Factual channel U&Eden is joined by three streaming channels on Freeview this October, including music channel GIGS. Meanwhile, That’s TV launches its annual Christmas channel.
- Viewers may need to retune.
- Also affects viewers with EE TV in aerial mode and users of TalkTalk TV, which piggybacks off Freeview.
Freeview’s latest monthly update, which mostly occurs on the third Wednesday of the month has introduced a range of new channels and shows for viewers to watch.
For those in the mood for classic Christmas TV, That’s TV has launched its annual festive entertainment channel That’s Christmas on channel 71. It replaces That’s TV3 until early January. The channel features back-to-back Christmas songs all day, and a selection of festive comedy classics each evening.
U&Eden is new on channel 57, although viewers may need to retune to watch the channel. The factual entertainment channel from UKTV is not available on older Freeview receivers, but is carried on all Freeview transmitters, including those on the Channel Islands and the Isle of Man. U&Eden becomes the first UKTV-owned channel to enjoy near universal technical coverage via digital terrestrial television (DTT).
New streaming channels added this October on Freeview
GIGS – channel 284
From Universal Music Group’s (UMG) Mercury Studios, GIGS launched earlier this year on Samsung TV Plus and is now about to expand its reach to Freeview users.
The channel will feature live performances and documentaries from across UMG’s audio-visual catalogue from artists including The Cure, Def Leppard, The Police and The Rolling Stones.
CNA – channel 276
Channel News Asia is a Singapore-based news channel, which has expanded internationally, either as a free or pay TV service, depending on country. The channel features breaking news and analysis and is owned by Mediacorp, the country’s state-owned media conglomerate.
New Media TV – channel 269
New Media TV is a religious channel, taking over the channel number from Amazing Discoveries. The channel’s Freeview streaming service effectively replaces its Sky outlet in the UK – the channel was deleted from Sky’s channel list at the end of September.
- This channel is broadcast via the Local TV multiplex and has limited UK coverage.
Placeholder leaves Freeview
Meanwhile, placeholder channel U&Yesterday+1 has been deleted from the Freeview line-up. It was previously available on channel 74. The channel was broadcast daily between 5am and 7am only to hold the channel number for future use.
Channel 74 is now the new home of U&Dave Ja Vu, which moves from channel 57 to make way for U&Eden.
For assistance on retuning your Freeview TV, please see the Freeview Support website.
All Freeview changes also affect EE TV users with their box in aerial mode. You’re also affected if you have a TalkTalk TV box that’s connected to an aerial. EE TV and TalkTalk TV boxes should automatically retune. For support for these boxes, please contact EE or TalkTalk.
By: Marc Thornham | Image: Mercury Studios