Digital TV channels
Simplifydigital's guide to digital TV channels.
Before digital TV we only had four or five TV channels to choose from. The choice we faced was to try in vain to find something we wanted to watch from the small selection of channels or put a video on.
Thankfully those days are gone. Now digital TV gives us more channels and more choice - unfortunately it also means more decisions!
The amount and quality of digital TV channels will depend on what digital TV service you take. You should get the normal digital TV services from the BBC, ITV, Channel 4 and Five with all digital TV options. But you can add in more channels with subscription digital TV depending on your requirements and tastes.
Here are some examples of popular digital TV channels
E4
E4 is the popular entertainment channel from Channel 4 which is aimed at the 15-35 age groups. E4 shows include; Ugly Betty, Friends, The O.C., Desperate Housewives and Scrubs.
E4 is available on Freesat, Freeview, Sky and Virgin Media.
Living
Living, owned by Virgin Media, is aimed mainly at women but also includes programming aimed at men.
Shows include; Most Haunted, Greys Anatomy, Criminal Minds, Boston Legal and CSI.
Living is available on Top Up TV (with Top Up TV Anytime), Sky and Virgin Media.
G.O.L.D.
G.O.L.D. which stands for Go On Laugh Daily is owned by the UKTV network and is the one stop shop for classic comedy and entertainment. G.O.L.D. programming includes; Only Fools and Horses, Fawlty Towers, Last of the Summer Wine, Dinnerladies, The Office and One Foot in the Grave.
G.O.L.D. is available on Sky, Virgin Media, Top Up TV (with Top Up TV Anytime). The channel is also available via the Sky Player online digital TV service.
MTV
MTV is the popular and original US based music video channel which shows the latest music videos and original programming including; MTV Cribs UK, Pimp My Ride UK and Hogan Knows Best.
MTV is available on Sky and Virgin Media.
National Geographic Channel
The National Geographic Channel features educational, enlightening and truly stunning documentaries. The documentaries are produced by the National Geographic Society and feature popular documentary series such as; Air Crash Investigation, Seconds From Disaster, Megastructures and The Dog Whisperer.
The National Geographic Channel is available on Sky, Sky HD, Virgin Media, Top Up TV (with Top Up TV Anytime).
Sky1
Sky1 is the main entertainment channel from Sky. Sky show original programming and top rated imports including its most famous offering The Simpsons. Sky1 is the only channel in the UK to show new episodes of The Simpsons. Other major Sky1 shows include; 24, House, Stargate Universe, Project Runway and Lost.
Sky1 is available on of course - Sky as well as Sky HD, and Virgin Media.
Sports and movie channels
Sky Sports
A must have for serious sports fans, Sky Sports shows over 100 sports on its premium subscription Sky Sports digital TV channels. Sky Sports includes all the action from the Barclays Premier League, the ATP World Tour and International cricket.
Sky Sports offers standard definition digital channels and High Definition channels. The Sky Sports premium channels are:
Standard definition Sky Sports channels
* Sky Sports 1
* Sky Sports 2
* Sky Sports 3
* Sky Sports Xtra
High definition Sky Sports channels
* Sky Sports 1 HD
* Sky Sports 2 HD
* Sky Sports 3 HD
Sky Sports is available with the Sky Sports package which can be added to your other chosen channel packages. You can create your own mix of channels on the Sky website. Sky Sports is also available on Virgin Media. Prices for Sky Sports on each platform may vary.
Sky Movies
If you are a true movie fan you can't go wrong with Sky Movies. Sky Movies brings you top premieres and classics on its range of movie channels to suit all tastes:
* Sky Movies Premiere * Sky Movies Comedy * Sky Movies Family
* Sky Movies Premiere +1 * Sky Movies Action & Thriller * Sky Movies Drama
* Sky Movies SCFI & Horror * Sky Movies Classics * Sky Movies Modern Greats
* Sky Movies Indie * Sky Screen 1 * Sky Screen 2
All of the above channels are also available on Sky HD except Sky Movies Premiere +1 & Sky Movies Classics. You can also order movies via Sky Box Office and Sky Box Office HD from your remote control (your Sky box needs to be plugged into a working landline telephone socket).
If you need more information on digital TV channels, give our digital TV experts a call for some free and impartial advice on 0800 5424 704.
