Freeview TV

Freeview is the easiest way to enjoy digital TV for free. There are up to 50 digital TV channels, no subscription, no contract, no fuss.

With up to 50 digital TV channels to choose from on FREEVIEW™ there's something to keep everyone entertained. Not to mention 24 digital radio stations, better picture and sound quality and all those interactive features when you press the red button on your remote.

It's really easy to get, too. There's no contract or subscription. Just check you are in coverage, make a one-off payment for you digital box, digital TV recorder or digital TV, plug it in and away you go!

Freeview+

Freeview+, originally known as Freeview Playback, is a consumer brand created in the UK by DTV Services Ltd (Freeview) to "raise consumer awareness and promote sales" of Freeview capable digital TV recorders otherwise known as personal video recorders. Players which meet specific quality and functionality criteria carry the Freeview Playback or Freeview+ logo, and benefit from joint marketing and consumer confidence.

Freeview + can be added to your HD LCD TV but requires a digital TV aerial with good reception but cannot be added to a satellite or SKY dish. This is Freesat and is different from Freesat+.

Freeview HD

Freeview now offers four high definition TV channels. Here, you'll find details of the new HD service from Freeview, plus details of how to get HD.

What is HD Freeview?

In April 2008, UK Regulator OfCom announced that we can expect up to four high-definition digital TV channels to be delivered via a TV aerial on Freeview.

What HD channels are available on Freeview?

The following HD channels are, or will be, available on Freeview in parts of the UK:

• BBC HD (now)
• ITV 1 HD (now)
• Channel 4 HD (now)
• S4C (now - Wales only)
• STV HD (now - Scotland only)
• BBC One HD (Expected Autumn 2010)
• Five HD: This was set to launch by the end of 2010, but their licence was withdrawn by Ofcom in March 2010: Five loses HD licence.

How do I get Freeview HD?

To get Freeview's high definition channels, you'll first need to wait until they're available in your area. In some cases this may not be until 2012.

As with Freeview, Freeview HD will be received via a TV aerial.

You will need a DVB-T2 High Definition Freeview receiver with support for MPEG-4. See our list of Freeview HD boxes for a summary of Freeview HD boxes, TV sets and recorders on offer in the UK.

When will Freeview HD channels become available?

Freeview HD is live in some parts of the UK now. It won't be until 2012 that all of the proposed Freeview HD channels become available across the whole UK.

Freeview HD services started from the 2nd of December 2009 in the Granada TV region and in the London area, with the rest of the UK getting Freeview HD gradually between 2010 and 2012 in parallel with the Digital Switchover rol lout.

Based on the information we have, here is a rough timetable for HD on Freeview: