Now we have something else to put on the to-do list. As well as remembering to mow the lawn, walk the dog, unblock the sink and paint the fence, we all must remember to retune our Freeview boxes!
Freeview has begun a new ‘Remember to Retune’ campaign ahead of an upgrade that will mean viewers will have to retune after September 30th this year for major technical improvements that will make way for the new HD Freeview service.
After the 30th of September all Freeview boxes, Freeview+ digital TV recorders and digital TVs need to be retuned to continue receiving all available channels. The retune is needed for technical improvements such as making Five more widely available to viewers which is an Ofcom requirement.
According to Freeview, coverage of Five on Freeview (DTT) will increase from a projected 90% once the UK digital TV switchover is complete to 98.5% coverage, which is already enjoyed by BBC One, BBC Two, ITV1 and Channel 4 viewers.
As a result of the technical improvements ITV4 will move over to a new multiplex and viewers will need to retune to make sure they can still watch the channel if it is available to them.
Paint the fence? Check. Mow the lawn? Check. Retune the Freeview box? Check. Walk the dog....???
Of course the most interesting part is that this retune is going to make room for new HD Freeview services, meaning that viewers with a HD ready TV and suitable equipment will be able to benefit from high definition television pictures through their aerial.
Ilse Howling, Managing Director of Freeview said:
“Making Five universally available at the point of switchover is great news for viewers and just one of the benefits in the pipeline for Freeview.
“Many of our viewers regularly retune but we want to make sure everyone shares the benefits of our channels and services. In the same way you would regularly check tyre pressure and keep water levels topped up on a car, get into the habit of retuning your digital box, Freeview+ recorder or digital TV from time-to-time.
“It’s a simple process and takes only a few minutes but anyone who needs further assistance will be able to visit a website to read guides on how to retune or phone an automated helpline for advice.”
The Remember to Retune campaign will start in early September. Messages will appear on screen on the most popular TV channels giving information on how to retune and who to contact if you are unsure.
The retune will affect homes with Freeview Top Up TV or BT Vision equipment. Satellite and cable viewers will be unaffected by the retune so Sky and Virgin Media customers need not add any more to their to-do lists for now.
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Written by Matt Conder.