Reception
Melbourne Digital TV Channels & Frequencies (2026)
2026-05-04 · 6 min read
Rated 5.0 on GoogleMost Melbourne free-to-air TV is broadcast from Mount Dandenong on VHF band III — channels 6 to 12, not UHF. Here's the 2026 line-up, which channel each network sits on, and how to manually tune anything your TV missed.
Main metro Melbourne broadcasters (Mount Dandenong, VHF)
- Seven — VHF channel 6 (177.5 MHz): 7 (LCN 7), 7HD (70), 7TWO (72), 7mate (73), 7Bravo (74), 7flix (76)
- SBS — VHF channel 7 (184.5 MHz): SBS (3), SBS HD (30), SBS Viceland (31), SBS World Movies (32), SBS Food (33), NITV (34)
- Nine — VHF channel 8 (191.5 MHz): 9 (9), 9HD (90), 9Gem (92), 9Go! (93), 9Life (94), 9Rush (95)
- Ten — VHF channel 11 (219.5 MHz): 10 (10), 10 HD (15), 10 Bold (12), 10 Peach (11), Nickelodeon (13)
- ABC — VHF channel 12 (226.5 MHz): ABC TV (2), ABC HD (20), ABC Family (22), ABC Entertains (23), ABC Kids (23), ABC News (24)
(LCN = Logical Channel Number — the number you punch on the remote. Sub-channel line-ups change from time to time; the VHF channel numbers are the part that matters for tuning.)
Why this matters for your antenna
Because Melbourne is VHF band III, a UHF-only antenna — or a cheap "digital" indoor antenna built for UHF — will struggle even in strong-signal suburbs. Metro installs need a VHF band III antenna (or a VHF/UHF combination if you also need a Gippsland or gap-filler signal). Gippsland is the opposite: Mount Tassie and its relays are UHF, so a Warragul or Traralgon roof needs a UHF antenna aimed at Tassie.
Transmitter sites covering metro and Gippsland
- Mount Dandenong — primary site for greater Melbourne (VHF)
- Mount Tassie — primary site for West, South and Central Gippsland (UHF)
- Gap-fillers and translators — UHF sites that fill terrain shadows in the Dandenong Ranges, Yarra Valley and Mornington Peninsula
Why your TV is missing a channel
- The TV was tuned to the wrong region or skipped the VHF band during the scan
- Marginal signal on one multiplex — often the HD channels (7HD, 9HD) drop first
- The auto-tune ran years ago and the TV was never re-scanned after a channel change
- Cable or splitter loss has dropped one frequency below the digital threshold
How to manually tune (step by step)
- Source menu → TV → Tuning → Manual scan (sometimes called "digital manual tuning")
- Enter the VHF channel number from the list above (for example 12 for the ABC multiplex) and watch the signal-strength and quality bars
- Save when the strength and quality bars stabilise
- Repeat for each multiplex you're missing
When manual tuning won't help
If the signal-strength bar never lifts off zero on a particular channel, the antenna or cabling is the problem — not the TV. Book a diagnosis or call 0497 098 109.
Frequently asked
Do I need a different antenna for ABC than for Seven?
No — all metro Melbourne free-to-air channels broadcast in the same UHF band from the same Mount Dandenong site. One properly-aimed UHF antenna receives them all.
Why does only 7HD or 9HD drop out?
These typically sit at the top of the UHF band where signal is weakest. A masthead amp, better antenna alignment or removing a lossy splitter usually fixes it.
Related posts
Best & Worst TV Reception Suburbs Across Melbourne
Melbourne suburb TV reception guide — strong-signal areas, fringe zones, Mount Dandenong line-of-sight and required antenna types.
ReadTV Antenna Replacement vs Repair in Melbourne
Repair or replace your TV antenna in Melbourne? Condition thresholds, rusty elements and signal tests that decide the right fix.
ReadDo I Need a TV Signal Booster in Melbourne?
When a masthead TV signal amplifier helps Melbourne reception — and when adding one will make pixelation worse. Practical guide.
ReadTell us about the job
Send the form and we call you back within 30 minutes during opening hours — or call now and speak to the technician.
Rated 5.0 on GoogleThanks — we'll call you shortly.
Within 30 minutes during opening hours. Need it faster? Call 0497 098 109.