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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
National
Sam Elliott-Gibbs

Millions of Freeview users will lose 10 channels today as signal switched off

Ten channels will be cut from Freeview today as viewers see their options slashed - and are told they must retune their TV to keep some other channels.

Millions watch the subscription-free TV service every day but they will lose a chunk of the channels today.

Freeview is being hit by the changes due to a broadcast signal - named COM7 Multiplex - being closed down to make way for the very latest 5G mobile technology from EE.

That means with less bandwidth to use, Freeview has been forced to make changes which include some channels being taken off the platform for good.

And Freeview users have been warned that they must retune their TVs and set-top boxes today or risk losing a whole bunch of other popular channels.

Users must also retune to keep some important channels (Freeview/Getty)

BBC Four HD, CBeebies HD, Together TV are all staying - but you need to take action to carry on watching.

They are moving to a new signal and actually getting increased coverage while others are being forced to switch positions on the planner.

Freeview are recommending that all users run a system update to make sure they keep every channel up to date.

A Freeview spokesman said: “Since the decision by Ofcom to make more airwaves available for mobile data, the Ofcom licence for some channels broadcasting on Freeview has expired.

Millions of Brits rely on the subscription-free TV service (Getty Images/iStockphoto)

"This means that affected channels are making changes to the way they are broadcast moving forward."

On the system update, they said: "Channels will be making changes to the way they are broadcast on 29th June 2022. You will need to retune your TV to continue watching these channels."

And the BBC added: "As a consequence of the closure of COM7, BBC News on Freeview will be available only in SD from the end of June 2022. However, you can still watch it in HD on BBC iPlayer."

Channels closing

  • Freesports 65
  • CBS Justice 69
  • More4+1 86
  • PBS America+1 87
  • Forces TV 96
  • BBC News HD 107
  • QVC HD 111
  • QVC Beauty HD 112
  • Quest HD 114
  • Craft Extra 95

Other changes

  • 4 Music Rebranding to E4 Extra
  • Horror Rebranding to Legend
  • That’s Music Rebranding to Classic Hits and increasing coverage
  • CBS Drama Rebranding to Reality Xtra and reduction to coverage
  • Now 80’s Reduction in coverage, now available in Manchester only

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