List of HD channels in the UK

This is a list of current High Definition channels that are available in the United Kingdom, those coming in the future and those that have ceased broadcasting.

All sixty-five HD channels in the UK broadcast at 1080i.[n 1]

There are currently five channels available to Freesat viewers, six channels available to Freeview viewers, sixty-one channels available to Sky viewers and thirty-eight channels available to Virgin TV viewers. However some channels may not be available in all areas.

The most recent HD channel to launch was Watch HD Sky channel 109 and Virgin Media channel 125 on 12 October 2011.

Contents

HD channels

Channel name Content Type Owner/parent company Launch date Freesat EPG No. Freeview EPG No. Sky EPG No. Virgin TV EPG No.
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 2] BBC 2010/11/03 108
(Free-to-air)
50
(Free-to-air)
143
(Free-to-air)
108
(M pack)
Bio. HD 100% HD Separate schedule A+E Networks UK (A&E Television Networks/British Sky Broadcasting) 2008/11/05 N/A N/A 211
(Entertainment Extra + HD pack)
N/A
Cartoon Network HD HD/upscaled SD mix Simulcast Turner Broadcasting System Europe (Time Warner) 2011/09/14 N/A N/A 601
(Entertainment Extra + HD pack)
N/A
Channel 4 HD HD/upscaled SD mix Simulcast Channel Four Television Corporation 2007/12/10 126
(Free-to-air)
52
(Free-to-air)[n 3]
140
(Free-to-air)
142
(M pack)
Channel 5 HD HD/upscaled SD mix Simulcast Northern & Shell 2010/07/13 N/A N/A 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 N/A N/A 112
(Entertainment + HD pack)
133
(XL pack)
Crime & Investigation Network HD 100% HD Separate schedule A+E Networks UK (A&E Television Networks/British Sky Broadcasting) 2008/11/05 N/A N/A 555
(Entertainment Extra + HD pack)
N/A
Dave HD HD/upscaled SD mix Simulcast UKTV (BBC Worldwide/Scripps Networks Interactive) 2011/10/10 N/A N/A 111
(Entertainment + HD pack)
129
(XL pack)
Discovery HD HD/upscaled SD mix Simulcast Discovery Networks Western Europe 2006/05/22 N/A N/A 520
(Entertainment Extra + HD pack)
214
(XL pack)
Disney Channel HD HD/upscaled SD mix Simulcast Disney-ABC Television Group 2011/09/15 N/A N/A 609
(Entertainment Extra + HD pack)
N/A
Disney Cinemagic HD HD/upscaled SD mix Simulcast Disney-ABC Television Group 2008/12/01 N/A N/A 622
(Movies + HD pack)[n 4]
N/A
Disney XD HD HD/upscaled SD mix Simulcast Disney-ABC Television Group 2010/10/18 N/A N/A 607
(Entertainment Extra + HD pack)
N/A
E4 HD HD/upscaled SD mix Simulcast Channel Four Television Corporation 2009/12/14 N/A N/A 136
(HD pack)
145
(XL pack)
Eden HD HD/upscaled SD mix Simulcast UKTV (BBC Worldwide/Scripps Networks Interactive) 2010/10/04 N/A N/A 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 N/A N/A 430
(Subscription + HD pack)
N/A
ESPN HD HD/upscaled SD mix Simulcast ESPN Inc. (The Walt Disney Company/Hearst Corporation) 2009/08/03 N/A N/A 417
(Subscription + HD pack)
530
(XL pack)[n 5]
Eurosport HD HD/upscaled SD mix Simulcast[n 2] TF1 Group 2008/07/15 N/A N/A 412
(Entertainment Extra + HD pack)
522
(XL pack)
Film4 HD HD/upscaled SD mix Simulcast Channel Four Television Corporation 2010/07/20 N/A N/A N/A 429
(M+ pack)
FX HD HD/upscaled SD mix Simulcast Fox International Channels 2008/04/28 N/A N/A 124
(Entertainment + HD pack)
158
(XL pack)
Good Food HD HD/upscaled SD mix Simulcast UKTV (BBC Worldwide/Scripps Networks Interactive) 2010/08/31 N/A N/A 249
(Entertainment + HD pack)
261
(XL pack)
History HD HD/upscaled SD mix Simulcast A+E Networks UK (A&E Television Networks/British Sky Broadcasting) 2006/10/26 N/A N/A 529
(Entertainment Extra + HD pack)
N/A
ITV1 HD[n 6] HD/upscaled SD mix Simulcast ITV plc 2008/06/07 119
(Free-to-air)[n 7][n 8]
51
(Free-to-air)
178
(Free-to-air)[n 9]
113
(M pack)
ITV2 HD HD/upscaled SD mix Simulcast ITV Digital Channels Ltd (ITV plc) 2010/10/07 N/A N/A 118
(HD pack)
N/A
ITV3 HD HD/upscaled SD mix Simulcast ITV Digital Channels Ltd (ITV plc) 2010/11/15 N/A N/A 119
(HD pack)
N/A
ITV4 HD HD/upscaled SD mix Simulcast ITV Digital Channels Ltd (ITV plc) 2010/11/15 N/A N/A 120
(HD pack)
N/A
MGM HD 100% HD Independent MGM Channel (UK) Limited (Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer/British Sky Broadcasting) 2009/12/14 N/A N/A 313
(Movies + HD pack)[n 4]
N/A
MTVNHD HD/upscaled SD mix Separate schedule MTV Networks Europe 2008/12/16 N/A N/A 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 N/A N/A 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 N/A N/A 528
(Entertainment Extra + HD pack)
N/A
NHK World HD 100% HD Independent NHK 2011/05/09 209
(Free-to-air)
N/A 507
(Free-to-air)
N/A
Nickelodeon HD HD/upscaled SD mix Simulcast Nickelodeon UK (MTV Networks Europe/British Sky Broadcasting) 2010/10/05 N/A N/A 604
(Entertainment Extra + HD pack)
N/A
S4C Clirlun HD/upscaled SD mix Simulcast Welsh Fourth Channel Authority 2010/04/30 N/A 53
(Free-to-air)[n 10]
N/A N/A
Sky 3D 100% HD Independent British Sky Broadcasting 2010/04/03 N/A N/A 217
(Sky World + HD pack)
N/A
Sky Atlantic HD HD/upscaled SD mix Simulcast British Sky Broadcasting 2011/02/01 N/A N/A 108
(Entertainment + HD pack)
N/A
Sky Arts 1 HD HD/upscaled SD mix Simulcast British Sky Broadcasting 2006/05/22 N/A N/A 243
(Entertainment + HD pack)
282
(XL pack)
Sky Arts 2 HD HD/upscaled SD mix Simulcast British Sky Broadcasting 2009/03/02 N/A N/A 245
(Entertainment + HD pack)
284
(XL pack)
Sky Insider HD 100% HD Independent British Sky Broadcasting 2011/05/05 N/A N/A 889[n 11]
(Free-to-view)
N/A
Sky Living HD HD/upscaled SD mix Simulcast British Sky Broadcasting 2009/10/06 N/A N/A 107
(Entertainment + HD pack)
110
(XL pack)
Sky Movies Box Office HD1 100% HD Separate schedule British Sky Broadcasting 2006/05/22 N/A N/A 752
(Pay-per-view)
N/A
Sky Movies Box Office HD2 100% HD Separate schedule British Sky Broadcasting 2006/05/22 N/A N/A 753
(Pay-per-view)
N/A
Sky HD Retail Info 100% HD Independent British Sky Broadcasting 2006/02/17 N/A N/A 997
(HD pack)
N/A
Sky Movies Action & Adventure HD 100% HD[n 12] Simulcast British Sky Broadcasting 2008/10/08 N/A N/A 305
(Movies + HD pack)
435
(Subscription + HD Sub)
Sky Movies Classics HD 100% HD[n 12] Simulcast British Sky Broadcasting 2010/08/09 N/A N/A 311
(Movies + HD pack)
441
(Subscription + HD Sub)
Sky Movies Comedy HD 100% HD[n 12] Simulcast British Sky Broadcasting 2008/10/15 N/A N/A 304
(Movies + HD pack)
434
(Subscription + HD Sub)
Sky Movies Crime & Thriller HD 100% HD[n 12] Simulcast British Sky Broadcasting 2006/05/22 N/A N/A 307
(Movies + HD pack)
437
(Subscription + HD Sub)
Sky Movies Drama & Romance HD 100% HD[n 12] Simulcast British Sky Broadcasting 2008/10/08 N/A N/A 308
(Movies + HD pack)
438
(Subscription + HD Sub)
Sky Movies Family HD 100% HD[n 12] Simulcast British Sky Broadcasting 2008/10/15 N/A N/A 306
(Movies + HD pack)
436
(Subscription + HD Sub)
Sky Movies Indie HD 100% HD[n 12] Simulcast British Sky Broadcasting 2009/10/26 N/A N/A 312
(Movies + HD pack)
442
(Subscription + HD Sub)
Sky Movies Modern Greats HD 100% HD[n 12] Simulcast British Sky Broadcasting 2008/10/08 N/A N/A 311
(Movies + HD pack)
440
(Subscription + HD Sub)
Sky Movies Premiere HD 100% HD[n 12] Simulcast British Sky Broadcasting 2008/03/20 N/A N/A 301
(Movies + HD pack)
431
(Subscription + HD Sub)
Sky Movies Sci-Fi & Horror HD 100% HD[n 12] Simulcast British Sky Broadcasting 2008/10/15 N/A N/A 309
(Movies + HD pack)
439
(Subscription + HD Sub)
Sky Movies Showcase HD 100% HD[n 12] Simulcast British Sky Broadcasting 2006/05/22 N/A N/A 303
(Movies + HD pack)
433
(Subscription + HD Sub)
Sky News HD 100% HD Simulcast British Sky Broadcasting 2010/05/06 N/A N/A 501
(HD pack)
N/A
Sky Sports HD1 HD/upscaled SD mix Simulcast[n 2] British Sky Broadcasting 2006/05/22 N/A N/A 401
(Sports + HD pack)
517
(Subscription + HD Sub)
Sky Sports HD2 HD/upscaled SD mix Simulcast[n 2] British Sky Broadcasting 2006/07/31 N/A N/A 402
(Sports + HD pack)
518
(Subscription + HD Sub)
Sky Sports HD3 HD/upscaled SD mix Simulcast[n 2] British Sky Broadcasting 2008/03/17 N/A N/A 403
(Sports + HD pack)
N/A
Sky Sports HD4 HD/upscaled SD mix Simulcast[n 2] British Sky Broadcasting 2010/04/29 N/A N/A 404
(Sports + HD pack)
N/A
Sky Sports News HD 100% HD Simulcast British Sky Broadcasting 2010/08/23 N/A N/A 405
(Entertainment Extra + HD pack)[n 13]
N/A
Sky1 HD HD/upscaled SD mix Simulcast British Sky Broadcasting 2006/05/22 N/A N/A 106
(Entertainment + HD pack)
122
(XL pack)
STV HD[n 14] HD/upscaled SD mix Simulcast STV Group plc 2010/06/06 Manual tuning[1]
(Free-to-air)
51
(Free-to-air)
Manual tuning[1]
(Free-to-air)
113
(M pack)
Syfy HD HD/upscaled SD mix Simulcast Universal Networks International 2009/01/26 N/A N/A 114
(Entertainment + HD pack)
165
(XL pack)
Universal Channel HD HD/upscaled SD mix Simulcast Universal Networks International 2010/06/28 N/A N/A 113
(Entertainment + HD pack)
N/A
UTV HD[n 15] HD/upscaled SD mix Simulcast UTV Media 2010/10/05 N/A N/A N/A 113
(M pack)
Watch HD HD/upscaled SD mix Simulcast UKTV (BBC Worldwide/Scripps Networks Interactive) 2011/10/12 N/A N/A 109
(Entertainment + HD pack)
125
(XL pack)

Future HD channels & Events

2012

January

March

Before 2013

Unknown dates

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.
Channel 4 HD (Trial) 2006/06/09 2006/11/30 Channel 4 Television Corporation N/A 504 [n 16] N/A N/A
Five HD (Trial) 2006/06/09 2006/11/30 Channel 5 Broadcasting (RTL Group) N/A 505 [n 16] N/A N/A
ITV HD (Trial) 2006/06/09 2006/11/30 ITV plc N/A 503 [n 16] N/A 118 [n 17]
PremPlus HD 2006/10/16 2007/05/06 British Sky Broadcasting N/A N/A 483 N/A
Sky Sports HDX 2007/05/06 2007/05/26 British Sky Broadcasting N/A N/A 483 N/A
BET HD 2009/07/01 2009/07/04 Viacom 142 N/A N/A N/A
Sky Real Lives HD 2008/10/20 2010/08/19 British Sky Broadcasting N/A N/A 278 N/A
Sky Box Office HD3 2010/12/03 2010/12/13 British Sky Broadcasting N/A N/A 739 N/A
Sky Insider HD 2011/03/22 2011/03/30 British Sky Broadcasting N/A N/A 889 N/A
Luxury Life HD 2007/12/03 2011/03/31 Luxury Broadcasting Limited N/A N/A 271 N/A
Rush HD 2008/04/07 2011/04/07 Rainbow Media N/A N/A 452 N/A
Eurosport 3D 2011/05/22 2011/06/06 TF1 Group N/A N/A N/A 523

See also

Notes

  1. ^ On Freeview, HD channels can dynamically switch between 1080i25 and 1080p25
  2. ^ a b c d e f Simulcast with exception
  3. ^ Except Wales
  4. ^ a b Included with Movies Pack, otherwise Subscription
  5. ^ Included with XL pack, otherwise Subscription
  6. ^ England, Wales and Scottish Borders only
  7. ^ Granada/Border or London/LWT variations only
  8. ^ Red button HD service available on ITV1 London channel 977, throughout the UK
  9. ^ Central and Meridian variations are free-to-view
  10. ^ Wales only
  11. ^ Sky Insider HD is a bonus channel for Sky employees
  12. ^ 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
  13. ^ Included with Entertainment Extra Pack, otherwise Sports Pack
  14. ^ Scotland only
  15. ^ Northern Ireland only
  16. ^ a b c Crystal Palace only
  17. ^ Telewest only

References

  1. ^ a b "Search Results for STV HD". KingOfSat. http://en.kingofsat.net/find.php?question=STV+HD&Submit=Zap. Retrieved 16 September 2010. 
  2. ^ a b c "Sky Arts accelerates entertainment move". Broadcast. 9 November 2011. http://www.broadcastnow.co.uk/news/broadcasters/multichannel/sky-arts-accelerates-entertainment-move/5034437.article. 
  3. ^ a b c "Sky Arts finds a new home on Sky". Sky Arts. http://www.skyarts.co.uk/skyarts/sky-arts-finds-a-new-home-on-sky/. Retrieved 13 November 2011. 
  4. ^ "Sky Sports F1 TM HD – The Ultimate Formula 1 TM Experience". BSkyB Corporate. 25 November 2011. http://corporate.sky.com/media/press_releases/2011/sky_sports_f1.htm. 
  5. ^ "Committee Decisions". Ofcom. 15 May 2010. http://www.ofcom.org.uk/about/how-ofcom-is-run/committees/dtt-allocation-committee/committee-decisions/. 
  6. ^ "Third Invitation to Apply for DTT Multiplex B capacity - Statutory Notice". Ofcom. 5 September 2011. http://stakeholders.ofcom.org.uk/binaries/spectrum/spectrum-policy-area/projects/dtv/third/statutory-notice.pdf#page=13. 
  7. ^ "Response to Ofcom’s Third Invitation to Apply for DTT Multiplex B Capacity". Ofcom. 17 October 2011. http://stakeholders.ofcom.org.uk/binaries/spectrum/spectrum-policy-area/projects/dtv/third/ITA3-c5.pdf. 
  8. ^ "Channel 5 rules out HD channel launch on Freeview". Digital Spy. 16 December 2011. http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/media/news/a356343/channel-5-rules-out-hd-channel-launch-on-freeview.html. 
  9. ^ "UKTV enters VoD market with landmark HD content deal with Sky". UKTV. 29 July 2011. http://uktv.co.uk/network/item/aid/646048. 
  10. ^ "Virgin Media sells £239m stake in UKTV". Financial Times. 15 August 2011. Archived from the original on 17 August 2011. http://webcache.googleusercontent.com/search?q=cache:-cz51SAczqUJ:www.ft.com/cms/s/0/04a841ee-c729-11e0-a9ef-00144feabdc0.html#axzz1VI55De3n. 
  11. ^ "UKTV chief pledges £75m for original programming". Media Week. 12 September 2011. http://www.mediaweek.co.uk/news/1090807/UKTV-chief-pledges-75m-original-programming/. 
  12. ^ "BBC Executive priorities and summary workplan for 2011/12". BBC. 6 June 2011. http://downloads.bbc.co.uk/aboutthebbc/reports/pdf/workplan_0611.pdf#page=14. 
  13. ^ "Delivering Quality First". BBC Trust. 6 October 2011. http://www.bbc.co.uk/aboutthebbc/dqf/pdf/dqf_detailedproposals.pdf#page=11. 
  14. ^ "DELIVERING QUALITY FIRST: Public Consultation - Section 2: Television". BBC Trust. 6 October 2011. http://consultations.external.bbc.co.uk/bbc/dqf/consultation/subpage.2011-07-27.3215590272/. 
  15. ^ "BBC announces timetable for Freeview HD signal availability". BBC. 16 November 2009. http://www.bbc.co.uk/pressoffice/pressreleases/stories/2009/11_november/16/freeview.shtml. 
  16. ^ "QVC reflects on UK DTT". Broadband TV News. 7 September 2010. http://www.broadbandtvnews.com/2010/09/07/qvc-reflects-on-uk-dtt/. 
  17. ^ "QVC Shopping Channel Experimenting With 3D". 3D Focus. 6 June 2011. http://www.3dfocus.co.uk/3dtv/qvc-shopping-channel-experimenting-with-3d-exclusive/3836. 
  18. ^ a b "Q4 Results 2011". BSkyB. 29 July 2011. http://corporate.sky.com/documents/pdf/latest_results/fy_results_presentation_1011#page=21. 
  19. ^ "HD to become C4’s standard delivery format". Channel 4 Television Corporation. 16 March 2011. http://www.channel4.com/media/documents/commissioning/PROGRAMME%20MANAGEMENT/HDToBecomeC4sStandardDeliveryFormat.pdf. 
  20. ^ "SETANTA BECOMES FIRST IRISH CHANNEL TO GO HD". Setanta Sports. 16 September 2010. http://www.setanta.com/ie/Customer-Info-Articles/SETANTA-BECOMES-FIRST-IRISH-CHANNEL-TO-GO-HD/gnid-77051/. 
  21. ^ "HD television is coming to STV". STV. http://www.stv.tv/stvhd#satellite. Retrieved 12 June 2010. 
  22. ^ "World Cup: UTV faces wrath of fans over absence of high definition service". The Belfast Telegraph. 10 June 2010. http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/world-cup-utv-faces-wrath-of-fans-over-absence-of-high-definition-service-14835151.html. 

External links