Digital TV Guides

Satellite TV channels

By Leah Boundy - editorial@consumerchoices.co.uk

If you're looking for a good deal on satellite TV, you'll need to know which channels are offered by the various providers

Satellite TV in the UK is mainly provided by Sky (www.sky.com), which offers a range of channels so you can mix-and-match to find your perfect TV package. There’s also the option of Freesat. For a one-off payment, you can benefit from 140 channels without having to worry about another monthly bill.

Satellite TV from Sky

If you choose to pay a monthly subscription to Sky (www.sky.com) , there are even more channels to choose from.

Sky TV Only

Company	Package Name	Channels	Broadband	Home Phone
	Sky Entertainment TV	Sky Entertainment Pack with channels like Sky 1 and Sky Atlantic
	Sky Entertainment TV + Sky Sports + ESPN	Live cricket and football coverage
	Sky Entertainment TV + Sky Movies + Sky Sports	100s of films from comedies to thrillers

Choose between 2 TV packages, the Sky Entertainment for just £20.00 a month, or the Sky Extra costing £25.00. You can choose to add the Sky Movies or Sky Sports channels for an extra charge. To save some money, you can even bundle Sky TV with your broadband and/or home phone.

Again, you’ll benefit from Sky’s 98% coverage of the UK, but you’ll need to pay for a Sky box and installation of a satellite dish if your property doesn’t already have one. To find out more, read our guide to Sky TV channels.

Choosing Freesat

Freesat is a satellite alternative to Freeview (www.freeview.co.uk). There is no subscription - just a one-off charge. You’ll need a digibox and satellite dish installed, but if you already have a dish then you’ll just have to pay for the box (choose between standard or high-definition).

The satellite network covers 98% of the UK, so if you can’t get Freeview channels when the digital switchover comes to your area then Freesat could be your best alternative.

Freesat TV channels

The main benefit of Freesat over Freeview is the variety of channels. Freesat offers over 140, while Freeview offers around 50 TV channels. The service is run by the BBC and ITV, but you’ll still receive Channel 4 and other, unaffiliated, satellite channels.

The channels you’d get with Freesat and not Freeview include Men and Motors, Talksport, Zone Romantica and More4 +1. But the Freesat channel listings do not include channels like Dave and 4 Music.

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