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Catch Up TV in the UK
Missed a TV show in the last seven days? Use a catch-up TV service. We look at the various catch-up TV options
What is Catch-up TV?
These days, missing a TV programme isn't a problem - most of the UK's main broadcasters offer a "catch-up" TV service. These are usually Internet-based, and let you watch TV shows that you may have missed up to seven days ago
Catch Up TV services let you watch shows you've missed on a computer, or on your TV.
If you'd like more details on Catch-up TV, read on, or take a listen to our Catch-Up TV Podcast special where we run through all of the options.
What you need to know
It's important to note that typically Catch Up TV only lets you watch content that's been created for the broadcaster… so, for example, with 4oD, you'll find Hollyoaks and Big Brother, but not an imported show like Friends that's shown on E4.
BBC Shows: iPlayer
BBC shows for the last seven days are available free of charge via the BBC iPlayer.
Watch on a computer: Available on Windows, Mac and Linux via bbc.co.uk/iplayer
Watch on a TV: BBC content is available on-demand from BT Vision, Virgin Media and TalkTalk TV. A small selection is offered by Top Up TV
Also available: BBC iPlayer is also available on mobile phones such as the iPhone, as well as on some games consoles. The iPlayer is available as a dedicated Nintendo Wii channel. iPlayer on Wii
Other info:
- BBC shows are also available in High Definition via iPlayer.
- Radio shows are also available from the BBC iPlayer
ITV Shows : ITV Player
Content from ITV1, ITV2, ITV3, ITV4 and CITV is available on the ITV Player.
Watch on a computer: Content is available to stream for 30 days for free via itv.com/ITVPlayer
Watch on a TV: Recent ITV content is available on-demand from BT Vision and Virgin Media.
Channel 4 : 4 on Demand
4 on Demand, also known as 4oD has our favourite interface of the services - easy to search and with a large catalogue of older Channel 4 shows and series. More on our 4oD page.
Watch on a computer: Available on Windows, Mac and Linux via channel4.com/programmes/4od
Watch on a TV: BBC content is available on-demand from BT Vision, Virgin Media and TalkTalk TV.
Five : Demand Five
Catch up with content from Five, Fiver, Five USA and kids TV service Milkshake. Free content, download shows to rent for 14 days from 99p, or HD shows from £1.99, or buy them for keeps.
Watch on a computer: Via demand.five.tv
Watch on a TV: Five content is available on-demand from BT Vision.
Sky : Sky Player
Sky TV customers can watch and download programmes from over 30 channels for FREE on a PC or Mac. Non-Sky TV customers can subscribe to Sky Player TV packs to watch live TV channels and a selection of programmes on demand, or go for pay-to-view. Sky also offers 20 live TV channels including Sky Sports, Sky Real Lives, G.O.L.D, Eden, MTV One, and ESPN Classic.
Watch on a computer: Available on Windows PC or a Mac at skyplayer.sky.com
Watch on a TV: A small selection of content is available via Sky Anytime - downloaded automatically to reserved disk space on Sky+ and Sky+ HD boxes.
Also available: You can also access the Sky Player via a Microsoft XBox 360. Sky on Xbox.
Digital TV Services offering Catch-up TV
The best way to watch TV is on a TV set, and not on a PC screen - so here's our round-up of the TV services that offer catch-up TV on your telly.
BT Vision: Watch Catch-up TV from BBC, ITV, Channel 4 and 5.
| BT Vision |
More details at get.btvision.bt.com or on our BT Vision Basics page |
| Virgin Media |
More details at www.virginmedia.com or on our Virgin Media page |
| Sky |
However, If you have a Sky+ or Sky+ HD box, there's a small selection of Sky content downloaded to part of the hard drive as part of their Sky Anytime service, but it's pretty limited. There are rumours that as Sky's boxes have an Ethernet socket, they may start a true on-demand service at some point in the future. More on Sky at www.sky.com/skycom or on our Sky page. |
| TalkTalk TV |
Details at talktalk.co.uk/tv or on our TalkTalk TV page |
| Top Up TV |
More details at www.topuptv.com |
| Fetch TV |
More details on our Fetch TV Information page |
| Freeview |  No Catch-up TV service offered. |
| Freesat |  No Catch-up TV service offered. |
BT Vision is the only service that offers BBC, ITV, 
Virgin Media offers catch-up TV content from BBC, ITV, 
Sadly, no catch-up TV services for BBC, ITV, Channel 4, or Five.
TalkTalk TV (formerly Tiscali TV) offers catch-up TV from BBC, 
Top Up TV offers a small selection of content downloaded overnight onto a hard-disk in their set-top box. Content includes some BBC content - not a full catch-up service, but some missed content is available.
Fetch TV offers something called
Worth a mention:
- Blinkbox - Shows and movies to download and keep over the Internet
- iTunes - Download recent TV shows for your Mac, PC or iPhone
- Jump TV - TV content from over 60 countries
Other Internet TV services listed on our IPTV Page
  PODCAST FEATURE: We featured Catch-Up TV in Show 42 of our online radio show. Listen to the show online, or download it to your MP3 player. Listen to Show 42 | What is FrequencyCast? | Add us to iTunes |
Some useful links:
- FrequencyCast - We took a close look at catch-up TV in show 42 of our podcast
- UK TV Overseas - Details on how to get British TV abroad
- Unofficial Guide to the BBC iPlayer - More on the BBC's on demand service
- On your PC - How to get TV and radio on your PC or laptop
Is this page correct? Something out-of-date or broken? Report a page error If you're looking for help, please don't use this option - instead ask in our forum |
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