UK Terrestrial TV Changes

The Freely IP service SID list hadn't been updated for a while and there have been quite a few changes.
It should now be up to date.
ukfreelytvchanges.blogspot.com/p/freely-ip-...

Developments for 2026. (1/2)

The blog will move away from the tabular format to make it easier to read on mobile devices, especially for partially sighted readers. However, some of the more complex changes will always need tables.

Developments for 2026. (2/2)

We hope to introduce automated matching of current and previous period data in the database, similar to that used by UKCTVC. This will be a major coding development. There are also issues as DTT doesn't have the Unique Service IDs used for matching cable services.

There are still issues with the "connected" Freely channels page which have delayed its appearance. If this isn't sorted soon we will publish a shortened version.

Connected only should be here: > www.freely.co.uk/help/faqs/ch...

...when Everyone TV actually bothers to update it.

The following channels are being added to connected Freely devices and will be available without an aerial.
LCN 34 Quest Red
LCN 35 DMAX
LCN 39 Food Network
This has reminded us that the connected Freely channel page has still not been added to the Freely blog.
We will work on this at the weekend.

We are aware that U&W may have disappeared from Freely as regional configurations are updated. This is because Everyone TV have removed the configuration for the old Arqiva B service without adding the SDN configuration. Hopefully they will resolve this issue soon.

The blogs have been updated with Tuesday's changes.
Further details:
ukterrestrialtvchanges.blogspot.com
ukfreelytvchanges.blogspot.com

Sorry for the delay, we have been automating some of the procedure and changing some of the routines for Freely.

The blogs have been updated with today's changes.
3 channels reverting to their usual names following a seasonal rebrand.
Further details:
ukterrestrialtvchanges.blogspot.com
ukfreelytvchanges.blogspot.com

All MCUK Feeds:
Cable TV Changes @ukctvc.bsky.social
DTT Changes @ukttvc.bsky.social
Media News @ukmedianews.bsky.social
Media Entertainment News @ukmediaents.bsky.social
Media Politics @ukmediapolitics.bsky.social
Radio Changes @ukradiochanges.bsky.social
Streaming TV News @ukstvc.bsky.social

Further recent updates on Freely.
On LCN 82 4Life has rebranded as 4Christmas
On December 11th a streamed version of Blaze was added to LCN 41 replacing the broadcast (DVB-T) version on hybrid devices.
A new section of the blog is being developed for DVB-DASH/hbbTV (IPTV) linear channels on Freely.

Apologies for the late update. Unfortunately due to technical issues beyond our control.
The issues have now been resolved and blog updates should run smoothly again.
The following post is a summary of the changes from December 10th.

Summary of changes (1/2):
Service Removals:
Pop Player (IPTV - local MUX)
Freeview 208 - Freely 359
Multiplex Transfer:
Nolly Africa has moved from SDN to the local MUX (IPTV)

Summary of changes (2/2):
On Freeview POP (the broadcast version) has moved from 205 to 790 (retune slate)
POP MAX has closed on SDN with the service being repurposed as POP (IPTV) and changing LCN:
Freeview - 214 to 205
Freely - 364 to 353
This IPTV service replaces the broadcast version of POP.

The blogs have been updated with Wednesday's changes.
Further details:
ukterrestrialtvchanges.blogspot.com
ukfreelytvchanges.blogspot.com

We are also working on a new system to bring details of new and changes to Freely exclusive channels which should be in place by the end of December.
Our technical support crew will be working through the Christmas holiday on this update...

Note: There have been no recent blog updates (including the changes from December 10th) due to an issue at our hub site. We are working with JTek Services for a workaround and a full fix this weekend.
The blogs will be updated as soon as possible.

Correction to last month's changes:
YAAAS! is on Freely channel 358 - not 357.
Freely's error, not ours!

Rebrands:
That's Oldies becomes That's Christmas:
Freeview 75 - Freely 401
That's Oldies MCR becomes That's Xmas MCR (Manchester area):
Freeview 79 - Freely 404

Summary of changes:
Service Removal: That's Rock MCR (Manchester area)
New services:
That's 80s (4am-6am) Freeview 78 - Freely 405
That's 80s MCR (Manchester area):
Freeview 93 - Freely 406

continued...

The blogs have been updated with Wednesday's changes.
Further details:
ukterrestrialtvchanges.blogspot.com
ukfreelytvchanges.blogspot.com

TV broadcast licensing monthly updates A monthly round-up of recent licensing activity on broadcast TV stations. This includes new licensed services, transfers and name changes.

Ofcom's monthly licensing update summary has been released for October 2025.
www.ofcom.org.uk/tv-radio-and...

Welcome to a new feed from the MCUK family and the return of a familiar name.
UK Media Watch will carry occasional posts with a focus on politics and the media.
@ukmediawatch.bsky.social

For those asking (and disinclined to actually read the blog) these are the channel numbers for Wednesday's changes:
wedotv Movies UK - Freeview 98 - Freely 143
Cartoon Classics - Freeview 214 - Freely 365
YAAAS! - Freeview 211 - Freely 357
Gemporia - Freeview 45 - Freely 454

The terrestrial tv blog has been updated with today's changes.
Further details:
ukterrestrialtvchanges.blogspot.com

The Freely blog has been updated with today's changes.
The Channel4 exclusive channels added in September and the Freely native SID list have also been updated.
Further details:
ukfreelytvchanges.blogspot.com

Today's changes:
YAAAS! moved from SDN to the local mux.
wedotv Movies UK launched as a full broadcast channel on the local mux.
Cartoon Classics launched as a streaming channel on the local mux.
Gemporia is the new name for Gems TV.

No DTT changes this month.
Going forward, we will be adding individual DTT licence changes to the blogs shortly after they appear on the Ofcom website.

TV broadcast licensing monthly updates A monthly round-up of recent licensing activity on broadcast TV stations. This includes new licensed services, transfers and name changes.

Ofcom's monthly licensing update summary has been released for September 2025.
www.ofcom.org.uk/tv-radio-and...

At a UKCG meeting today it was decided to reimpose the restriction on UKCG data being released through public forums. It is inappropriate to release information via platforms which promote fantasy scenarios over, or even alongside, facts.
Promoting fantasies only sows confusion.