Freeview users have lost access to Absolute Radio and a number of other services as the platform completes its monthly channel update for May.
- Absolute Radio leaves platform after its carriage contract ends
- Fail Army streaming channel, which only arrived on Freeview in 2022 among services removed
- Changes to TCC and Shop On TV availability.
Freeview’s latest monthly channel update has seen viewers lose access to TV, streaming and radio services as broadcasters review their carriage contracts on the platform.
In addition to Freeview, the changes this May also affect viewers using a newer Freely TV connected to an aerial. Users of older BT/EE and TalkTalk TV receivers, which piggyback on the Freeview signal are also impacted.
Absolute Radio gone
Absolute Radio, the last remaining Bauer-owned radio station to be available on the platform was terminated on Wednesday, completing Bauer’s project to remove its stations from all digital TV platforms. The station and its predecessor – the original Virgin Radio UK – had been available on Freeview channel 727 since 2006.
Bauer removed its other stations, including Greatest Hits Radio, Kiss and Kerrang at the beginning of April. Absolute Radio still had time left to serve under its separate carriage agreement. Bauer is pushing listeners to its online streaming service Planet Radio.
Streaming channels leave Freeview
Pet Collective and Fail Army have abruptly departed from Freeview’s streaming service. Both services joined in 2022, but combined under a single channel number – 264 – in January. Fans of their content can continue to watch online, and some smart TVs also include their channels, including Samsung TV Plus.
Despite their removal, the overall number of streaming services on Freeview has continued to grow so much that Freeview’s operator Everyone TV is consulting on potential changes to create more room in the channel list.
TCC departs (for most viewers)
TCC (channel 78), has been delisted in most of the UK. However, most Freeview users may have never actually watched a programme on the channel.
It’s always only been available for up to two hours overnight as one of Freeview’s numerous placeholder channels. These channels take advantage of rules allowing channels to squat on a channel number as long as they broadcast for a limited number of hours per day.
However, TCC continues to broadcast in the Greater Manchester area only, where it’s taken capacity on the Manchester multiplex – a bundle of channels broadcast on the frequency originally assigned to the former Channel M service. Viewers in this area may need to retune.
Shop On TV departs in Wales
Viewers receiving Freeview from main transmitters in Wales will no longer see Shop On TV on channel 89.
The recently launched shopping channel and its timeshare partner Together TV take up a Freeview slot that isn’t available in Wales, as a result of differences in capacity allocations to accommodate S4C on the platform.
There are no changes in England, Scotland or Northern Ireland.
Seen On TV launches in Manchester only
Shopping channel Seen On TV, not to be confused with Shop On TV, has been allocated channel 94. However, the channel will only be seen on TV screens in the Greater Manchester area. It, like TCC joins the multiplex originally created for Channel M.
▶ Overview of Freeview changes on 22nd May 2024
| Channel Number | Name | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| 78 | TCC | Multiplex move; becomes Manchester only service |
| 89 | Shop On TV | Delisted in Wales. |
| 94 | Seen On TV | Manchester only |
| 264 | Pet Collective/Fail Army | Removed without replacement |
| 727 | Absolute Radio | Removed without replacement |
▶ Further technical information about the latest Freeview channel changes…
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By: Marc Thornham | Image: RXTV