Freeview now offers four high definition TV channels. Here, you’ll find details of the subscription-free HD service from Freeview, plus details of how to get HD.
What is HD Freeview?
Freeview HD offers high definition TV from the BBC, ITV and Channel 4 without subscription via a TV aerial. You will need a Freeview HD receiver.
Freeview HD was announced by Ofcom in 2008, and became available in parts of the UK in December 2009.
What HD channels are available on Freeview?
The following HD channels are, or will be, available on Freeview in parts of the UK:
- BBC One HD
- BBC Two HD
- ITV 1 HD
- Channel 4 HD
- S4C ( Wales only)
- STV HD ( Scotland only)
Five HD: This was set to launch by the end of 2010, but their licence was withdrawn by Ofcom in March 2010: Five loses HD licence.
When can I get Freeview HD channels?
Freeview HD is live in most parts of the UK now.
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 as part of the Digital Switchover rollout that conpleted in 2012.
You can check to see if Freeview HD is available in your area by putting in your postcode at the Freeview HD Website
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How do I get Freeview HD?
To get Freeview’s high definition channels, you’ll first need to make sure that the channels are available in your area. Check Freeview HD coverage here
As with Freeview, Freeview HD is 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.
Can my existing box or TV get Freeview HD?
Freeview HD uses the DVB-T2 High Definition standard, and MPEG-4 coding. These require a special Freeview HD receiver:
HD Set top box:
- Freeview HD boxes started to become available in the first half of 2010 – our favourite being the Humax HD Fox T2. More on our Freeview HD Boxes page.
TV set with Freeview HD:
- If you have an HD TV set with a built-in Freeview receiver, this will NOT be able to receive Freeview HD. You will need to buy a Freeview HD set-top box (with DVB-T2) and connect it to your existing HD TV set.
- TV sets with built-in Freeview HD receivers started to appear in Spring 2010.
Freeview HD boxes
The first Freeview HD boxes that conform to the DVB-T2/MPEG-4 standard started to appear in early 2010 – the first of these, was the Humax HD Fox T2.
We have a page dedicated to Freeview HD Boxes, which will be updated with information on new Freeview HD boxes as they’re released.
Want to know more?
Sign up to our Podcast, FrequencyCast, where we cover topics including Freeview HD, Freesat, Sky and BT Vision.
- FrequencyCast – Listen online
- FrequencyCast – Get us via iTunes
Also, sign up to our newsletter for Freeview HD updates:
Updates on Freeview HD? Sign up to our free newsletterWe won’t pass on your email address and you can unsubscribe at any time
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Don’t want to wait for Freeview HD?
- Consider Freesat (offering HD via a dish), Virgin (cable TV) or Sky+HD.
- Also, see our HD Help and Advice page for other options
The HD Alternatives? You may have dismissed the Sky satellite TV option (as it’s not subscription-free), but if you want to make the most of your HD TV set, here’s why you may wish to think again:
Full details and pricing info on Sky’s HD site |
Price: Sky is currently offering a free Sky+HD receiver / recorder – there’s a £10.25 a month subscription for HD channels –
Handy Links:
- Your Freeview HD Questions Answered
- Freeview HD Boxes – Our list of Freeview HD boxes and recorders
- Connecting your TV to the Internet – Help and advice
- More on Freeview – Freeview Info
- More on HD – High Definition Explained
- UK HD Channel list – Find out which HD channels are available
- More on Freesat HD – Freesat Explored
- Need help? Ask in our Freeview forum
I hope this isn’t a silly question, but…
IfI buy a tv with just a Freeview HD tuner, will it also allow me to watch all the non-HD channels?
Thank you
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