Storm Isha has disrupted reception of Freeview, FM and DAB radio in various parts of the UK overnight. With Storm Jocelyn on its way, problems with reception are expected to continue until the middle of the week.
- Power cuts and wind damage are taking smaller transmitter sites off air
- Wind is also causing damage to rooftop aerials and cables
- Guidance on how to troubleshoot Freeview reception problems
Storm Isha has resulted in a number of TV and radio transmitters going off-air for a time, causing complete loss of signal.
A number of smaller, mostly rural relay transmitters are affected by power cuts related to weather conditions (list below). Small relays typically only service a few hundred homes; until now none of the UK’s main transmitter sites has reported any major outage.
During Tuesday afternoon and evening, storm Jocelyn, the second named storm of the week, is due to roll in causing the potential for even more disruption, especially in areas reliant on rural masts that may not have an alternative power source.
At the same time, heavy rain and winds have affected viewer’s own fixtures. Water ingress can affect the cabling running from the TV aerial, while strong winds can misalign or bring down a TV aerial. A misaligned TV aerial means the wind has blown the aerial so that it is no longer pointing correctly in the direction of the strongest signal.
Not just Freeview…
Some transmitter sites carry DAB and FM services, which are also affected by the outages. And many sites are also shared with mobile network operators who are also experiencing localised issues resulting in users with no or a poor mobile signal.
At the same time, cables carrying phone and broadband internet services to homes are also subject to breakages as trees come down on them and cables snap. This, plus the ongoing issues at some transmitters, means some households could be completely cut from the outside world.
▶ Fault finding: is it a problem with Freeview or my own fixtures and equipment?
- You can check for faults on the UK Freeview transmitter network at the Radio and Television Investigation Service website. Here, you can enter your postcode to check local transmitters to see if there are any known issues affecting your region.
- Where no transmitter fault is found, you may wish to consult a local aerial installer to search for any issues with your own equipment, fixtures and fittings. The BBC Reception website contains advice on searching for water damage on your cables.
Affected transmitter sites
- The following transmitter sites have been affected by at least one outage in the 48 hours up to 12:00 GMT on 22nd January 2024. Outages can last for between several minutes and several days, if severe.
- Where the feed to the main regional transmitter is broken, viewers may still receive a TV service via a back-up, but it will carry the wrong regional news service.
- Services affected may include Freeview or radio broadcasts on either FM or DAB.
| Afon Dyfi |
| Ainstable |
| Alltwen |
| Backbarrow |
| Balmullo |
| Batley |
| Belcoo |
| Bellingham |
| Ben Gullipen |
| Benagh |
| Bleach Green |
| Bridlington |
| Callander |
| Cerrig Y Drudion |
| Charmouth |
| Chitterne |
| Creetown |
| Daffy Green |
| Danbury |
| Dunkirk |
| Dunsford |
| Glenridding |
| Glencoyne |
| Grandtully |
| Hawick |
| Hazler Hill DAB |
| Headingley |
| High Keil |
| Humshaugh |
| Ireshopeburn |
| Kilkeel |
| Killearn |
| Kilve |
| Kings Lynn |
| Knott Hall |
| Llandyfriog |
| Llanfoist |
| Llangernyw |
| Llangollen FM/DAB |
| Lochearnhead |
| Lochwinnoch |
| Ludlow |
| Moffat |
| Moffat North |
| Monmouth |
| Newcastle |
| Ogmore Vale |
| Penicuik |
| Penny Bridge |
| Penrith |
| Pinwherry |
| Pitlochry |
| Pontardawe |
| Pooley Bridge |
| Portpatrick |
| Romaldkirk |
| Rosneath |
| Shatton Edge |
| South Knapdale |
| St Fillans |
| Stranraer |
| Tomich |
| Walsden South |
| Wanlockhead |
| Weardale |
| Westerglen MW/LW |
| Wrekenton |
Transmitter sites with scheduled maintenance
The following transmitters are due to be affected by engineering work this week. Reception may be affected regardless of the weather conditions.
You can check the current status of transmitters near you by visiting the Radio and Television Investigation Service website.
| Region | Transmitter Name |
|---|---|
| Anglia | Creake |
| Norwich Central | |
| Linnet Valley | |
| Gorleston On Sea | |
| Sudbury | |
| Thetford | |
| Wivenhoe Park | |
| Border | Caldbeck |
| Cambret Hill | |
| Selkirk | |
| Central | Malvern |
| Nottingham | |
| Ridge Hill | |
| Ewyas Harold | |
| Brierley Hill | |
| Fenton | |
| Hereford | |
| Ludlow | |
| Oxford | |
| Sutton Coldfield | |
| Waltham | |
| Winshill | |
| Granada | Winter Hill |
| Pendle Forest | |
| Whalley | |
| Littleborough | |
| Brinscall | |
| Storeton | |
| London | Crystal Palace |
| Hemel Hempstead Town | |
| Hemel Hempstead | |
| Hertford | |
| Henley | |
| Welwyn | |
| Woolwich | |
| Meridian | Dover |
| Bexhill | |
| Bluebell Hill | |
| Hannington | |
| Midhurst | |
| Rowridge | |
| Salisbury | |
| Northern Ireland (UTV) | Cushendall |
| Divis | |
| Londonderry | |
| Limavady | |
| STV Central | Black Hill |
| Glespin | |
| Strathyre Link | |
| Craigkelly | |
| Darvel | |
| STV Central | West Kilbride |
| Rosneath | |
| Campbeltown | |
| Dychliemore Link | |
| South Knapdale | |
| STV North | Lindores |
| Staffin | |
| Tyne Tees | Chatton |
| Blaydon Burn | |
| Wales | Preseli |
| Abergavenny | |
| Taffs Well | |
| Ebbw Vale South | |
| Sennybridge | |
| Arfon | |
| Moel y Parc | |
| Aberdare | |
| Caergybi | |
| Haverfordwest | |
| Long Mountain | |
| Llanddona | |
| Llangranog | |
| Wenvoe | |
| West | Cirencester |
| Blakeney | |
| Parkend | |
| Bristol Kings Weston | |
| Mendip | |
| West Country | Stockland Hill |
| Ivybridge | |
| Berrynarbor | |
| Beer | |
| Beacon Hill | |
| North Hessary Tor | |
| Okehampton | |
| Yorkshire | Emley Moor |
| Cragg Vale | |
| Wheatley | |
| Brockwell | |
| Belmont | |
| Calver Peak | |
| Shatton Edge |
Information from BBC Reception and Everyone TV.