If your favourite TV channels have disappeared or your screen suddenly says “No Signal,” it’s likely due to ongoing changes in Australia’s free-to-air broadcast system. Broadcasters are upgrading their signals to deliver better picture and sound but these improvements mean many viewers will need to retune their TVs or update older equipment.

Here’s what’s happening, how to check if you’re affected, and how 1300 TV Help can get your television working perfectly again.

What’s Changing

Australia’s TV networks are currently transitioning to newer broadcast technology. This national upgrade is designed to improve your viewing experience, expand access to HD channels, and make better use of the spectrum shared with mobile networks.

One major change is the move from MPEG-2 to MPEG-4 signal compression. MPEG-4 delivers sharper, clearer HD images while using less bandwidth. However, older TVs (generally those made before 2008) cannot decode MPEG-4, meaning they’ll simply stop displaying some channels.

Broadcasters like ABC, SBS, Seven, Nine, WIN, and Ten are also rolling out full high-definition (HD) channels. While this is great for picture quality, it may highlight weaknesses in older antenna systems or cabling that were fine with standard definition.

In addition, certain regions across Australia are experiencing frequency updates (known as “restacks”). These changes mean that your TV must be retuned to find the new signal locations, otherwise, your channels will appear to have vanished.

These upgrades are all part of modernising Australia’s broadcast network, but they can cause short-term disruptions for households that aren’t yet prepared.

How to Tell If You’re Affected

You might be affected if you notice that your usual TV channels have disappeared or are no longer listed in your guide. Sometimes, you’ll see the channel name but no picture, just a blank screen or sound only. This usually means your TV can’t handle the new MPEG-4 broadcast.

If you’re seeing “No Signal” or “Weak Signal” messages, even though your cables are connected, this could be a result of local frequency restacks or outdated tuning settings. In these cases, a full rescan of your channels will usually fix the issue.

You may also experience intermittent reception problems, where channels freeze, pixelate, or drop out entirely. This often indicates that your antenna system or cabling isn’t keeping up with the newer, more precise HD signals. Even minor issues, like corroded connectors or cheap splitters, can cause these disruptions.

Finally, if your TV was purchased before 2008, and you can’t see any HD channels such as “ABC HD” or “SBS HD,” it’s likely your set isn’t compatible with the MPEG-4 format. In that case, you’ll need either a newer set-top box that supports MPEG-4 or a new TV.

What You Can Do

Start by performing an automatic retune. On most TVs, you can do this by pressing Menu, going to Settings, and selecting Auto-Tune or Digital Channel Search. This will refresh your channel list and find any that have changed frequencies.

Next, inspect your antenna and cables. Make sure all connections are tight, and check for any worn or damaged cables. Replacing old coaxial cables or splitters can dramatically improve signal strength.

If you suspect your TV might be too old, a simple set-top box that supports HD and MPEG-4 can bring those missing channels back instantly, no need to replace your entire TV.

How 1300 TV Help Can Assist

At 1300 TV Help, we’re specialists in TV reception, retuning, and digital upgrades. Our experienced technicians provide fast, reliable service to get your TV working again!

We can:

• Retune your TV or set-top box for your local broadcast area.
• Check and repair your antenna or cabling to maximise signal quality.
• Test your TV for MPEG-4 compatibility.
• Supply and install MPEG-4 compatible set-top boxes.
• Advise on the best upgrade options for long-term reliability.

Whether you need in-home assistance or remote support, our friendly experts can restore your free-to-air channels quickly and easily.

Get Back to Watching. Call 1300 TV Help Today!

Don’t wait until your screen goes black, act now before the next round of signal changes hits your area.

Call: 1300 TV HELP (1300 884 357)
Visit: www.1300tvhelp.com.au
Email: support@1300tvhelp.com.au

At 1300 TV Help, we make TV reception simple. From retuning to full installations, we’ll have your TV back to perfect picture and sound in no time.