Can I get such-and-such a channel? Here’s a table of TV channels and digital TV services.
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 |
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| Alibi |  |
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| BBC 3 / BBC4 | |
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| Cartoon Network | |
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See Note 3 |
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| Comedy Central | |
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See Note 3 |
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| Dave | |
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No |
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| Discovery Channel | |
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See Note 3 |
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| Disney | 3 channels |
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3 channels |
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Playhouse |
| ESPN (UK) | 3 channels |
Yes-Note 1 |
Yes-Note 2 |
2 channels |
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| Eurosport (UK) | 2 channels |
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2 channels |
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| Film4 | |
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| 5* / 5 USA | |
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| Fox | |
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| G.O.L.D | |
Via Top Up |
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| History | |
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| ITV 2, ITV 3, ITV 4 | |
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| Movies 24 | |
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| National Geographic | |
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See Note 3 |
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| Quest | |
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| SyFy (Sci-Fi) | |
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| Sky Atlantic | |
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| Sky Living | |
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| Sky Movies | 11 + 2 HD |
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11 channels |
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4 channels |
| Sky News | |
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| Sky 1 | YES + HD |
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| Sky Sports | 5 + 5 HD |
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2 Channels |
4 + 2 HD |
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4 channels |
| Universal (was Hallmark) | |
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| Yesterday | |
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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 |  Widest 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 |  Received 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 |  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 |  Subscription-free satellite TV service that launched in May 2008.
More on our Freesat page. |
| BT Vision |  Free 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 |  Available 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:
- Digital TV options? See our Digital TV page
- Help and Advice: BT Vision, Freesat, Freeview, Sky TV, TalkTalk TV, Virgin Media
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?
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.