You don't have to commit to a contract or subscribe to a streaming service to watch TV. In fact, Freeview lets you watch over 100 channels for free – as long as you have a TV licence.
Key points
- Freeview lets you watch over 100 channels for free – as long as you have a TV licence
- You can also access on-demand players like BBC iPlayer and ITVX with Freeview Play
- Top up on-demand services allow you to enjoy streaming services such as Netflix, Disney+ and Amazon Prime Video. Some Freeview Play devices may already have these pre-installed.
When faced with an endless choice of entertainment at your fingertips, you might find yourself aimlessly scrolling rather than watching.
This is where Freeview comes in nicely. With Freeview, you can skip the decision fatigue and simply watch what's being aired right now. Not to mention, some TV programmes are only available via live broadcast.
This doesn't mean you have to plump for a pricey TV package, though. In fact, Freeview is free – meaning you can watch dozens of live broadcast channels without having to pay for a plan.
What is Freeview?
As per its name, Freeview is free. Unlike a streaming service or TV package, you don't need to pay for a monthly subscription, nor are you tied to a contract.
You can freely watch live broadcasts from the likes of BBC, ITV and Channel 4, as well as use their on-demand players to catch up on certain programmes.
However, to be able to watch all the free channels, you'll need to buy a TV licence. Read our page Do I need a TV licence? for more information.
In addition to a TV licence, you'll also typically need an aerial. Also called a TV antenna, this lets your TV receive over-the-air signals broadcasted by TV stations. Certain channels do let you view without an aerial, as long as you're watching on a device that's connected to the internet.
What channels can I watch on Freeview?
For a list of available Freeview channels, see our table below:
Channel number | Service | Genre |
|---|---|---|
1 | BBC ONE | Entertainment |
1 | BBC ONE NI | Entertainment |
1 | BBC ONE Scot | Entertainment |
1 | BBC ONE Wales | Entertainment |
2 | BBC TWO | Entertainment |
2 | BBC TWO NI | Entertainment |
2 | BBC TWO Wales | Entertainment |
3 | ITV1 | Entertainment |
3 | ITV1 Border England | Entertainment |
3 | ITV1 Border Scotland | Entertainment |
3 | ITV1 Wales | Entertainment |
3 | STV | Entertainment |
3 | UTV | Entertainment |
4 | Channel 4 | Entertainment |
4 | S4C | Entertainment |
5 | Channel 5 | Entertainment |
6 | ITV2 | Entertainment |
7 | BBC ALBA | Entertainment |
7 | Channel 4 | Entertainment |
7 | Local TV | Entertainment |
8 | Local TV | Entertainment |
9 | BBC FOUR | Entertainment |
9 | BBC Scotland | Entertainment |
10 | ITV3 | Entertainment |
11 | Sky Mix | Entertainment |
12 | QUEST | Entertainment |
13 | E4 | Entertainment |
14 | Film4 | Entertainment |
15 | Channel 4+1 | Entertainment |
16 | QVC | Entertainment |
17 | Really | Entertainment |
18 | More 4 | Entertainment |
19 | U&Dave | Entertainment |
20 | U&Drama | Entertainment |
21 | 5USA | Entertainment |
22 | TJC | Entertainment |
23 | BBC THREE | Entertainment |
24 | BBC FOUR | Entertainment |
25 | U&W | Entertainment |
26 | ITV4 | Entertainment |
27 | U&Yesterday | Entertainment |
28 | ITVBe | Entertainment |
29 | ITV2+1 | Entertainment |
30 | E4+1 | Entertainment |
30 | E4+1 | Entertainment |
31 | E4 Extra | Entertainment |
32 | 5STAR | Entertainment |
33 | 5ACTION | Entertainment |
34 | GREAT! movies | Entertainment |
35 | ITV1+1 | Entertainment |
35 | STV+1 | Entertainment |
35 | UTV+1 | Entertainment |
36 | Sky Arts | Entertainment |
37 | QVC2 | Entertainment |
38 | Channel 5+1 | Entertainment |
39 | DMAX | Entertainment |
40 | Quest Red | Entertainment |
41 | LEGEND | Entertainment |
42 | GREAT! action | Entertainment |
43 | Food Network | Entertainment |
44 | HGTV | Entertainment |
45 | Gems TV | Entertainment |
46 | 5SELECT | Entertainment |
47 | Film4+1 | Entertainment |
48 | Challenge | Entertainment |
49 | 4seven | Entertainment |
50 | GREAT! tv | Entertainment |
51 | Ideal World | Entertainment |
52 | GREAT! romance | Entertainment |
53 | TG4 | Entertainment |
54 | RTÉ One | Entertainment |
55 | RTÉ Two | Entertainment |
56 | That's TV (UK) | Entertainment |
57 | U&Eden | Entertainment |
58 | ITV3+1 | Entertainment |
59 | ITV4+1 | Entertainment |
60 | U&Drama+1 | Entertainment |
61 | GREAT! mystery | Entertainment |
62 | GREAT! romance mix | Entertainment |
63 | GREAT! player | Entertainment |
64 | Blaze | Entertainment |
65 | That's TV 2 | Entertainment |
66 | TBN UK | Entertainment |
67 | TRUE CRIME | Entertainment |
68 | TRUE CRIME XTRA | Entertainment |
69 | LEGEND XTRA | Entertainment |
70 | QUEST+1 | Entertainment |
71 | That's TV 3 | Entertainment |
72 | Jewellery Maker | Entertainment |
73 | HobbyMaker | Entertainment |
74 | U&DaveJaVu | Entertainment |
75 | That's Melody | Entertainment |
76 | That's Dance | Entertainment |
77 | That's Melody MCR | Entertainment |
78 | That's Oldies | Entertainment |
79 | That's Dance MCR | Entertainment |
80 | That's TV (UK) MCR | Entertainment |
81 | Blaze+1 | Entertainment |
82 | TalkingPictures TV | Entertainment |
83 | Together TV | Entertainment |
84 | PBS America | Entertainment |
86 | That's TV 2 MCR | Entertainment |
87 | That's TV 3 MCR | Entertainment |
88 | TV Warehouse | Entertainment |
89 | Shop On TV | Entertainment |
90 | Together TV+1 | Entertainment |
91 | WildEarth | Entertainment |
92 | TV Warehouse+1 | Entertainment |
93 | ITVBe+1 | Entertainment |
95 | Rewind TV | Entertainment |
96 | SonLife | Entertainment |
100 | Freeview | Entertainment |
101 | BBC 1 Scot HD | HD |
101 | BBC 1 Wales HD | HD |
101 | BBC ONE | HD |
101 | BBC ONE NI HD | HD |
102 | BBC 2 Wales HD | HD |
102 | BBC TWO HD | HD |
102 | BBC TWO NI HD | HD |
103 | ITV1 HD | HD |
103 | ITV1 Wales HD | HD |
103 | STV HD | HD |
103 | UTV HD | HD |
104 | Channel 4 HD | HD |
104 | S4C HD | HD |
105 | Channel 5 HD | HD |
106 | BBC FOUR HD | HD |
106 | BBC Scotland HD | HD |
107 | BBC THREE HD | HD |
108 | BBC FOUR HD | HD |
110 | Channel 4 HD | HD |
201 | CBBC | Children's |
202 | CBeebies | Children's |
203 | CBBC HD | Children's |
204 | CBeebies HD | Children's |
205 | POP | Children's |
206 | Tiny Pop | Children's |
207 | POP UP | Children's |
208 | Pop Player | Children's |
209 | Ketchup TV | Children's |
210 | Ketchup Too | Children's |
211 | YAAAS! | Children's |
213 | Moochi | Children's |
231 | BBC NEWS | News |
232 | BBC Parliament | News |
233 | Sky News | News |
236 | GB News | News |
250 | BBC Red Button | Text Services |
251 | Al Jazeera English | Text Services |
252 | Al Jazeera Arabic | Text Services |
253 | Trailblazer | Text Services |
254 | On Demand 365 | Text Services |
255 | FRANCE 24 | Text Services |
256 | Odyssey TV | Text Services |
258 | Real Crime | Text Services |
259 | MBC | Text Services |
260 | ASHARQ NEWS | Streamed Channels |
261 | AL ARABIYA | Streamed Channels |
262 | Shots! | Streamed Channels |
263 | Sonlife | Streamed Channels |
264 | Alaraby Network | Streamed Channels |
265 | ROK | Streamed Channels |
266 | Revelation TV | Streamed Channels |
267 | God TV | Streamed Channels |
268 | 3ABN | Streamed Channels |
269 | New Media TV | Streamed Channels |
270 | Together TV IP | Streamed Channels |
271 | Channelbox | Streamed Channels |
272 | NHK WORLD | Streamed Channels |
273 | Newsmax | Streamed Channels |
274 | Amazing Facts | Streamed Channels |
275 | wedotv movies | Streamed Channels |
276 | CNA | Streamed Channels |
277 | UK RADIO PORTAL | Streamed Channels |
278 | Nosey | Streamed Channels |
279 | Purpose Media | Streamed Channels |
280 | Talk | Streamed Channels |
281 | EXTREME CHANNEL | Streamed Channels |
283 | Global Arabic + | Streamed Channels |
284 | GIGS | Streamed Channels |
555 | Accessible TV Guide | IP Delivered Services |
601 | BBC RB 1 | Interactive |
670 | ADULT Section | Adult |
671 | ADULT Xpanded TV | Adult |
673 | ADULT smileTV3 | Adult |
674 | ADULT Babestn | Adult |
699 | ADULT Section | Adult |
700 | BBC Radio 1 | Radio |
701 | BBC R1X | Radio |
702 | BBC Radio 2 | Radio |
703 | BBC Radio 3 | Radio |
704 | BBC Radio 4 | Radio |
705 | BBC R5L | Radio |
706 | BBC 5SX | Radio |
707 | BBC 6 Music | Radio |
708 | BBC Radio 4 Ex | Radio |
709 | BBC Asian Net. | Radio |
710 | BBC World Sv. | Radio |
711 | BBC Berkshire | Radio |
711 | BBC Bristol | Radio |
711 | BBC CWR | Radio |
711 | BBC Jersey | Radio |
711 | BBC Kent | Radio |
711 | BBC Leeds | Radio |
711 | BBC Manchester | Radio |
711 | BBC Newcastle | Radio |
711 | BBC Norfolk | Radio |
711 | BBC R Scotland | Radio |
711 | BBC Radio Ulster | Radio |
711 | BBC Radio Wales | Radio |
712 | BBC Devon | Radio |
712 | BBC H&W | Radio |
712 | BBC Lancashire | Radio |
712 | BBC Nottingham | Radio |
712 | BBC R n Gaidheal | Radio |
712 | BBC Radio Cymru | Radio |
712 | BBC Radio Foyle | Radio |
712 | BBC Suffolk | Radio |
712 | BBC Sussex | Radio |
712 | BBC Three Counties | Radio |
712 | BBC York | Radio |
713 | BBC Cornwall | Radio |
713 | BBC Cumbria | Radio |
713 | BBC Guernsey | Radio |
713 | BBC Humberside | Radio |
713 | BBC Leicester | Radio |
713 | BBC Radio Cymru 2 | Radio |
713 | BBC Radio London | Radio |
713 | BBC Shropshire | Radio |
713 | BBC Wiltshire | Radio |
714 | BBC Cambridge | Radio |
714 | BBC Lincolnshire | Radio |
714 | BBC Merseyside | Radio |
714 | BBC Oxford | Radio |
714 | BBC Solent | Radio |
714 | BBC Somerset | Radio |
714 | BBC Surrey | Radio |
714 | BBC Tees | Radio |
714 | BBC WM | Radio |
715 | BBC Solent Dorset | Radio |
715 | BBC Stoke | Radio |
716 | BBC Essex | Radio |
716 | BBC Gloucestershire | Radio |
716 | BBC Northampton | Radio |
716 | BBC Sheffield | Radio |
717 | BBC Derby | Radio |
718 | Smooth Radio | Radio |
723 | talkSPORT | Radio |
724 | Capital | Radio |
725 | Premier Radio | Radio |
728 | Heart | Radio |
729 | RTÉ RnaG | Radio |
730 | RNIB Connect | Radio |
731 | Classic FM | Radio |
732 | LBC | Radio |
733 | Trans World Radio | Radio |
The number of channels you can access depends on the coverage at your address. Channel availability is based on which region in the UK you live in, as some channels only serve certain regions.
For instance, BBC ONE differs depending on whether you're in England/the Channel Islands, Wales, Scotland or Northern Ireland.
What streaming services are available on Freeview?
The primary free on-demand players available through Freeview Play include:
- BBC iPlayer
- ITVX
- All 4
- My5
- UKTV Play
You can also access the following streaming services via Freeview Play devices when you top up your on-demand subscription:
- Netflix
- Amazon Prime Video
- NOW
- Disney+
To watch on-demand content, you'll need:
- A minimum broadband speed of 2 Mbps
- A TV license
- The Freeview app set up to detect which on-demand players you need to install
- The ability to download content to watch offline
Go to channel 100 on your Freeview device and you’ll see all the on-demand players available for you to use.
Do I need a set-top box to watch Freeview?
That depends on the age of your TV. Since 2010, Freeview has been integrated into almost all televisions. So, if your TV was produced after that date, you most likely won't need a dedicated TV box to watch Freeview channels.
However, some features – such as recording live TV – are only available with a set-top box.
Can I get a Freeview-only TV package?
Absolutely. If you choose to get a broadband and TV plan with a set-top box, you don't have to buy the most comprehensive TV package on offer.
While you'll need to buy add-ons to watch certain channels (for example, sports fans will have to cough up the cash for Sky Sports or TNT Sports), you can choose to stick with the most basic plan.
This gets you access to Freeview channels, on-demand players like BBC iPlayer and ITVX, and any streaming services you're subscribed to, such as Netflix, Disney+ and Amazon Prime Video.
One example of a Freeview-only TV plan with a simple set-top box is the TalkTalk TV Hub, but there's plenty more on the market.
