A reshuffle on Wednesday lunchtime has seen 28 hybrid streaming channels move position on the channel list. Additionally, Freeview has added and removed services in the latest update.
- Hybrid streaming channel changes follow consultation earlier this year to create more space for new channels.
- Talk (formerly TalkTV) is now streaming on channel 280, instead of 294. You may need to retune.
- Children’s channel Tiny Pop is now available again in some regions as a regular broadcast channel.
A reshuffle of hybrid streaming channels, proposed earlier this year, has now been implemented in Freeview’s monthly channel update for August.
As a result, more space has been created for new services to join after spaces on the channel list were filled by channels shuffling up. The Freeview streaming channel changes mean that some services, including Al Jazeera English HD, France 24, Talk, MECH+ and GINX TV can now be found on new channel numbers (scroll down for the full list of changes).
A small number of hybrid streaming services have chosen to retain their channel numbers. These include Channelbox (staying on 271), UK Radio Portal (staying on 277) and Sonlife (staying on 263).
Horror streaming channel NYX, which was on channel 289 has been removed from the platform. Meanwhile, children’s channel Tiny Pop which was available as a hybrid streaming channel on Freeview 208 has been replaced in some areas only as a regular broadcast channel. This follows the closure of GREAT! Real (channel 61 in some areas) yesterday.
What are hybrid streaming channels?
Hybrid streaming channels are available on TVs that support Freeview Play and are connected to the internet. These channels are called ‘hybrid streaming’ as the app containing a link to the stream of the channel is broadcast over the terrestrial airwaves. This is in contrast with full streaming channels, that don’t require any data broadcast terrestrially. These include the BBC HD iPlayer channels that appear in the 300 channel range on newer Freeview Play TVs.
▶ Overview: Freeview hybrid streaming channel changes (21st August 2024)
- Availability of these channels is subject to your local coverage and having a compatible TV connected to the internet.
| Old channel number | New channel number | Channel name | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|
| 267 | 251 | Al Jazeera English | |
| 268 | 252 | Al Jazeera Arabic | |
| — | 253 | Trailblazer | NEW |
| 265 | 254 | On Demand 365 | |
| 266 | 255 | France 24 | |
| — | 256 | Odyssey TV | NEW |
| 269 | 257 | Filmstream | |
| 270 | 258 | Real Crime | |
| 272 | 259 | MBC (My Binge Channel) | |
| 274 | 260 | ASHARQ NEWS | |
| 275 | 261 | AL ARABIYA | |
| 276 | 262 | Shots! | |
| 263 | 263 | Sonlife | (unchanged) |
| 279 | 264 | Alaraby Network | |
| 280 | 265 | ROK | |
| 281 | 266 | Revelation TV | |
| 282 | 267 | GOD TV | |
| 283 | 268 | 3ABN | |
| 284 | 269 | Amazing Discoveries | |
| 285 | 270 | Together TV IP | |
| 271 | 271 | Channelbox | (unchanged) |
| 286 | 272 | NHK World | |
| 287 | 273 | Newsmax | |
| 288 | 274 | Amazing Facts | |
| 290 | 276 | MECH+ | |
| 277 | 277 | UK Radio Portal | (unchanged) |
| 292 | 278 | Nosey | |
| 293 | 279 | Purpose Media | |
| 294 | 280 | Talk | |
| 295 | 281 | EXTREME CHANNEL | |
| 296 | 282 | GINX TV | |
| — | 283 | Global Arabic+ | NEW In some areas only. |
Further channel changes
In other changes, TalkTV’s old broadcast channel (237) and the defunct Seen On TV (which moved back to 79 after it had gone off air) have been removed from the Freeview channel list today.
That’s Memories on channel 71 has changed to That’s TV 3. That’s 80s (channel 75) is now That’s Melody.
However, viewers may need to retune their TVs for the new channel numbers to take effect. Freeview has uploaded a number of self-help videos on its website to help you retune your TV.
Freely users who use an aerial to top-up channels will see the hybrid streaming channels on channel 550-599 instead.
By: Marc Thornham | Image: DTV Services