All Freeview users face dramatic change today as new channel launches on TVs

All Freeview users across the UK are facing a big change later today with the telly-watching service switching things around to create space for the return of BBC Three. Yes, the popular channel is making a comeback after being switched off over five years ago with the BBC service showing entertainment, movies and even some sporting action including games from the African Cup of Nations.

BBC Three will be available via Channel 23 on Freeview but that’s created a slight issue as that slot is currently filled by Dave.

This basically means that a whole raft of channels are now being moved around with services such as ITV4, Yesterday, ITV+1 and GREAT! Movies all moving. In fact, all channels between numbers 23 and 82 will be moving up one number except Dave Ja Vu who will be moving up 2 channels from numbers 23 to 25.

These changes will take place at midday today, January 26, with Freeview users being advised that may need to retune their TVs or set-top boxes to gain access to BBC Three.

Explaining more in a blog post, Freeview said: “Following Ofcom’s consultation on BBC’s proposals for the launch of BBC Three, the channel will be launching on Freeview channel 23 in SD and channel 109 in HD (For England, Northern Ireland & the Channel Islands) on 26 January 2022.

“Changes to some channel numbers will be taking place at midday on 26 January to comply with requirements published by Ofcom as part of their consultation.”

Here are some of the new channel numbers

BBC Three NOW Channel 23 

Davejavu • WAS 23 – NOW 25 

ITV4 • WAS 25 – NOW 26 

Yesterday • WAS 26 – NOW 27 

ITVBe • WAS 27 – NOW 28 

ITV2 +1 • WAS 28 – NOW 29

E4+1 • WAS 29 – NOW 30

4Music • WAS 30 – NOW 31 

5STAR • WAS 31 – NOW 32 

5Action • WAS 32 – NOW 33 

GREAT! movies • WAS 33 – NOW 34 

ITV +1 • WAS 34 NOW 35 

Pick • WAS 35 – NOW 36 

QVC Beauty • WAS 36 – NOW 37 

QVC Style • WAS 37 – NOW 38 

GREAT! movies action • WAS 41 – NOW 42 

Food Network • WAS 42 – NOW 43

Channel 5+1 • WAS 45 – NOW 46 

Film4+1 • WAS 46 – NOW 47 

Challenge • WAS 47 – NOW 48 

4seven • WAS 48 – NOW 49 

GREAT! tv • WAS 49 – NOW 50 

Ideal World • WAS 50 – NOW 51 

GREAT! movies classic • WAS 51 – NOW 52 

ITVBe+1 • WAS 57 – NOW 58 

ITV3+1 • WAS 58 – NOW 59 

ITV4+1 • WAS 59 – NOW 60

GREAT! movies +1 • WAS 60 – NOW 61 

GREAT! tv +1 • WAS 61 – NOW 62 

GREAT! movies classic +1 • WAS 62 – NOW 63 

CBS Reality • WAS 66 – NOW 67 

CBS Drama • WAS 67 – NOW 68

Horror Channel • WAS 68 – NOW 69 

Drama +1 • WAS 73 – NOW 74

Yesterday+1 • WAS 74 – NOW 75 

NOW 70s • WAS 75 – NOW 76 

NOW 80s • WAS 76 – NOW 77 

NOW 90s • WAS 78 – NOW 79 

Along with the return of BBC Three to Freeview, the station is also returning to Sky, Virgin TV and Freesat and will broadcast every night of the week from 7pm.

It’s worth noting that although Freeview is preparing its service ready for the launch of BBC Three this new channel won’t actually go live until February 1 with the BBC confirming that the first-ever RuPaul’s Drag Race: UK Versus The World will air on launch night with other titles joining it to be announced soon.

Speaking about the decision to return BBC Three to EPGs across the country, Fiona Campbell, Controller, BBC Three, said: “We know how popular sport is with younger audiences and it’s going to have a big part to play on BBC Three. AFCON is set to be an incredibly exciting tournament with some of the best players in the World on show and it’s brilliant news that we will be showing the climax of the competition on free to air television.”