The BBC has moved its HD children’s channels to new slots on the Freeview channel list, filling the gap left by CITV. Meanwhile, Freeview users can stream a new news channel, while losing another.
- CBBC HD and CBeebies HD move up one slot for viewers that don’t have a TV that auto-swaps HD channels.
- France 24 English has now launched as a standalone streaming service.
- New streaming service bringing loud and confrontational US talk and courtroom shows added to the platform.
Nearly six months on from the closure of the CITV channel, the BBC has moved its HD children’s channels up to fill the gap.
For viewers using the majority of Freeview devices that don’t support HD/SD swaps, CBBC HD has moved from channel 204 to channel 203, where CITV used to be.
CBeebies HD has moved from channel 205 to 204.
For viewers owning a newer (post 2021) Freeview Play TV that supports an HD/SD channel swap (explained here), viewers will see the SD versions of the channels move up one slot, with CBBC HD and CBeebies HD remaining on channels 201 and 202.
News channel changes
France 24 English can now be streamed in HD (subject to broadband connection) on channel 266, which until last month was the home of Pet Collective.
Through the red button, viewers can also access France 24 in French, Spanish or Arabic.
The channel offers 24/7 international news and analysis, with hourly bulletins live from Paris. The channel had previously been available through the now defunct Vision TV service on Freeview. Channelbox (channel 271) also hosts the French and Arabic versions of the channel.
Meanwhile, WION HD has come off Freeview. It was carried as a streamed service on channel 269. The channel continues to be available on Sky satellite.
Like loud US talk and courtroom shows?
New to Freeview’s streaming section is Nosey, a free streaming service that specialises in screenings of US talk and courtroom shows including the US version of Trisha, classic Jerry Springer episodes, plus courtroom action from shows including The People’s Court.
It’s been added to Freeview channel 292.
In Wales…
GREAT! action has launched on Freeview channel 42 from transmitters in Wales for the first time.
As a result of the new addition, Together TV on channel 83 has been removed.
Viewers living near the border may continue to receive the channel from an England-based transmitter.
More details about the changes in Wales…
The changes took place later than usual at around 1pm today, rather than the usual late morning timeframe. The BBC didn’t prewarn viewers of the changes to its services.
Viewers may need to retune their device.
There will be a further change to Freeview services on Wednesday 20th March.
Marc Thornham