Rewind TV adds The New Statesman to Freeview on May 26

Rewind TV is adding freeview viewers to its June schedule with The New Statesman starting on May 26 at 9:00pm. The series, which stars Rik Mayall as Alan B'Stard, leads a lineup that begins in late May and continues with Two's Company on June 1.

Jonathan Moore, Rewind TV co-founder, said the channel is offering viewers something completely different this June: “While the World Cup dominates much of the schedule elsewhere, Rewind TV is offering viewers something completely different this June” and “Classic comedy, cult favourites and timeless television packed with unforgettable characters and huge performances. It’s the perfect alternative for anyone wanting a break from football fever.”

Rewind TV on Channel 81

The channel is available on Freeview Channel 81, Sky Channel 182 on satellite only, and Freely Channel 141 on the aerial-connected version of Freely. It launched on Sky in May 2024 and expanded to Freeview in September 2024, giving broadcast viewers another place to find older British series.

The New Statesman ran on ITV from 1987 to 1992 and had a final special in 1994. Rewind TV’s June schedule also includes Two's Company, which starts on June 1 at 10:30am and 7:00pm and stars Elaine Stritch as Dorothy McNab and Donald Sinden as Robert Hiller.

Rewind TV's June lineup

Moore’s comments place the schedule against a crowded sports month, but the channel’s response is to lean into comedy and older television rather than match it. That leaves Freeview viewers with a clear choice on May 26: tune to Channel 81 at 9:00pm for The New Statesman, then again on June 1 for Two's Company at 10:30am or 7:00pm.

For viewers who already use Rewind TV on Freeview, the practical change is simple: the June lineup adds one of the channel’s best-known comedies at a fixed evening slot, followed days later by a second classic series in daytime and prime-time repeats.