FAST growth of Freeview’s hidden streamed channels

The number of streaming channels available to viewers with a Freeview smart TV continues to grow faster than traditional over-the-air channels.

Channels including NOW 80s, Bloomberg and Euronews are available to stream via the platform.

Two portals – Vision TV (Freeview channel 264) and Channelbox (channel 271) provide access to the bulk of the so-called “FAST” (free ad-supported streaming television) channels, consisting of a mixture of niche, online-only channels and well-known channels not otherwise available via Freeview.

But as most streaming channels are accessed via a portal – below all the over-the-air channels and not directly listed on the Freeview channel guide – most services are effectively hidden unless you know where to look.

In October 2022, RXTV found the total number of such services available on Freeview had exceeded 100. In the past five months, numerous new services have launched, most recently two new Qwest music channels – Qwest Jazz and Beyond and Qwest Mix on Channelbox. Also since our last check-up:

• NOW 70s and 80s, now no longer broadcast as over-the-air channels on Freeview, can now be streamed through Channelbox on channel 271. They’re joined by Now Rock (which took over from Now 90s).
• Channelbox accounts for most of the extra streaming channels added to Freeview over the winter, with the service launching a dedicated movie channel section. But its Lifestyle & Travel channel section has been removed, with the loss of Heritage + and Sacred Sites channels. Additionally, the service has also lost the Rotana Arabic-language channels and Times Now Navbharat.
• Arise Play and Iran International are still available to stream on Vision TV (Freeview channel 264), even though both channels are currently not available on Sky satellite. This makes Freeview the only main platforms to currently offer the channels.
• GB News now offers an HD feed through Channelbox (subject to a user’s internet speed). Otherwise, the over-the-air Freeview signal is SD only.

Streaming channels, or portals, on Freeview’s channel list have been upgraded to use HbbTV, which is supported by any TV or receiver that comes with Freeview Play. Broadband connectivity of at least 2.5Mbps is required, or more for HD streams.

Channels are not necessarily regulated by Ofcom, with China’s CGTN (which had its Ofcom licence revoked) and US channel Newsmax available through Freeview streaming portals.

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Freeview Streaming Channels – March 2023

Channel 264 – Vision TV

NOTES: Genres as defined by Vision TV. Vision TV can also be streamed via the web or through an app. The web/app channel line-up is subject to variation to the above. For example, as of 17/03/23, That’s TV is available on Freeview 264, but not through the Vision TV website.

Channel 271 – Channelbox

NOTES: Genres as defined by Channelbox. Some channels are listed in multiple genres by Channelbox. The above listing only includes the first appearance of the channel to avoid duplication. As of 17/03/2023, WeDo Big Stories hadn’t been assigned a genre, but can be accessed through the Featured area.

Channel 277 – UK Channel Portal

The home of a number of smaller radio operators, including community and internet stations.

Regional variations to the line-up may apply.

Single channel portals

Unlike the aforementioned portals, the following Freeview channel numbers open up a single channel:

263 Sonlife

269 Arise News

272 Asharq News

274 Fail Army

278 Pet Collective

280 ROK

281 Revelation TV

282 God TV

283 3ABN

284 Amazing Discoveries

On-demand portals

These channel numbers open up a portal containing a library of content available to watch on-demand:

Children’s

208 POP Player

209 Ketchup TV

210 Ketchup Too

211 YAAAS!

Factual

265 On Demand 365 (including genre specific ‘channels’ or groups of content, such as Planet Knowledge, Sports Channel Network)

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Marc Thornham