Freeview viewers may need to retune

If you receive your television signal via an aerial you may need to retune your television or set-top box today after changes were made to channel frequencies.

Technical changes to the Mendip transmitter and its relay masts will free frequencies for future fourth generation (4G) mobile services.

Around 900,000 homes in areas including Bristol, Bath and Stroud are affected.

TV services will be subject to disruption from early this morning as channels including BBC One, ITV, Channel 4, Channel 5, Film4 and Yesterday are moved to new frequencies.

Work at the main Mendip, Bristol Kings Weston and Bristol Ilchester Crescent transmitters should now be completed. Services at other local transmitters may be off-air until late afternoon. Once these resume, anyone missing channels should retune their TV or digital box to get them back.

Television services received via satellite are unaffected.

How to retune your television or set-top box:

• Make sure your Freeview TV or box is on. If you have a Freeview TV, ensure it is in digital mode by pressing the DTV or digital button on your remote. Then press ‘menu’.

• Select the ‘set up’ or ‘installation’ option. If you see picture icons, select the tool box, satellite dish or spanner.

• If you are prompted for a code, try 0000 or 1234.

• Select the full retune option. This is sometimes called ‘first time installation’, ‘factory reset’, ‘default settings’ or ‘shipping conditions’. Selecting ‘channel update’ or ‘add channels’ may not always fully clear old channels and enable new ones to be found.

• Press ‘OK’ if you are prompted to delete all your channels; don’t worry, this is normal.

• Channels will automatically be installed. This may take a few minutes and your equipment may shut down and restart.

These instructions are a guide only. For detailed retuning instructions of popular makes and models visit the Digital UK website or telephone their advice line on 08456 50 50 50.