The UK’s newest sports channel goes live on 31st August 2017, available free-to-air and thus available to the majority of UK households. Here’s what you need to know about the channel.
Where can I watch FreeSports?
Satellite
•Sky channel 424
•Freesat channel 252 (delayed – 12th September now confirmed by both Freesat and FreeSports)
•Manual tuning parameters: Astra 2 (28E), 11426V, Symbol Rate: 27500, FEC: 5/6, DVB-S, SID:52556
Freeview & YouView
•Freeview channel 95*
•YouView (includes BT/TalkTalk) channel 95**
Cable
•Virgin Media the channel was planning to be available on Virgin Media, but will not be available at launch.
Freeview/YouView Reception notes:
*Freeview coverage is limited to around 3/4 of the UK. To receive the channel on Freeview, you need a device that is compatible with Freeview HD or Freeview Play and be able to receive channels such as “QVC HD/QVC Beauty HD” on Freeview 111/112 or “More4+1” on channel 86. If you can’t, you won’t be able to see FreeSports.
**YouView is the platform that BT TV, TalkTalk TV and Plusnet TV are based on. The platform piggybacks on the Freeview signal, so the Freeview coverage restrictions apply: Freeview coverage is limited to around 3/4 of the UK. To receive the channel on Freeview, you need to be able to receive channels such as “QVC HD/QVC Beauty HD” on Freeview 111/112 or “More4+1” on channel 86. If you can’t, you won’t be able to see FreeSports.
Which sports will be shown on FreeSports?
Rugby League:
A selection of NRL games and UK Championship games will feature. This autumn, there will be coverage of the Rugby League World Cup (although full coverage will reside on sister channel Premier Sports).
Football:
Each week, the channel will broadcast coverage from the following international leagues
•Portuguese Primeira League
•Belgian Pro League
•Superliga Argentina
•Spanish La Liga 2
•Irish Airtricity League
Timeshifted coverage of football games from the following clubs:
•AC Milan
•Bayern Munich
•Borussia Dortmund
•FC Barcelona
U21 Football:
The England U21 opening Euro qualifier against the Netherlands on 1st September (kick off 5pm) will feature on the channel.
Motorsports:
Freeview users still mourning the loss of Motors TV on the platform will welcome FreeSport’s upcoming coverage of Australian V8 Supercars, Swedish Speedway, NASCAR lower series, Monster Jam and Arena Cross.
Ice Hockey:
3 live NHL games will be broadcast each week during the season. Additionally, Freesports will also show the IIHF World Championships, 5 Team GB games from Div 1A and The Champions Hockey League, featuring clubs such as Nottingham Panthers. The channel will also showcase coverage from the Swedish Hockey League.
Tennis:
25 ATP 250 tennis events per season.
Will the channel be available in HD?
No, the channel will only be broadcast in standard definition.
Who is behind the channel?
The channel has been launched by the management team behind Premier Sports and before then, Setanta Sports UK. It operates under a separate legal entity as Premier Sports, though.
Where can I find out more about the channel?
The channel’s website at www.freesports.tv is due to provide more information following the channel’s launch on 31st August.