Freeview guide

Welcome. You Will find my site useful if you are in the market to purchase a Freeview top set box or want to make the most of your existing console.

What is Freeview?

Actually this is quite a common question. For the record, Freeview was launched on 30 October 2002. The Freeview consortium is made up of various large TV companies, such as the BBC, National Grid Wireless, ITV and Channel 4.

The main advantage of the Freeview service is actually accentuated by the name of the consortium, i.e. it is free to view TV. All you need to access the Freeview channels is a set top box that you can buy from most retailers from £19 upwards. Off course, as per UK law, you must have a television license to receive any kind of television broadcast.

Within a recent press article, Freeview confirmed as of March 2006, over 10 million Freeview enabled receivers have been sold and approximately 6.4 million homes receive the service. The popularity of the Freeview service has resulted in other countries coping the model, including France, Spain and Germany.

Prior to purchasing any Freeview receiver, it is advisable to check if the Freeview signal is available in your area. To do so, simply visit the Freeview homepage and type in your post code for confirmation.

Currently there are over 30 TV channels and about the same radio channels. This autumn will see Five US and Five life added to the existing channels. Five US will be launched as a "peak-time channel" and is expected to broadcast shows from the USA, including CSI and Everybody hates Chris. Five life will be aimed  at the younger audience, and will feature an extended version of the popular 'milkshake' program.

For  a complete list of available channels, please visit by Freeview channels page