Right wing US news channel Newsmax among the new services that have secured a Freeview channel number in September, as the free-to-view platform makes its latest monthly update.
- Newsmax is now available on connected Freeview devices directly on channel 287
- Japan’s English language channel NHK World is now on channel 286
- Reality Xtra and Horror Xtra have swapped channel numbers
Newsmax, originally available within the Vision TV Freeview streaming portal on channel 264 is now available directly on channel 287.
The service is available on all connected Freeview Play devices, plus some older compatible Freeview HD TVs. As a streamed channel, it can circumvent Ofcom regulation, not requiring an Ofcom licence. Its previous history of news coverage of the US Presidential Election, Covid-19 and climate change would likely have resulted in Ofcom investigations, if it were to be licenced in the UK.
Meanwhile, Japan’s English language channel NHK World, which broadcasts hourly news bulletins, plus cultural and factual shows 24/7 can now be streamed via channel 286.
Reality Xtra and Horror Xtra (channels 68 and 69) have meanwhile swapped multiplex slots, in a complex move this lunchtime, that resulted in some viewers temporarily seeing the wrong channel on the wrong channel number while the reconfiguration took place.
Following the change, Reality Xtra now has wider UK coverage, while Horror Xtra has less UK coverage than before. Viewers may need to retune for these changes and some viewers may lose Horror Xtra.
▶ Freeview update schedule
Freeview opts to make monthly updates around the third week of most months, although there are occasions where updates need to be made at other times. Last month’s update, on 23rd August, included changes to That’s TV and its music channels.
Viewers may need to retune their devices to have the full updated channel list, although some newer TVs will do this automatically.
Marc Thornham
Updated 20/09/2023 13:25