Freeview is how most UK homes still receive the free channels. Numbers move after retunes, so these are the ones that have stayed stable longest; check your TV guide for the full list.
What are the main channel numbers?
| Number | Channel | HD version |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | BBC One (your region) | 101 |
| 2 | BBC Two | 102 |
| 3 | ITV1 (your region; STV in much of Scotland, UTV in Northern Ireland) | 103 |
| 4 | Channel 4 (S4C in Wales) | 104 |
| 5 | Channel 5 | 105 |
| 9 | BBC Four | 106 |
| 10 | ITV3 | |
| 12 | E4 | |
| 13 | Channel 4 +1 | |
| 14 | More4 | |
| 15 | Film4 |
Children’s channels sit in the 200s (CBBC and CBeebies) and news channels further along in the 200s, including BBC News and Sky News.
Why does channel 1 show different news in different places?
BBC One and ITV1 have regional versions. Your aerial picks up the one for your transmitter. Our postcode checker shows which BBC and ITV region your postcode belongs to and the name of its local news programme.
How do you watch Freeview channels without an aerial?
- Freely, built into many new TVs, streams the channels over broadband.
- Broadcaster apps: BBC iPlayer, ITVX, Channel 4 and My5 show their channels live.
- An IPTV service may also carry them; check that it carries your region if local news matters to you.
All of these need a TV licence for live TV, at £180 a year.
Readers also ask
Why have my Freeview channel numbers changed?
Channels move after retunes when new ones launch or old ones close. If a channel disappears, run a retune from your TV's settings menu.
How many channels does Freeview have?
About 70 standard channels plus around 15 in HD, and more on Freeview Play and Freely through broadband. The number varies by transmitter, and smaller relay transmitters carry fewer.
Can I watch Freeview channels on a Fire TV Stick?
Yes, through the broadcasters' own apps (iPlayer, ITVX, Channel 4, My5) and, on some models, Freely. You need a TV licence for live TV.
Sources
- Wikipedia: List of DTT channels in the United Kingdom checked 6 October 2026