There’s another set of changes coming to Freeview with the popular TV provider adding a trio of channels to its platform. The new content includes additional programmes for children, blockbuster Nollywood movies from the Nigerian film industry and a swathe of worldwide radio stations which are now available via the new UK Radio Portal.
For those with younger members in the family, there’s the Ketchup Too station (channel 209) which features favourites such as Peppa Pig, Super Why! and Ben and Holly’s Little Kingdom.
Then there’s Rok (channel 210) which showcases raw, edgy dramas and blockbuster Nollywood movies, Africa’s most popular, best-loved entertainment, produced in-house by ROK Studios.
Finally, there’s the launch of the UK Radio Portal (channel 277) which lets viewers tune in to a wide selection of radio stations from across the UK and the rest of the world. The launch of the UK Radio Portal aims to open Freeview viewers up to a whole host of content they wouldn’t normally be able to access.
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All of this new content is available via Freeview’s online platform with shows beamed to televisions via the internet rather than your aerial.
Freeview says that a minimum 5Mbps WiFi connection is recommended in order to fully enjoy the best viewing experience for HD content. For SD titles, streaming at 2Mbps will work. Most UK homes receive around 60Mbps so streaming this content shouldn’t cause any issues.
So that’s all of the good news but there’s also some content that’s disappearing from UK screens.
Firstly, the NOW 70s channel is closing with Freeview users no longer getting access to endless hours of classic music tracks.
Then there’s a big change taking place later next week with some devices losing support for ITV Hub.
In fact, a swathe of connected televisions and set-top boxes will no longer be able to show content from this streaming service with Panasonic, Samsung, Humax and Hisense just some of those affected.
Freeview says this upcoming incompatibility is due to ITV working to deliver improvements and upgrades to their app. Sadly, the technology required to carry out these improvements is not supported by some older models.
In a post on its website, Freeview confirmed: “From the end of September the ITV Hub app will no longer be available on some Freeview devices.”