Freeview

[Spreeny]

I’ve lost nearly half of my freeview channels, i’ve re-tuned numerous times but i’m still only picking up 77 channels instead of approximately 120 odd!
Can anyone help please tia (my tv’s an LG)

[davebro]

If you haven't inadvertently "hidden" the channels it seems like a transmitter or aerial problem. Are you on satellite or terrestrial?

PS check your aerial input connections - if the signal is weak it may not get through to the TV.

[Spreeny]

I’m terrestrial,
I followed a suggestion on the internet & removed the aerial, retuned, replaced the aerial & retuned again , managed to replace a few more channels ( was 77 channels, now 95 ) but still can’t get the 100 + I had before

[davebro]

We used to manage with just 2 channels! I know there are loads available but I've whittled my selection down to about 20. Annoying if you're missing something you really want to watch though.

[hc4361]

Channels do stop broadcasting for many reasons. According to Freeview you should get 70 standard channels, 15 HD channels (if you have the right equipment) and 30 radio stations.

Check here for your specific area and see if you can identify what channels you are missing. They may be channels you never want to watch or listen to

https://www.freeview.co.uk/channels-at-your-address

[Spreeny]

I'm really missing the Food Channel, it's working on the kitchen tv, but can't really sit in there for any length of time

[hc4361]

:(

[Buenchico]

You've described the classic symptoms of poor signal quality. Before doing anything else, check that your aerial hasn't been knocked out of position on your roof. Also check that the aerial is properly plugged into the set and that any other connections between the aerial and the TV haven't come loose.

Assuming that you've found nothing wrong, I'll give you the same answer that I've been providing to similar questions for over a decade now and which, to the best of my knowledge, has solved the problem in every case:

TV channels are transmitted in 'bundles', called 'multiplexes'. Each multiplex uses a different frequency. In theory you should have a separate aerial for each multiplex, so that the elements of each aerial can be manufactured to exactly the right length for perfect 'resonance' with the incoming signal.

Clearly that's impractical, so you use a single aerial that's only a 'rough match' to each of the multiplex frequencies, meaning that it's better at 'pulling in' some multiplexes than others.

The Food Network is transmitted by the 'COM5' multiplex, so it's clear that your aerial isn't very good at receiving the frequency which that multiplex uses. (You might find that other COM5 channels, such as Dave and Really, are among those which have disappeared or which suffer from the picture breaking up) ).

The signal qualities and strengths at your aerial don't remain constant. They're affected by the 11-year sunspot cycle, individual solar flares, atmospheric pressure, precipitation, local interference and much more. When conditions are at their best your aerial can deliver a usable signal from COM5 (and any other 'borderline reception' multiplexes) to your TV but at other times it can't. So you need to find a way to improve the signal strength.

You might need to call in an aerial fitter to provide you with a better aerial. If you do, make sure that he's a CAI fitter ( https://www.getmeviewing.org.uk ) and that he replaces the cabling as well as the aerial.

However the vast majority of people in your position can solve the problem simply by fitting one of these:
https://www.argos.co.uk/product/9383027
(You'll also need a fly lead to go between the signal booster and your TV: https://www.screwfix.com/p/fly-lead-coaxial-plug-to-plug-1m/41720 ).
Once you've fitted those, carry out a retune and everything should be fine once again.

[Buenchico]

PS: The reason why your kitchen TV can receive The Food Network, whereas your main TV can't, is simply that it's got better 'sensitivity' than the other set.

'Sensitivity' is a device's ability to 'pull in' weak signals. It might also have better 'selectivity', which is a device's ability to reject interference.

Levels of 'sensitivity' and 'selectivity' can vary greatly between different makes and models, with some really expensive TV sets often performing very badly and some cheap ones doing remarkably well.

[Spreeny]

Thank you very much

[Gromit]

Spreeny

Are your two TVs using the same aerial ?

Also, how easy is it to do a test and plug your kitchen TV into your the aerial your main TV is using.
Doing that will establish whether it is a sensitivity problem or a connection problem.

[Spreeny]

Yes, they're both connected to the same aerial

[Spreeny]

Thank you all for taking the time to try and help but they’re all back today !, wondering if it could possibly have been anything to do with the recent awful weather?, (sorry, it sounds a bit daft!), but thanks again, phew

[Buenchico]

Although precipitation (in the form of rain, sleet or snow) can affect TV reception directly, as can a change in atmospheric pressure, it's more likely that you've had water ingress into a connection between your aerial and its cable (which has now dried out). That would explain the reduction in signal quality that you've been experiencing.