FREEVIEW viewers across the North West of England may need to re-tune their TV equipment this August to continue watching programmes.

Some Freeview channels are moving to new airwaves to allow for the future development of new mobile broadband services. Following a decision by the UK Government, transmitters are being updated region by region as part of a major engineering programme due to complete this year.

The required changes will take place at transmitters in the areas listed below on the dates shown:

  • Area: Liverpool, Manchester, Lancashire, Cheshire and north Staffordshire Transmitter Group: Winter Hill Date: August 12, 2020
  • Area: The Saddleworth area Transmitter Group: Saddleworth Date: August 12, 2020
  • Area: parts of The Wirral and Liverpool Transmitter Group: Storeton Date: August 12, 2020
  • Area: parts of the Lancaster area Transmitter Group: Lancaster (some relays only) Date: August 12, 2020
  • Area: parts of Trawden Transmitter Group: Pendle Forest (Trawden relay only) Date: August 12, 2020
  • Area: Gosforth and St Bees Transmitter Group: Caldbeck (some relays only) Date: August 12, 2020
  • Area: Kendal and parts of the Lake District Transmitter Group: Kendal Date: August 19, 2020

Engineering work at main transmitters will begin shortly after midnight on each date and services will be off-air overnight until 6am. After this, any viewers receiving their TV signal from these transmitters who find they are missing channels can re-tune. Services from smaller local relays may be subject to disruption until late afternoon. Satellite and cable TV are not affected.

Around 2.8m homes are served by the affected transmitters. Freeview will be running an information campaign to prepare people for the change, including advertising and on-screen messages.

These final updates to signals in the region follow changes to main BBC services in February and the completion of work on other commercial channels over the past two years.

Re-tuning should be straightforward and some TV equipment will re-tune automatically. Some older aerials may need to be replaced to continue receiving all channels. Viewers may be eligible for free in-home support, including aerial work if needed.

Kate Macefield, Programme Director, said: ‘We’re making sure viewers are aware of these changes to local airwaves so that they can continue watching their favourite programmes on Freeview. Re-tuning usually only takes a few minutes but, if anyone is unsure of what to do, there will be plenty of information available on our website and from our advice line team.

‘These final required updates mark the completion of a major engineering programme in the North West and will clear the way for improved mobile services across the region.’

Anyone who needs advice, or who finds they are still missing services after re-tuning, can visit the Freeview website at freeview.co.uk/tvchanges or contact the Freeview Advice Line free on 0808 100 0288.

Further information is available online at freeview.co.uk/tvchanges