Methods, systems, and devices for wireless communications are described. A user equipment (UE) may receive at least one control message including an indication that frequency hopping for downlink control information (DCI) is activated for physical downlink shared channel (PDSCH). The UE may determine a frequency hopping configuration (e.g., a frequency hopping pattern) for the DCI, which may be applied for PDSCH occasions, for a group of PDSCH occasions, or until changed by another indication from the network. The UE may also receive a downlink reference according to the frequency hopping configuration. For example, if intra-occasion frequency hopping is activated, demodulation reference signals (DMRS) may be received in each hop of the DCI within a PDSCH occasion, and if inter-occasion frequency hopping is activated, DMRS may be received once per PDSCH occasion.