Will there be more channels coming to Freeview?

Question

I’m thinking of leaving Sky. Will there be more channels available when we switch over to digital in 2012?

Also asked: “Are there more new Freeview channels coming to the UK?” (Gordon M)

Our Answer

We’re not expecting that a new batch of channels will be coming to Freeview once the digital switchover has been completed.

At the moment, space available on the Freeview system is limited, so currently it’s a case of waiting until a channel stops broadcasting, to free up space for another channel.

That having been said, the Freeview Channel Lineup does undergo frequent changes – with TV stations changing names and broadcasting hours. It’s likely that there will be changes to the lineup and that new services will appear. Sadly, of late, many of the newer channels have been shopping channels or adult channels, but there’s hope that new quality channels appear on Freeview.

List of Freeview Channels

There’s a handy list of the channels currently on Freeview here: Freeview Channel List

News of new channels

If you’re looking for information on new Freeview channels, details of changes to the Freeview lineup, and rumours of upcoming channels, check out the Freeview News channel: Freeview Channel News

How to get more channels on Freeview

If you’re after more channels, then getting a satellite TV service like Sky (subscription) or Freesat (non-subscription) is worth considering. You’ll need a satellite dish, and in Sky’s case, the subscription can get quite pricey.

There is one alternative worth considering, and that’s BT Vision. BT Vision offers the same channels as Freeview, and if you’re into Sport, allow you to add Sky Sports and ESPN. The service also offers over 5000 hours of extra TV shows that you watch on your TV over BT Broadband, and BT Vision also allows you to watch a huge range of movies on demand. Oh, and it’s cheaper than Sky!

To find out more about BT Vision, go to www.btvision.bt.com