Digital TV Guides

Digital TV channels

Updated: Tuesday 29 March, 2011

By Becca Talbot - becca@consumerchoices.co.uk

Looking for a digital TV package with channels to suit all the family? Whether you want kids’ channels, lots of movie channels or a complete sports package, there are plenty of TV options available.

To get the most from your digital TV service, you should compare what’s on offer from the various UK digital TV providers, and then choose a package that’s going to give you the channels you want, at a price you can afford.

Read the guide below to find out more information about how to get the perfect digital TV package for your home…

Entertainment channels

If it’s entertainment channels you’re after, there’s plenty on offer. Depending on your package and subscription, you could even get on-demand TV entertainment and access to TV catch-up services such as the BBC iPlayer and ITV Player. Have a look at what entertainment channels are offer from Sky, Virgin Media and Freeview:

Entertainment channels on Sky - As well as all the free-to-view channels available on Sky, if you sign-up for the Sky Entertainment for just £20.00 a month, you can enjoy edge-of-the-sofa entertainment from channels like:

• Sky1 - Shows programmes like Cold Case, Project Runway and A League Of Their Own
• G.O.L.D - Watch all the classics, including The Good Life, Only Fools and Horses and Porridge
• Sky Living - Catch-up with Courteney Cox in Cougar Town and the girls in Hot In Cleaveland
• Sky Atlantic - Exclusive to Sky, this channel is the new UK home for HBO dramas like Mad Men and Boardwalk Empire
• FX - The entertainment channel from Fox is home to Dexter, Family Guy and True Blood
• Comedy Central - Get laughs from Scrubs, Frasier and Two And A Half Men.

There’s something for everyone in the Sky Entertainment, whether you want comedy, drama or reality TV. To find out more, visit www.sky.com.

Entertainment channels on Virgin Media - Signing up to the Size XL TV package from Virgin Media will give you the most entertainment channels, including:

• Sky Living - Hit shows include CSI, Britain’s Next Top Model and Criminal Minds
• Alibi - Watch all the best crime and detective shows, such as Taggart, Judge John Deed and Diagnosis Murder
• SyFy - Perfect for science fiction fans, catch-up on the latest episodes of Buffy The Vampire Slayer, Smallville and V
• Watch - Catch-up on some family favourites, including Masterchef, Torchwood and Spooks.

All these channels are available in the Size XL TV pack for just £24.50 (plus Virgin phone line rental) a month. You’ll also get access to the Virgin Media TV Choice On Demand service, letting you catch-up on thousands of your favourite entertainment shows and series.

For more information, visit www.virginmedia.com.

Entertainment channels on Freeview - If you’re looking for entertainment channels with no added costs, consider getting a Freeview set-top box. You’ll not get as many channels as with a subscription TV service, but channels that are available include:

• Yesterday - Jam-packed with history programmes and dramas, such as Young Victoria, Who Do You Think You Are? and Infamous Assassinations
• Dave - Home to some of Britain’s favourite shows, including Top Gear, Dragon’s Den and Mock The Week
• Quest - Shows a variety of programmes, such as Heli-loggers, Industrial Junkie and Rescue Me.

You’ll also get all the free-to-view terrestrial channels through Freeview, such as BBC1, ITV1 and Channel 4, which broadcast a range of entertainment programmes.

Sports channels

Whether you’re a fan of football, rugby, golf or cricket, there are plenty of sports channels on offer in the UK, all broadcasting a variety of sports. Take a look at what’s on offer below, and choose a provider that’s going to give you the channels you want.

Sky Sports - If you’re specifically looking for sports channels, Sky should be your first choice. The satellite TV giant offers the widest choice of sports channels, and is at the forefront of original sports broadcasting. Its sports channels are available through the Sports Pack, which costs £20.00 a month. Channels include:

• Sky Sports 1 - Watch up to 115 live Barclays Premier League games, as well as action from the Carling Cup
• Sky Sports 2 - Home to the Tri-Nations rugby, but also shows Premiership football matches, test match cricket and boxing
• Sky Sports 3 - If you’re a golf fan, watch Sky Sports 3 for coverage from the US Open, the US Women’s Open, the John Deere Classic and LPGA Championship
• Sky Sports 4 - Watch top tennis tournaments like the Davis Cup, and all the action from Speedway
• Sky Sports News - Catch-up on all the latest sporting news, including football results and fixtures.

And if you want even more sport, you can also add ESPN to your package for as little as £9 a month. ESPN shows 46 Barclays Premier League matches as well as Premiership Rugby, and all the biggest UFC bouts. Visit www.sky.com for more information on the sports channels available through Sky.

Sports channels on Virgin Media - Taking the Size XL TV package from Virgin Media will give you the most sports channels. These include:

• ESPN - Watch 46 live Barclays Premier League matches, as well as a host of other sports, including rugby, golf and motor sport
• Liverpool TV - Liverpool FC’s dedicated football channel, showing exclusive interviews and behind-the-scenes footage from Anfield
• At The Races - Shows all the action from racecourses around the UK and Ireland
• Eurosport - Coverage of a variety of sporting events, including skiing, hockey, basketball and cycling
• Sky Sports News - Catch-up on all the latest sporting news, including football results and fixtures.

Virgin Media cable TV subscribers can also add the Sky Sports Collection to their package from just £22.50 a month. For more information about the sports channels available with Virgin Media, visit www.virginmedia.com.

Sports channels on Freeview - Freeview doesn’t broadcast any dedicated sports channels, however some sporting events are shown on BBC1, BBC2, ITV1 and Channel 4.

Movie channels

Looking for a digital TV package with a wide choice of movie channels? Take a look at what’s available from the UK’s digital TV providers and see if there’s a package to suit you.

Movie channels on Sky - Sign-up for the Sky Movies Pack for just £16 a month (on top of your existing subscription) and you’ll be able to watch 11 dedicated film channels showing over 450 different movies a week. Channels include Sky Movies Premiere, which shows some of the newest, biggest and best blockbuster films from Hollywood, Sky Movies Comedy, and Sky Movies Family, which has something for all the family to sit back and enjoy.

For more information and to find out more about the film channels available on Sky, visit www.sky.com.

Movie channels on Virgin Media - Virgin Media homes with a subscription to the Size XL TV package will be able to watch films on the Movies 24, TCM, Film4 and True Movies channels.

Virgin Media also offers the Sky Movies collection for £21.50 a month. This will give subscribers the Sky Movies 1 and Sky Movies 2, Sky Movies Premiere, Sky Movies Premiere +1, Sky Movies Showcase and Disney Cinemagic channels.

For more information about the movie channels available with Virgin Media, visit www.virginmedia.com.

Movie channels on Freeview - The only movie channel available on Freeview is Film4, though in some parts of the country Freeview viewers may be able to receive Film4+1 - a catch-up channel that shows the films on Film4 and hour after they have started being broadcast.

Other TV channels

If you’re looking for other specific channels, we have a range of guides to help you find the right TV package for you. Read more on:

• Kids channels
• Music channels
• Football TV channels
• Adult channels
• News channels

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