UK Freeview TV in Spain

From the every early days of television, the TV signal was analogue and that was very capable up until very recently. Now however, the demand for many more TV channels along with better signal quality and technology has led to the introduction of the digital TV signal. The digital signal is much more stable offering top quality pictures on your TV set. Entire nations are now switching over to the digital signal; in particular The United Kingdom is set to become totally digital by 2012.

The old analogue TV's will not be able to read the new digital signal, so if you have one, either you will need to replace your TV set or get a compatible signal converter box, with the latter connected to your TV via a SCART cable. Many of the television companies are now using cable or satellite to deliver their signals to households, although the aerial is still very abundant. TV aerials are now also available as digital aerials to receive the digital signal that the terrestrial TV stations are broadcasting in.

A fairly recent entry on the scene of TV systems is Freeview TV.

Freeview is an over the air broadcasting system that as the name suggests is free. Typically received via an aerial, Freeview consists of 40 channels, with the cost being financed through the TV licence fee. New televisions usually come with a Freeview receiver already built in or if you still have an analogue TV you can get a TV set top box to convert the signal to digital.

Originally Freeview TV was a very simple set up that just permitted you to watch your chosen channel. Now, however, a Personal Video Recorder, abbreviated to or PVR is available with Freeview, so you can record the programmes you want onto a DVD or even a built in hard drive if you get the upper range PVR. To give you an idea of recording space, a 250 gig hard drive can record up to 160 hours of TV.

To receive Freeview on your television set, you may need to have a new aerial installed, or your existing one repointed. Once set up, there will be no monthly subscription charge; you can watch as much TV as you want.

The top TV broadcasters in the UK make several of their channels available on Freeview. They include the BBC, ITV, Virgin, Sky, Channel 4, Channel 5, Dave and QVC.




How can I view / watch Freeview channels in Spain?

You cannot receive UK Freeview TV in Spain.

Freeview is the brand name of a UK Digital TV service ONLY AVAILABLE IN THE UK.
Freeview is transmitted in the UK only by the local TV transmitters, and is only receivable via a TV aerial.
Freesat is transmitted from satellites and only receivable via a satellite dish.

To receive Freeview in the UK you will need either a Freeview "set top box" or a TV with Freeview built in.

See http://www.freeview.co.uk/home for further information.

Freeview is not the same as Freesat – a common misconception - even by some satellite installers here in Spain who do not know the difference!!! Even though the channel line up is similar on both systems.

Note that there are channels on Freeview that you have to pay for on satellite (Sky) - like Dave, UK History.

The Spanish version of Freeview is TDT.