UK TV Channel line-up comparison

Can I get such-and-such a channel? Here’s a table of TV channels and digital TV services.

 

Freeview Logo Sky Digital LogoBT Vision LogoVirgin Media LogoYouView LogoFreesat LogoTop Up TV Logo

 

Channel Comparison Table

Here’s a summary of which major UK TV channels are available on each service. Scroll down for information on each service.


Sky Digital

Freeview

BT Vision

Virgin Media

Freesat

TalkTalk TV
Alibi

Yes

No

No

Yes

No

No
BBC 3 / BBC4

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes
Cartoon Network

Yes

No

See Note 3

Yes

No

Yes
Comedy Central

Yes

No

See Note 3

Yes

No

Yes
Dave

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

No

Yes
Discovery Channel

Yes

No

See Note 3

Yes

No

Yes
Disney

3 channels

No

No

3 channels

No

Playhouse
ESPN (UK)

3 channels

Yes-Note 1

Yes-Note 2

2 channels

No

No
Eurosport (UK)

2 channels

No

No

2 channels

No

Yes
Film4

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes
5* / 5 USA

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes
Fox

Yes

No

No

Yes

No

Yes
G.O.L.D

Yes

Via Top Up

No

Yes

No

Yes
History

Yes

No

No

Yes

No

No
ITV 2, ITV 3, ITV 4

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes
Movies 24

Yes

No

No

Yes

No

No
National Geographic

Yes

No

See Note 3

Yes

No

Yes
Quest

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

No

No
SyFy (Sci-Fi)

Yes

No

No

Yes

No

Yes
Sky Atlantic

Yes

No

No

No

No

No
Sky Living

Yes

No

No

Yes

No

No
Sky Movies

11 + 2 HD

No

No

11 channels

No

4 channels
Sky News

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

No

Yes
Sky 1

YES + HD

No

No

Yes

No

Yes
Sky Sports

5 + 5 HD

No

2 Channels

4 + 2 HD

No

4 channels
Universal (was Hallmark)

Yes

No

No

Yes

No

Yes
Yesterday

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

No

Yes
Line-up out-of-date, or missing a channel you’re interested in? Let us know

 

Channel Notes

Note 1: ESPN: ESPN requires a separate subscription. A viewing card is needed. For Freeview, a digital TV, or Freeview set-top box must have a suitable card slot. More on our ESPN on Freeview page.

Note 2: ESPN on BT Vision: ESPN requires a separate subscription. On-demand content also available. More on our ESPN FAQ

Note 3: BT Vision: Channels such as Comedy Central and Cartoon Network are not available on BT Vision, but content from these channels is available to be watched “on demand” via the BT Vision box. More on BT Vision

Note 4: Top Up TV Anytime: The full channels are not available to be viewed in real-time, but a small selection of shows from these channels is downloaded overnight, and can be played back from the Top Up TV Anytime box for the next seven days.

 

Digital TV Providers:

Sky Digital Sky LogoWidest choice of channels. Received with satellite dish and set-top box. Also offering over 50 High Definition channels.

For more details on Sky, see our Sky Digital Information page, or go to www.sky.com/shop.

Freeview Freeview LogoReceived via a TV aerial on a special set-top box or on a TV with a built-in Freeview receiver.

See our Freeview pages for details.

Cable Virgin Media Logo Available to parts of the UK via underground cabling and a Cable TV set-top box.

More on our Cable TV page, or at www.virginmedia.com

Freesat Freesat logoSubscription-free satellite TV service that launched in May 2008.

More on our Freesat page.

BT Vision BT Vision LogoFree to customers of BT Total Broadband. Live TV channels, plus on-demand TV and movies over Broadband.

More on our BT Vision page

TalkTalk TV TalkTalk TV offerAvailable in parts of the UK. TV channels via a special box that’s connected to your phone line. Known as Tiscali TV until January 2010.

More on our TalkTalk TV page or at talktalk.co.uk/tv

 

Useful links:

2 comments

  • How can I get BBC regions like Ulster, Scotland, Wales, as well as the same on ITV. What numbers do I need for these on my control please?

  • Alan Monaghan

    All of your channel listing pages are showing as blank pages if you click on any of the links at the top of the table.

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