Full Freeview on the Winter Hill (Bolton, England) transmitter
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The symbol shows the location of the Winter Hill (Bolton, England) transmitter which serves 2,690,000 homes. The bright green areas shown where the signal from this transmitter is strong, dark green areas are poorer signals. Those parts shown in yellow may have interference on the same frequency from other masts.
Are there any planned engineering works or unexpected transmitter faults on the Winter Hill (Bolton, England) mast?
Winter Hill transmitter - Winter Hill transmitter: Possible effect on TV reception week commencing 11/11/2024 Pixelation or flickering on some or all channels 
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Digital television services are broadcast on a multiplexes (or Mux) where many stations occupy a single broadcast frequency, as shown below.
DTG-8 64QAM 8K 3/4 27.1Mb/s DVB-T MPEG2
DTG-12 QSPK 8K 3/4 8.0Mb/s DVB-T MPEG2
DTG-2 16QAM 2K 3/4 18.1Mb/s DVB-T MPEG2
H/V: aerial position (horizontal or vertical)
Which Freeview channels does the Winter Hill transmitter broadcast?
If you have any kind of Freeview fault, follow this Freeview reset procedure first.Digital television services are broadcast on a multiplexes (or Mux) where many stations occupy a single broadcast frequency, as shown below.
| Mux | H/V | Frequency | Height | Mode | Watts |
| PSB1 BBCA | H max | C32 (562.0MHz) | 726m | DTG- | 100,000W |
 1 BBC One (SD) North West, 2 BBC Two England, 9 BBC Four, 23 BBC Three, 201 CBBC, 202 CBeebies, 231 BBC News, 232 BBC Parliament, plus 17 others | |||||
| PSB2 D3+4 | H max | C34 (578.0MHz) | 726m | DTG- | 100,000W |
 3 ITV 1 (SD) (Granada), 4 Channel 4 (SD) North ads, 5 Channel 5, 6 ITV 2, 10 ITV3, 13 E4, 14 Film4, 15 Channel 4 +1 North ads, 18 More4, 26 ITV4, 28 ITVBe, 30 E4 +1, 35 ITV1 +1 (Granada), 71 That’s 60s, | |||||
| PSB3 BBCB | H max | C35- (585.8MHz) | 726m | DTG- | 100,000W |
 46 5SELECT, 101 BBC One HD North West, 102 BBC Two HD England, 103 ITV 1 HD (ITV Granada), 104 Channel 4 HD North ads, 105 Channel 5 HD, 106 BBC Four HD, 107 BBC Three HD, 204 CBBC HD, 205 CBeebies HD, plus 1 others | |||||
| COM4 SDN | H max | C29 (538.0MHz) | 726m | DTG-8 | 100,000W |
 20 U&Drama, 21 5USA, 29 ITV2 +1, 32 5STAR, 33 5Action, 38 Channel 5 +1, 41 Legend, 42 GREAT! action, 57 U&Dave ja vu, 58 ITV3 +1, 59 ITV4 +1, 64 Blaze, 67 TRUE CRIME, 68 TRUE CRIME XTRA, 81 Blaze +1, 83 Together TV, 91 WildEarth, 93 ITVBe +1, 209 Ketchup TV, 210 Ketchup Too, 211 YAAAS!, 251 Al Jazeera English, 255 FRANCE 24 (in English), 265 Rok Sky +1, plus 29 others | |||||
| COM5 ArqA | H max | C31 (554.0MHz) | 726m | DTG-8 | 100,000W |
 11 Sky Mix, 17 Really, 19 U&Dave, 31 E4 Extra, 36 Sky Arts, 40 Quest Red, 43 Food Network, 47 Film4 +1, 48 Challenge, 49 4seven, 60 U&Drama +1, 65 That's TV 2, 70 Quest +1, 74 &UYesterday +1, 76 That's TV 2 MCR, 233 Sky News, plus 13 others | |||||
| COM6 ArqB | H max | C37 (602.0MHz) | 726m | DTG-8 | 100,000W |
 12 Quest, 25 U&W, 27 U&Yesterday, 34 GREAT! movies, 39 DMAX, 44 HGTV, 52 GREAT! christmas, 56 That's TV (UK), 63 GREAT! romance mix, 73 HobbyMaker, 75 That's 90s, 82 Talking Pictures TV, 84 PBS America, 235 Al Jazeera Eng, plus 18 others | |||||
| LM | H -20dB | C40 (626.0MHz) | 572m | DTG-12 | 1,000W |
 from 1st October 2014: 7 That's Manchester, | |||||
| LL | H -17dB | C24 (498.0MHz) | 572m | DTG-12 | 2,000W |
 from 30th June 2014: 7 Bay TV Liverpool, | |||||
| LPR | H -20dB | C56 (754.0MHz) | 572m | DTG-12 | 1,000W |
 from 1st October 2014: 7 That's Lancashire, | |||||
| GIM | H -20dB | C57 (762.0MHz) | 572m | DTG-2 | 1,000W |
 Now 90s, Spotlight TV, Clubland TV, Country Music Entertainment , Classic Hits MCR, 77 That's 60s MCR, 78 TCC, 80 That's 80s, 86 That's 90s MCR, 88 TV Warehouse+1, | |||||
DTG-12 QSPK 8K 3/4 8.0Mb/s DVB-T MPEG2
DTG-2 16QAM 2K 3/4 18.1Mb/s DVB-T MPEG2
H/V: aerial position (horizontal or vertical)
Which BBC and ITV regional news can I watch from the Winter Hill transmitter?
BBC North West Tonight 3.1m homes 11.8%
from Salford M50 2QH, 22km southeast (140°)
to BBC North West region - 92 masts.
ITV Granada Reports 3.1m homes 11.6%
from Salford M50 2EQ, 22km southeast (139°)
to ITV Granada region - 80 masts.
How will the Winter Hill (Bolton, England) transmission frequencies change over time?
| 1956-80s | 1984-97 | 1997-98 | 1998-2009 | 2009-13 | 2013-18 | 2013-17 | 20 Feb 2020 | ||
| VHF | C/D E | C/D E | C/D E | C/D E | C/D E T | W T | W T | ||
| C9 | ITVwaves | ||||||||
| C12 | BBCtvwaves | ||||||||
| C24 | _local | ||||||||
| C29 | SDN | ||||||||
| C31 | com7 | com7 | |||||||
| C32 | BBCA | ||||||||
| C34 | D3+4 | ||||||||
| C35 | BBCB | ||||||||
| C37 | com8 | com8 | |||||||
| C40 | LOCAL2 | ||||||||
| C48 | C5waves | C5waves | |||||||
| C49tv_off | ArqA | ArqA | |||||||
| C50tv_off | BBCA | BBCA | |||||||
| C54tv_off | -BBCB | -BBCB | -BBCB | ||||||
| C55tv_off | BBC1waves | BBC1waves | BBC1waves | ArqB | ArqB | ArqB | com7tv_off | ||
| C56tv_off | _local | _local | _local | LPR | |||||
| C57tv_off | GIM | GIM | GIM | GIM | |||||
| C58tv_off | SDN | SDN | SDN | ||||||
| C59tv_off | ITVwaves | ITVwaves | ITVwaves | D3+4 | D3+4 | D3+4 | |||
| C61 | ArqA | ||||||||
| C62 | BBC2waves | BBC2waves | BBC2waves | BBCA | |||||
| C65 | C4waves | C4waves | C4waves |
tv_off Being removed from Freeview (for 5G use) after November 2020 / June 2022 - more
Table shows multiplexes names see this article;
green background for transmission frequencies
Notes: + and - denote 166kHz offset; aerial group are shown as A B C/D E K W T
waves denotes analogue; digital switchover was 4 Nov 09 and 2 Dec 09.
How do the old analogue and currrent digital signal levels compare?
| Analogue 1-4 | 500kW | |
| SDN, ARQA, ARQB, BBCA, D3+4, BBCB | (-7dB) 100kW | |
| com7 | (-12.9dB) 25.7kW | |
| com8 | (-13.4dB) 22.6kW | |
| Analogue 5 | (-16dB) 12.5kW | |
| Mux 1*, Mux 2*, Mux A*, Mux B*, Mux C*, Mux D* | (-17dB) 10kW | |
| LL | (-24dB) 2kW | |
| GIM, LM, LPR | (-27dB) 1000W |
Local transmitter maps
Winter Hill Freeview Winter Hill DAB Winter Hill AM/FM Winter Hill TV region BBC North West GranadaWhich companies have run the Channel 3 services in the Winter Hill transmitter area
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Friday, 11 August 2017
J
js8:32 PM
North West Diffs:
There's a new net-not in the nit. It's been a while since we've seen one.
Comparing files North West 02-08-2017 17 02.txt and NORTH WEST 11-08-2017 18 55.TXT
***** North West 02-08-2017 17 02.txt
)
***** NORTH WEST 11-08-2017 18 55.TXT
)
Network Change Notifications
cell_id = 0000
network_change_id = 01
NetworkChangeType = Message only - Network is unchanged
network_change_version = 01
ReceiverCategory = all receivers
start_time_of_change = 16/08/2017 13:00:00
change_duration = 01:00:00
invariant_ts_onid = 233A
invariant_ts_tsid = 200B
end Network Change Notifications
*****
Note 233A.200B is the D3&4 multiplex from Winter Hill.
Anyone know what, if anything, is scheduled for 16/08/2017 at 2pm BST?
Here's TransEdit's xml dump of it:
<?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-8"?>
<Winter_Hill_706>
<Descriptor HValue="0x7F" Name="Network Change Notify">
<DescriptorLength Value="20"/>
<DescriptorTagExtension HValue="0x07"/>
<CellID HValue="0x0000">
<NetworkChange>
<NetworkChangeID Value="1"/>
<NetworkChangeVersion Value="1"/>
<StartTimeOfChange String="16/08/2017 13:00:00"/>
<ChangeDuration String="01:00:00"/>
<ReceiverCategory Value="0" Name="All receivers"/>
<InvariantTSPresent Value="1"/>
<ChangeType Value="0" Name="Message only"/>
<MessageID Value="0"/>
<InvariantTSID HValue="0x200B"/>
<InvariantONID HValue="0x233A" Name="North West"/>
</NetworkChange>
</CellID>
</Descriptor>
</Winter_Hill_706>
There is no message with MessageID = 0 so "Message only" don't make a whole lot of sense.
There is a message with MessageID = 254:
<?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-8"?>
<Winter_Hill_706>
<Descriptor HValue="0x7F" Name="Message">
<DescriptorLength Value="42"/>
<DescriptorTagExtension HValue="0x08"/>
<MessageID Value="254"/>
<Language String="eng"/>
<Message String="Database right of Digital UK Ltd 2017"/>
</Descriptor>
</Winter_Hill_706>
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Thursday, 24 August 2017
W
woz2:09 PM
Location North Manchester South of Bury, I almost have line-of sight to Winter Hill
I now have very poor signal strength, verging on unusable only on Ch56 multiplex LM (H=-20dB). (That's Manchester)
I appreciate that the ERP is much lower on this multiplex, so perhaps that's now as good as it gets?
All other multiplexes are almost full strength so I know it's not an aerial issue, although I must admit my aerial could be a tad more directional which might help exclude the Welsh multiplexes (I've tweaked it anyway just to check/optimise).
I suspect reception was better on this channel before the latest re-tune although I never looked at it critically as it was OK (pre August 2017) Anyone else finding similar issues?
All other multiplexes are almost full strength so I know it's not an aerial issue (I've tweaked it anyway just to check/optimise).
Looking at the coverage map it shows I'm in the yellow region (may get interference), but as I said it seemed Ok previously.
regards
w
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Friday, 25 August 2017
MikeP
10:31 AM
10:31 AM
Woz:
Local multiplexes generally have a very limited coverage, much more so than the PSB multiplexes. So it may be that you are either outside of the coverage area or on the fringe of it. So please supply a full post code so we can look at the coverage and reception at your location.
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10:56 AM
I bought a Manhattan (HD) box and new aerial to receive Channel 81 from winter hill WASTE of money as I can not obtain the signal for the channel.
WHAT AM I DOING WRONG?
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S
StevensOnln111:18 AM
John Dawson: Please provide a full postcode so we can see the coverage prediction for your location.
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M
MikeB12:06 PM
Peterborough
John Dawson: Steve's right - we have no idea if you can actually pick up a transmitter that carries that channel.
I've got the same box, and it works fine - have you read the instructions?
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MikeB's: mapM's Freeview map terrainM's terrain plot wavesM's frequency data M's Freeview Detailed Coverage
W
woz10:41 PM
MikeP:
Thanks for the prompt reply, I appreciate that the ERP is much lower on the Local M Multiplex. (and looking at the target area Winter Hill isn't really the best place for it! )
I don't have a signal strength meter but if it's any help as a comparator I can receive the main multiplexes with a long piece of wet string, or a pair of rabbit ears!
M45 area, am I able to message my postcode directly to you?
regards
w
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Saturday, 26 August 2017
MikeP
11:01 AM
11:01 AM
Woz:
We need you to put your full post code into this website as then we get to see the series of small blue boxes (links) beneath your postings. Only then can we see what the reception conditions are at your location.
You normally don't need a signal strength meter as most Freeview televisions provide a strength and quality reading. Check your User Manual for how to display that on the TV screen.
You should not assume that just because the 'normal' channels are strong then the local chanel will be as well, they usually use a direction aerial system to control the coverage area and prevent interference with other transmissions.
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Sunday, 27 August 2017
W
woz3:37 PM
Manchester
Mike, thanks for the reply.
My comments about the signal strength were from having looked at various TV's Signal strength/quality indicators.
Other multiplexes are showing 95 to 100% with no errors on the SD channels and some (concealed) errors on the HD Multiplexes.
The LM Multiplex is showing approx. 18% with no errors. Pity I never looked at the Local strength before the recent retune.
I think I'd be more likely to cause interference issues on the good channels if I were to boost the signal.
I'd be interested to hear what sort of strength others are seeing when comparing the main multiplexes with the Local M, when their locations are similar, although It's unlikely anyone else would be interested as the audience share is tiny.
Sorry about the postcode thing, I finally figured out how to enter it!
Thanks for all your help.
w
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woz's: mapW's Freeview map terrainW's terrain plot wavesW's frequency data W's Freeview Detailed Coverage
W
woz3:44 PM
Manchester
Just a curiosity - how do Winter Hill transmitter engineers measure the field strength coverage? Is it all theoretical or do they go to pre-defined locations and actually measure it?
Thanks
w
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woz's: mapW's Freeview map terrainW's terrain plot wavesW's frequency data W's Freeview Detailed Coverage
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