Free to air digital TV

Free to air digital TV allows you to access free to view digital channels – including BBC 1, 2, 3 and 4, ITV 1, 2 and 3, Channel 4, Five, E4 and SC4 – without having to subscribe to a digital TV package. All you have to do is buy the equipment needed to receive it.

Free to air digital TV is also known as terrestrial television as it is received through your TV aerial and converted through a set top box or an integrated TV, which has a digital receiver built in.

Freeview provides a free digital TV service, offering up to 30 free channels and over 20 digital radio channels.

If you would like to add more digital TV channels to your Freeview service you can subscribe to Top Up TV for a small monthly fee, which will give you a selection of the best entertainment channels. If you change your mind you can simply phone up and cancel your Top Up TV subscription and will still be able to re-subscribe at a later date.

To find out if Freeview DTV is available in your area, use the uSwitch.com digital TV comparison service..

To receive terrestrial digital TV you need a TV aerial and either an integrated TV or a set top box. Digital TV set top boxes can be purchased from a wide range of electrical retailers and there are many to choose from. Some set top boxes will have capabilities for digital Teletext and are upgradeable to pay TV (such as Top Up TV).

Freeview digital TV is available to about 75% of UK homes. In areas of poor reception you may require an aerial upgrade.

• no monthly cost

• selected set top boxes can receive digital Teletext

• Electronic Programming Guide (on screen programme information and listings)