Do I need an aerial for built-in Freeview?

Like most digital over-the-air services, Freeview requires an aerial for best reception. Most digital televisions do not include a built-in antenna, so natural reception of signals is extremely poor. A UHF wideband aerial is best for receiving Freeview signals.

There are two types of aerials suitable for digital television. Old fashioned unpowered aerials may look like old-style rabbit-ear antennae, or they may appear as a flat panel. These should be placed near a window or outside wall for best reception. If reception remains poor, a powered aerial may be able to boost the signal received over the air enough for suitable viewing.