Freeview TV channel shutdown as trio of changes confirmed for UK homes

Anyone using Freeview may notice a few changes after today, May 22. The popular telly platform has confirmed that two services are shutting down along with a new channel also launching. “On 22 May 2024 some broadcasters are making important changes to their channels,” Freeview confirmed in an update posted on its website.

Channels that will no longer be available after today include Fail Army and Pet Collective (Ch 264) along with music station Absolute Radio (Ch 727).

Absolute Radio now joins 6 other stations that disappeared last month. These closures included Greatest Hits Radio, Hits Radio, Kerrang! Radio, KISS Fresh, KISSTORY and Magic Radio.

It’s unclear why they are all no offline but it could simply be not enough people were using them.

So those are the things Freeview users are losing but there is something new arriving to help soften the blow.

From today, those heading to channel 94 will now find a service called Seen on TV available.

We’re still trying to discover exactly what shows will be broadcast via this service but we will update this article as soon as we find out more.

Freeview says that users must now retune their screens to see the changes.

“You will need to retune to update your TV and keep your channels and TV Guide up to date,” Freeview confirmed.

HOW TO RETUNE YOUR FREEVIEW TV

Freeview has issued advice on how to retune devices and here are the steps every user needs to follow.

• Press menu on your box or TV remote control

• Select ‘set-up’, ‘installation’, ‘update’ or a similar option. If you’re asked for a password, the default code is ‘1234’ or ‘0000’.

• Select ‘first-time installation’ (sometimes called ‘factory reset’, ‘full retune’ or ‘default settings’).

•Press ‘OK’ if your equipment asks if it’s OK to delete existing channels and then your retune should start automatically. If you’re prompted to, save the channels that are found.