article

For a wider corporate history and profile see: British Sky Broadcasting.
Sky Digital is the brand name for British Sky Broadcasting's digital satellite television service, transmitted from SES Astra satellites located at 28.2°E (Astra 2A/2B/2D) and Eutelsat's Eurobird 1 satellite at 28.5°E.

BSkyB's analogue broadcasts ceased in 2001, so the service is now more commonly marketed as just Sky.

History

Sky Digital was officially launched on 1 October 1998, although small-scale tests were carried out before then. For the first time, BSkyB used the newly-launched Astra 2 satellites, which have since come to broadcast exclusively to the United Kingdom and the Republic of Ireland. At this time the use of the Sky Digital brand made an important distinction between the new service and Sky's analogue services. Key selling points were the improvement in picture and sound quality, increased number of channels and an interactive service branded Open.... Sky Digital competed with the ON Digital terrestrial offering.

New Astra satellites joined the position in 2000, and the number of channels available to customers increased accordingly. This trend continued with the launch of Eurobird 1 in 2001.

In recent years the Sky Plus (Sky+) was launched. This digital video recorder with internal hard drive allows viewers to 'pause live television' (by switching from a live feed to a paused real-time recording that can be restarted at any point) and schedule programs to record in the future. Sky launched HDTV services in May 2006. The first photos of a prototype SkyHD receiver began appearing in magazines in August 2005. All SkyHD receivers incorporate a version of Sky Plus using a 300GB hard drive (of which 160GB is available to the user) to accommodate the necessary extra data.

Additionally, some channels occasionally receive new numbering — However, in early 2006, the majority of channels received new numbering, with some receiving single digit changes, whilst others received new numbers entirely.

Technical information

Sky Digital's standard definition broadcasts are in DVB-compliant MPEG-2, with the Sky Movies and Sky Box Office channels including optional Dolby Digital soundtracks for recent films, although these are only accessible with a Sky+ box. Sky HD material is broadcast using MPEG-4. Interactive services and 7-day EPG use the proprietary OpenTV system, with set-top boxes including modems for a return path. Sky News, amongst other channels, provides a pseudo-video on demand interactive service by broadcasting looping video streams.

Provided a universal Ku band LNB (9.75/10.600GHz) is fitted at the end of the dish and pointed at the correct satellite constellation, most digital receivers will receive the free to air channels. Some broadcasts are free-to-air and unencrypted, some are encrypted but do not require a monthly subscription (known as free-to-view), some are encrypted and require a monthly subscription, and some are pay-per-view services. To view the encrypted content a Videoguard UK equipped receiver (all of which are dedicated to the Sky Digital service, and cannot be used to decrypt other services) needs to be used. Unofficial CAMs are now available to view the service, although use of them breaks your contract with Sky and invalidates your rights to use the card.

BSkyB has no veto over the presence of channels on their EPG, with open access being an enforced part of their contract with Ofcom to operate the service. Any channel which can get carriage on a suitable beam of a satellite at 28 East is entitled to access to Sky's EPG for a fee, ranging from £15-100,000. Third-party channels which opt for encryption receive discounts ranging from reduced price to free EPG entries, free carriage on a Sky leased transponder, or actual payment for being carried. However, even in this case, Sky does not carry any control over the channels content or carriage issues such as picture quality. Recent years have seen the launch of numerous low-budget channels, often with very poor technical quality.

Due to either limited regional availability of certain channels, or conditions relating to their must-carry status, Sky operate a number of distinct regions for their EPG — with the Republic of Ireland, Northern Ireland, Wales and the rest of Great Britain having different channel lineups, and Wales having a different EPG order to the rest of Great Britain. The Northern Irish EPG has the most listed channels, with the Republic of Ireland having the least, although the difference is minor — around 6 entries.

Channels

EPG

All channels are pay-tv channels on Sky's "Sky World" package, unless stated.

Entertainment

Lifestyle and Culture

  • Channel 250 Discovery Real Time
  • Channel 251 Discovery Real Time +1
  • Channel 252 Discovery Real Time Extra
  • Channel 253 Sky Travel
  • Channel 254 Sky Travel +1
  • Channel 255 Sky Travel Extra
  • Channel 256 UKTV Style
  • Channel 257 UKTV Style +1
  • Channel 258 UKTV Style Gardens
  • Channel 259 UKTV Food
  • Channel 260 UKTV Food +1
  • Channel 261 Travel Channel (FTA)
  • Channel 262 Travel Channel +1 (FTA)
  • Channel 264 Discovery Home & Health
  • Channel 265 Discovery Home & Health +1
  • Channel 267 Artsworld
  • Channel 268 Artsworld HD
  • Channel 269 UKTV Bright Ideas
  • Channel 271 Performance Channel
  • Channel 273 Fashion TV
  • Channel 279 Real Estate TV (FTA)
  • Channel 281 Wine TV (FTA)
  • Channel 283 Discovery Travel & Living
  • Channel 285 The Baby Channel (FTA)

Movies

Music

Sport

News

Documentaries

Kids

Shopping

All shopping channels (FTA).
  • Channel 630 QVC
  • Channel 631 iBuy TV
  • Channel 632 iBuy TV 2
  • Channel 633 TV Shop
  • Channel 634 Ideal World
  • Channel 635 price-drop tv
  • Channel 636 Pitch TV
  • Channel 637 Thomson TV
  • Channel 638 Simply Shopping
  • Channel 639 Best Direct
  • Channel 640 Jewellery Channel
  • Channel 641 Simply Ideas
  • Channel 642 Shop Vector
  • Channel 643 TV Warehouse
  • Channel 644 bid tv
  • Channel 645 Thomas Cook
  • Channel 646 Gems.tv
  • Channel 647 Pitch TV Plus
  • Channel 648 Best Direct +
  • Channel 649 Shop on TV
  • Channel 650 Thane Direct
  • Channel 651 TV Warehouse Select
  • Channel 652 Vector 24/7
  • Channel 653 Stop + Shop
  • Channel 654 Price Crash
  • Channel 655 speed auction tv
  • Channel 656 Shop Vector +
  • Channel 657 eeZee TV
  • Channel 658 Ideal Vitality
  • Channel 659 Sky Travel Shop
  • Channel 660 Gems.tv 2
  • Channel 661 Create & Craft
  • Channel 662 Teletext Holidays
  • Channel 663 Broadband UK
  • Channel 664 Golf Pro-Shop
  • Channel 666 Max TV
  • Channel 667 One TV
  • Channel 670 ChoicesUK TV
  • Channel 672 GDTV
  • Channel 674 Treasures TV
  • Channel 675 Broadband UK 2
  • Channel 676 Celebrity Shop
  • Channel 677 Deal TV
  • Channel 678 Price Crash 2
  • Channel 679 Cyprus Direct TV
  • Channel 680 Look4Less TV
  • Channel 681 Price Busters TV

Box Office

  • Channel 700 Sky Box Office Previews
  • Channel 701-752 Sky Box Office
  • Channel 755 Sky Box Office Events
  • Channel 756 Sky Box Office HD 1
  • Channel 757 Sky Box Office HD 2

Religious

All religious channels FTA.
  • Channel 760 The God Channel
  • Channel 761 GOD UK
  • Channel 762 Wonderful
  • Channel 763 TBN Europe
  • Channel 764 Daystar
  • Channel 765 Revelation
  • Channel 766 UCB TV
  • Channel 767 INI
  • Channel 768 Loveworld TV
  • Channel 769 EWTN
  • Channel 770 Gospel Channel
  • Channel 771 DoveVision TV

International

  • Channel 780 B4U Movies (premium)
  • Channel 781 B4U Music (FTA)
  • Channel 782 Sony TV Asia (premium)
  • Channel 783 STAR News
  • Channel 784 STAR Plus
  • Channel 785 PCNE Chinese (FTA)
  • Channel 786 Vectone Urdu
  • Channel 787 mta muslim tv (FTA)
  • Channel 788 Zee TV (premium)
  • Channel 789 Zee Music (FTA)
  • Channel 790 Zee Cinema (premium)
  • Channel 791 Bangla TV (premium)
  • Channel 792 ARY Digital (premium)
  • Channel 793 MATV National (FTA)
  • Channel 794 Vectone One
  • Channel 795 PTV Prime (premium)
  • Channel 796 Vectone Tamil
  • Channel 797 South For You (premium)
  • Channel 798 AlphaEtcPunjabi (premium)
  • Channel 799 Al Jazeera (FTA)
  • Channel 800 Vectone Bangla
  • Channel 801 DW-TV
  • Channel 802 TVEi
  • Channel 803 Vectone Punjab
  • Channel 804 Abu Dhabi TV
  • Channel 805 TV5MONDE
  • Channel 806 MAX (premium)
  • Channel 807 Venus TV (FTA)
  • Channel 808 Aastha TV (FTA)
  • Channel 809 Apna Bazaar (FTA)
  • Channel 810 Record TV (FTA)
  • Channel 811 Vectone Sinhala
  • Channel 812 Vectone Two
  • Channel 813 Islam Channel (FTA)
  • Channel 814 Channel S (FTA)
  • Channel 815 GEO UK (FTA)
  • Channel 816 Zee Gujarati (premium)
  • Channel 817 DM Digital (FTA)
  • Channel 819 ARY Oneworld (FTA)
  • Channel 820 ARY QTV (FTA)
  • Channel 821 Vectone 2U
  • Channel 822 DM Gold (FTA)
  • Channel 823 ARY The Musik (FTA)

Gaming and Dating

  • Channel 840 iPlay (FTA)
  • Channel 841 AVAGO (FTA)
  • Channel 842 Quiz Nation (FTA)
  • Channel 843 PokerZone (FTA)
  • Channel 844 All In Sport (FTA)
  • Channel 845 Sky Vegas 845
  • Channel 846 Sky Vegas 846
  • Channel 847 Vegas 24/7 (FTA)
  • Channel 848 Jackpot TV (FTA)
  • Channel 849 BIG GAME TV! (FTA)
  • Channel 850 You Play TV (FTA)
  • Channel 854 Channel 854 (FTA)
  • Channel 855 Quiz Call (FTA)
  • Channel 870 Dating Channel (FTA)
  • Channel 871 GayDate TV (FTA)
  • Channel 873 Gay Network (FTA)
  • Channel 874 Chat Box (FTA)

Specialist

  • Channel 880 Teachers' TV (FTA)
  • Channel 881 Pub Channel (premium)
  • Channel 882 Sky Venue (Commercial Premises Only)
  • Channel 883 Open Access (FTA)
  • Channel 884 Audi Channel (FTA)
  • Channel 885 Legal TV (FTA)
  • Channel 886 Majestic TV (FTA)

Adult (most premium, all disabled on child-friendly EPG)

  • Channel 900 Playboy TV
  • Channel 901 Adult Channel
  • Channel 902 Spice Extreme
  • Channel 903 Television X
  • Channel 904 Television X 2
  • Channel 905 Television X 3
  • Channel 906 Babestation (FTA)
  • Channel 908 Friendly TV (FTA)
  • Channel 909 Babeworld (FTA)
  • Channel 910 Get Lucky TV (FTA)
  • Channel 911 Lucky Star (FTA)
  • Channel 912 Playboy One (FTA)
  • Channel 913 You TV 2 (FTA)
  • Channel 914 You TV 2 Extra (FTA)
  • Channel 915 Turn On TV (FTA)
  • Channel 916 Look 4 Love TV (FTA)
  • Channel 917 Television X 4
  • Channel 918 Look 4 Love 2 TV (FTA)
  • Channel 920 Climax3 1
  • Channel 921 Climax3 2
  • Channel 922 Climax3 3
  • Channel 923 Sport XXX Babes
  • Channel 924 Red Hot Rears
  • Channel 925 Red Hot 40+ Wives
  • Channel 926 Red Hot Amateur
  • Channel 927 Red Hot Raw
  • Channel 928 Red Hot Wives
  • Channel 929 Red Hot Climax
  • Channel 930 Red Hot Only 18
  • Channel 931 Red Hot Reality
  • Channel 932 Xplicit XXX
  • Channel 933 Playboy TV
  • Channel 934 Adult Channel
  • Channel 935 Spice Extreme
  • Channel 936 Hustler TV UK
  • Channel 937 100% Babes
  • Channel 938 XXX TV
  • Channel 939 Amateur Babes
  • Channel 940 Gay TV
  • Channel 941 Sport XXX Girls
  • Channel 942 Sport XXX Wives
  • Channel 944 18 Plus Movies
  • Channel 945 18 Plus Movies
  • Channel 946 18 Plus Movies
  • Channel 947 18 Plus Movies
  • Channel 948 18 Plus Movies
  • Channel 949 18 Plus Movies
  • Channel 950 18 Plus Movies
  • Channel 951 trade.tv
  • Channel 952 Private 1
  • Channel 953 Private 2
  • Channel 959 Honey TV (FTA)

Other

All BBC regions FTA, ITV 1 London with audio description FTA, Channel 4 with audio description FTV. EPG 971-992, UK only.
  • Channel 971 BBC One Scotland
  • Channel 972 BBC One Wales
  • Channel 973 BBC One Northern Ireland
  • Channel 974 BBC One London
  • Channel 975 BBC One North East & Cumbria
  • Channel 976 BBC One Yorkshire
  • Channel 977 BBC One East Yorks and Lincs
  • Channel 978 BBC One North West
  • Channel 979 BBC One West Midlands
  • Channel 980 BBC One East Midlands
  • Channel 981 BBC One East (E)
  • Channel 982 BBC One East (W)
  • Channel 983 BBC One South East
  • Channel 984 BBC One South
  • Channel 985 BBC One Oxford
  • Channel 986 BBC One West
  • Channel 987 BBC One South West
  • Channel 988 BBC One Channel Islands
  • Channel 989 BBC Two England
  • Channel 990 BBC Two Scotland
  • Channel 991 BBC 2W
  • Channel 992 BBC Two NI
  • Channel 993 ITV1 London (AD)
  • Channel 994 Channel 4 (AD)

Sky Information

  • Channel 899 Sky Customer Channel (FTA)
  • Channel 970 Sky Customer Channel (FTA)
  • Channel 995 Sky Retail Info HD (Retailers Only)
  • Channel 996 Channel Line-up (FTA)
  • Channel 997 Sky Retail Info (Retailers Only)
  • Channel 998 Sky Welcome (FTA)
  • Channel 999 Sky Customer Channel (FTA)

Radio Channels

All FTA. BBC stations not on ROI EPG

*The Hits, TMF, Sky Sports News, UKTV History, UKTV Bright Ideas, FTN, E4, E4+1, More 4, More 4 +1 and ABC1 are free to air on Freeview, but not on Sky. Additionally, CNBC, Bloomberg, Eurosport, DW-TV, TV5, TVEi and MTV are available free to air on alternate satellites (though some are also European channel variants).

See also

External links

British television | Direct broadcast satellite services

 

This article is licensed under the GNU Free Documentation License. It uses material from the "Sky Digital (UK)".

Home Page • arts • business • computers • games • health • hospitals • home • kids & teens • news • physicians • recreation• reference • regional • science • shopping • society • sports • world