Freeview Channel Updates August 2024

Welcome back for this month's run-down of all the Freeview channel changes! Your EPG might look a little different as there have been a record number of channels moving!

On top of that there have been new launches, rebrands AND closures. It's a stacked month for Freeview fans!

As always, the complete table from the Freeview website contains the basics, with details on what those channels actually are right here on Daffodil.

Brand-New Channel Launches August 2024

This month sees 3 new channels launched to the Freeview EPG. However, they won't be accessible to everyone so keep an eye out!

Trailblazer

You might recognise the name Trailblazer from a few updates ago, but now it's launched as a "hybrid" channel. These newer forms of channel on Freeview feature streamed content (using the internet) but played in an EPG style with "Live" shows on the channel as usual.

While it might look like just another channel, hybrid channels like Trailblazer are not available through non-internet-enabled Freeview boxes!

As the channel is "hybrid", it requires both a TV reception via aerial and an internet connection via Wifi or Ethernet cable.

Trailblazer is crash-landing on Freeview Channel 253.

Odyssey TV

Odyssey TV joins the "hybrid" range at Freeview Channel 256.

Once again, only accessible via both an aerial and internet connection simultaneously.

Global Arabic +

Global Arabic + has launched on Freeview Channel 283.

Global Arabic + has been an app available on mobile and online for a while, and now has found integration with the "hybrid" Freeview system.

The app supports online access to a range of channels such as Saudi TV 1, Oman TV, Kuwait TV 1 and more.

This is another part of the internationality of the Freeview lineup which now, across over 100 channels, features UK, USA, European, Asian, African and Australian content!

Channels Moving in The EPG August 2024

With the excitement of the new channels out the way, this month has seen many channels moving home. This is in an effort to even-out distribution in the EPG so more channel numbers can be grouped and utilised in future.

All the list of movements follows a similar pattern, with channels moving around 10 - 15 places down the EPG list to make space at the top-end, while making channels easier to find, too.

Since there's so many, you may notice puns start appearing in the later half. We all have to stay sane somehow...

On Demand 365

On Demand 365 is moving from Freeview Channel 265 all the way down to Freeview Channel 254.

This move of 11 places sets the precedent for all the moves to come!

On Demand 365 is a 24/7 documentary channel for nature, crime, history and more. If you want a documentary at any time of day, On Demand 365 has you covered.

France24

France24 follows suit and relocates from Freeview Channel 266 down to Freeview Channel 255.

France24 offers international news from France, which will continue covering stories from the EU that the UK may otherwise miss out on, as well as providing an alternative to the array of UK news programmes when they are repeating the same headlines that day.

Al Jazeera English

Al Jazeera English is moving from the high spot of Freeview Channel 267 all the way to Freeview Channel 251.

This channel offers yet another international news forum. Freeview now hosts news shows from over 5 different broadcasting countries, which increases viewer impartiality and encourages a well-rounded, educated stance on current affairs.

Al Jazeera Arabic

Al Jazeera Arabic follows the English version from Freeview Channel 268 to Freeview Channel 252.

This offers the same international news content, but without the language barrier for native viewers.

Filmstream

Filmstream is weaving from Freeview Channel 269 down the road to Freeview Channel 257.

Filmstream is the most unique Film broadcaster on your EPG, and I really urge you to go and find it this update! They show independent films, foreign flicks usually inaccessible to us in the UK, as well as film festival winners and showcases. If you feel like you've seen every movie ever made, head to Filmstream and find something new!

Real Crime

Real Crime is making an escape from Freeview Channel 270 to Freeview Channel 258.

As the name implies, you can expect all law and order content you expect. Do bear in mind that True Crime and Real Crime are different channels!

MBC

MBC is a newer channel, which I had to research for the November updates last year! Standing for "My Binge Channel", you can catch entire series' played back-to-back here. It's moved from Freeview Channel 272 to Freeview Channel 259.

ASHARQ NEWS

ASHARQ NEWS is breaking from channel 274 down to Freeview Channel 260.

One of the aforementioned international news channels, ASHARQ offers economic news and insights.

AL ARABIYA

AL ARABIYA is moving from the old spot at channel 275 to Freeview Channel 261.

Shots!

Shots! is shooting its way from channel 276 to Freeview Channel 262.

Shots! features a unique mix of documentaries with a distinctly British touch, From topical crime pieces of crimes from the UK, to features on the last remaining Spitfires and more!

Al Araby Network

Al Araby Network from channel 279 is moving to Freeview Channel 264.

Al Araby has embassy in the UK, and supports information sharing from the Middle East.

ROK

ROK is a stone's throw from it's old position at channel 280, now on Freeview Channel 265.

ROK is the premier source of African dramas and TV, made accessible to a UK audience on Freeview!

Revelation TV

Revelation TV finds itself moved from channel 281 to Freeview Channel 266.

Revelation TV hosts a series of Christianity-based content alongside more general shows on wellness, clarity and some news pieces.

With all the channels Freeview supports from varied cultures, Christianity was bound to show up eventually! I am constantly surprised at how impartial and inclusive Freeview is.

GOD TV

The starkly named GOD TV from channel 282 is now found at Freeview Channel 267.

I could explain what GOD TV is all about, but I'm pretty sure the name is a little bit of a giveaway.

3ABN

Much less obviously named, 3ABN from channel 283 can now be seen on Freeview Channel 268.

The name doesn't give this one away, but surprisingly it's a heavily American-Fundamentalist style religious channel.

If I'm going to dabble in Christian teachings it won't be from an American TV channel, but that's just me.

AmazingDiscoveries

AmazingDiscoveries has been sighted moving from channel 284 to Freeview Channel 269.

Reckon AmazingDiscoveries is a documentary channel? You'd be wrong, since it's another Christian channel based around uncovering truth through shows on the Bible, Science and Media.

Together TV IP

Together TV IP should sound familiar, as Together TV has been around a while! Together TV IP is the IP (Internet Protocol) version, and has gone from channel 285 to Freeview Channel 270.

Together TV IP shows the usual faire of Together TV shows, from travel shows to regional soaps and drama.

NHK World

NHK World shimmies from channel 286 to Freeview Channel 272.

NHK World is the de-facto Japanese broadcast available outside of Japan. Everything Japan is here, from news to documentaries and even kids shows.

Newsmax

Newsmax has been reported moved from channel 287 to Freeview Channel 273.

Flipping to the other half of the globe, Newsmax is, apparently, the #4 US News broadcast. Offering an insight into the world across the pond and again, reinforcing Freeview's international impartiality.

Amazing Facts

Amazing Facts is wowing it's way from channel 288 to Freeview Channel 274.

Similar to, but not the same as, AmazingDiscoveries. Amazing Facts now delivers its religious content from a different spot in the EPG.

Mech+

Mech+ has shunted its way from channel 290 to Freeview Channel 276.

My personal favourite of the new hybrid / streaming channels, Mech+ offers the first and only fully remastered broadcasts of Robot Wars! Watch teams of students, factory workers, teachers and everyone in-between battle with home-engineered bots.

As I stated in the update when Mech+ launched, there's a big triangular yellow robot called Wheely Big Cheese...so I'm not sure how else to sell you on how great this show is...

Nosey

Nosey has moseyed from channel 292 to Freeview Channel 278.

Another US channel, this time not based around "news" so much as "gossip". Talk shows galore and "reality" TV from the US are at home here.

Purpose Media

Purpose Media have strode from channel 293 to Freeview Channel 279.

"Building the Church, One Channel at a time"

Talk

Talk has finalised a debate over moving from channel 294 to Freeview Channel 280.

Talk involves hard-hitting, no-nonsense presenting and discussion with some of the best minds in business and academia.

EXTREME CHANNEL

The suitably capitalised EXTREME CHANNEL is freefalling from channel 295 to Freeview Channel 281.

From Red Bull challenges and freefalling surprises to white-water-rafting and snowboarding championships, extreme sports have solid ground on Freeview.

GINX TV

GINX TV has taken the L from channel 296 to Freeview Channel 282.

Forgive the youthful vernacular, but GINX TV is all gaming all the time! Get fresh gaming content on Live TV in a rare crossover of content creation and broadcast TV.

Channel Rebrands August 2024

The following channels have renamed and rebranded with fresh content this month. I'll bet most of you already know where this is going...

That's TV 3

That's Memories is rebranded to That's TV 3 (Yes, a third one!)

That's Melody

That's 80's has been rebranded to That's Melody

That's Melody MCR

That's 80's MCR has been rebranded accordingly to match. Remember the MCR versions are leftover from Manchester having its own network, so are regional channel variations.

That's Rock MCR

That's 90's MCR has been rebranded to That's Rock MCR. Another Manchester station, the rebrand from 80's to Melody and 90's to Rock implies the That's channels are shifting away from eras and more towards genres to sort their content.

That's TV 3 MCR

Following the non-MCR version, That's Memories MCR has rebranded to That's TV 3 MCR.

Freeview Channels Shutting Down

This month, 3 channels are being shut down on Freeview. Some had only just begun!

NYX

NYX from Freeview Channel 289 is no more. A channel for all things horror, the real horror was being removed from Freeview.

Talk TV

Talk TV still exists online and as Talk, but the DTT version from Freeview Channel 237 has left us.

Seen On TV

A channel we only got to announce the other month, Seen On TV from Freeview Channel 79 is departed for the great broadcast centre in the sky.

Remember to Retune

As always, thanks for taking the time to catch up with Freeview changes right here on Daffodil. This one was a bit of a struggle, but we managed it together!

Please do remember that more and more channels are Hybrid or IP channels, so you'll need an internet connection for them.