Previews for the soon-to-be-relaunched BBC Three have gone live on satellite and terrestrial TV platforms. A loop carrying highlights for the channel started at 7pm on Monday 10th January.
However, the channel can’t yet be watched by most viewers. But platform operators will add BBC Three to their channel lists later this month ahead of its launch on 1st February 2022.
The channel will show new programmes, plus those made for BBC Three whilst it was away from linear TV.
The preview loop covers all aspects of BBC Three’s forthcoming programmes, with clips from Normal People, Make Me Famous, Starstruck, Dreaming Whilst Black, Back to Life, Shrill, Awkwafina Is Nora from Queens, Britney, Pru, Ladhood, Man Like Mobeen, The Young Offenders, Famalam, This Country, Fleabag and RuPaul’s Drag Race UK vs The World. Other highlights include extreme driving in Gassed Up, dating show Love in the Flesh and streetwear business competition The Drop. The Fast and the Farmer(ish) brings tractor driving to the channel.
BBC Three’s preview is currently broadcasting free-to-air on satellite for viewers with receivers that can be manually tuned in. It’s also being carried as a hidden channel on digital terrestrial TV, not accessible on regular Freeview receivers. It’s part of a full test of video, audio, subtitles, audio description and listings data before it’s added to channel lists.
Do I need to retune to get BBC Three?
Do nothing yet!
Sky, Freesat and Virgin Media will automatically add the channel to the channel list later this month. Channel numbers are yet to be announced.
Freeview viewers will need to retune later this month to get the returning channel. More details to follow.
updated 11/01/2022 following confirmation of its launch date.