Households across the UK have been warned to expect TV signal disruptions this week, as Freeview carries out essential engineering works on multiple transmitters.
The planned maintenance, which began on Monday, 12 May, is set to affect dozens of regions, including Abergavenny, Kendal, Nottingham, Dover, Crystal Palace, and many more. Viewers may experience black screens, pixelation, or flickering, but are being urged not to retune their TVs, as services will be restored automatically once works are complete.
Why is Freeview doing this?
A spokesperson for Freeview said:
Sometimes engineering work is required on transmitters so that they can keep reliably broadcasting your favourite free-to-air programmes.
This work is being conducted to maintain signal reliability and improve long-term broadcast quality across the UK.
Freeview’s Key Message:
“If you are affected by engineering work, please don’t try and retune your TV – reception will be restored as soon as the engineering work is completed.”
Areas Affected by Freeview Engineering Works
The maintenance will affect transmitters in the following regions:
Anglia: Sandy Heath, Sudbury, Wells Next The Sea
Border: Caldbeck, Galashiels, Jedburgh, Kendal, and others
Central: Nottingham, Ridge Hill, Sutton Coldfield, Waltham
London: Crystal Palace, Reigate, Guildford
Meridian: Dover, Bluebell Hill, Whitehawk Hill, Salisbury
Granada: Winter Hill, Blackburn, Lancaster, Douglas, West Kirby
Wales: Abergavenny, Kilvey Hill, Llanddona, Preseli, and more
West Country & South West: Mendip, Bristol, Redruth, Porthleven
Yorkshire: Sheffield, Belmont, Chesterfield
Northern Ireland: Limavady, Moneymore
Scotland (STV): Black Hill, Darvel, Tay Bridge, Rosemarkie
For the full list, users are encouraged to visit the Freeview transmitter checker and enter their postcode.
How to Keep Watching TV During Outages
Viewers can still access live programming through:
- The Freeview Play app
- Freeview website via mobile, tablet, or smart TV
Those affected may also qualify for a TV Licence refund if prolonged outages occur — more details are available via GOV.UK.
