Freeview HD allows you to watch High Definition programmes via your normal TV aerial.
Freeview HD is being switched on in advance and in parallel with the digital switchover rollout which is currently well under way and will be fully completed by 2012 across the whole of the UK.
See our When Can I get it? section to see when Freeview HD will be available in your area it might be sooner than you think and might be before digital switchover is complete.
Thousands of homes in the UK currently have HD ready televisions and still only watch television in standard definition. With Freeview HD you will be able to watch your favorite programmes in High Definition for free with no contract and no subscription costs through your normal TV aerial.
Freeview HD has already started. London covering Preston, Blackburn, Bolton, Manchester and Liverpool, Glasgow, Newcastle, Leeds, Bradford and Birmingham will receive Freeview HD by the end of March 2010. A full commercial Freeview HD launch is planned for Spring 2010.
Manchester, Cardiff and Swansea will receive Freeview HD by March 2010 as they go through digital switchover.
If you have already been through switchover, you’ll be able to get Freeview HD before the end of November 2010.
It has already been announced that the five terrestrial broadcasters will provide High Definition channels:
- BBC HD
- ITV HD (early 2010)
- Channel 4 HD (early 2010)
- S4C (early 2010 – Wales only)
- Five HD – to be added by late 2010
Remember: To receive Freeview HD you must wait until Freeview HD has been enabled in your area this could happen before your official digital switchover date as the Freesat HD rollout has been accelerated. See our when can I get it? section to see when your area is due to to be enabled.