ITV apologises after Freeview users are unable to access its channels

ITV has issued an apology after viewers watching on Freeview were unable to access its TV channels this afternoon.

According to DownDetector, the problems started at about 15:00 BST and affected viewers across the UK for around 45 minutes.

ITV said the loss of picture quality was experienced by people tuning in on Freeview but not those with cable or satellite, such as Virgin and Sky, or anyone using ITV Hub.

The problem has now been fixed, the broadcaster added, although it did not reveal the cause of the disruption.

ITV has issued an apology after viewers watching on Freeview were unable to access its TV channels this afternoon

According to DownDetector, the problems started at around 15:20 BST and affected viewers across the UK

An ITV spokeswoman said: ‘We apologise for the reduction in picture quality experienced by viewers watching ITV on Freeview (standard definition), this afternoon. Service for these viewers has been restored.’

Replying to one user’s complaints on Twitter, the Freeview account said earlier that it was ‘aware of issues with ITV channels’ and added: ‘We recommend not retuning.’

While some users said they experienced a total blackout when trying to watch ITV, others reported a pixelated screen.

Viewers in Bristol, Sheffield, Essex, Teddington and West Yorkshire all complained about being unable to watch ITV in its normal quality.

Several took to Twitter to discuss the outage.

One user wrote: ‘What’s up with all the itv channels? Have sound, no picture.’

Replying to complaints on Twitter, the Freeview account wrote: ‘We are aware of issues with ITV channels just now. We do not have any more info as yet. We do recommend not retuning’

While some users said they experienced a total blackout when trying to watch ITV, others reported a pixelated screen

Another added: ‘Are you having issues with your ITV freeview channels this afternoon? All are currently pixelated. Other channels are ok. Please advise? Thanks.’

And one vented: ‘@ITV it’s nice that you’re keeping your viewers so well informed about the lack of channel reception! NOT!’

It comes just over two weeks after Channel 4 was forced off air for 30 minutes by a ‘technical fault’.

Thousands of people reported issues with the main channel, Channel 5 and subsidiaries including e4, 4more, 4film and 4music.

Some had problems with a ‘black and green’ flickering screen.