List of HD channels in the United Kingdom
This is a list of current High Definition channels that are available in the United Kingdom, together with those coming in the future, and those that have ceased broadcasting.
All seventy-one HD channels in the UK broadcast at 1080i, except on Freeview, where HD channels can dynamically switch between 1080i50 and 1080p25.
There are currently five channels available to Freesat viewers, five channels available to Freeview viewers,[n 1] sixty-six channels available to Sky viewers and thirty-eight channels available to Virgin TV viewers.[n 2] However some channels may not be available in all areas because of issues such as ITV licence restrictions or limited capacity.
The most recent HD channel to launch was STAR Plus HD on Sky channel 784 on 5 July 2012.
HD channels
| Channel name | Content | Type | Owner/parent company | Launch date | Freesat EPG No. | Freeview EPG No. | Sky EPG No. | Virgin TV EPG No. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 301 HD | 100% HD | Simulcast | BBC | 2012/06/19 | — | 304 (Free-to-air) |
— | — |
| Alibi HD | HD/upscaled SD mix | Simulcast | UKTV (BBC Worldwide/Scripps Networks Interactive) | 2012/07/03 | — | — | 132 (Entertainment + HD pack) |
131 (XL pack) |
| Animal Planet HD | HD/upscaled SD mix | Simulcast | Discovery Networks Western Europe | 2012/02/27 | — | — | 525 (Entertainment Extra + HD pack) |
— |
| BBC HD | 100% HD | Separate schedule | BBC | 2006/05/15 | 109 (Free-to-air) |
54 (Free-to-air) |
169 (Free-to-air) |
187 (M pack) |
| BBC One HD | HD/upscaled SD mix | Simulcast[n 3] | BBC | 2010/11/03 | 108 (Free-to-air) |
50 (Free-to-air) |
143 (Free-to-air) |
108 (M pack) |
| Cartoon Network HD | HD/upscaled SD mix | Simulcast | Turner Broadcasting System Europe (Time Warner) | 2011/09/14 | — | — | 601 (Entertainment Extra + HD pack) |
— |
| Channel 4 HD | HD/upscaled SD mix | Simulcast | Channel Four Television Corporation | 2007/12/10 | 126 (Free-to-air) |
52 (Free-to-air)[n 4] |
230 (Free-to-air) |
142 (M pack) |
| Channel 5 HD | HD/upscaled SD mix | Simulcast | Northern & Shell | 2010/07/13 | — | — | 171 (Free-to-view) |
150 (M pack) |
| Comedy Central HD | HD/upscaled SD mix | Simulcast | Paramount UK Partnership (Paramount British Pictures/British Sky Broadcasting) | 2010/08/09 | — | — | 112 (Entertainment + HD pack) |
133 (XL pack) |
| Crime & Investigation Network HD | HD/upscaled SD mix | Simulcast | A+E Networks UK (A+E Networks/British Sky Broadcasting) | 2008/11/05 | — | — | 553 (Entertainment Extra + HD pack) |
— |
| Dave HD | HD/upscaled SD mix | Simulcast | UKTV (BBC Worldwide/Scripps Networks Interactive) | 2011/10/10 | — | — | 111 (Entertainment + HD pack) |
129 (XL pack) |
| Discovery HD | HD/upscaled SD mix | Simulcast | Discovery Networks Western Europe | 2006/05/22 | — | — | 520 (Entertainment Extra + HD pack) |
214 (XL pack) |
| Disney Channel HD | HD/upscaled SD mix | Simulcast | Disney-ABC Television Group | 2011/09/15 | — | — | 609 (Entertainment Extra + HD pack) |
— |
| Disney Cinemagic HD | HD/upscaled SD mix | Simulcast | Disney-ABC Television Group | 2008/12/01 | — | — | 622 (Movies + HD pack)[n 5] |
— |
| Disney XD HD | HD/upscaled SD mix | Simulcast | Disney-ABC Television Group | 2010/10/18 | — | — | 607 (Entertainment Extra + HD pack) |
— |
| E4 HD | HD/upscaled SD mix | Simulcast | Channel Four Television Corporation | 2009/12/14 | — | — | 136 (HD pack) |
145 (XL pack) |
| Eden HD | HD/upscaled SD mix | Simulcast | UKTV (BBC Worldwide/Scripps Networks Interactive) | 2010/10/04 | — | — | 532 (Entertainment Extra + HD pack) |
209 (XL pack) |
| ESPN America HD | HD/upscaled SD mix | Simulcast | ESPN Inc. (The Walt Disney Company/Hearst Corporation) | 2010/06/21 | — | — | 426 (Subscription + HD pack) |
— |
| ESPN HD | HD/upscaled SD mix | Simulcast | ESPN Inc. (The Walt Disney Company/Hearst Corporation) | 2009/08/03 | — | — | 417 (Subscription + HD pack) |
530 (XL pack)[n 6] |
| Eurosport 3D | 100% HD | Independent | TF1 Group | 2012/05/27 | — | — | — | 523 (M+ pack) |
| Eurosport HD | HD/upscaled SD mix | Simulcast[n 3] | TF1 Group | 2008/07/15 | — | — | 412 (Entertainment Extra + HD pack) |
522 (XL pack) |
| Film4 HD | HD/upscaled SD mix | Simulcast | Channel Four Television Corporation | 2010/07/20 | — | — | — | 429 (M+ pack) |
| FX HD | HD/upscaled SD mix | Simulcast | Fox International Channels | 2008/04/28 | — | — | 124 (Entertainment + HD pack) |
158 (XL pack) |
| Good Food HD | HD/upscaled SD mix | Simulcast | UKTV (BBC Worldwide/Scripps Networks Interactive) | 2010/08/31 | — | — | 247 (Entertainment + HD pack) |
261 (XL pack) |
| History HD | HD/upscaled SD mix | Simulcast | A+E Networks UK (A+E Networks/British Sky Broadcasting) | 2006/10/26 | — | — | 529 (Entertainment Extra + HD pack) |
— |
| ITV1 HD[n 7] | HD/upscaled SD mix | Simulcast | ITV plc | 2008/06/07 | 119 (Free-to-air)[n 8][n 9] |
51 (Free-to-air) |
178 (Free-to-air)[n 10] |
113 (M pack) |
| ITV2 HD | HD/upscaled SD mix | Simulcast | ITV Digital Channels Ltd (ITV plc) | 2010/10/07 | — | — | 118 (HD pack) |
— |
| ITV3 HD | HD/upscaled SD mix | Simulcast | ITV Digital Channels Ltd (ITV plc) | 2010/11/15 | — | — | 119 (HD pack) |
— |
| ITV4 HD | HD/upscaled SD mix | Simulcast | ITV Digital Channels Ltd (ITV plc) | 2010/11/15 | — | — | 120 (HD pack) |
— |
| MGM HD | 100% HD | Independent | MGM Channel (UK) Limited (Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer/British Sky Broadcasting) | 2009/12/14 | — | — | 313 (Movies + HD pack)[n 5] |
— |
| MTV HD | HD/upscaled SD mix | Simulcast | Viacom International Media Networks Europe | 2012/02/13 | — | — | 126 (Entertainment + HD pack) |
— |
| MTV Live HD | HD/upscaled SD mix | Simulcast | Viacom International Media Networks Europe | 2008/12/16 | — | — | 358 (Entertainment Extra + HD pack) |
310 (XL pack) |
| National Geographic Channel HD | HD/upscaled SD mix | Simulcast | NGC-UK Partnership (National Geographic Society/Fox International Channels) | 2006/05/22 | — | — | 526 (Entertainment Extra + HD pack) |
232 (XL pack) |
| Nat Geo Wild HD | HD/upscaled SD mix | Simulcast | NGC-UK Partnership (National Geographic Society/Fox International Channels) | 2009/04/01 | — | — | 528 (Entertainment Extra + HD pack) |
— |
| NHK World HD | 100% HD | Independent | NHK | 2011/05/09 | 209 (Free-to-air) |
— | 507 (Free-to-air) |
— |
| Nickelodeon HD | HD/upscaled SD mix | Simulcast | Nickelodeon UK (Viacom International Media Networks Europe/British Sky Broadcasting) | 2010/10/05 | — | — | 604 (Entertainment Extra + HD pack) |
— |
| RTÉ Two HD[n 11] | HD/upscaled SD mix | Simulcast | Raidió Teilifís Éireann | 2012/05/16 | — | — | 162/227[n 12] (Bonus pack) |
— |
| S4C Clirlun[n 13] | HD/upscaled SD mix | Simulcast | Welsh Fourth Channel Authority | 2010/04/30 | — | 53 (Free-to-air) |
— | — |
| Sky 3D | 100% HD | Independent | British Sky Broadcasting | 2010/04/03 | — | — | 217 (Sky World + HD pack) |
— |
| Sky Atlantic HD | HD/upscaled SD mix | Simulcast | British Sky Broadcasting | 2011/02/01 | — | — | 108 (Entertainment + HD pack) |
— |
| Sky Arts 1 HD | HD/upscaled SD mix | Simulcast | British Sky Broadcasting | 2006/05/22 | — | — | 129 (Entertainment + HD pack) |
282 (XL pack) |
| Sky Arts 2 HD | HD/upscaled SD mix | Simulcast | British Sky Broadcasting | 2009/03/02 | — | — | 130 (Entertainment + HD pack) |
284 (XL pack) |
| Sky Insider HD | 100% HD | Independent | British Sky Broadcasting | 2011/05/05 | — | — | 889[n 14] (Free-to-view) |
— |
| Sky Living HD | HD/upscaled SD mix | Simulcast | British Sky Broadcasting | 2009/10/06 | — | — | 107 (Entertainment + HD pack) |
110 (XL pack) |
| Sky Movies Box Office HD1 | 100% HD | Separate schedule | British Sky Broadcasting | 2006/05/22 | — | — | 752 (Pay-per-view) |
— |
| Sky Movies Box Office HD2 | 100% HD | Separate schedule | British Sky Broadcasting | 2006/05/22 | — | — | 753 (Pay-per-view) |
— |
| Sky HD Retail Info | 100% HD | Independent | British Sky Broadcasting | 2006/02/17 | — | — | 997 (HD pack) |
— |
| Sky Movies Action & Adventure HD | 100% HD[n 15] | Simulcast | British Sky Broadcasting | 2008/10/08 | — | — | 305 (Movies + HD pack) |
435 (Subscription + HD Sub) |
| Sky Movies Classics HD | 100% HD[n 15] | Simulcast | British Sky Broadcasting | 2010/08/09 | — | — | 311 (Movies + HD pack) |
441 (Subscription + HD Sub) |
| Sky Movies Comedy HD | 100% HD[n 15] | Simulcast | British Sky Broadcasting | 2008/10/15 | — | — | 304 (Movies + HD pack) |
434 (Subscription + HD Sub) |
| Sky Movies Crime & Thriller HD | 100% HD[n 15] | Simulcast | British Sky Broadcasting | 2006/05/22 | — | — | 307 (Movies + HD pack) |
437 (Subscription + HD Sub) |
| Sky Movies Drama & Romance HD | 100% HD[n 15] | Simulcast | British Sky Broadcasting | 2008/10/08 | — | — | 308 (Movies + HD pack) |
438 (Subscription + HD Sub) |
| Sky Movies Family HD | 100% HD[n 15] | Simulcast | British Sky Broadcasting | 2008/10/15 | — | — | 306 (Movies + HD pack) |
436 (Subscription + HD Sub) |
| Sky Movies Indie HD | 100% HD[n 15] | Simulcast | British Sky Broadcasting | 2009/10/26 | — | — | 312 (Movies + HD pack) |
442 (Subscription + HD Sub) |
| Sky Movies Modern Greats HD | 100% HD[n 15] | Simulcast | British Sky Broadcasting | 2008/10/08 | — | — | 311 (Movies + HD pack) |
440 (Subscription + HD Sub) |
| Sky Movies Premiere HD | 100% HD[n 15] | Simulcast | British Sky Broadcasting | 2008/03/20 | — | — | 301 (Movies + HD pack) |
431 (Subscription + HD Sub) |
| Sky Movies Sci-Fi & Horror HD | 100% HD[n 15] | Simulcast | British Sky Broadcasting | 2008/10/15 | — | — | 309 (Movies + HD pack) |
439 (Subscription + HD Sub) |
| Sky Movies Summer HD | 100% HD[n 15] | Simulcast | British Sky Broadcasting | 2006/05/22 | — | — | 303 (Movies + HD pack) |
433 (Subscription + HD Sub) |
| Sky News HD | 100% HD | Simulcast | British Sky Broadcasting | 2010/05/06 | — | — | 501 (HD pack) |
— |
| Sky Sports 1 HD | HD/upscaled SD mix | Simulcast[n 3] | British Sky Broadcasting | 2006/05/22 | — | — | 401 (Sports + HD pack) |
517 (Subscription + HD Sub) |
| Sky Sports 2 HD | HD/upscaled SD mix | Simulcast[n 3] | British Sky Broadcasting | 2006/07/31 | — | — | 402 (Sports + HD pack) |
518 (Subscription + HD Sub) |
| Sky Sports 3 HD | HD/upscaled SD mix | Simulcast[n 3] | British Sky Broadcasting | 2008/03/17 | — | — | 403 (Sports + HD pack) |
— |
| Sky Sports 4 HD | HD/upscaled SD mix | Simulcast[n 3] | British Sky Broadcasting | 2010/04/29 | — | — | 404 (Sports + HD pack) |
— |
| Sky Sports F1 HD | HD/upscaled SD mix | Simulcast | British Sky Broadcasting | 2012/03/09 | — | — | 408 (HD pack) |
— |
| Sky Sports News HD | 100% HD | Simulcast | British Sky Broadcasting | 2010/08/23 | — | — | 405 (Entertainment Extra + HD pack)[n 16] |
— |
| Sky1 HD | HD/upscaled SD mix | Simulcast | British Sky Broadcasting | 2006/05/22 | — | — | 106 (Entertainment + HD pack) |
122 (XL pack) |
| STAR Plus HD | HD/upscaled SD mix | Simulcast | STAR TV (News Corporation) | 2012/07/05 | — | — | 784 (Entertainment + HD pack) |
— |
| STV HD[n 17] | HD/upscaled SD mix | Simulcast | STV Group plc | 2010/06/06 | Manual tuning[1] (Free-to-air) |
51 (Free-to-air) |
— | 113 (M pack) |
| Syfy HD | HD/upscaled SD mix | Simulcast | Universal Networks International (NBCUniversal) | 2009/01/26 | — | — | 114 (Entertainment + HD pack) |
165 (XL pack) |
| Universal Channel HD | HD/upscaled SD mix | Simulcast | Universal Networks International (NBCUniversal) | 2010/06/28 | — | — | 113 (Entertainment + HD pack) |
— |
| UTV HD[n 18] | HD/upscaled SD mix | Simulcast | UTV Media | 2010/10/05 | — | — | — | 113 (M pack) |
| Watch HD | HD/upscaled SD mix | Simulcast | UKTV (BBC Worldwide/Scripps Networks Interactive) | 2011/10/12 | — | — | 109 (Entertainment + HD pack) |
125 (XL pack) |
Future HD channels and events
2012
July
- 25 - 301 HD on Freeview channel 304[2][3]
- 25 - British Eurosport HD on Sky channel 410 and Virgin TV channel 522[4]
- 25 - Eurosport HD will close on Sky channel 412 and Virgin TV channel 522[4]
- 25 - BBC Olympics 1 HD - 24 HD on Freesat, Sky and Virgin TV channels 550 - 573[5][6][7][8][3][9]
- 27-12 August - Sky 3D will be made available to all HD pack subscribers on Sky channel 217[10]
August
- 12 - BBC Olympics 1 HD - 24 HD will close on Freesat, Sky and Virgin TV channels 550 - 573[5][6][7][8][11][9]
- 13 - Eurosport 3D will close on Virgin TV channel 523[8][9]
- 26 - Sky Movies Summer HD will be rebranded as Sky Movies Showcase HD on Sky channel 303 and Virgin TV channel 433[12]
- 29 - Three Channel 4 Paralympic Games HD channels on Sky and Virgin TV[13]
September
- 3 - British Eurosport 2 HD on Sky channel 411[4]
- QVC HD on Sky channel 640[14][15][16]
- Three Channel 4 Paralympic Games HD channels will close on Sky and Virgin TV[13]
October
- 24 - UTV HD on Freeview channel 51 (Northern Ireland only)[17]
Autumn
- The Freeview EPG may be reorganised[18]
Before 2013
- A fifth HD channel on Freeview, replacing 301 HD[19][20][21][22]
- BBC One HD Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales variations on Freesat channel 108, Freeview channel 50, Sky channel 143 and Virgin TV channel 108[23][24]
- BBC Two HD on Freesat channel 109, Freeview channel 54, Sky channel 169 and Virgin TV channel 187, replacing BBC HD[25][26][24]
- Freeview HD will be available in all regions[27]
- TCM HD on Sky channel 317[28][29]
- UTV HD on Freesat and Sky (Northern Ireland only)[17]
2013
Before 2014
Unknown dates
- Setanta HD on Sky channel 423 (Northern Ireland only)[32]
- STV HD on Freesat and Sky (Scotland only)[33]
Defunct HD channels
| Channel name | Launch date | Closed date | Owner/parent company | Freesat EPG No. | Freeview EPG No. | Sky EPG No. | Virgin TV EPG No. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PremPlus HD | 2006/10/16 | 2007/05/06 | British Sky Broadcasting | — | — | 483 | — |
| Sky Sports HDX | 2007/05/06 | 2007/05/26 | British Sky Broadcasting | — | — | 483 | — |
| BET HD | 2009/07/01 | 2009/07/04 | Viacom | 142 | — | — | — |
| Sky Real Lives HD | 2008/10/20 | 2010/08/19 | British Sky Broadcasting | — | — | 278 | — |
| Sky Box Office HD3 | 2010/12/03 | 2010/12/13 | British Sky Broadcasting | — | — | 739 | — |
| Sky Insider HD | 2011/03/22 | 2011/03/30 | British Sky Broadcasting | — | — | 889 | — |
| Luxury Life HD | 2007/12/03 | 2011/03/31 | Luxury Broadcasting Limited | — | — | 271 | — |
| Rush HD | 2008/04/07 | 2011/04/07 | Rainbow Media | — | — | 452 | — |
| Eurosport 3D | 2011/05/22 | 2011/06/06 | TF1 Group | — | — | — | 523 |
| Bio. HD | 2008/11/05 | 2012/07/03 | A+E Networks UK (A+E Networks/British Sky Broadcasting) | — | — | 211 | — |
See also
Notes
- ^ Including two ITV services and two channel 4 services
- ^ Including three ITV services
- ^ a b c d e f Simulcast with exception
- ^ Except Wales
- ^ a b Included with Movies Pack, otherwise Subscription
- ^ Included with XL pack, otherwise Subscription
- ^ England, Wales and Scottish Borders only
- ^ Granada/Border or London/LWT variations only
- ^ Red button HD service available on ITV1 London channel 977, throughout the UK
- ^ Central and Meridian variations are free-to-view
- ^ Northern Ireland only
- ^ HD swap
- ^ Wales only
- ^ Sky Insider HD is a bonus channel for Sky employees
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k Sky Movies channels are mainly HD, however there is the occasional upscaled SD broadcast where a HD source is not available
- ^ Included with Entertainment Extra Pack, otherwise Sports Pack
- ^ Scotland only
- ^ Northern Ireland only
References
- ^ "Search Results for STV HD". KingOfSat. Retrieved 29 June 2012.
- ^ "More choices announced for BBC Olympic viewers". BBC. 18 April 2012.
- ^ a b "BARB reported channels". Overnights.tv. 7 June 2012.
- ^ a b c "British Eurosport launches HD channels". Yahoo! Eurosport UK. 3 July 2012.
- ^ a b "TV to stream 24 channels for digital Olympic". BBC. 3 April 2012.
- ^ a b "Freesat to offer BBC's 24 HD Olympic Channels – all subscription-free" (PDF). Freesat. 3 April 2012.
- ^ a b "Watch every second of the BBC's 2012 Olympics coverage on Sky with the help of 24 brand new channels, dedicated to the London Games". BSkyB Corporate. 3 April 2012.
- ^ a b c "BBC and Eurosport bring 2012 Olympics to Virgin Media customers". Virgin Media. 18 April 2012.
- ^ a b c "Channel Guide" (PDF). Virgin Media. 24 May 2012.
- ^ "Sky to broadcast Eurosport's 3D Olympics coverage". Digital Spy. 5 April 2012.
- ^ "Olympic Games". Freesat. Retrieved 25 June 2012.
- ^ "Sky Movies Summer". Sky Movies. 27 June 2012.
- ^ a b "Unprecedented rolling coverage for London 2012 Paralympic Games". Channel 4. 28 May 2012.
- ^ "QVC reflects on UK DTT". Broadband TV News. 7 September 2010.
- ^ "QVC Shopping Channel Experimenting With 3D". 3D Focus. 6 June 2011.
- ^ "QVC plans HD and extra channels after studio move". Broadcast. 31 May 2012.
- ^ a b "UTV signs new network deal". UTV Live. 5 March 2012.
- ^ "Consultation on proposals for the reorganisation of the DTT LCN listing and on changes to DMOL's LCN policy" (PDF). DMOL. 29 March 2012.
- ^ "Committee Decisions". Ofcom. 15 May 2010.
- ^ "Third Invitation to Apply for DTT Multiplex B capacity - Statutory Notice" (PDF). Ofcom. 5 September 2011.
- ^ "Response to Ofcom's Third Invitation to Apply for DTT Multiplex B Capacity" (PDF). Ofcom. 17 October 2011.
- ^ "Channel 5 rules out HD channel launch on Freeview". Digital Spy. 16 December 2011.
- ^ "BBC Executive priorities and summary workplan for 2011/12" (PDF). BBC. 6 June 2011.
- ^ a b "Delivering Quality First Final Conclusions" (PDF). BBC Trust. 15 May 2012.
- ^ "Delivering Quality First" (PDF). BBC Trust. 6 October 2011.
- ^ "DELIVERING QUALITY FIRST: Public Consultation - Section 2: Television". BBC Trust. 6 October 2011.
- ^ "BBC announces timetable for Freeview HD signal availability". BBC. 16 November 2009.
- ^ "Q4 Results 2011". BSkyB. 29 July 2011.
- ^ "Are there plans for..." Facebook. 17 May 2012.
- ^ "Sky 3D audience growing, new channel hinted". Pocket-lint. 25 April 2012.
- ^ "Sky Sports 3D new channel coming soon?". Recombu. 26 April 2012.
- ^ "SETANTA BECOMES FIRST IRISH CHANNEL TO GO HD". Setanta Sports. 16 September 2010.
- ^ "HD television is coming to STV". STV. Retrieved 12 June 2010.
External links
- "freesat - What's On". Freesat.
- "Channels". Freeview.
- "Sky+HD TV Channels". British Sky Broadcasting.
- "High-definition TV". Virgin Media.
- "Freesat Channels". SES.
- "Sky Channels". SES.
- "Sky Channel Line-up". Eutelsat.
- "LinowSat". LinowSat.
