Anyone with a Freeview TV urged to take action this weekend
Anyone with a Freeview TV has been urged to take action this weekend after a channel shake-up. Several new channels are available on the system - but it will need a reboot to access them.
We are also waving goodbye to some others. Everyone TV, the powerhouse behind Freeview and its new successor Freely, has heralded a raft of updates that have recently hit Smart TVs and set-top boxes across the nation.
The organisation issued a warning to viewers: "On 18th September 2024 some broadcasters are making important changes to their channels. You will need to retune to update your TV and keep your channels and TV Guide up to date."
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Rewind TV has officially launched on Freeview Channel 95 post its successful roll-out on Sky TV boxes since May 23. This retro-themed channel, created by television aficionados, strives to recreate the traditional linear viewing experiencetaking a step back from the on-demand libraries heralded by streaming giants like Prime Video, BBC iPlayer, ITVX, and Netflix.
Loaded with timeless hits such as Worzel Gummidge, Whose Line Is It Anyway, legendary Tony Hancock shows, and The Charmer featuring Nigel Havers to name just a few, Rewind TV also features revered factual series including Whicker's World and World in Action for viewers to enjoy.
And there's more; this isn't the sole newcomer in the latest update to Freeview.
The religious channel Sonlife has been added to Channel 96. Although this channel was already a part of Freeview, it was only accessible via streaming, requiring a Wi-Fi or ethernet connection on your Freeview TV.
This system, known as Freeview Play, also enables catch-up services via BBC iPlayer, Channel 4, and other streaming platforms.
In the latest update, movie channel Wedo Movies has also been added. Available on Channel 275, this channel is only accessible to those with a connected Freeview Play device.
Now, viewers with Freeview HD TV can enjoy a variety of films directly through its standalone channel. Similar to the newly launched Tubi, this ad-supported streamer is free to watch and boasts a range of titles such as Mr. Magorium's Wonder Emporium, I.
T starring Pierce Brosnan, Maladies, 24 Hour Party People, 30 Days Of Night, and The Getaway, among others.
Tiny Pop had previously announced plans to shift focus to popular streaming platforms like Samsung TV Plus, Rakuten, YouTube, LG TV, and Netgem TV. However, it has since returned to traditional broadcast methods, such as Freeview TVs.
However, not all updates have been positive. Mech+, the streaming home of Robot Wars, has been removed from Channel 276.
Additionally, GREAT!
Real, a reality TV-focused channel, closed last month on Channel 61 to make way for the return of children's channel Tiny POP.
As long as you have a valid TV licence, everything on Freeview is free-to-air, as the name implies. However, even with the best Sky Glass deals, a monthly subscription fee is required.
This isn't the case with Freeview.
Earlier this year, Tiny Pop revealed plans to abandon traditional broadcasting methods in favour of streaming, reflecting an industry-wide trend.
Channel 4 has also decided to abandon broadcasting for broadband, announcing radical new plans to close five of its Freeview channels and prioritise its streaming service when approving new commissions. ITV has also revamped its broadcasting business in a bid to achieve its ambitious goal of 2.5 million ITVX Premium subscribers by 2026.
Meanwhile, the shift towards internet-powered television across the UK has led Sky to significantly reduce the number of engineers in the company, as 90% of new customers opt for a broadband-powered system like Sky Glass or one of the top Sky Stream deals.