Digital TV Guides

Freesat channels

Updated: Wednesday 4 April, 2012

By Editorial

Want a subscription-free TV service with a little bit more? Get a satellite dish installed and invest in a Freesat set-top box for more than 150 TV and radio channels.

Freesat is the free-to-view satellite TV service offered by the BBC and ITV. Like Freeview, there are no on-going monthly fees - all you have to do is pay the one-off cost of the set-top box. This makes it an ideal option if it’s your first time making the switch to digital or if you have a subscription service with satellite TV giant Sky and are looking to cut costs.

Though Freesat has fewer channels than Sky (www.sky.com), it still has more than Freeview. And some set-top boxes even have access to the BBC iPlayer, letting you catch-up on your favourite BBC shows whenever you want.

For more information about the channels listed on Freesat and to help you decide whether Freesat is the right option for you, please read our guide below.

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Channels on Freesat

Unlike Freeview, where the number of channels you can get will depend on whether your area has gone digital yet or not, Freesat offers over 150 TV and radio channels as standard. Some of the channels that are available on Freesat include:

HD channels on Freesat

Freesat also has three HD channels - so if you don’t want to sign-up for a TV package with a monthly subscription, you can still watch some of your favourite shows in super sharp high-definition. To watch Freesat HD channels you’ll need a HD ready set-top box and a HD TV.

The HD channels available on Freesat are:

• BBC HD - The channel shows a selection of top BBC programmes such as Strictly Come Dancing, Planet Earth and Waterloo Road in high-definition. Programmes on this channel are from BBC1, BBC2 and BBC3.
• ITV1 HD - ITV1 HD is a high-definition simulcast of ITV, showing a range of entertainment programmes, like Coronation Street, X Factor and Emmerdale, to millions of viewers.
• BBC1 HD - A high-definition simulcast of BBC1, the channel shows everything that’s shown on BBC1 in HD, such as EastEnders, The Apprentice and The Royal Variety Show.

Should I get Freesat?

Still unsure which digital TV service you should opt for? Use our online price comparison tool to find out more about the digital TV providers available in your area.

Although you may be looking to reduce your monthly costs with Freesat, packages from BT Vision (www.bt.com) or Virgin Media (www.virginmedia.com) may suit you more, as subscription TV deals tend to offer a wider selection of channels, so make sure you consider all your options before buying a Freesat set-top box.