Anyone who’s fumbled for the remote and wondered what’s on tonight in Sydney or regional NSW knows the feeling: with more than two dozen free-to-air channels and multiple networks, a good TV guide saves time and frustration. This article maps out the best online guides and apps for New South Wales—from metro Sydney to Coffs Harbour—so you can find tonight’s schedule in seconds.

4 related posts

Free-to-air channels in NSW: 25+ (including digital multi-channels) · Main networks: ABC, SBS, Seven, Nine, Ten · Official free guide: Freeview Australia (industry body)

Quick snapshot

1Confirmed facts
2What’s unclear
  • Exact release dates for upcoming Australian TV series have not been announced.
  • Which specific new detective series set in Australia is referenced in some PAA queries remains unconfirmed.
  • The specific premiere dates for new series on streaming apps are not always announced far in advance.
3Timeline signal
  • TV schedules update daily on Freeview and ON TV Tonight by early afternoon. Freeview Australia
4What’s next
  • Expect greater integration between free-to-air guides and streaming catch-up in the Freeview FV app. Freeview Australia (app info)
  • Regional NSW viewers will continue to rely on affiliate channels for localised schedules. TV Guide Tonight (regional data)

Four facts from the key facts table show the scope of free-to-air TV across NSW.

Fact Value Source
Free-to-air channels in NSW 25+ (including digital multi-channels) Freeview Australia (industry body)
Most popular prime time slot 7:30–9:30 PM local time ON TV Tonight (listings data)
Households with free-to-air TV Approximately 70% Freeview Australia (industry estimate)
Leading commercial network in Sydney Seven Network (ratings share) Freeview Australia (market data)

What’s on TV in NSW tonight?

Tonight’s prime time highlights

For Sydney viewers, ON TV Tonight shows Seven News at 6:00 pm, Home And Away at 7:00 pm, MasterChef Australia at 7:30 pm, and Elsbeth at 8:40 pm, as of the latest schedule (ON TV Tonight Sydney guide). Prime time across all networks runs 7:30–9:30 pm, with news leading in and drama or reality filling the peak.

Regional variations across NSW

  • Coffs Harbour receives affiliate channels: Prime7 (Seven), WIN (Nine), and Southern Cross (Ten) – plus ABC and SBS nationally (TV Guide Tonight (location‑based site)).
  • Freeview Australia covers all regions: viewers simply enter their postcode or use the Freeview FV app (Freeview Australia (official guide)).
  • ON TV Tonight also lets you switch between metro and regional views.
Bottom line: The same prime time shows often air at slightly different times in regional NSW due to affiliate scheduling. Use Freeview or TV Guide Tonight with your location to see the exact local lineup.

The pattern: regional viewers should always verify local affiliate schedules rather than relying on metro feeds.

Is there a free Sydney TV guide available?

Online TV guides

Several free, ad‑supported websites give you the full Sydney schedule. Freeview.com.au is the official industry guide, covering all free‑to‑air channels with live and on‑demand links (Freeview Australia (industry body)). YourTV.com.au and Ourguide.com.au are other free aggregators that list Sydney channels by time and genre.

Mobile apps for TV listings

  • Freeview FV – Free, combines a TV guide with live streaming and catch‑up for every free‑to‑air network (Freeview Australia (app info)). Available on iOS, Android, and smart TVs.
  • ON TV Tonight – Free app (publisher: ON TV Tonight Pty Limited, Google Play).
  • AusTV – Covers Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth, Adelaide and all Australian regions (AusTV (national coverage app)).
  • Network apps (7plus, 9Now, 10Play, ABC iview, SBS On Demand) include built‑in live guides as well – all free.

The trade‑off: dedicated guide apps show all channels in one view; network apps only show that network’s lineup but offer seamless catch‑up.

What is the new Australian TV series set in Sydney?

Upcoming and current series

Streaming platforms have been investing in Sydney‑set originals. North Shore is a Netflix crime series filmed in Sydney’s Northern Beaches (ON TV Tonight (streaming guide)). Other recent titles include The Tourist (partially set in Sydney) and Bump, both available on Stan and Binge respectively.

Where to watch

  • Netflix – North Shore and other Aussie originals.
  • Stan – Bump.
  • Binge – The Tourist (season 1).
  • Free‑to‑air networks also produce Sydney‑set content that appears on 7plus, 9Now, and ABC iview.

The pattern: new Australian series increasingly premiere on streaming services first, then sometimes air on free‑to‑TV months later.

What is the best app for watching free TV in Australia?

Freeview FV app

The Freeview FV app is the only one that aggregates every free‑to‑air network in one interface – live, catch‑up, and a searchable schedule. It’s backed by the industry body and is completely free (Freeview Australia (app info)). Available on iOS, Android, Apple TV, and most smart TV platforms.

Network catch‑up apps

  • ABC iview, SBS On Demand, 7plus, 9Now, 10Play – each free, each with its own live guide and thousands of hours of content.
  • No subscription needed for any of them.

The catch: you need to install several apps to see everything. The Freeview FV app solves that by putting all channels in one grid.

What’s on TV tonight in Coffs Harbour?

Coffs Harbour local channels

Coffs Harbour is served by Prime7 (Seven affiliate), WIN (Nine affiliate), and Southern Cross (Ten affiliate). ABC and SBS are available nationally. ON TV Tonight covers Coffs Harbour when you set the location to “Coffs Harbour” (ON TV Tonight Australian TV Guide (regional listings)). Freeview also shows the correct regional lineup based on postcode.

Regional programming differences

  • Prime7 may replace Sydney shows with local programs or different sports coverage.
  • WIN and Southern Cross also run distinct news bulletins and some syndicated content.
  • Always check a regional‑aware guide like Freeview or ON TV Tonight to avoid tuning in to the wrong program.

How to access your NSW TV guide in 3 steps

  1. Pick your platform: use Freeview.com.au or the Freeview FV app for a single grid of all free‑to‑air channels.
  2. Set your location: on ON TV Tonight or TV Guide Tonight, choose your postcode or city (e.g., Sydney, Coffs Harbour) to get regional schedules (TV Guide Tonight (location filter)).
  3. Filter by time or genre: use the search or channel filter to find movies, sports, news, or your favourite drama.

That’s it – you’ll have a personalised guide in under 30 seconds.

Confirmed facts vs. what’s unclear

Confirmed facts

  • Freeview.com.au is the official free-to-air TV guide for Australia (Freeview Australia (industry body)).
  • Regional NSW uses affiliate channels for Seven, Nine, and Ten (TV Guide Tonight (regional data)).
  • ON TV Tonight provides a Sydney TV guide with schedules for free-to-air and some pay TV (ON TV Tonight Sydney TV Guide).
  • The Freeview FV app combines live TV, catch-up, and a guide across all networks (Freeview Australia (app info)).

What’s unclear

  • Exact premiere dates for some upcoming Australian series are not yet publicly known.
  • Which detective series set in Australia prompted certain PAA queries remains unverified.
  • The specific impact of new streaming originals on free-to-air schedules is still evolving.
  • The timeline for greater integration between free-to-air guides and streaming catch-up in the Freeview FV app is not announced.
  • The exact impact of new streaming originals on free-to-air schedules is still evolving.

The distinction helps readers trust the information.

Expert perspective: what the guides say

“Freeview Australia’s TV guide covers all free-to-air television networks including ABC, SBS, Seven, Nine and Ten, and lets viewers watch live or on demand.”

— Freeview Australia (official industry body)

“ON TV Tonight is Australia’s leading online TV listings & streaming guide.”

— ON TV Tonight (Sydney guide page)

Both sources underline that free, reliable guides exist for every NSW viewer – the key is choosing one that matches your location and device.

Choosing the right TV guide for you

Four options, one pattern: each caters to a different habit. For a single‑screen overview, Freeview FV is unbeatable. If you prefer a website you can open in any browser, ON TV Tonight or TV Guide Tonight work flawlessly. And if you’re in regional NSW, always use a location‑aware guide.

The upshot

Sydney metro viewers have five free online guides at their fingertips. Coffs Harbour viewers should stick with Freeview or ON TV Tonight to get accurate affiliate schedules.

Making the right choice depends on your viewing habits.

Additional sources

scribd.com, ontvtonight.com

För en jämförbar upplevelse i Tasmanien kan du istället kolla in Hobarts free-to-air-guide för fullständiga kvällsprogram.

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Frequently asked questions

How often is the TV guide updated?

Most online guides update daily, usually by early afternoon for the evening schedule. Freeview and ON TV Tonight refresh every 24 hours.

Can I download a PDF version of the NSW TV guide?

Most websites and apps do not offer PDF downloads. However, you can take screenshots or use the Freeview FV app’s offline browsing for recently viewed channels.

What are the channel numbers for ABC and SBS in Sydney?

ABC is typically channel 2 (HD on 20), SBS is channel 3 (HD on 30). Exact numbers may vary by region and device. Check your TV’s auto‑tune.

Does Freeview work in regional NSW?

Yes – Freeview Australia covers all of NSW. Enter your postcode on the website or in the Freeview FV app to see local schedules.

Are there any TV guide apps that work offline?

The Freeview FV app caches the schedule for the current day, so you can see what’s on even without an internet connection. Other apps require connectivity.

How do I find TV schedules for rural areas of NSW?

Use ON TV Tonight or Freeview with a location set to your nearest town. TV Guide Tonight also supports postcode‑based filtering.

What is the difference between free-to-air and subscription TV in Australia?

Free-to-air (ABC, SBS, Seven, Nine, Ten plus multi‑channels) costs nothing. Subscription TV (Foxtel, Kayo Sports) requires a monthly fee. Many free‑to‑air channels now offer streaming apps with catch‑up at no cost.

These answers should cover most common concerns.

Related reading

These articles provide additional context on related topics.

For the NSW viewer who wants to know exactly what’s on tonight – whether you’re in Sydney’s inner west or Coffs Harbour’s Jetty Strip – the choice is clear: use a location‑aware guide like Freeview or ON TV Tonight, and you’ll never miss your favourite show. The alternative is scrolling through generic menus that don’t reflect your local affiliate. Pick the right guide, and it saves you five minutes every evening.