The Freeview channel update for March includes a reshuffle, new streaming channels and the arrival of regional BBC One HD.
On Wednesday 22nd March 2023, a number of services will be launching or moving on Freeview. Viewers may need to retune in order for their channel list to be updated, although a number of the changes won’t affect viewers outside of Manchester.
▶ Freeview channel update – 22nd March 2023
- GREAT! Movies action will officially be renamed GREAT! action, in line with other GREAT! channel spin-offs. GREAT! action is available on Freeview channel 42, except from transmitters in Wales.
- That’s TV’s Music channels will shuffle up to fill empty slots on the Freeview channel guide:
| Old | New | Channel | Comments |
|---|---|---|---|
| 75 | 71 | That’s 60s | |
| 76 | 75 | That’s 70s | |
| 77 | 76 | That’s 80s | |
| 87 | 77 | That’s 60s MCR | Manchester only |
| 80 | 80 | That’s 70s MCR | Manchester only, replacing That’s 90s |
| 88 | 86 | That’s 80s MCR | Manchester only |
- Al Jazeera will launch a new streaming channel service, allowing viewers to access high quality streams of both its English and Arabic channels via the internet.
| Number | Service Name |
|---|---|
| 285 | Al Jazeera English |
| 286 | Al Jazeera Arabic |
News channel WION will also launch a streaming service on channel 287.
BBC One HD changes
Meanwhile, the BBC will launch regional BBC One HD services in parts of England, plus the Channel Islands.
BBC One HD will be relabelled in the Channel Islands, East Midlands, East Yorkshire & Lincolnshire, London, West Midlands and Yorkshire regions. Viewers will no longer need to switch over to watch regional news programmes. Details here…
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The Freeview channel updates are expected to be completed by lunchtime on Wednesday.
Further details on retuning a Freeview TV or box, including how to videos, can be found on the Freeview website at www.freeview.co.uk/retune.
Marc Thornham