2026 Guide: UK TV Channels List: Every Channel on Every Platform
Updated June 2026 with current pricing, channel listings and UK setup steps. The complete directory of every UK television channel with channel numbers across Freeview, Freesat, Sky, and Virgin Media. Whether you are looking for a specific channel number, want to know which channels are free, or need to find a channel's online streaming equivalent, this is the definitive reference guide.
For Freeview channel numbers specifically, our Freeview channel numbers guide provides a focused list. For today's schedule on any channel, see our UK TV guide.
Main UK Channels
The UK's main free-to-air channels are available on every platform. These are the channels that form the backbone of British television, all completely free to watch with a TV licence:
| Channel | Freeview | Sky | Virgin | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| BBC One | 1 | 101 | 101 | BBC iPlayer |
| BBC Two | 2 | 102 | 102 | BBC iPlayer |
| ITV1 / STV | 3 | 103 | 103 | ITVX / STV Player |
| Channel 4 | 4 | 104 | 104 | Channel 4 app |
| Channel 5 | 5 | 105 | 105 | My5 |
| ITV2 | 6 | 118 | 115 | ITVX |
| BBC Three | 7 | 117 | 107 | BBC iPlayer |
| E4 | 12 | 135 | 118 | Channel 4 app |
| Film4 | 15 | 315 | 428 | Channel 4 app |
| Drama | 20 | 148 | 128 | UKTV Play |
| Dave | 19 | 111 | 127 | UKTV Play |
| BBC News | 80 | 503 | 601 | BBC iPlayer |
This is a representative selection — the full UK channel list includes over 70 Freeview channels, 200+ Freesat channels, and 500+ Sky channels. For the complete Freeview list with every channel, see our Freeview channel numbers guide.
Channels by Platform
Freeview (Aerial) — 70+ channels, all free
Freeview delivers every main UK channel plus entertainment channels like Dave, Drama, Really, Yesterday, and Quest. HD versions of BBC, ITV, Channel 4, and Channel 5 are available on channels 101-105. Requires a TV aerial. For setup help, see our Freeview box guide. For aerial-free access, see Freeview without aerial.
Freesat (Satellite) — 200+ channels, all free
Freesat includes everything on Freeview plus additional channels not available over aerial, including some international stations and niche channels. Requires a satellite dish. See our satellite TV boxes guide for hardware options.
Sky (Satellite/Internet) — 500+ channels, subscription required
Sky offers the widest channel selection including exclusive Sky Sports, Sky Cinema, Sky Atlantic, and hundreds of third-party channels. Available via dish (Sky Q) or internet (Sky Stream). See our Sky vs Now TV comparison.
Internet Only — via apps
All UK channels are available online through broadcaster apps (BBC iPlayer, ITVX, Channel 4, My5) and FAST platforms (Pluto TV, Freely). No aerial or dish needed — just broadband. See our free streaming guide and free TV apps guide.
HD & 4K Channels in the UK
HD channels are available on all platforms. Freeview carries 15+ HD channels (numbers 101-115 and selected others). Freesat and Sky offer more HD channels including HD versions of entertainment channels that Freeview only carries in SD. For 4K content, BBC iPlayer offers selected programmes in 4K, and Sky Q / Sky Stream offer 4K channels for subscribers.
For the complete 4K picture, our 4K streaming services guide covers every platform's Ultra HD offering. For retuning issues where HD channels are missing, our Freeview retuning guide can help.
Regional Channels
UK television includes regional variations, particularly for BBC One, BBC Two, and ITV/STV. Your Freeview aerial automatically tunes to your local region's variant, while satellite and internet platforms may require manual region selection. For Scottish viewers specifically, our Scotland TV guide covers BBC Scotland, STV, and regional differences in detail.
For viewers outside the UK who want to access UK channels, our UK TV abroad guide covers VPN methods for accessing BBC iPlayer, ITVX, and Channel 4 from anywhere.
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