Which way should your TV aerial point?

Type your postcode above. We show the direction and distance to Crystal Palace, the transmitter that serves most of London. For the transmitter predicted for your exact address, and any work on it, use Freeview’s checker.

In most of London, at Crystal Palace, with the rods lying flat: Crystal Palace sends a horizontally polarised signal. The checker gives the compass direction from your postcode. If most aerials on your street point another way, follow them: they may be on a nearer relay transmitter.

At Crystal Palace, so it depends where you are. From each district’s centre: Fulham 122° (east-south-east), Kennington 160° (south-south-east), Camden 157° (south-south-east), Wimbledon 89° (east), Kingston 82° (east), Richmond 107° (east-south-east), Hounslow 102° (east-south-east), Harrow 132° (south-east), Watford 138° (south-east), Enfield 180° (south), Romford 224° (south-west), Stratford 202° (south-south-west), Greenwich 217° (south-west), Bromley 280° (west), Croydon 1° (north). Type your postcode for yours.

Not always. Hills, tall buildings and trees in the way can make another transmitter the better choice. Our engineers measure the signal at your address before choosing.

Only as a prediction: Freeview’s checker estimates the reception at your address. The real signal depends on your aerial, its cable and what is in the way. On a visit, our engineer measures it with a meter.

Both use the satellites at 28.2° East. In London a dish faces south-east and tilts up about 25°; the checker gives the exact angles for your postcode. It needs a clear view: one tree or building in that direction is enough to block it.

Check Freeview’s checker for work on your transmitter first. If the picture breaks up in calm, sunny weather, wait a day or two before retuning: settled weather carries signals from distant transmitters, and a retune then can pick the wrong one.

It answers for London and nearby, within about 40 km of central London: the area our engineers cover. Elsewhere, Freeview’s checker shows which transmitter serves you.

It finds your postcode on the map, then works out the compass direction and distance to Crystal Palace and the angles to the satellites. Directions allow for the 1° difference between true and magnetic north in London. We don’t keep your postcode, and if you use your location, it stays on your device.