"Unlock 5 Exciting New Freeview Channels: Major Upgrade Details Unveiled!"

Table of Contents

• New Freeview Channels
• Major TV Upgrade
• Other Freeview Channels

FIVE new free channels have been confirmed to join Freeview in a significant update – with the exact number required to access them disclosed.

Hearst Networks has broadened its UK footprint for free ad-supported television – also known as FAST.

Five new Freeview channels have been confirmedCredit: Alamy The number needed to access these channels has been revealedCredit: Getty

This update introduces five new channels on Trailblazer TV, which is a platform managed by Go See TV.

Mystery TV, Inside Crime, Deal Masters, and World War TV are now available for streaming on Trailblazer TV.

Specifically, these channels can be found on Freeview Channel 253.

According to Julie Mitchelmore, VP of Product and Commercial Partnerships, the company’s FAST channels are designed around “curiosity, authenticity, and pace.”

She further described Trailblazer TV as an excellent match for this concept.

Major TV Upgrade

This announcement coincides with a significant TV upgrade that will allow viewers to access a new channel for free.

This is despite the channel in question previously being available only through a Sky subscription.

The channel, which was once restricted to Sky and other subscriptions, will become completely free starting in January 2026.

For the first time, you’ll have the opportunity to tune into TLC on Freeview without any cost – although you'll need to wait a few months for the switch to be activated.

This change comes as Warner Bros. Discovery revamps the beloved channel, transforming it into a free-to-air hub filled with popular US sitcoms and engaging shows.

Fans can look forward to new series, including the spin-off Georgie & Mandy’s First Marriage, as well as Mike & Molly joining the comedy lineup.

TLC will also showcase Zero Stars, hosted by comedians Roisin Conaty and Sara Pascoe, which will feature the duo visiting the world’s worst-reviewed destinations in a humorous new format.

However, it's not all expansions – HGTV will disappear from UK screens next year, with fan-favorite shows migrating to Really instead.

Meanwhile, the company will concentrate on six primary free channels: Quest, Quest Red, DMAX, Really, and the revamped TLC.

Warner Bros. Discovery has not yet disclosed TLC’s new channel number or its launch schedule but promises to provide more information before the big switch in January.

And that’s not all – the media giant is also preparing to launch Max, its extensive streaming service, in early 2026, featuring blockbuster hits like Game of Thrones, The Sopranos, and Friends.

Other Freeview Channels

A new channel has launched on Freeview for kids just in time for the half-term.

Fresh faces are now available for millions of viewers across the UK as of Wednesday.

The first is Cartoon Classics, which can be accessed by pressing 214 on your remote.

As the name implies, this channel features some nostalgic animated shows, such as Tom and Jerry, Count Duckula, and The Smurfs.

The other significant new addition is Wedotv.

This channel airs lesser-known films and classic titles from over the years, and it can be found in the TV guide at number 98.

Both channels are hybrid, meaning you’ll need a broadband connection to your TV for them to function, and you’ll also need to rescan your box or television.

This comes amid other significant changes in TV viewingCredit: Getty