Digital TV Services Compared – Comparison Table

Not sure which of the digital TV services suits you best? Try our handy Digital TV comparison table, with links to useful links on UK digital TV

Choosing the right digital TV service for you can be tricky, so here’s a summary of what each service offers in the way of TV channels, on-demand content, catch-up TV and high definition content. We also give you some information on how to get the channel and how much it costs. We also link to our various reviews of the UK TV services.

UK TV – Who offers what?

Service Channels On Demand Catch-Up TV Availability Cost HD

BT Vision Logo
Details | Site
40+ Large choice BBC, ITV, Ch4 & Five Via aerial & Broadband

> 95% of UK

From £4 a month Small on-demand HD selection

Freesat Logo
Details | Site
100+ None BBC iPlayer on some boxes Via dish
98% of UK
One-off £130 (Box £50, install £80) 5 HD channels

Freeview Logo
Details | Site
40+ None BBC iPlayer on some boxes Via aerial
> 95% of UK
From a one-off £20 4 HD channels

Sky Digital Logo
Details | Site
300+ Some, with Sky Broadband Some Sky content Via dish
98% of UK
From £21.50 a month 50+ HD channels

YouView LogoDetails | Site

40+ Large choice BBC, ITV, Ch4 & Five Via aerial & Broadband

> 95% of UK

One-off £250, or free with Broadband 4 HD channels

Talktalk Logo
Details
| Site
70+ Large choice BBC, Ch4 Via aerial & phone line
Some areas only
£19.99 a month. £30 set-up No HD

Virgin Media Logo
Details | Site
160+ Best choice BBC, ITV, Ch4 Via cable network

Cable areas only

From £6.50 a month (with Virgin Phone) 28+ HD channels + on demand

Free-to-air Satellite
200+ None None Via dish
98% of UK
Use existing dish, or install your own 3 HD channels

 

How to choose the best TV service:

Most people who are looking to change their TV provider are doing so for one of two reasons:

  • Channel choice – Perhaps looking for more channels, or to get into HD
  • Cost – Often scaling back by switching from the rather expensive Sky satellite TV service

If you’re looking to change, take a look at the above table to get a feel for what’s on offer, and if you still need help, we have loads of pages on our site to help you to make the best choice. Below are links to a few pages on our site that may be of help.

 

TV Help and Advice:

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