Both BBC Four HD and CBeebies HD were originally suspended on Freeview at the end of June. Now, more viewers than ever can access the high definition channels.
BBC Four HD is available from 7pm each night on Freeview channel 106. CBeebies HD is available through the day on Freeview channel 205.
The channels now have a technical reach of just over 98.5% of UK households following the completion of engineering work allowing them to stay on Freeview. In reality reach is lower, as some households do not yet have a Freeview HD TV.
BBC Four HD and CBeebies HD previously used capacity on the COM7 multiplex that was closed in June to make way for more 5G services. But the BBC identified capacity on one of its own multiplexes that could be used to continue broadcasting the channels. However, the capacity was not available in time for the COM7 switch-off, leading to the temporary suspension.
- Freeview users will be able to reset series links and recordings if they want a recording in HD quality instead.
What’s changed?
Engineering work allowing the BBC to carry one additional service (CBeebies HD/BBC Four HD in timeshare) on its HD multiplex has now completed.
This means the BBC can carry seven HD channels at any one time on its HD multiplex. They are: BBC One HD, BBC Two HD, BBC Three HD*/CBBC HD timeshare, BBC Four HD/CBeebies HD timeshare, ITV HD (STV HD or UTV HD), Channel 4 HD and Channel 5 HD.
*In Scotland: BBC Scotland HD instead of BBC Three HD. In Wales, S4C HD in place of BBC Three HD.
The next scheduled Freeview HD change is the addition of BBC One HD regions in England, which is currently due to complete in the next six months.
BBC News HD
There was insufficient capacity to add BBC News HD following all the changes. As a result, BBC News remains SD only on Freeview. Viewers with a smart TV can access BBC News in HD through the BBC iPlayer.
Freeview HD channel numbers (September 2022)
- 101 BBC One HD
- 102 BBC Two HD
- 103 ITV/STV/UTV HD
- 104 Channel 4 HD (S4C HD in Wales)
- 105 Channel 5 HD
- 106 BBC Four HD
- 108 BBC Scotland HD (in Scotland only)
- 109 BBC Three HD (Not Scotland or Wales)
- 110 Channel 4 HD (in Wales only)
- 204 CBBC HD
- 205 CBeebies HD
Iain Hatton, RXTV
Updated 07/09/2022 14:18