Freeview Channels List 2026: Numbers, HD and Recent Changes

This Freeview channels list 2026 covers the channel numbers most people actually use, where the HD, children’s and radio ranges start, and the changes Freeview has made so far this year. Freeview line-ups move several times a year and vary by region, so we also show you how to check your own postcode and retune when something disappears.

Numbers below reflect the line-up as of summer 2026, based on Freeview’s update notices and the public list of UK digital terrestrial channels. Some channels are regional or available only in part of the UK.

Main Freeview channels: 1 to 30

The first page of the guide holds the public service channels and the most-watched entertainment channels. Here is how it looks in most of England.

Channels 30 to 60 worth knowing

Further down you find timeshift (+1) channels, film and drama channels, factual channels and a handful of shopping channels. A few useful ones:

• 30: E4 +1, with 31: E4 Extra
• 32 and 33: 5Star and 5Action
• 35: ITV1 +1 (STV +1 in Scotland)
• 36: Sky Arts
• 39 and 40: DMAX and Quest Red
• 44: Really (moved here from 17 in January 2026)
• 47: Film4 +1
• 48: Challenge
• 53 to 55: TG4, RTÉ One and RTÉ2 for viewers in Northern Ireland

HD, children’s, news and radio ranges

Freeview groups channels into blocks, which makes the guide easier to navigate once you know where to look.

HD channels only appear if your TV or box has an HD (DVB-T2) tuner. If your guide stops at standard definition, an older set is the most likely cause.

What changed on Freeview in 2026

Freeview publishes channel updates on its website. These are some of the changes confirmed this year:

• January 2026: TLC arrived on channel 12, with TLC +1 on 99 in some areas. Quest moved from 12 to 17 and Really moved from 17 to 44. HGTV closed on all platforms, and streamed channels India Today and God TV were removed.
• January 2026: U&W (25) and U&Dave Ja Vu (74) changed frequency, which meant some viewers needed to retune.
• June 2026: Ketchup TV moved from 209 to 208, Ketchup Too from 210 to 209 and Cartoon Classics from 214 to 210. Wedotv Big Stories became Wedotv on 275, and Talk on 280 closed.
• July to September 2026: Freeview posted further updates in July, August and September. Check the Freeview updates page for the details relevant to your area.

Why your list might not match

If a channel in this list is missing from your TV, there are a few common reasons:

1. Your region: some channels sit on multiplexes that only reach part of the UK, and local TV is only available near certain transmitters.
2. Your transmitter: smaller relay transmitters carry fewer multiplexes than the main ones.
3. Your equipment: older TVs without an HD tuner cannot receive HD channels or some newer services.
4. You have not retuned: after a channel moves, your guide may keep the old number until you retune.
5. The channel needs broadband: streamed channels in the 260s and above need your TV or box to be online.

Freeview’s Channel Checker shows the channels available at your postcode. If reception is the problem rather than the line-up, our guide to aerial amplifiers for weak signal areas explains when a booster helps and when it makes things worse.

How to retune your Freeview TV or box

Retuning is the fix for most missing-channel problems after an update. The menu names vary by brand, but the steps are similar:

1. Press Menu or Home on your remote and open Settings.
2. Look for Channels, Broadcasting, Installation or Tuning.
3. Choose a full or automatic retune (sometimes called first-time installation). Do not choose manual unless you know the frequencies.
4. Let the scan finish, then check the channel numbers again.
5. If you use a recorder, check your series links afterwards, as moved channels can break scheduled recordings.

Avoid retuning during spells of high pressure weather, as YouView’s support pages warn that retuning in those conditions can make reception problems worse.

Going beyond the Freeview line-up

Freeview covers the main UK channels, but not premium sport or most pay channels. Many households add streaming apps such as BBC iPlayer, ITVX, Channel 4 and My5 for catch-up, and some add a paid service. If you are considering IPTV, check the service is licensed for the channels it carries and read up on UK law first. Our UK IPTV guide covers this in more depth. For reference, our own plan, IPTV Journal, costs $89 for 12 months; details are on our pricing page.

FAQ

How many channels are on Freeview in 2026?

Freeview’s sister service Freesat describes Freeview as offering 70+ TV channels, around 15 HD channels and around 32 radio stations. The exact number you get depends on your area and your transmitter.

What number is BBC One HD on Freeview?

BBC One HD is on channel 101. The other main HD channels follow: BBC Two HD on 102, ITV1 HD on 103, Channel 4 HD on 104 and 5 HD on 105.

Why has a channel disappeared from my Freeview guide?

It may have moved number, changed frequency or closed. Freeview publishes these changes on its updates page. A full automatic retune usually fixes moved channels.

Where are the children’s channels on Freeview?

They start at 201 with CBBC, followed by CBeebies on 202 and HD versions on 203 and 204. Pop, Tiny Pop and Ketchup TV follow in the 200s.

Is Freeview free?

There is no subscription for Freeview. You still need a TV Licence to watch or record live TV, and you need a working aerial and a TV or box with a Freeview tuner.