Sky’s full set of Freeview channels are available to stream on Samsung TVs, giving access to high quality streams, even to viewers outside of Freeview coverage.
- Samsung smart TV users can now drop low quality Freeview feeds of Sky Arts, Sky News and more.
- Sky is the first major broadcaster to make all of its free channels available via Samsung TV Plus.
Sky has now completed the rollout of all of its free-to-air channels on Samsung TV Plus. The completion means viewers with a Samsung TV can now switch to high quality feeds of channels including Sky Arts.
The rollout, which completed during the final quarter of 2024, also allows Samsung TV users to watch Sky Arts, Sky Mix, Sky News and Challenge in areas where the channels aren’t available on Freeview.
Sky first started making its channels available on Samsung TVs and mobiles in 2023, when it launched Sky Mix and Challenge on Samsung TV Plus. Then in September 2024, it added its free streaming-only channels, which include Sky Sports Classics. During the final quarter of 2024, Sky Arts and Sky News have followed, completing the full set of free Sky channels.
It’s the first major UK broadcaster to make all of its free-to-air channels available through Samsung’s own streaming platform. Other broadcasters are available to stream via their own apps or to watch as traditional over the air (digital terrestrial TV) channels.
If you’re a Samsung smart TV owner
If you use a Samsung TV and have it plugged into an aerial to access Freeview channels (labelled as ‘DTV’ channels), you can now choose between the low quality 544×576 resolution DTV channel or a high quality feed delivered via the internet. Channels will stream in up to HD quality, depending on your internet connection. 4K UHD TVs will upscale the channels.
Importantly, Sky channels are also available to stream in areas where Sky isn’t available via the Freeview signal. That’s because Sky’s Freeview channels only have 90% UK coverage via an aerial.
The high quality streams are available through Samsung TV Plus, which is embedded on all recent Samsung smart TV models. TV Plus is embedded on all recent Samsung smart TVs. When used with a TV aerial, Samsung TVs will display traditional broadcast channels (DTV) between 1-899, normally following the Freeview channel numbering system and TV Plus channels above 4000.
Where Samsung TV Plus carries the same channels as Freeview, the channels will be available twice:
| Channel | Low quality Freeview (DTV) version* | High quality (up to HD) version** |
|---|---|---|
| Sky Arts | 36 | 4407 |
| Sky Mix | 11 | 4155 |
| Sky News | 232 | 4305 |
| Challenge | 48 | 4124 |
*Subject to local Freeview coverage and a connection to a TV aerial. **Exact picture quality is dependent on your internet connection. In some cases the channels show initially in low picture quality before switching up to HD.
Note: ‘Freeview’ vs ‘DTV’ on Samsung TVs
Samsung does not have an agreement with Freeview to display the Freeview logo or branding on its more recent devices. Freeview channels are shown as ‘DTV’ (Digital TV) channels on menus and guides. Reception of Freeview channels requires a connection to a TV aerial (also labelled ‘antenna‘ within settings menus).
Other new services on Samsung TV Plus in December 2024
Fans of the drama series Nashville can now enjoy a new 24/7 channel (channel 4513) dedicated to the US show, which ran between 2012 and 2018. It’s one of a second batch of new channels that has gone live on Samsung TV Plus this month.
Other new channels this month include Zee Sports, which includes cricket coverage from Asia (channel 4507) and a channel nothing but Cash In The Attic (channel 4131). DIY and gardening enthusiasts can now enjoy Inside Outside (channel 4410), which includes shows from Alan Titchmarsh and Paul Hollywood.
By: Marc Thornham | Image: Collage Samsung/Sky