Freeview Now and Next: What’s On TV Tonight (UK & NZ)

Ever found yourself flicking through channels, wondering what’s actually on? Freeview’s now and next guide is built to solve exactly that — a live, always-updating list of what’s playing this minute and what’s coming next. With over 10 million households using Freeview in the UK (Freeview channel checker), knowing how to check the guide can make your TV time a lot smoother. This article walks you through the best ways to find what’s on Freeview now — whether you’re at home or on your phone.

UK Freeview households (2024): over 10 million ·
Freeview channels available: 80+ ·
HD channels on Freeview: 15 ·
Freeview Play catch-up services: 10 ·
Freeview coverage in UK homes: 98.5%

Here is a quick reference of key Freeview statistics:

What Is on Freeview TV Right Now?

Checking the live Freeview schedule

The simplest way to see what’s on Freeview right now is to press the Guide or EPG button on your remote. Every Freeview box and TV displays a now/next bar for the current channel. For a full list of channels, Freeview’s TV Guide page shows live and upcoming TV listings. This page works on any browser and updates in real time.

What this means: The quickest way to see what’s on is through the Freeview website or app, giving you instant access to live listings.

Using the Freeview website and app

• The Freeview mobile app shows what is on TV at that moment in the What’s On section (requires internet connection).
• A progress bar indicates how much of a programme has already aired (Freeview help).
• Swipe sideways to see what is next (Freeview help).
• The app also has a 15-day programme guide, accessed by tapping Guide (Freeview help).

The implication: the app gives you a portable Freeview guide that works anywhere, not just at home.

How Can I See the Freeview TV Guide for Tonight?

Freeview.co.uk TV Guide

The official Freeview TV Guide lists all channels in a grid format. You can filter by genre, time, or channel name. It’s the most authoritative source for UK Freeview listings. For New Zealand, the Freeview NZ TV guide offers a similar grid for over 20 channels.

Freeview TV Guide app (iOS/Android)

Freeview’s official app is available on iOS and Android. It lets you browse shows from BBC iPlayer, ITVX, Channel 4, My5 and U in one place. You can set reminders and double-tap a channel to add it as a favourite (Freeview help).

What this means: the official app is the most feature-rich option, especially if you also use Freeview Play.

Which Freeview TV Channels Are Available?

Full channel list (UK)

Freeview UK broadcasts over 80 standard channels. Channel numbers are assigned by Freeview and can vary by region. Key channels include BBC One (ch. 1), BBC Two (ch. 2), ITV (ch. 3), Channel 4 (ch. 4), Channel 5 (ch. 5), and many more. HD versions of main channels (BBC One HD, ITV HD, etc.) are available on Freeview Play. Use the Freeview channel checker to see what you can receive at your address.

Full channel list (New Zealand)

Freeview NZ offers over 20 standard channels, including TVNZ 1, TVNZ 2, Three, Prime, Sky Open, and more. Regional variations apply – check Freeview NZ coverage for local availability. The Freeview app for NZ also provides a mobile TV guide.

The pattern: in both countries, Freeview is free-to-air – no subscription needed – so the now and next feature is accessible to everyone with an aerial or compatible device.

What Is the Best Freeview TV Guide App?

Official Freeview app features

• Free to download, no subscription needed
• 15-day programme guide
• Progress bar and swipe-to-next
• Reminders and favourite channels
• Integration with BBC iPlayer, ITVX, Channel 4, My5, U

TechAdvisor describes the official app as offering all the core features, including a now/next section and search across services (TechAdvisor review).

Third-party guide apps

• TV Guide+ (free with ads) – shows what’s currently on each channel plus the times and titles of the next two shows. Includes a Now & Next section and supports searching across on-demand services (TV Guide Plus Listing – App Store).
• On Now (Freeview Play) – an app that shows what is on Freeview TV channels right now and lets you jump straight into live TV (On Now on Google Play – note: may not be available in all regions).
• TVGuide.co.uk – aggregates Freeview channels and other services.

The trade-off: official app gives you the deepest integration with Freeview Play, while third-party apps may cover more channels (like satellite) but lack the seamless “play” feature.

What Movies Are on Freeview Tonight?

Film channels on Freeview

Freeview UK includes dedicated movie channels such as Film4 (ch. 15), and major broadcasters like BBC Two, Channel 4, and ITV regularly show films in prime time. Freeview Play offers a dedicated movies section that filters by genre and time.

Movies on BBC One and ITV tonight

You can check tonight’s movies using the Freeview app’s search by genre. The schedule changes daily, so the best approach is to check the official Freeview TV Guide after 5 p.m. for evening listings. Third-party apps like TV Guide+ also highlight movies with a film icon. For more on specific series, see our article on Cast of Power TV Series and Bridgerton Season 4 Part 2.

Freeview movie schedule filters

In the Freeview app, tap Guide > Movies to see all films airing today and in the next 7 days. You can set reminders so you don’t miss a title. The same feature is available on the Freeview website under “What’s on TV” -> “Movies”.

Catch: movie listings change daily, so there’s no permanent weekly schedule – you need to check each day.

“Freeview says the app allows users to scroll back through the TV Guide to catch up on shows missed last week.” – Freeview Mobile App description

“TechAdvisor describes TV Guide+’s main timeline as showing what is currently on each channel plus the times and titles of the next two shows.” – TechAdvisor (tech and TV advisory)

For Freeview users, the now and next guide is more than a convenience – it’s the main way to navigate free-to-air TV. In the UK, where over 10 million households depend on Freeview, the choice is clear: use the official Freeview app for the best integration, or a third-party app like TV Guide+ if you want broader channel coverage. For NZ viewers, the Freeview NZ app and website cover the basics well. Either way, you get a reliable, free TV guide that updates in real time.

For a comprehensive rundown of tonight’s Freeview channels and listings, check out this Freeview TV guide UK that covers all the essentials.

Frequently asked questions

For the 10 million UK households on Freeview, the now and next guide is your best tool for live TV. The official app is free and full-featured – use it to check what’s on now, tonight, or next week. For NZ viewers, the same principle applies: go to Freeview.co.nz or download the app. Whether you’re after movies, sport, or the evening news, the guide is just a few taps away.