Digital TV Guides

Indian TV channels

By Becca Talbot - becca@consumerchoices.co.uk

Wednesday 23 March, 2011

Whether it’s Bollywood movies and music or Indian soaps you’re looking for, read our guide to find out what Indian channels are on offer from the UK’s biggest digital TV providers.

There are plenty of TV options if you’re a family of Indian heritage living in the UK. Sky, Virgin Media and BT Vision all offer a range of channels for you to catch-up on your favourite shows.

From Aastha to Zee TV, read on to compare prices and find the perfect TV package to suit your household.

Indian channels on Sky

With over 10 million subscribers around the country, Sky (www.sky.com) is the UK’s biggest satellite TV provider.

It offers the most comprehensive range of Indian channels, many of which come free with any standard TV subscription. These include:

The Star channels are included in either the Sky Entertainment or the Sky Extra.

With these packs you’ll also get the other Indian channels listed above, as well as these Indian radio channels - all for free:

These channels come as standard and are free to all Sky TV subscribers. For more information and to sign-up to a Sky TV package with Indian channels, visit www.sky.co.uk.

Indian channels on Virgin Media

If you’re in an area that can receive cable TV service Virgin Media (www.virginmedia.com), this is also an option that offers a wide range of Indian TV channels. You can sign-up to the Asian Collection for an extra £11 a month on top of your standard Virgin TV package, and watch everything from the latest news updates to Bollywood blockbusters.

You’ll get 10 Indian channels in the pack:

If you don’t fancy all of these channels, you can subscribe to just Zee TV for £4.95 a month on top of your standard Virgin Media TV package, or take the Zee Bundle, which has all four Zee channels for £7.95 extra a month.

For more information and to sign-up to a Virgin Media package with Indian channels, visit (www.virginmedia.com.

Indian channels on BT Vision

Though it doesn’t have any dedicated Indian channels, BT Vision (www.bt.com) - the internet TV service from telecoms giant BT - offers over 100 hours of on-demand Indian TV programmes and films in its Bolly & Beyond viewing pack.

The Bolly & Beyond pack is broadcast by MoMedia and Shemaroo Entertainment (two of the biggest Indian TV distributers), and is available as an extra on top of the standard BT Vision service. Showing some of India’s most popular shows, it costs just £7.20 a month, and can be added or removed at any time as it’s a one-month subscription.

Follow the ups and downs of the Virani family in the popular soap Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi, be entertained with hit films such as Singh Is King or relax and unwind with Shilpa’s Yoga.

Choosing a digital TV package

Though the choice of Indian channels is a lot better with either Sky or Virgin Media, if you’re looking for on-demand Indian TV, films and music videos, signing up to a BT Vision package could be exactly what you need.

Use our postcode comparison service to find out what’s available in your area and sign-up to a new digital TV provider online.