Latest Freeview warning could make you switch to a new way of watching TV

31 January 2024 , 07:07

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Freeview TV (Image: FREEVIEW • GETTY)

Freeview remains one of the most popular ways to watch TV in the UK with the service offering over 70 channels without needing to fork out for a subscription. That free content is hugely appealing but as users found out last weekend, Freeview can have one major drawback.

As most will be aware, the service beams live shows, sports and movies to TVs using a standard aerial on rooftops and that means signals can be affected by the weather. At the weekend, a band of high pressure caused some to find their evening of entertainment was interrupted by this atmospheric phenomenon.

“Freeview viewers across parts of England and Wales could see some disruption to their TV reception. This is due to high pressure which could disrupt the TV signals which Freeview uses,” the platform explained in an update on its website.

This is already the second time this year that users may have noticed a glitchy picture and sound interference when watching telly but that issue could soon be solved by the launch of a new service from the team behind Freeview.

Everyone TV confirmed the arrival of its new Freely option last year with homes being promised that it will arrive in living rooms in 2024.

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Freely is different to Freeview as it uses the Internet to whizz content into homes which means it’s unaffected by the great British weather. You also don’t need an aerial on your roof to get access.

"The new service will deliver the best live and on demand content from public service broadcasters and other free-to-air channels all in one place over broadband, for free for the first time," explained Freely.

Thanks also to a partnership with the BBC, ITV, Channel 4 and Channel 5 users can expect to watch plenty of content plus it promises to allow viewers to 'seamlessly browse channels through a modern and intuitive programme guide'.

A full launch is expected soon with telly manufacturer Hisense already confirming that it is making screens with Freely built-in.

If viewing telly over the web sounds enticing, watch this space as an official launch could be coming soon.

Dave Snelling