ITV4 is to be made available to all Freeview viewers for the first time, following technical changes to ITV's Freeview service in August.
The move will come in time for the Rugby World Cup, allowing Freeview viewers to catch all the action on both ITV and ITV4 from the event taking place through September and October.
ITV4 will move to the same frequency as the main standard definition ITV service, meaning it will become available in those areas that only have access to a limited line-up of Freeview channels, giving ITV4 a coverage boost to reach around 98.5% of households in the UK.
When do the changes take place?
According to ITV, the change is due to happen around midday, Tuesday 25th August.
What do Freeview users need to do?
Freeview viewers who already receive ITV4 will need to retune in order to continue receiving ITV4. If you have recordings set up, you will need to re-programme them for the "new" ITV4.
Freeview viewers who don't have ITV4 will need to retune in order to add ITV4 to their channel list. ITV4 will appear on channel 24.
(A small number of Freeview receivers may automatically make the changes. The changes also affect YouView users.)
ITV3
The changes will mean that a small number of Freeview households will be able to receive ITV, ITV2, ITV4 but not ITV3. No-one who already has ITV3 on Freeview will lose the channel because of the changes. ITV4 is given priority over ITV3 because of the live sport; the lack of ITV4 has repeatedly been brought up by viewers in some parts of the UK because affected viewers have missed out on live coverage of numerous sporting events over the past few years.
There will be no changes to ITV3 on Freeview, but viewers who can receive ITV3 will also receive ITV3+1 for new, extended broadcast hours on Freeview starting on the same day. ITV3+1 is extending its hours from the current 6pm – 12:05am to 6pm through to 6am (although ITV3+1's programmes usually finish at 4am, followed by teleshopping). ITV3+1 is on channel 34.
How to re-tune your TV
Full re-tuning
A full re-tune should only takes a few minutes and can be done with your remote control. Here are some guidelines for how to do it, but bear in mind every model of digital TV or box will be a little bit different.
Make sure your Freeview TV or box is on and in digital mode. Press 'menu' on your remote control.
Select the 'set up' or 'installation' option. If you see picture icons, select the tool box, satellite dish or spanner.
If you are prompted for a code, try 0000 or 1234.
Select the full re-tune option. This is sometimes called ‘first time installation’, 'factory reset', 'default settings' or 'shipping conditions'. Do not select 'channel update' or 'add channels'.
Press ‘OK’ if your equipment asks if you want to delete all your channels. Don't worry this is normal
Channels will automatically be installed. This may take a few minutes and your equipment may shut down and restart.
For more details please go to www.digitaluk.co.uk
Viewers will see on screen messages to remind them to re-tune nearer the time.
Staff at Moss of Bath are available in-store to instruct customers who have purchased their digital product from us how to complete the process.
If you would like an engineer from Moss of Bath to help you with the re-tune at home, please call us on 01225 331441 to book an appointment. A standard call out charge will apply.