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Home»BBC»BBC Three launch to trigger Freeview reshuffle
BBC

BBC Three launch to trigger Freeview reshuffle

26 October 2021

Dozens of Freeview channels will move down the channel list in 2022 if Ofcom approves the linear return of BBC Three.

Following a consultation over the summer, Digital UK, Freeview’s platform manager, agreed that broadcasters will get an eight week notice period of the change.

If Ofcom approves the return of BBC Three, it is widely expected to require platform operators to make a prominent slot available on Electronic Programme Guides (EPGs). In line with other public service broadcasters, that slot will be in the top 24 positions in the channel list.

In anticipation of the announcement, Digital UK has been planning for the return of BBC Three on Freeview. The plans involve clearing channel 23 by moving existing services down. Channel 24 is currently empty in most of the UK, but in Scotland, the slot is used by BBC Four.

As a result, Dave Ja Vu, currently on channel 23, would move down to 25. ITV4 and all services in to the 50s would move down one slot.

To facilitate this, Digital UK has been in consultation with broadcasters in order to make a change to its channel number allocation rules.

Ahead of the change, on-screen and online announcements would notify viewers. The addition of BBC Three would require a retune, although some newer devices will automatically make the changes.


Freeview changes to accommodate BBC Three

Here is a sample of the Freeview channel list, showing how channel numbers could change under the new proposals. BBC Three would launch on channel 23.

Channel NameCurrent channel numberProposed new channel number
Dave Ja Vu2325
ITV42526
Yesterday2627
ITV+13435
4seven4849
GREAT! TV (available in some areas only)4950
TG4, RTÉ One and RTÉ2 (Northern Ireland only)52, 53, 5453, 54, 55
5SELECT5556
Blaze6364

Final channel number allocations may vary, subject to individual channel operators taking the opportunity to reshuffle or change their services at the same time as wider changes to the Freeview channel list.


The plans were broadly endorsed by broadcasters, although industry body COBA, representing commercial broadcasters, did ask Digital UK “to consider the wider proposals for mitigation put forward by the BBC”. It quoted that. In its Public Interest Test submission to Ofcom, the BBC suggests that BBC3 would take a higher position on the EPG than 24 until a lower position amongst its own portfolio is released, such as through the retirement of a BBC HD channel. This could potentially mitigate the impact on other channels.”

However, this mitigation would not apply to Freeview, as unlike on Sky and Virgin Media, the BBC does not have another service lower down in the same genre section that would be retired. On Sky and Virgin Media, the BBC currently lists BBC One HD separately in England. This listing will be retired once the existing regional BBC One on channel 101 goes HD. As a result, at least in parts of the UK, the channel number can be recycled for BBC Three.

Ofcom is expected to make its final verdict within weeks. In September it give a preliminary green light, subject to a further consultation with broadcasters.

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RXTV info | Covering the reception and distribution of UK terrestrial TV (Freeview), cable, satellite and connected TV services for users and installers.

Freeview changes

30th June 2022

  • Channel 41 | Horror is replaced by Legend [COM4/SDN]
  • Channel 65 | FreeSports closes [COM7].
  • Channel 65 | That’s TV UK moves to this channel number.
  • Channel 68 | CBS Drama renames to Reality Xtra and changes multiplex [COM6/ArqB moving to Local/Comux].
  • Channel 69 | CBS Justice is closing [COM6/ArqB]
  • Channel 77 | NOW 80s moves from multiplex COM7 to G_MAN. Coverage in Manchester only.
  • Channel 87 | PBS America+1 closes [COM7]. The main PBS America channel continues on 84.
  • Channel 91 | Classic Hits (formerly That’s Music) moves to this channel number and moves from COM7 to COM6/ArqB.

Other Freeview channel updates…

Satellite
  • Astra 1N, 19.2°E 12604 H (SR22000, FEC 5/6, DVB-S, QPSK) Bloomberg Europe New frequency.  SID 7200.  [Old version on  Astra 1L, 19.2°E 11597 V carries label advising to retune.]
  • Astra 2F, 28.2°E 12226 V (SR27500, FEC 2/3, DVB-S2, 8PSK) BBC Two Northern Ireland HD test transmissions (Service ID 11015/1199)
  • Astra 2E, 28.5°E 11836 H (SR 27500, FEC 5/6) Sky News Ireland new frequency (SID: 5406)

Saorview: Irish DTT  | How to manually tune Sky box | Sky Glass channel list |  UHF channels and centre frequencies

 

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