Digital TV Guides

How to find new Freeview channels

Updated: Wednesday 4 April, 2012

By Editorial

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.

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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.