topic Re: Why is there so many dead channels? in TV

Why is there so many dead channels?

johnbhoy1979 — Sat, 11 Oct 2025 10:10:23 GMT

Just flicking through the guide and where us there so many channels where when you click on the channel you just get a dark blue screen and the channel name. But nothing comes on?

Channeks like France 24, Odessy TV, Mbc and Rok to name a few.

Shoukd I hide these Channeks or will they ever work?

Thanks in advance

Re: Why is there so many dead channels?

Weerab2024 — Sat, 11 Oct 2025 11:06:00 GMT

These are internet freeview channels which EE TV pro boxes don't support but when you set up with an aerial they are automatically picked up along with the rest.

There is no indication if France 24 will ever become a channel available via EE.

You can watch these channels via other means eg if you have a smart TV that has the Rakuten app you can watch France 24 via that or via a fire stick.

Re: Why is there so many dead channels?

zulu17 — Sat, 11 Oct 2025 11:11:56 GMT

Hi @johnbhoy1979

Thats down to what YouView supports. Therefore not all Freeview internet-delivered MHEG/HbbTV channels will be supported on the EETV devices that use YouView technology.

Re: Why is there so many dead channels?

johnbhoy1979 — Sat, 11 Oct 2025 11:12:08 GMT

Thanks for your response.

If these channels are not going to work I will probably hide them.

It's just I don't want to hide a channel that might work in the future.

Re: Why is there so many dead channels?

zulu17 — Sat, 11 Oct 2025 11:24:50 GMT

Actually @Weerab2024 you can watch France 24 live in either English or French on your EETV Pro -- you use the available YouTube app and subscribe to (free) France 24 English or France 24 En Direct .

Re: Why is there so many dead channels?

johnbhoy1979 — Sat, 11 Oct 2025 11:59:10 GMT

I understand that but why do some channels work sometimes.

TalkTv was working yesterday. Today I go on its a blue screen.

Anyone know why this is?

Re: Why is there so many dead channels?

Weerab2024 — Mon, 13 Oct 2025 08:06:43 GMT

I am not entirely sure, perhaps they are testing something. If they are, nothing will be officially supported unless we are told otherwise.

Could be a turning point, could be nothing. There was a statement on one of the queries, where it was suggested a new system will be implemented from 2026.

Re: Why is there so many dead channels?

DarrenDev — Mon, 13 Oct 2025 08:59:19 GMT

There are still no plans to support MHEG/HbbTV on Freeview, and nothing being tested.

I can only suspect that maybe you selected the channel on your TV rather than TV Box by mistake @johnbhoy1979 ?

Re: Why is there so many dead channels?

Weerab2024 — Mon, 13 Oct 2025 10:03:40 GMT

I believe MHEG/HbbTV channels need the aerial plugged in as it needs to communicate with the transmitter for the internet channels to work, so that's a strange one if the aerial was plugged into the pro box, unless the aerial was temporarily plugged into the TV

Other option of course is perhaps technical changes or error at the Freeview end.

Re: Why is there so many dead channels?

DarrenDev — Mon, 13 Oct 2025 10:21:15 GMT

Aerial is plugged into the TV Box "Aerial in" port, but then there's an "Aerial out" port to allow it to then be connected to the TV. This allows both to be used. It's also possible to use a splitter to feed both.

But also - TalkTV is provided as a FAST channel on Samsung TVs, so no aerial needed at all.

Re: Why is there so many dead channels?

Weerab2024 — Mon, 13 Oct 2025 11:14:27 GMT

All good points, thank you

Re: Why is there so many dead channels?

LyndaO25 — Tue, 24 Feb 2026 09:01:40 GMT

Yes you tube is a good solution