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 HD channels in the UK broadcast at 1080i, apart from BT Sport Ultimate and Virgin TV Ultra HD which are broadcast at 4K.^[1] HD channels can dynamically switch between 1080i/25 and 1080p/25 when broadcast via Freeview HD.^[2]

HD channels[]

Channel name	Content	Type	Owner/parent company	Launch date
4seven HD	HD/upscaled SD mix	Simulcast	Channel Four Television Corporation	2014/07/01
Al Jazeera English HD	HD/upscaled SD mix	Simulcast	Al Jazeera Media Network	2013/11/26
Alibi HD	HD/upscaled SD mix	Simulcast	UKTV (BBC Studios)	2012/07/03
AMC from BT HD	HD/upscaled SD mix	Simulcast	AMC Networks International Zone	2015/08/28
Animal Planet HD	HD/upscaled SD mix	Simulcast	Discovery Networks Northern Europe	2012/02/27
Arirang TV HD	100% HD	Independent	Korea International Broadcasting Foundation	2016/09/26
BBC One HD	HD/upscaled SD mix	Simulcast^{[n 1]}	BBC	2010/11/03
BBC One Northern Ireland HD^{[n 2]}	HD/upscaled SD mix	Simulcast	BBC	2012/10/24
BBC One Scotland HD^{[n 3]}	HD/upscaled SD mix	Simulcast	BBC	2013/01/14
BBC One Wales HD^{[n 4]}	HD/upscaled SD mix	Simulcast	BBC	2013/01/29
BBC Two HD	HD/upscaled SD mix	Simulcast	BBC	2013/03/26
BBC Two Northern Ireland HD^{[n 2]}	HD/upscaled SD mix	Simulcast	BBC	2018/11/29
BBC Two Wales HD^{[n 4]}	HD/upscaled SD mix	Simulcast	BBC	2018/11/29
BBC Four HD	HD/upscaled SD mix	Simulcast	BBC	2013/12/10
BBC News HD	HD/upscaled SD mix	Simulcast	BBC	2013/12/10
BBC Scotland HD	HD/upscaled SD mix	Simulcast	BBC	2019/02/24
Bloomberg HD	HD/upscaled SD mix	Simulcast	Bloomberg L.P.	2017/03/01
Boomerang HD	HD/upscaled SD mix	Simulcast	Turner Broadcasting System Europe (WarnerMedia)	2015/06/24
BT Sport 1 HD	HD/upscaled SD mix	Simulcast	BT Group	2013/08/01
BT Sport 2 HD	HD/upscaled SD mix	Simulcast	BT Group	2013/08/01
BT Sport 3 HD	HD/upscaled SD mix	Simulcast	BT Group	2015/08/01
BT Sport Box Office HD	100% HD	Independent	BT Group	2018/04/17
BT Sport Box Office 2 HD	100% HD	Independent	BT Group	2019/11/04
BT Sport ESPN HD	HD/upscaled SD mix	Simulcast	BT Group	2009/08/03
BT Sport Extra 1 HD	HD/upscaled SD mix	Simulcast	BT Group	2015/07/29
BT Sport Extra 2 HD	HD/upscaled SD mix	Simulcast	BT Group	2015/07/29
BT Sport Extra 3 HD	HD/upscaled SD mix	Simulcast	BT Group	2015/07/29
BT Sport Extra 4 HD	HD/upscaled SD mix	Simulcast	BT Group	2015/07/29
BT Sport Extra 5 HD	HD/upscaled SD mix	Simulcast	BT Group	2015/07/29
BT Sport Extra 6 HD	HD/upscaled SD mix	Simulcast	BT Group	2015/07/29
BT Sport Ultimate	100% UHD	Separate schedule	BT Group	2015/08/01
Cartoon Network HD	HD/upscaled SD mix	Simulcast	Turner Broadcasting System Europe (WarnerMedia)	2011/09/14
CBBC HD	HD/upscaled SD mix	Simulcast	BBC	2013/12/10
CBeebies HD	HD/upscaled SD mix	Simulcast	BBC	2013/12/10
Channel 4 HD	HD/upscaled SD mix	Simulcast	Channel Four Television Corporation	2007/12/10
Channel 5 HD	HD/upscaled SD mix	Simulcast	ViacomCBS Networks UK & Australia	2010/07/13
CNBC Europe HD	HD/upscaled SD mix	Simulcast	Universal Networks International (NBCUniversal)	2019/03/01
CNN International HD	HD/upscaled SD mix	Simulcast	Turner Broadcasting System Europe (WarnerMedia)	2016/06/28
Colors HD	HD/upscaled SD mix	Simulcast	Viacom 18	2017/02/14
Comedy Central HD	HD/upscaled SD mix	Simulcast	Paramount UK Partnership (Paramount British Pictures/Sky)	2010/08/09
Create & Craft HD	HD/upscaled SD mix	Simulcast	Ideal Shopping Direct plc	2019/09/23
Crime + Investigation HD	HD/upscaled SD mix	Simulcast	A+E Networks UK (A+E Networks/Sky)	2008/11/05
Dave HD	HD/upscaled SD mix	Simulcast	UKTV (BBC Studios)	2011/10/10
Daystar HD	100% HD	Independent	Daystar TV Network	2015/11/23
Discovery HD	HD/upscaled SD mix	Simulcast	Discovery Networks Northern Europe	2006/05/22
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 Studios)	2010/10/04
eir Sport 1 HD^{[n 2]}	HD/upscaled SD mix	Simulcast	eir	2018/08/15
Eurosport 1 HD	HD/upscaled SD mix	Simulcast	Discovery Networks Northern Europe	2012/07/25
Eurosport 2 HD	HD/upscaled SD mix	Simulcast	Discovery Networks Northern Europe	2012/09/03
Film4 HD	HD/upscaled SD mix	Simulcast	Channel Four Television Corporation	2010/07/20
France 24 English HD	HD/upscaled SD mix	Independent	France Médias Monde	2018/06/28
FreeSports HD	HD/upscaled SD mix	Simulcast	Premier Media S.à.r.l.	2018/09/25
GB News HD	HD/upscaled SD mix	Simulcast	All Perspectives Ltd	2021/06/13
Gold HD	HD/upscaled SD mix	Simulcast	UKTV (BBC Studios)	2017/10/02
Ideal World HD	HD/upscaled SD mix	Simulcast	Ideal Shopping Direct plc	2019/09/23
Iran International HD	HD/upscaled SD mix	Independent	Global Media Circulating Ltd	2018/04/03
ITV HD^{[n 5]}	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
ITVBe HD	HD/upscaled SD mix	Simulcast	ITV Digital Channels Ltd (ITV plc)	2014/11/19
La Liga TV HD	HD/upscaled SD mix	Independent	Premier Media S.à.r.l.	2020/01/13
LFCTV HD	HD/upscaled SD mix	Independent	Liverpool F.C.	2014/10/28
Loveworld TV HD	HD/upscaled SD mix	Independent	Loveworld Ltd	2019/08/13
More4 HD	HD/upscaled SD mix	Simulcast	Channel Four Television Corporation	2013/02/04
MTV HD	HD/upscaled SD mix	Simulcast	ViacomCBS Networks UK & Australia	2012/02/13
MTV Live HD	100% HD	Independent	ViacomCBS Networks UK & Australia	2008/12/16
MUTV HD	HD/upscaled SD mix	Simulcast	Manchester United F.C.	2014/07/14
National Geographic Channel HD	HD/upscaled SD mix	Simulcast	NGC-UK Partnership (National Geographic Society/Disney Channels Worldwide)	2006/05/22
National Geographic Wild HD	HD/upscaled SD mix	Simulcast	NGC-UK Partnership (National Geographic Society/Disney Channels Worldwide)	2009/04/01
NHK World HD	100% HD	Independent	NHK	2011/05/09
Nick Jr. HD	HD/upscaled SD mix	Simulcast	Nickelodeon UK (ViacomCBS Networks UK & Australia/Sky)	2016/07/05
Nickelodeon HD	HD/upscaled SD mix	Simulcast	Nickelodeon UK (ViacomCBS Networks UK & Australia/Sky)	2010/10/05
Paramount Network HD	HD/upscaled SD mix	Simulcast	ViacomCBS Networks UK & Australia	2018/07/21
Premier Sports 1 HD	HD/upscaled SD mix	Independent	Premier Media S.à.r.l.	2015/07/20
Premier Sports 2 HD	HD/upscaled SD mix	Independent	Premier Media S.à.r.l.	2019/03/08
Quest HD	HD/upscaled SD mix	Simulcast	Discovery Networks Northern Europe	2018/08/03
QVC HD	HD/upscaled SD mix	Simulcast	Qurate Retail Group	2015/04/21
QVC Beauty HD	HD/upscaled SD mix	Simulcast	Qurate Retail Group	2015/04/21
Racing TV HD	HD/upscaled SD mix	Simulcast	Racing UK Ltd	2016/03/07
RT UK HD	HD/upscaled SD mix	Simulcast	(ANO) TV-Novosti	2013/01/19
RTÉ2 HD^{[n 2]}	HD/upscaled SD mix	Simulcast	Raidió Teilifís Éireann	2012/05/16
S4C HD	HD/upscaled SD mix	Simulcast	S4C Authority	2016/06/06
Sky Atlantic HD	HD/upscaled SD mix	Simulcast	Sky	2011/02/01
Sky Arts HD	HD/upscaled SD mix	Simulcast	Sky	2006/05/22
Sky Cinema Action HD	100% HD^{[n 6]}	Simulcast	Sky	2008/10/08
Sky Cinema Animation HD	100% HD^{[n 6]}	Simulcast	Sky	2020/07/23
Sky Cinema Comedy HD	100% HD^{[n 6]}	Simulcast	Sky	2008/10/15
Sky Cinema Drama HD	100% HD^{[n 6]}	Simulcast	Sky	2008/10/08
Sky Cinema Family HD	100% HD^{[n 6]}	Simulcast	Sky	2008/10/15
Sky Cinema Greats HD	100% HD^{[n 6]}	Simulcast	Sky	2008/10/08
Sky Cinema Hits HD	100% HD^{[n 6]}	Simulcast	Sky	2006/05/22
Sky Cinema Premiere HD	100% HD^{[n 6]}	Simulcast	Sky	2008/03/20
Sky Cinema Sci Fi & Horror HD	100% HD^{[n 6]}	Simulcast	Sky	2008/10/15
Sky Cinema Select HD	100% HD^{[n 6]}	Simulcast	Sky	2013/03/28
Sky Cinema Thriller HD	100% HD^{[n 6]}	Simulcast	Sky	2006/05/22
Sky Comedy HD	HD/upscaled SD mix	Simulcast	Sky	2020/01/27
Sky Crime HD	HD/upscaled SD mix	Simulcast	Sky	2019/10/01
Sky Documentaries HD	HD/upscaled SD mix	Simulcast	Sky	2020/05/27
Sky History HD	HD/upscaled SD mix	Simulcast	A+E Networks UK (A+E Networks/Sky)	2006/10/26
Sky History2 HD	HD/upscaled SD mix	Simulcast	A+E Networks UK (A+E Networks/Sky)	2015/12/01
Sky Intro Channel HD	100% HD	Simulcast	Sky	2016/05/09
Sky Max HD	HD/upscaled SD mix	Simulcast	Sky	2021/09/01
Sky Nature HD	HD/upscaled SD mix	Simulcast	Sky	2020/05/27
Sky News HD	100% HD	Simulcast	Sky	2010/05/06
Sky Showcase HD	HD/upscaled SD mix	Simulcast	Sky	2021/09/01
Sky Sports Action HD^{[n 7]}	HD/upscaled SD mix	Simulcast	Sky	2008/03/17
Sky Sports Arena HD	HD/upscaled SD mix	Simulcast	Sky	2017/07/18
Sky Sports Box Office HD	100% HD	Simulcast	Sky	2015/04/02
Sky Sports Box Office 2 HD	100% HD	Independent	Sky	2020/10/28
Sky Sports Cricket HD	HD/upscaled SD mix	Simulcast	Sky	2006/07/31
Sky Sports Extra HD	HD/upscaled SD mix	Simulcast	Sky	2017/07/18
Sky Sports F1 HD	HD/upscaled SD mix	Simulcast	Sky	2012/03/09
Sky Sports Football HD	HD/upscaled SD mix	Simulcast	Sky	2017/07/18
Sky Sports Golf HD	HD/upscaled SD mix	Simulcast	Sky	2010/04/29
Sky Sports Main Event HD	HD/upscaled SD mix	Simulcast	Sky	2006/05/22
Sky Sports Mix HD	HD/upscaled SD mix	Simulcast	Sky	2016/08/24
Sky Sports News HD	100% HD	Simulcast	Sky	2010/08/23
Sky Sports NFL HD^{[n 7]}	HD/upscaled SD mix	Simulcast	Sky	2020/09/03
Sky Sports Premier League HD	HD/upscaled SD mix	Simulcast	Sky	2014/08/12
Sky Sports Racing HD	HD/upscaled SD mix	Simulcast	Sky/Arena Racing Company	2018/12/13
Sky Witness HD	HD/upscaled SD mix	Simulcast	Sky	2009/10/06
Smithsonian Channel HD	HD/upscaled SD mix	Simulcast	SNI/SI Networks LLC	2019/02/12
Sony Entertainment Television HD	HD/upscaled SD mix	Simulcast	Sony Pictures Television	2017/08/01
Sony Max HD	HD/upscaled SD mix	Simulcast	Sony Pictures Television	2017/08/01
SportyStuff TV HD	HD/upscaled SD mix	Independent	Greyhound TV Ltd	2021/02/01
STV HD^{[n 3]}	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 Movies HD	HD/upscaled SD mix	Simulcast	Turner Broadcasting System Europe (WarnerMedia)	2012/09/04
TG4 HD^{[n 2]}	HD/upscaled SD mix	Simulcast	Teilifís na Gaeilge	2016/08/03
TJC HD	HD/upscaled SD mix	Simulcast	The Jewellery Channel Ltd	2019/11/28
TLC HD	HD/upscaled SD mix	Simulcast	Discovery Networks Northern Europe	2013/04/30
TRT World HD	HD/upscaled SD mix	Simulcast	Turkish Radio and Television Corporation	2017/05/02
Utsav Gold HD	HD/upscaled SD mix	Simulcast	Star India (The Walt Disney Company India)	2017/12/06
Utsav Plus HD	HD/upscaled SD mix	Simulcast	Star India (The Walt Disney Company India)	2012/07/05
UTV HD^{[n 2]}	HD/upscaled SD mix	Simulcast	ITV plc	2010/10/05
Virgin TV Ultra HD	100% UHD	Independent	Virgin Media (Liberty Global)	2018/09/17
W HD	HD/upscaled SD mix	Simulcast	UKTV (BBC Studios)	2011/10/12
WION (World Is One News) HD	HD/upscaled SD mix	Independent	Zee Media Corporation Ltd	2021/03/15
Zee Cinema HD	HD/upscaled SD mix	Simulcast	Zee Entertainment Enterprises	2018/09/03

Notes[]

^ Not regional programmes
^ ^a ^b ^c ^d ^e ^f Northern Ireland only
^ ^a ^b Scotland only
^ ^a ^b Wales only
^ England, Wales and Scottish Borders only
^ ^a ^b ^c ^d ^e ^f ^g ^h ⁱ ^j ^k Sky Cinema channels are mainly HD, however there is the occasional upscaled SD broadcast where a HD source is not available
^ ^a ^b Due to a five year partnership deal, Sky Sports Action uses this slot from February to September while Sky Sports NFL uses the slot for the remaining five months.

References[]

^ "BT Ultra HD (4K TV)". BT. Sport Ultra HD was the UK's first Ultra HD channel and it's exclusive to BT TV.
^ Jane McEntegart (23 May 2011). "BBC HD Begins Broadcasting in 1080p". Tom's Hardware – via Engadget. Feature of the Freeview HD spec that allows the broadcaster to dynamically select between 1080p / 25fps and 1080i / 25fps transmission.

External links[]

[Regional-3] Not regional programmes

[Northern_Ireland_only-4] ^ ^a ^b ^c ^d ^e ^f Northern Ireland only

[Scotland_only-5] Scotland only

[Wales_only-6] Wales only

[ITV_HD-7] England, Wales and Scottish Borders only

[Sky_Cinema_HD-8] ^ ^a ^b ^c ^d ^e ^f ^g ^h ⁱ ^j ^k Sky Cinema channels are mainly HD, however there is the occasional upscaled SD broadcast where a HD source is not available

[Action_NFL-9] Due to a five year partnership deal, Sky Sports Action uses this slot from February to September while Sky Sports NFL uses the slot for the remaining five months.

[1] "BT Ultra HD (4K TV)". BT. Sport Ultra HD was the UK's first Ultra HD channel and it's exclusive to BT TV.

[2] Jane McEntegart (23 May 2011). "BBC HD Begins Broadcasting in 1080p". Tom's Hardware – via Engadget. Feature of the Freeview HD spec that allows the broadcaster to dynamically select between 1080p / 25fps and 1080i / 25fps transmission.

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