Aug 21
11
If you have lost your Freeview signal in North Yorkshire, Teesside or parts of County Durham, it can be difficult to know whether the issue is with your TV, your aerial, your local transmitter or a wider broadcast problem.
This was a major concern after the Bilsdale transmitter fire in August 2021, when television and radio services were disrupted across a large part of northern England. Many homes lost Freeview completely, while others had missing channels, weak reception or unreliable BBC, ITV, Channel 4 and Channel 5 services.
The situation at Bilsdale has changed significantly since then. Temporary transmitters were used, a temporary mast was brought into service, and the permanent replacement mast has since helped restore coverage across the region.
However, if you are still experiencing missing channels, pixelation, sound dropouts or a “no signal” message, this guide explains what to check, when to retune, and when you may need help from a TV aerial engineer.
What Happened at the Bilsdale Transmitter?
The Bilsdale transmitter was one of the main TV and radio transmission sites serving parts of North Yorkshire, Teesside and County Durham. It provided Freeview, DAB and FM radio services to a wide area, including many homes that relied on it for their main television reception.
On 10 August 2021, a fire at the Bilsdale mast caused a major loss of service. The original structure was badly damaged, and many viewers suddenly lost TV and radio signals.
At the time, the disruption affected homes across areas such as North Yorkshire, Teesside, parts of County Durham and nearby communities that received their signal directly or indirectly from Bilsdale.
Some smaller relay transmitters were also affected because they relied on Bilsdale for their incoming signal. This meant the disruption was not limited only to homes pointing directly at the main Bilsdale mast.
Are Bilsdale Freeview Services Still Off Air?
No. The original emergency situation has now passed, and services have been restored through later transmitter work.
After the fire, Arqiva introduced temporary transmission arrangements and later switched on an 80-metre temporary mast to restore services to most affected households. A permanent replacement mast has since been brought into use, helping return services to a much more stable position.
If your Freeview is not working today, it does not automatically mean there is still a major Bilsdale outage. Your problem may be caused by local transmitter engineering work, poor signal strength, aerial damage, cabling faults, amplifier problems or your TV storing channels from the wrong transmitter.
Which Services Were Affected by the Bilsdale Fire?
The original Bilsdale outage affected a wide range of TV and radio services. These included Freeview television multiplexes, BBC radio services, commercial radio stations, DAB services and smaller transmitters that depended on Bilsdale.
For viewers at home, this often meant:
- Freeview channels disappearing completely.
- BBC, ITV, Channel 4 or Channel 5 being unavailable.
- The TV guide showing missing or blank channels.
- Radio stations dropping off air.
- Some areas receiving partial service while others had none.
- Some relay transmitter areas being affected as well as the main Bilsdale coverage area.
Sky, Freesat, cable TV and internet services were not affected in the same way because they do not rely on a terrestrial TV aerial signal from Bilsdale. This meant many viewers could still watch programmes through satellite, cable, BBC iPlayer and other online catch-up services while Freeview was disrupted.
Why You Might Still Lose Freeview Signal Today
If your Freeview signal has gone down now, the cause may be different from the original Bilsdale fire. A lot of everyday reception faults can look similar to a transmitter problem, especially if channels disappear suddenly.
Common causes include:
- Planned transmitter engineering work.
- Temporary transmitter faults.
- A damaged or misaligned TV aerial.
- Old or water-damaged coaxial cable.
- A faulty wall socket or fly lead.
- A signal booster or amplifier that has failed.
- Your TV tuning into the wrong transmitter.
- Weather-related reception changes.
- Interference from nearby electrical equipment.
- Poor signal distribution to multiple rooms.
This is why it is important not to assume the transmitter is always the problem. If your neighbours still have Freeview but you do not, the fault is more likely to be with your own aerial system or TV setup.
Check Whether the Problem Affects One TV or Every TV
One of the easiest first checks is to see whether the issue affects every TV in the property.
If only one TV has lost signal, the problem may be with that television, the aerial lead, the wall socket, the set-top box or the tuning settings.
If every TV in the property has lost signal, the problem is more likely to be with the main aerial, the outside cable, a loft amplifier, a distribution system or the incoming signal from the transmitter.
For homes with multiple TV points, a faulty amplifier or splitter can cause widespread problems. This is especially common in properties where one aerial feeds several rooms.
Should You Retune Your TV?
A retune can help in some situations, but it is not always the best first step.
You may want to retune if your TV guide is incomplete, your channels are in the wrong order, your TV is showing the wrong regional news, or you have not retuned since transmitter work was completed.
However, you should avoid retuning during a known transmitter fault or planned engineering work. If channels are temporarily off air and you retune at that moment, your TV may delete them from the guide. When the signal returns, you may then need to retune again.
Before retuning, it is sensible to check whether other homes nearby are affected and whether there are known transmitter issues in your area.
How to Retune Freeview
The exact retune process depends on your TV or Freeview box, but the steps are usually similar.
Press the menu button on your remote control and look for an option such as Settings, Set-up, Installation, Channels, Auto Tune, Full Retune or First-Time Installation.
Choose the retune option and allow the TV to scan for channels. This may take several minutes. Once the scan has finished, save the channels if prompted and check your main BBC, ITV, Channel 4, Channel 5 and HD services.
You can watch Freeview’s retune guidance here: https://www.freeview.co.uk/help/watch-retune-videos.
What if Retuning Does Not Restore Your Channels?
If retuning does not bring your channels back, the issue may be with the aerial system rather than the TV.
A retune only works if the aerial is receiving a usable signal. If the signal is too weak, too strong, damaged by cable loss or affected by interference, your TV may still fail to find all available channels.
Problems that can stop a retune working properly include:
- The aerial has moved out of alignment.
- The aerial is old, damaged or not suitable for your local transmitter.
- The outdoor cable has cracked or taken in water.
- The aerial plug or wall plate is loose.
- A signal booster has failed or is over-amplifying the signal.
- Your TV is picking up a weaker transmitter instead of the correct one.
- There is a fault in a communal aerial system.
If you keep retuning and the same channels remain missing, repeated scans are unlikely to fix the underlying problem. At that stage, the signal needs to be checked properly.
Could Your TV Be Tuned to the Wrong Transmitter?
In parts of North Yorkshire, Teesside and County Durham, some homes may be able to receive signals from more than one transmitter. This can cause confusion during an automatic retune.
Your TV may store channels from the first transmitter it finds, even if that transmitter is not the strongest or most suitable option for your address. This can lead to missing channels, weaker reception or the wrong regional news service.
A common sign of this is finding duplicate channels in the 800s on your TV guide. These are often alternative versions of channels found during the scan.
In some cases, a manual retune using the correct transmitter frequencies may be needed. A professional aerial engineer can test the signal and confirm which transmitter your aerial should be using.
How to Tell if It Is a Transmitter Fault or an Aerial Fault
A transmitter fault usually affects many homes in the same area at the same time. If there is a wider issue, neighbours may have the same problem and transmitter fault checkers may show an active warning.
An aerial fault is usually specific to your property. It may affect one TV, every TV in the house, or only certain groups of channels.
Signs of a possible aerial fault include:
- Pixelated or blocky pictures.
- Sound cutting in and out.
- Channels disappearing after wind or rain.
- Reception changing when the aerial cable is moved.
- One room working while another room does not.
- Several channels missing but others working normally.
- An aerial that looks bent, loose or damaged.
If the problem has lasted for days and only affects your property, it is unlikely to be a major transmitter outage.
Check for Transmitter Faults Before Booking an Engineer
Before arranging an aerial repair, it is worth checking whether there is a known transmitter issue in your area.
You can use the Radio and Television Investigation Service transmitter checker here: https://www.radioandtvhelp.co.uk/check-for-transmitter-faults-0.
You can also check Freeview’s engineering advice here: https://www.freeview.co.uk/help/check-engineering-work-tv-services.
If there is a confirmed fault, it may be best to wait for the transmitter issue to be resolved. If no fault is listed and your neighbours are not affected, your own aerial system may need attention.
What About BBC Reception Problems?
If your main issue is with BBC channels, you can also check the BBC Reception website. This is useful if BBC One, BBC Two, BBC News, BBC radio or BBC HD services are missing while other channels are still working.
You can visit BBC Reception here: https://www.bbc.co.uk/reception/.
BBC channels are carried within specific Freeview multiplexes. This means you can lose a group of BBC services while other channels remain available. An aerial engineer can test each multiplex and identify whether the issue is caused by weak signal, poor cabling, interference or incorrect tuning.
Freeview Signal Problems After Bad Weather
Bad weather can expose weaknesses in an aerial system. Wind can move an aerial slightly out of alignment, rain can affect damaged cabling, and water can enter old outdoor connections.
If your Freeview signal becomes worse during wind or rain, the problem may not be the transmitter. It may be that your aerial, bracket or cable is no longer in good condition.
Common weather-related aerial issues include:
- Aerials moving in strong wind.
- Loose chimney brackets or wall brackets.
- Water entering cracked coaxial cable.
- Corroded outdoor connections.
- Old aerials no longer holding position properly.
If your picture breaks up every time the weather changes, it is worth having the aerial system inspected.
Freeview in Flats and Shared Buildings
If you live in a flat, apartment block, sheltered housing or a building with a communal TV system, your Freeview signal may come through shared equipment rather than your own aerial.
In this situation, the problem could be with the communal aerial, amplifier, distribution system or headend equipment.
If several neighbours in the same building have lost Freeview, report the issue to your landlord, housing association, building manager or maintenance company. If only your flat is affected, check your wall socket, fly lead, TV settings and any set-top box first.
Can You Watch TV Another Way While Freeview Is Down?
If your Freeview signal is temporarily unavailable, you may still be able to watch TV through other services.
Options may include:
- BBC iPlayer.
- ITVX.
- Channel 4 streaming.
- My5.
- Freesat.
- Sky.
- Cable TV.
- Internet-connected smart TV apps.
These services use different delivery methods, so a Freeview aerial problem will not always affect them. However, streaming services depend on your broadband connection, while Freesat and Sky need a working satellite dish setup.
If aerial reception is difficult in your area, Freesat may be a suitable alternative.
When to Call a TV Aerial Engineer
You should consider calling a TV aerial engineer if your Freeview signal has not returned, no transmitter fault is listed, and basic checks have not solved the issue.
An engineer can test signal strength and quality, check which transmitter your aerial is receiving, inspect cables and connectors, look for water damage and confirm whether your aerial needs realigning, repairing or replacing.
You may need professional help if:
- Your TV still says “no signal”.
- You are missing channels after a correct retune.
- Your picture breaks up regularly.
- Your aerial looks damaged or has moved.
- Several TVs in your home have the same problem.
- Your reception gets worse in poor weather.
- You need extra TV points or help with a multi-room setup.
WeFitAerials can help with aerial repairs, TV aerial installation, Freeview signal problems and Freesat installation.
Simple Checks Before You Call
Before booking an engineer, there are a few safe checks you can try indoors.
- Make sure the aerial lead is firmly connected.
- Try another aerial fly lead if you have one.
- Restart your TV or Freeview box.
- Check whether other TVs in the property work.
- Check whether the problem affects all channels or only some channels.
- Make sure any amplifier or booster is switched on.
- Look for duplicate channels in the 800s.
Do not climb onto the roof or try to move an outdoor aerial yourself. Roof work can be dangerous, especially if the aerial is mounted on a chimney, high wall or exposed bracket.
Final Advice if You Have Lost Freeview Signal
If you have lost Freeview signal in North Yorkshire, Teesside or parts of County Durham, start by checking whether there is a known transmitter fault or planned engineering work. If a wider issue is active, retuning may not be the right first step.
If there is no known transmitter problem, check your cables, compare other TVs in the property and look for signs of an aerial fault. A retune may help if your TV has stored old or incorrect channel information, but it will not fix a damaged aerial, faulty cable or failed amplifier.
The Bilsdale fire caused major disruption in 2021, but ongoing Freeview problems today are not always linked to that original outage. In many cases, the cause is local to the property and can be found with a proper signal test.
If you need help restoring your Freeview channels, visit https://wefitaerials.com/aerial-repairs/ or contact WeFitAerials here: https://wefitaerials.com/contact-us/.
