• TV & Radio Interference
  • TV Interference (TVI)
  • Scart Cable Interference
  • Computer RFI
• TV Servicing Tips
  • Grey Scale Alignment
• UK DAB Radio
  • Improve DAB Reception
  • London DAB Radio
  • Pure Evoke 2S Review

Freeview Aerial Requirements

Freeview aerial requirements vary for different UK regions based on digital TV channel assignments and transmitter frequencies used. The table below details aerial types for each of the UK's main TV transmitters after Digital Switchover (DSO). Aerials are available in five different channel groups optimised for different UHF frequencies. In all cases a roof-mounted aerial is recommended, installed by a CAI approved aerial company.

Anglia TV Region

Central TV Region

London TV Region

Yorkshire TV Region

Meridian TV Region

West TV Region

South West TV Region

Wales TV Region

Granada TV Region

Tyne Tees TV Region

Border TV Region

STV Region

Ulster TV Region

Disclaimer: Every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of UK TV transmitter information and Freeview aerial requirements, but channels and frequencies change regularly with little notice. This page was last updated in December 2011.

Freeview Transmitters

Freeview transmitters broadcast digital TV channels in bunches called 'multiplexes' and each multiplex may transmit five to ten digital TV channels, whilst occupying only one UHF channel in the range of Ch21-68.

UK Relay Transmitters (a.k.a. fill-in transmitters) offer fewer Freeview channels than main UK transmitters since they only broadcast two of the six multiplexes available on the UK's main transmitter network - providing only around 16 free-to-air TV channels. After digital switchover, relay transmitters also include the BBC B muliplex which adds Freeview HD services (BBC One HD, BBC Two HD, ITV1 HD and Channel 4 HD).

In many cases Freeview multiplexes are all transmitted in closely grouped channel numbers, but this is not always possible in order to avoid interference to adjoining regions. For this reason some transmitters have their Freeview channels spread over a wide range of UHF channels (the Sandy Heath Transmitter in Bedfordshire being one example: which has one multiplex on Channel 21 and another on Channel 67). In these cases a Wideband Aerial is required which receives all UHF channels equally.

In regions where Freeview multiplexes are closely spaced, Freeview aerials occupying one channel group are required and these will give better results than a wideband type.

UK Aerial Groups are detailed below:

Note: Wideband aerials have lower gain than other "grouped aerials" and should only be used where recommended.

Viewers in and around London on the Crystal Palace transmitter require a Group A Aerial.