topic Re: Freeview channels missing? in TV

Freeview channels missing?

Wh21 — Mon, 05 Jan 2026 15:53:53 GMT

Hi quick question, have an EE box Pro setup in internet mode with the aerial connected, but missing some channel 5 Freeview channels.. Specifically 32 and 33. I’ve run through the EE checklist, unhidden all channels, retuned and checked connections. Checked aerial signal quality and strength on ch001 and both at 100%. Am I missing something obvious? The Freeview website says they are available at my postcode. Thanks in advance. Warren.

Re: Freeview channels missing?

XRaySpeX — Mon, 05 Jan 2026 16:03:05 GMT

You need to be in aerial mode to get the complete range of Freeview channels.

Re: Freeview channels missing?

zulu17 — Mon, 05 Jan 2026 17:24:45 GMT

Freeview aerial channels are broadcast on a number of different multiplexes , so for example the two channels you mention 32 33 are both available on the SDN multiplex. Channel 1 ((your local BbC 1 SD channel ) is from a different multiple , different frequency power levels etc.

So your lack of channels from the SDN multi plex may be down to weak/ or bizarrely too strong a signal or interference (the current weather conditions can cause this).

If you use the aerial feed into the TV direct does the TV own tuners find the channels.

Re: Freeview channels missing?

Wh21 — Mon, 05 Jan 2026 17:55:20 GMT

EE website says channels 32 and 33 available on internet mode.

Re: Freeview channels missing?

Wh21 — Mon, 05 Jan 2026 17:56:32 GMT

Thanks @zulu17 , I’ll give that a try tonight.

Re: Freeview channels missing?

Wh21 — Tue, 06 Jan 2026 12:00:32 GMT

Hi @zulu17 i checked this out and had interesting results. I plugged the house aerial into the tv and did a scan for channels, it found 100 channels, no 32 or 33.
I then plugged in a powered aerial used on a tv upstairs and 120 channels were discovered that included ch 32 and 33.

Then I tried the powered aerial in the EE tv box and rescanned for channels. It still only located 104 Freeview channels, no ch 32 or 33. I suspect a reset as opposed to a rescan would be needed.

I also suspect that our house aerial may need to be replaced with a newer one as it’s never been changed and with the swap to digital, we’ve lost channels.

Thanks, Warren.

Re: Freeview channels missing?

DarrenDev — Tue, 06 Jan 2026 12:18:03 GMT

@Wh21 your TV Box Pro (serial number ending 7351) is in aerial mode, meaning the channels are defined by the aerial that is connected. A factory reset is only required if switching to/from internet/aerial mode, and won't help in this scenario.

As @zulu17 mentioned, it's most likely that the signal strength for those channels is too strong or weak. Your TV may be doing a better job with finding them, but did you try watching them to see if the signal was usable?

Re: Freeview channels missing?

Wh21 — Tue, 06 Jan 2026 12:38:43 GMT

Hi @DarrenDev thanks for confirming the rescan/reset question.

And yes the channels were watchable on the powered second aerial as long as you didn't walk anywhere near it 🙂 (it was just a temporary setup on the living room floor).

Anyway, I'm not sure what else I can do now apart from get a new house aerial, (just so the the missus can record Home and Away after it's move from Channel 5 to 5Star) I guess she'll just have to stream it!!