Digital TV Guides

Sky HD channels

Updated: Wednesday 7 March, 2012

Looking for a wide variety of HD channels? Satellite TV provider Sky offers the largest line-up of HD entertainment, spanning sports, movies, documentaries and dramas.

Sign-up to a Sky+HD package today and you could get access to up to 60 high-definition (HD) channels now. Sky is the UK’s largest satellite TV provider, with its TV service taken by over 10 million homes around the country.

Before signing up to a Sky TV package though, take a look at the table below and read the Digitalchoices.co.uk guide to Sky HD channels to make sure that Sky is the right high-definition option for you…

60 HD channels & over 240 SD channels	23 HD channels & up to 175 SD channels	6 HD channels & up to 75 SD channels	4 HD channels & 140 SD channels
View all channels »	View all channels »	View all channels »
FREE Sky+HD Box* + FREE set-up & £25 M&S voucher from £12.50 a month + HD for £10.25 a month	FREE VHD Box (& FREE set-up) £26.50 a month** + FREE HD TV	FREE VHD Box (& FREE set-up) £7 a month*** + FREE HD TV	from £99.99**** (aerial required) no monthly subscription

* For new and existing customers taking their first Sky+HD package. Get up to 60 HD channels with additional Sky HD packs. ** + a Virgin Phone line for £13.90 a month. *** + a Virgin Phone line for £13.90 a month. **** Prices sourced from Freeview.co.uk and Freesat.co.uk. Freeview and Freesat set-top box capabilities vary across manufacturers. Higher prices may apply for recorder and catch-up capabilities.

HD channels on Sky

If you subscribe to Sky’s HD Pack, you’ll be able to watch programmes, sports and movies on up to 60 HD channels - the UK’s largest choice of HD channels.

A programme in high-definition has an up to five times better picture and sharper sound than when broadcast in standard-definition. Remember though - you will only be able to watch HD programmes if you have a HD-ready TV.

The HD channels you receive on Sky will depend on your Sky TV package. For example, if you have the standard-definition Sky Sports, Sky Movies or Disney Cinemagic channels in your package, you will receive the high-definition versions of these channels when you sign-up to the HD Pack.

High-definition channels on Sky include:

• Sky Sports HD1-HD4: Feel as if you’re on the pitch or at the racecourse as Sky Sports HD1, HD2, HD3 and HD4 bring you all the excitement of live sports events in high-definition. Available to customers taking the HD Pack and Sports Pack.
• Sky Sports F1 Catch every race and every qualifying session of the Formula One season in intense colour and superb detail exclusively on Sky’s dedicated Formula One channel. Available to customers taking the HD Pack and Sports Pack.
• National Geographic HD: Bring your TV to life with a variety of programmes in exquisite clarity, covering history, science, disaster and technology. Available to customers taking the HD Pack.
• History HD: Delve into the past with History HD as the channel takes you on an incredible journey of true stories from all over the world, in super-sharp detail. Available to customers taking the HD Pack.
• Discovery HD: Enjoy a fascinating range of programmes covering everything from culture, engineering, science and technology to nature, lifestyle and travel with the high-definition version of the Discovery Channel. Available to customers taking the HD Pack.
• ESPN HD: ESPN HD offers 23 live Premier League games and 30 Scottish Premier League games over the course of the 2011-12 season, as well as a wide range of US sports. Available to customers taking the HD Pack and ESPN.
• Sky Movies Family HD: Enjoy movies that the whole family will love, such as Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 1, Rango and Shrek Forever After, in super-sharp high-definition. Available to customers taking the HD Pack and Movies Pack.

Sky’s HD Pack is available as an add-on to your existing Sky TV subscription, costing an additional £10.25 a month. Visit www.sky.com for the latest deals.

Free HD channels on Sky

Sky also offers some free HD channels, available to all Sky+HD homes, even if you don’t take the HD Pack. These channels are:

• BBC HD: Watch some of the best from the BBC on its HD channel, which offers a wide range of high-quality programmes from across all the BBC channels.
• Channel 4 HD: Channel 4 offers a variety of entertainment and real-life documentaries in the great detail that high-definition provides. You can watch music shows and dramas, as well as classic and contemporary movies too. Channel 4 HD is available subscription-free, though you will need a valid Sky viewing card to get it.
• ITV1 HD: ITV1 HD brings ITV1’s compelling high-quality entertainment and lifestyle programmes to viewers in high-definition.
• Luxe.TV HD: A channel of documentaries, magazines and news programmes dedicated to the luxury world, all delivered in luxurious detail

Should I get Sky HD?

If you’re looking for the largest selection of HD channels, signing up to a Sky package could be right for you. It’s important to factor in all the costs however, as getting this range of HD channels will cost you £10.25 extra a month. Also, as Sky is a satellite TV provider, you will have to have a satellite dish mounted onto the side of your house - in some properties, such as rented accommodation or listed buildings, this isn’t always possible, so you should check to make sure before signing up.

Use the postcode checker on Digitalchoices.co.uk to see if Sky is available at your address, and to find out more about costs.