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 |
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) |
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 |