to record from the TV as well, which I haven't been able to do up to now. The picture often freezes too and I have to switch off at the plug to reset it. My question is, what box should I buy?? I was thinking of a Humax Freesat HD box at around £230. I live in a flat and the aerial is in the loft space. I also share a dish with my neighbour upstairs. Many thanks.ShirleyThursday 29 March 2012 6:44PM
Whitstable Shirley: Could someone answer the question I asked on 22nd March pleasejb38Thursday 29 March 2012 8:36PM
Shirley: If you are referring to the Sky box freezing, then although this can happen on a "very" odd occasion the problem could possibly be caused by the dish being slightly out of alignment or alternatively the actual Sky boxes power unit going slightly downhill, especially if the box is a few years old.
You should carry out a signal check on the Sky box, accessed via: "services - 4 - 6" and where both the signal and quality should be seen indicated as level pegging at about 75% of the scale, if the quality is lower then the dish is a fraction out, but if not then the box is the problem.
As far as Freeview is concerned, its best that you wait until April 18th when Crystal Palace is fully switched over before making any decisions as far as purchases are concerned, the only reason I mention Crystal Palace being, that although Rouncefall and Sudbury is presently indicated as being good for reception as well as both of them being closer to that of Crystal Palace, but as far as Sudbury is concerned you could well class it as a Freeview light transmitter as its commercial multiplexes are permanently indicated as being variable for reception, meaning they cannot be relied upon, Rouncefall not transmitting commercial stations by being PSB only.
As far as sharing the dish is concerned, does the other party involved have normal Sky or is it Sky+? I ask as if its Sky+ then they will have two leads from the dish, and should a quad LNB have been fitted onto the dish that would leave you also with two outlets enabling you to use a twin tuner Freesat recorder, "if" an additional coax was run from the dish.
Maybe you could give an update as far as that is concerned, and I can then give further advice appropriate to answer given.
rickyWednesday 18 April 2012 5:14PM
London HI
i lives in Stratford London. I have no channel on my tv. well everything was fine till yesterday. Can any one tell me what happen?
cheersMike SummersWednesday 4 July 2012 4:53PM
Seaford Hi I have an elderly aunt in Seaford, near Newhaven in East Sussex, who relys on her television, her post code is BN25 3BH. She has a new Samsung TV with Freeview and a Panasonic DVD and HDD recorder machine. After switchover we retuned her TV but cannot get the major BBC terrestrial channels (BBC1 and 2)on the TV although ITV, Channels 4 and 5 are ok.
She can however receive all channels when viewing through the DVD suggesting the TV is not as sensitive as the DVD. She has an amp on the antenna powered from a 12V PSU in her lounge. Any suggestions how we can boost the signal to the TV? Another amp in the aerial cable to the TV?Mike Summers.Seaford,BN25 3BH.Is this the 400w (0.4kw) Newhaven freeview lite relay or the 4,000w (4kw) Whitehawk Hill major relay your aunt is receiving the signals from.One indicator are the aerial coloured tips if yellow denoting a group B vertical polarised signal from Newhaven relay which only broadcasts PSB multiplexes only (no COM mux's),or green denoting a group C/D vertical polarised signal from Whitehawk Hill major relay.
If your TV allows it manual scan either the BBCA multiplex on frequency 50 if tuned to Newhaven,or if tuned to Whitehawk Hill then this is located on frequency 60.
If your aunt is utilising signal booster/amplifier then bypass this as this will overload the signal hence the absence of the BBCA multiplex as such.
Any confirmation whether your aunt uses either Newhaven lite relay or Whitehawk Hill major relay would be most helpful,an indicator i already addressed previously prior is the coloured tips of your aunt's antenna. Mike Summers: With the except of Heathfield, the other three possible transmitters at your aunt's location are within 22 degrees of one another and all broadcast vertically. Hence her receiver could easily be pickup up the wrong one.
At 274 degrees is the Newhaven relay which only broadcasts Public Service channels and did not carry Freeview before switchover.
At 284 degrees is Whitehawk Hill which is adjacent to Brighton Racecourse and carries all Freeview channels and had low power Freeview signals before switchover.
At 262 degrees is Rowridge on the Isle of Wight which serves a large chunk of the south coast. It was horizontally polarised only before switchover and now transmits horizontally and vertically.
If your aunt's aerial is vertical and pointing at Whitehawk or Newhaven, it could be picking up Rowridge a bit now, seen as it broadcasts vertically.
I had a look down the road and I see that they are bungalows and therefore are lower down, so it might explain the need for amplifier. A few aerials are horizontal and thus on Rowridge. Others are vertical and could therefore be on Newhaven or Whitehawk.
If you're tuning the TV, then connect it straight to the aerial to tune it(via the power supply for the amp). That way you know that the DVD can't be causing any problem. biz SilkySaturday 11 August 2012 11:19PM
Grays I do not get freeview on the
RM17 5AG area
I had to installed Cable. When will be able to get freeview because I am paying a lot of money for the cable. biz Silky: Most of the aerials in your road are pointing at Crystal Palace which switched over to digital in April. The answer to your question is four months ago. CaraThursday 6 September 2012 10:16AM
Consett there hope you can help, I just brought a brand new HD tv with built in freeview, I have connected the aerial but I am only recieveing 4 analogue channels and they are not great signal either.
can you tell me about the freeview in my area?
my postcode is:
DH8 0HWCara: Your most likely transmitter would appear to be Shotleyfield as that is where all the aerials I can see on Streetview are pointing. Shotleyfield is to your west and your aerial will be vertical (elements up/down).
The Shotleyfield transmitter is a relay or "filler-in" for an area that can't receive from the main transmitter, Pontop Pike. That is not to say that you are definately in such an area (they do overlap).
Shotleyfield currently broadcasts only the four analogue channels and after switchover will carry digital (Freeview) Public Service channels only and these are BBC standard definition and high-definition TV, BBC radio, ITV1, ITV1+1, ITV1HD, ITV2, Channel 4, Channel 4+1, Channel 4HD, E4, More4 and Channel 5.
The Commercial channels, which carry such as ITV3, Pick TV, Yesterday, Film4, Dave and 4seven, will not be broadcast from Shotleyfield (ever) because their operators do not wish to pay for the transmitter, and this is also the case at over 1,000 similar relay sites.
In "some" cases it is possible to receive from a full-Freeview transmitter, usually with a different aerial. Where this isn't possible, viewers will be stuck with Freeview Lite.
Ultimately only an installer can tell you whether it is possible to receive from Pontop Pike. The Digital UK predictor reckons that there is a "good" chance of doing so after switchover. However, such predictors should always be taken with a pinch of salt, particularly in locations such as yours where you can't see the transmitter due to the terrain.
I suggest that if you decide to call in an aerial installer (with a view to receiving from Pontop Pike) that you don't do so until after switchover on 26th September when all channels will be at their full post-switchover power. This is because the installer needs the signals to be available, on the air, in order to decide whether it is possible to receive them. If you have one install an aerial for Pontop Pike now, you may have no recourse with the installer should the subsequent post-switchover signals not be receivable.
Pontop Pike is to your east and aerials will be horizontal (elements flat). It might be worth looking around to see if anyone is receiving from Pontop Pike. updates
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