List of HD channels in the United Kingdom

This is a list of current high definition channels that are available in the United Kingdom, together with those coming in the future, and those that have ceased broadcasting.

All seventy-four HD channels in the UK broadcast at 1080i, except on Freeview, where HD channels can dynamically switch between 1080i50 and 1080p25.

There are currently six channels available to Freesat viewers, four channels available to Freeview viewers, seventy-two channels available to Sky viewers and thirty-eight channels available to Virgin TV viewers.^{[n 1]} However some channels may not be available in all areas because of issues such as ITV licence restrictions or limited capacity.

HD channels

Channel name	Content	Type	Owner/parent company	Launch date
Alibi HD	HD/upscaled SD mix	Simulcast	UKTV (BBC Worldwide/Scripps Networks Interactive)	2012/07/03
Animal Planet HD	HD/upscaled SD mix	Simulcast	Discovery Networks Western Europe	2012/02/27
Arise News HD	HD/upscaled SD mix	Simulcast	Arise Media UK Limited	2013/03/11
BBC One HD	HD/upscaled SD mix	Simulcast^{[n 2]}	BBC	2010/11/03
BBC One Northern Ireland HD^{[n 3]}	HD/upscaled SD mix	Simulcast	BBC	2012/10/24
BBC One Scotland HD^{[n 4]}	HD/upscaled SD mix	Simulcast	BBC	2013/01/14
BBC One Wales HD^{[n 5]}	HD/upscaled SD mix	Simulcast	BBC	2013/01/29
BBC Two HD	HD/upscaled SD mix	Simulcast	BBC	2013/03/26
British Eurosport HD	HD/upscaled SD mix	Simulcast	TF1 Group/Discovery Communications	2012/07/25
British Eurosport 2 HD	HD/upscaled SD mix	Simulcast	TF1 Group/Discovery Communications	2012/09/03
Cartoon Network HD	HD/upscaled SD mix	Simulcast	Turner Broadcasting System Europe (Time Warner)	2011/09/14
Channel 4 HD	HD/upscaled SD mix	Simulcast	Channel Four Television Corporation	2007/12/10
Channel 5 HD	HD/upscaled SD mix	Simulcast	Northern & Shell	2010/07/13
CI HD	HD/upscaled SD mix	Simulcast	A+E Networks UK (A+E Networks/British Sky Broadcasting)	2008/11/05
Comedy Central HD	HD/upscaled SD mix	Simulcast	Paramount UK Partnership (Paramount British Pictures/British Sky Broadcasting)	2010/08/09
Dave HD	HD/upscaled SD mix	Simulcast	UKTV (BBC Worldwide/Scripps Networks Interactive)	2011/10/10
Discovery HD	HD/upscaled SD mix	Simulcast	Discovery Networks Western Europe	2006/05/22
Disney Channel HD	HD/upscaled SD mix	Simulcast	Disney–ABC Television Group	2011/09/15
Disney Junior HD	HD/upscaled SD mix	Simulcast	Disney–ABC Television Group	2013/04/09
Disney XD HD	HD/upscaled SD mix	Simulcast	Disney–ABC Television Group	2010/10/18
E! HD	HD/upscaled SD mix	Simulcast	NBCUniversal	2012/10/08
E4 HD	HD/upscaled SD mix	Simulcast	Channel Four Television Corporation	2009/12/14
Eden HD	HD/upscaled SD mix	Simulcast	UKTV (BBC Worldwide/Scripps Networks Interactive)	2010/10/04
ESPN America HD	HD/upscaled SD mix	Simulcast	ESPN Inc. (The Walt Disney Company/Hearst Corporation)	2010/06/21
ESPN HD	HD/upscaled SD mix	Simulcast	ESPN Inc. (The Walt Disney Company/Hearst Corporation)	2009/08/03
Film4 HD	HD/upscaled SD mix	Simulcast	Channel Four Television Corporation	2010/07/20
Fox HD	HD/upscaled SD mix	Simulcast	Fox International Channels (News Corporation)	2008/04/28
Good Food HD	HD/upscaled SD mix	Simulcast	UKTV (BBC Worldwide/Scripps Networks Interactive)	2010/08/31
History HD	HD/upscaled SD mix	Simulcast	A+E Networks UK (A+E Networks/British Sky Broadcasting)	2006/10/26
ITV HD^{[n 6]}	HD/upscaled SD mix	Simulcast	ITV plc	2008/06/07
ITV2 HD	HD/upscaled SD mix	Simulcast	ITV Digital Channels Ltd (ITV plc)	2010/10/07
ITV3 HD	HD/upscaled SD mix	Simulcast	ITV Digital Channels Ltd (ITV plc)	2010/11/15
ITV4 HD	HD/upscaled SD mix	Simulcast	ITV Digital Channels Ltd (ITV plc)	2010/11/15
MGM HD	100% HD	Independent	MGM Channel (UK) Limited (Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer/British Sky Broadcasting)	2009/12/14
More4 HD	HD/upscaled SD mix	Simulcast	Channel Four Television Corporation	2013/02/04
MTV HD	HD/upscaled SD mix	Simulcast	Viacom International Media Networks Europe	2012/02/13
MTV Live HD	HD/upscaled SD mix	Simulcast	Viacom International Media Networks Europe	2008/12/16
National Geographic Channel HD	HD/upscaled SD mix	Simulcast	NGC-UK Partnership (National Geographic Society/Fox International Channels)	2006/05/22
Nat Geo Wild HD	HD/upscaled SD mix	Simulcast	NGC-UK Partnership (National Geographic Society/Fox International Channels)	2009/04/01
NHK World HD	100% HD	Independent	NHK	2011/05/09
Nickelodeon HD	HD/upscaled SD mix	Simulcast	Nickelodeon UK (Viacom International Media Networks Europe/British Sky Broadcasting)	2010/10/05
RT HD	HD /upscaled SD mix	Simulcast	Russia Today	2013/01/19
RTÉ Two HD^{[n 3]}	HD/upscaled SD mix	Simulcast	Raidió Teilifís Éireann	2012/05/16
Sky 3D	100% HD	Independent	British Sky Broadcasting	2010/04/03
Sky Atlantic HD	HD/upscaled SD mix	Simulcast	British Sky Broadcasting	2011/02/01
Sky Arts 1 HD	HD/upscaled SD mix	Simulcast	British Sky Broadcasting	2006/05/22
Sky Arts 2 HD	HD/upscaled SD mix	Simulcast	British Sky Broadcasting	2009/03/02
Sky Insider HD	100% HD	Independent	British Sky Broadcasting	2011/05/05
Sky Living HD	HD/upscaled SD mix	Simulcast	British Sky Broadcasting	2009/10/06
Sky Movies Box Office HD1	100% HD	Separate schedule	British Sky Broadcasting	2006/05/22
Sky HD Retail Info	100% HD	Independent	British Sky Broadcasting	2006/02/17
Sky Movies Action & Adventure HD	100% HD^{[n 7]}	Simulcast	British Sky Broadcasting	2008/10/08
Sky Movies Comedy HD	100% HD^{[n 7]}	Simulcast	British Sky Broadcasting	2008/10/15
Sky Movies Crime & Thriller HD	100% HD^{[n 7]}	Simulcast	British Sky Broadcasting	2006/05/22
Sky Movies Disney HD	100% HD^{[n 7]}	Simulcast	British Sky Broadcasting	2013/03/28
Sky Movies Drama & Romance HD	100% HD^{[n 7]}	Simulcast	British Sky Broadcasting	2008/10/08
Sky Movies Family HD	100% HD^{[n 7]}	Simulcast	British Sky Broadcasting	2008/10/15
Sky Movies Greats HD	100% HD^{[n 7]}	Simulcast	British Sky Broadcasting	2008/10/08
Sky Movies Premiere HD	100% HD^{[n 7]}	Simulcast	British Sky Broadcasting	2008/03/20
Sky Movies Sci Fi & Horror HD	100% HD^{[n 7]}	Simulcast	British Sky Broadcasting	2008/10/15
Sky Movies Select HD	100% HD^{[n 7]}	Simulcast	British Sky Broadcasting	2013/03/28
Sky Movies Showcase HD	100% HD^{[n 7]}	Simulcast	British Sky Broadcasting	2006/05/22
Sky News HD	100% HD	Simulcast	British Sky Broadcasting	2010/05/06
Sky Sports 1 HD	HD/upscaled SD mix	Simulcast^{[n 2]}	British Sky Broadcasting	2006/05/22
Sky Sports 2 HD	HD/upscaled SD mix	Simulcast^{[n 2]}	British Sky Broadcasting	2006/07/31
Sky Sports 3 HD	HD/upscaled SD mix	Simulcast^{[n 2]}	British Sky Broadcasting	2008/03/17
Sky Sports 4 HD	HD/upscaled SD mix	Simulcast^{[n 2]}	British Sky Broadcasting	2010/04/29
Sky Sports F1 HD	HD/upscaled SD mix	Simulcast	British Sky Broadcasting	2012/03/09
Sky Sports News HD	100% HD	Simulcast	British Sky Broadcasting	2010/08/23
Sky1 HD	HD/upscaled SD mix	Simulcast	British Sky Broadcasting	2006/05/22
STAR Plus HD	HD/upscaled SD mix	Simulcast	STAR TV (News Corporation)	2012/07/05
STV HD^{[n 4]}	HD/upscaled SD mix	Simulcast	STV Group plc	2010/06/06
Syfy HD	HD/upscaled SD mix	Simulcast	Universal Networks International (NBCUniversal)	2009/01/26
TCM HD	HD/upscaled SD mix	Simulcast	Turner Broadcasting System Europe (Time Warner)	2012/09/04
TLC HD	HD/upscaled SD mix	Simulcast	Discovery Networks Western Europe	2013/04/30
Universal Channel HD	HD/upscaled SD mix	Simulcast	Universal Networks International (NBCUniversal)	2010/06/28
UTV HD^{[n 3]}	HD/upscaled SD mix	Simulcast	UTV Media	2010/10/05
Watch HD	HD/upscaled SD mix	Simulcast	UKTV (BBC Worldwide/Scripps Networks Interactive)	2011/10/12

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Future HD channels and events

2013

September

Film4 HD^[1]

Before 2014

Sky Sports 3D may launch^[2]^[3]
STV HD on satellite (Scotland only)^[4]
UTV HD on satellite^[5]^[6]

Unknown dates

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Defunct HD channels

Main article: List of former TV channels in the United Kingdom

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Notes

^ Including three ITV services
^ ^a ^b ^c ^d ^e Simulcast with exception
^ ^a ^b ^c Northern Ireland only
^ ^a ^b Scotland only
^ Wales only
^ England, Wales and Scottish Borders only
^ ^a ^b ^c ^d ^e ^f ^g ^h ⁱ ^j ^k Sky Movies channels are mainly HD, however there is the occasional upscaled SD broadcast where a HD source is not available

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References

^ "Sky customers to enjoy comprehensive access to the best of Channel 4". Channel 4. 14 September 2012.
^ "Sky 3D audience growing, new channel hinted". Pocket-lint. 25 April 2012.
^ "Sky Sports 3D new channel coming soon?". Recombu. 26 April 2012.
^ "STV Statement 2013: Overall Strategy / Major Themes for the Year (Page 1, paragraph 5)". STV Group plc. Retrieved March 2013.
^ "UTV signs new network deal". UTV Live. 5 March 2012.
^ "UTV HD GOES LIVE ON FREEVIEW HD NEXT WEEK". UTV. Retrieved 24 October 2012.
^ "QVC reflects on UK DTT". Broadband TV News. 7 September 2010.
^ "QVC Shopping Channel Experimenting With 3D". 3D Focus. 6 June 2011.
^ "QVC plans HD and extra channels after studio move". Broadcast. 31 May 2012.
^ "SETANTA BECOMES FIRST IRISH CHANNEL TO GO HD". Setanta Sports. 16 September 2010.
^ "Star Gold to go HD". Biz Asia. 23 Nov 2012.

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Media in the United Kingdom

Newspapers, magazines and other periodicals

Newspapers
(List)

National	Berliner The Guardian The Observer Broadsheet Financial Times The Daily Telegraph, The Sunday Telegraph The Sunday Times Compact i The Independent, The Independent on Sunday The Times Middle-market Daily Express, Sunday Express Daily Mail, The Mail on Sunday Tabloid Daily Mirror, Sunday Mirror Morning Star The People Daily Star, Daily Star Sunday The Sun Sunday Sport

Regional and local	Local newspapers in England Regional newspapers in England Newspapers in Northern Ireland Newspapers in Scotland Newspapers in Wales

Other resources	Defunct newspapers Editors Fleet Street History Journalists Specialist newspapers List by circulation

Magazines and
other periodicals

Radio

National stations

BBC	Analogue/digital Radio 1 Radio 2 Radio 3 Radio 4 Radio 5 Live Digital Radio 1Xtra Radio 4 Extra Radio 5 Live Sports Extra Radio 6 Music Asian Network BBC National DAB (multiplex)

Commercial	Analogue/digital Absolute Radio Classic FM Talksport Digital Absolute 80s Absolute Radio 90s Absolute Radio Extra Amazing Radio BFBS Radio Digital One (multiplex) Jazz FM Planet Rock Premier Christian Radio Smooth Radio UK UCB UK

Regional and
local stations

BBC	List of BBC Local Radio stations List of BBC Regional Radio stations

Commercial	List of community radio stations List of local commercial radio stations List of semi-national analogue and digital stations

Other stations

Other

Television

Principal channels
(List)

BBC	BBC One BBC Two BBC Three BBC Four BBC News BBC Parliament CBBC CBeebies

BSkyB	Challenge Pick TV Sky1 Sky2 Sky 3D Sky Arts Sky Atlantic Sky Betting and Gaming Sky Living Sky Livingit Sky Movies Sky Movies Box Office Sky News Sky Sports Sky Sports F1 Sky Sports News

Channel Four	Channel 4 E4 Film4 More4 4seven

Channel 5	Channel 5 5* 5USA

ITV	ITV, STV, UTV ITV2 ITV3 ITV4 CITV HD ITV HD, STV HD, UTV HD

UKTV	Alibi Blighty Dave Drama Eden Gold Good Food Home Really Watch Yesterday

Services and
platforms

4oD
- Film4oD
Analogue
- Analogue terrestrial (defunct)
BBC iPlayer
blinkbox
BT Vision
Cable
Demand 5
Digital
- Digital terrestrial
- List of channels
Freesat
- Freesat+
Freeview
- Freeview+
Freewire
High-definition
- List of channels
ITV
- ITV Player, STV Player, UTV Player
Local television
Real Digital
Restricted Service Licence
Satellite
- List of channels
Sky
- Freesat from Sky
- On Demand
- Sky+
- Sky+ HD
Smallworld Cable
TalkTalk TV
Top Up TV
TVCatchup
Virgin Media
- FilmFlex
- TiVo
- V+
YouView
Zattoo

Studios

Other

Companies and organisations

Companies

Major companies	Aegis Group Archant BBC Bloomsbury Publishing British Sky Broadcasting BT Group Channel Four Chrysalis Group Daily Mail and General Trust Economist Group EMAP EMI Music Publishing Endemol UK Global Radio Guardian Media Group Haymarket Informa IPC Media ITN ITV Johnston Press Mecom Group NI Group Newsquest Northern & Shell Pearson Press Holdings Reed Elsevier Reuters STV Group Syco TalkTalk Group Trinity Mirror UBM UTV Media Virgin Media

Other resources	Broadcasting companies Defunct media companies Publishing companies List of largest UK book publishers Record labels

Government and
regulatory bodies

Industry and
trades bodies

Other

Regional and student media

Regional media	Media in England Media in Birmingham Media in London Media in Manchester Media in Northern Ireland Media in Scotland Media in Aberdeen Media in Dundee Media in Glasgow Media in Wales Media in Cardiff

Student media	Student television