How to Get Channel 5 FAQ

Everyone in the UK can receive Channel 5 one way or another whether it be through an existing aerial, via digital, satellite or cable.  It is worth noting that between 2008 and 2012 TV throughout the UK will be turning digital. This means that all analogue transmissions will be stopped forever by 2012. If you do not already receive a digital signal through digital satellite, digital cable or "Freeview" you will need to adjust your viewing set up to include one of the digital platforms before the analogue signal is turned off in your area. To get more information on the UK's digital switchover please visit www.digitaluk.co.uk

It's a common misconception that you have to be visited by a retuner to get Channel 5. In fact you don't. Most people living within Five's coverage area can tune in their own TV.

If you live within Channel 5's coverage area but are unable to get a picture, it's likely your existing aerial needs adjusting (or you may require a new aerial compatible with Channel 5). Contact a Confederation of Aerial Industries registered aerial installer whp will be able to offer you the best advice on what needs to be done - See contact details for CAI below. Always ask the installer for a quotation for any work and ask to see what your Five picture will look like before committing yourself to any financial outlay. Your installer should also advise you on any adjustments or improvements you might need to make to your aerial to accomodate digital switchover in 2008 to 2012. Alternatively, you may decide to install a Five compatible aerial yourself. DIY aerials are available from most high street electrical retailers.

Confederation of Aerial Industries contact details:
0208 902 8998
email : office@cai.org.uk
www.cai.org.uk

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Portable or set-top aerials are less direction specific, which means that the Channel 5 signal can be picked up from the aerial without it pointing directly towards the nearest transmitter.

It is likely that the aerial which feeds your main television is not directed towards the nearest Channel 5 transmitter. We suggest you contact a Confederation of Aerial Industries registered aerial installer for advice - See contact details for CAI below. Always ask the installer for a quotation for any work and ask to see what your Channel 5 picture will look like before committing yourself to any financial outlay. Your installer should also advise you on any adjustments or improvements you might need to make to your aerial to accomodate digital switchover in 2008 to 2012.

Confederation of Aerial Industries contact details:
0208 902 8998
email : office@cai.org.uk
www.cai.org.uk

A lot of communal aerials need up-dating in order to allow residents sharing an aerial to receive Channel 5. This is generally the responsibility of your landlord or council and we would suggest that you contact them regarding this matter. It's also worth noting that between 2008 and 2012 the analogue TV signal in the UK is being switched off and all TV will be turning digital. Visit www.digitaluk.co.uk to find out what this change will mean for you.

Have you tried to tune in your television to the Channel 5 signal? If you are on the same aerial as everyone else in your building, you should be able to receive Channel 5 by tuning in your television. You will need to consider your options for the digital switchover taking place between 2008 and 2012. the analogue TV signal in the UK is being switched off and all TV will be turning digital. Visit www.digitaluk.co.uk to find out what this change will mean for you.

 

Firstly check our coverage maps to confirm whether you live outside our coverage area or not. If you do live outside our coverage area then it is likely that you will never be able to receive Channel 5 terrestrially, but you can still get Channel 5 on digital satellite, cable or Freeview.

When Channel 5's service was established, it was accepted that the channel would not be able to broadcast to all of the UK by traditional analogue terrestrial television. Channel 5 has increased its coverage over the years so that now around 80% of the population can receive Channel 5's analogue signal.

At the same time there has been a huge growth in digital television - predominately Freeview, satellite and cable - so that everyone has the opportunity to receive Channel 5.It is worth noting that the government will be switching off the analogue TV signal for all TV channels permanently between 2008 and 2012. This means that all TV will be viewed via digital satellite, cable or freeview. to find out when digital switchover will occur in your area and what this will mean for you please visit www.digitaluk.co.uk.

A few homes have been sent filters to prevent our signal causing interference on equipment connected to their TV. If you've been sent a filter we recommend you contact a reputable TV dealer for advice.

You need to tune in your video recorder to Channel 5 (and also the VIDEOPlus+ feature, if it has it). If you're not sure how to do it, your instruction manual will tell you what to do. Alternatively, contact the manufacturer of your equipment for advice.

We suggest that you contact the manufacturer of your TV who should supply a copy of the instruction manual free of charge - telephone numbers and website addresses for most of the major manufacturers or their agents are listed below. Each of the manufacturers will need the model number for your TV in order to send you the correct manual. Please remember to make a note of it before you call.

Aiwa:
0870 168 9000
www.eu.aiwa.com

Alba:
0870 873 0078
www.albaplc.com

Beko:
01923 818121
www.beko.com

Bush:
0870 873 0079
www.albaplc.com

Daewoo:
0870 100 2525
www.daewoo-electronics.co.uk

Goodmans:
0870 873 0080
www.goodmans.co.uk

Hitachi:
Downloadable instruction manuals are available at: www.hitachiserviceeu.com

JVC:
0870 330 5000
Downloadable instruction manuals are available at: www.jvc.co.uk/download

LG:
Downloadable instruction manuals are available at: http://gb.lgservice.com

Matsui:
0870 909 0444

www.partmaster.co.uk

Panasonic:
0870 535 7357
Downloadable instruction manuals are available at: www.panasonic.co.uk

Philips:
Downloadable instruction manuals are available at: www.philips.co.uk

Roadstar:
0208 594 5533
www.roadstar.com

Samsung:
0870 242 0303
Downloadable instruction manuals are available at: www.samsung.co.uk

Sanyo:
Downloadable instruction manuals are available at: www.sanyo.co.uk

Sharp:
0870 609 2096
Downloadable instruction manuals are available at: www.sharp.co.uk/customersupport/manual

Sony:
0870 511 1999
www.sony.co.uk

Thomson:
0871 712 1312
www.thomson-europe.co.uk

Toshiba:
0870 442 4424
www.toshiba.co.uk

You may find it necessary to retune the device's output onto a different channel if it is using the same channel as the Channel 5 transmission in your area. Referring to your device's operation manual you should follow the instructions to select a new output channel from the device, this is a two stage process, involving changing the output channel the device uses, and then tuning your TV back into the device's output (many TVs can do an auto scan to do this for you - again, look at your manual) If you are unsure how to do this you should contact your dealer who should be able to advise you. You can also replace the aerial cable feeding the TV from the aerial output of the device with a SCART cable, although in the case of a VCR where you are daisy chaining the aerial through the VCR to the TV you may still need to move the VCR RF output channel onto a different channel.

Many devices - VCRs, satellite receivers, DVDs etc - have a SCART multiway connection on them to enable them to connect to a TV which also has a SCART cable. They connect together with a SCART lead. This is a better way of connecting ancillary devices to a TV because it leads to a higher quality AV (Audio & Video) connection between the devices, resulting in better picture quality. It also removes the chance of the type of TV channel interference described above as it does not use a TV channel to connect into the TV.

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If you have tried to tune into Channel 5 but can't get it or have a very noisy/weak (snowy) signal then check your postcode. First visit the postcode search facility on our website and enter your postcode to see if you are predicted to or already can receive Channel 5. If you are in the coverage area but can't receive it then your aerial may not be "looking" at the transmitter carrying Channel 5. One solution is to install a suitable aerial to receive Channel 5 and the other 4 terrestrial channels from your local transmitters. Your aerial could be upgraded with an aerial suitable for future digital TV. Contact a Confederation of Aerial Industries registered aerial installer who will be able to offer you the best advive on what needs to be done, see www.cai.org for a list of members in your area. Your installer should also advise you on any adjusments or improvements you might need to make to your aerial to accomodate digital switchover in 2008 to 2012.

Television is going completely digital. Switching the UK to digital-only TV is called digital switchover. And it's the biggest change in broadcasting since colour television was introduced in 1967. This process will be happening in your area sometime between 2008 and 2012. It will happen ITV region by ITV region depending on where you live. So we will all have plenty of time to get set for digital.

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First it’s important to note that the introduction of HD TV will in no way affect your viewing and enjoyment of Channel 5 or any other channels. It is your decision to go HD as HD TV signals are transmitted alongside regular digital signals. HDTV is a change in television technology which provides far clearer and more detailed pictures than normal "standard definition" TV. Many programme makers are already filming in High Definition.

HD is transmitted digitally. Each step in the transmission chain must be high definition to produce the end result on your screen. So you will need: 1) To be watching special HD broadcasts. 2) A new set top box (satellite (both Sky and Freesat), cable and Freeview HD boxes are available) and 3) a TV set that is “HD ready” meaning that it can display the HD transmissions. Your old TV will display the HD broadcasts - provided that you have the set top box – but they will be downscaled to the regular resolution and quality that your TV can accommodate. So to enjoy the benefits of the HD broadcasts you must have a HD ready TV set.

Five HD is currently broadcast on Sky HD on channel 171, and Virgin Media channel 150.

Sky changed the transponder for Channel 5, FIVER and Five USA on 26th March and the majority of their set top boxes should have updated automatically. However, they have advised us that some set top boxes have not done so.

 

In order to restore our channels to your channel line up please switch off your set top box at the mains, leave it off for a short period of time (2 to 3 minutes) and then switch it back on again. If you continue to experience any problems after carrying out this procedure, please contact Sky on 08442 41 41 41 for further assistance.