What is Freeview?
Freeview are channels that are broadcast to a range of televisions, like Flat Screen TVs, that do not require a paid subscription, unlike Sky or other paid tv networks. The signals transmitted are through a digital signal allowing them to be compressed thus requiring less bandwidth than an analogue signal.
You can either purchase a separate box, or unit, to receive the Freeview signal or purchase a television with Freeview built in. Many of the newer flat screen tv models already come with freeview built into the unit which is a great space saver.
Freeview TV channels you can expect to receive include:
Entertainment
- BBC 1
- BBC 2
- ITV 1
- Channel 4
- Channel 5
- ITV 2
- BBC THREE
- BBC FOUR
- ITV 3
- SKY 3
- Yesterday
- Channel 4 +1
- More 4
- DAVE
- Virgin 1
- De ja vu
- ITV 4
- E4
- E4 +1
- ITV 2 +1
- 4 FILM
- FIVE USA
- FIVER
- + Virgin 1
- S4/C
- Tele G
Children’s Programming
- CBeeBies
- CBBC
- C ITV
Music Channels
- 4 Music
- TMF
…and many more!
Also, Freeview is planning to come out in HD either this year (2009) or later in 2010. According to Ofcom, the Freeview HDTV services will include up to 4 channels such as BBC, ITV, Channel 4 and S4C in Wales. Early transmissions of Freeview HD have already been agreed for London beginning around December 2009 with other major cities like Birmingham, Glasgow, Leeds/Bradford and Newcastle hopefully before the 2010 World Cup in South Africa.
For more information on Freeview, visit the Freeview Website at: http://www.freeview.co.uk
