Digital TV Guides

Looking for new Freeview channels

How to find new Freeview channels

By Becca Talbot - becca@consumerchoices.co.uk

New channels are constantly being added to the Freeview (www.freeview.co.uk) service, but your set-top box or integrated TV might not automatically pick them up. Some hardware does rescan automatically while others have to be done manually. (Updated 30/9/09)

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Rescanning is really simple and a great way to check for new channels. You can do it as often as you like, and you may find lots of new channels the more regularly you do it.

Freeview recommends that you check with your manufacturer to find out if your hardware will rescan automatically. If not, you can follow the simple step-by-step instructions below:

Rescanning a set-top box

Press “menu” on your remote control, and follow the on-screen instructions. You will also find instructions in your user manual, but it should be as follows:

  1. Press “menu” on your remote control
  2. From the on-screen options, select “tuning menu” - sometimes called "installtion" or "default settings"
  3. Select “update” to rescan. This might also be referred to as “auto setup,” “retune,” “replace” or “store channels.”

Retuning an integrated digital TV

Press “menu” on your remote control, and follow the on-screen instructions. You will also find instructions in your user manual, but it should be as follows:

  1. Press “menu” on your remote control
  2. From the on-screen options select “tuning menu”
  3. Select “auto set-up” or “update.” You will get a pop-up message saying something like "warning - all current tuning data will be altered.” Ignore this.
  4. Select “yes” to start the updating process. This may take up to 10 minutes.

There have been some problems reported when retuning integrated digital TVs. Freeview recommends that if you do experience difficulties retuning, you should either switch over to another digital channel and then back to the one you’re trying to receive, or retune again.

If you continue to have problems, contact your TV or set-top box manufacturer.

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Comments

Why am I not receiving channels10,11,12,15.19,20.24.28.30.31.38.71.72 ?We retune regularly, has Wales drawn the short straw again?We've only had all 5 main channels since the switchover-only seen ch 5 since March! - Jul 11 2010 7:04PM
janet smith, maesycwmmer, wales.uk

I have a a 'strong srt 5406'(HD) Set top box ..and I have tried to rescan it and get e4 channel but when I try, it says that I need an input code,but I have lost the manual and all the instructions it came with so what do I do ???HELP!! - Jan 28 2010 2:43AM
Please tell me how frequently I should retune my set to check if any new channels are available to me, or will my set show a message to tell me when I should retune? - Jan 27 2010 2:54PM
i would like to see LFC TV on freeview as am a liverpool fan and like to see LFC TV on freeview it'a free channel on sky and virgin media. So i cant see why it can't on freeview as it free anyway i would like to see shmash hits the tv channel you have rado channel but tv chaneel so up with that. - Jan 17 2010 9:54PM
leslie jacobs, UK

Can you get the God Channels on freeview if not why not - Nov 25 2009 4:34PM
hugh mc garry, liverpool

Can you get the God Channels on freeview if not why not - Nov 25 2009 4:32PM
hugh mc garry, liverpool

Have retuned twice but v. bad pixillating on Channel 5 which was perfect before. The same on ITV1 and 4 which I could not receive before but useless as cannot watch or record on any of these. - Oct 13 2009 2:46PM
Carolyn Young, Ipswich, Suffolk UK

I have carefully followed the instructions for re-tuning my Freeview box.

I can no longer receive Channels 4 or 5, and the quality of many others is far worse than before the recent changes when I could see all these channels using digital transmissions.

I have re-tuned several times, to no avail

What can I do now ?
- Oct 7 2009 11:31PM
Martin Moyes, Trowbridge Wiltshire

I have retuned my integral freeview portable tv but I cannot pick up any BBC channels can you advise? - Oct 1 2009 1:34PM
david parker, penryn

hi there i went to my parents house last night to retune their set top boxes (1 in the living room 1 in the consevatory)one of them retuned ok the other has lost the 1st 9 channels ie bbc,itv,channel4 etc both boxes are on seperate aerials can you give me any advice?

regards ken
- Oct 1 2009 7:34AM
Ken Gill, Chesterfield