Sky Digital (UK)

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For a wider corporate history and profile see: British Sky Broadcasting.

Image:Skylogo2004.jpg 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 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.

Contents

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History

Image:UK satellite TV evolution.png 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 PVR 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 is planning to launch HDTV services in 2006. The first photos of a prototype SkyHD receiver began appearing in magazines in August 2005. It is believed that all SkyHD receivers will incorporate a version of Sky Plus using a higher-capacity hard drive to accommodate the necessary extra data.

Additionally, some channels occaisonally 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.

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Technical information

Image:Sky minidish.JPG Image:Sky EPG.jpgSky Digital's 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. 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.

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Channels

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EPG

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

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Entertainment

  • Channel 101 BBC One (FTA) (RTÉ One in the Republic of Ireland)
  • Channel 102 BBC Two (FTA) (RTÉ Two in the Republic of Ireland)
  • Channel 103 ITV1 (FTA) (TV3 Ireland in the Republic of Ireland, UTV in Northern Ireland, Scottish TV in Central Scotland, Grampian TV in Northern Scotland)
  • Channel 104 Channel 4 (FTV) (TG4 in the Republic of Ireland, S4C digital in Wales)
  • Channel 105 Five (FTV) (Not available in the Republic of Ireland)
  • Channel 106 Sky One
  • Channel 107 Sky Two
  • Channel 108 Sky Three (FTV)
  • Channel 109 UKTV Gold
  • Channel 110 UKTV Gold +1
  • Channel 111 UKTV G2
  • Channel 112 LIVINGtv
  • Channel 113 LIVINGtv +1
  • Channel 114 LIVINGtv2
  • Channel 115 BBC Three (FTA) (not on Republic of Ireland EPG)
  • Channel 116 BBC Four (FTA) (not on Republic of Ireland EPG)
  • Channel 117 Channel 4 In Wales Only
  • Channel 118 ITV2 (FTA) (not on Republic of Ireland EPG)
  • Channel 119 ITV3 (FTA) (not on Republic of Ireland EPG)
  • Channel 120 ITV4 (FTA) (not on Republic of Ireland EPG)
  • Channel 121 Challenge
  • Channel 122 Challenge +1
  • Channel 123 Player
  • Channel 124 Bravo
  • Channel 125 Bravo +1
  • Channel 126 Paramount Comedy 1
  • Channel 127 Paramount Comedy 1 +1
  • Channel 128 Paramount Comedy 2
  • Channel 129 Sci-Fi
  • Channel 130 Sci Fi +1
  • Channel 131 Men & Motors (FTA)
  • Channel 133 UKTV Drama
  • Channel 135 S4C Digidol (FTA) Not in Wales
  • Channel 137 Life TV (FTA)
  • Channel 138 Life TV 2 (FTA)
  • Channel 139 Life TV Showcase (FTA)
  • Channel 140 E4
  • Channel 141 E4 +1
  • Channel 142 More4
  • Channel 143 BBC One Northern Ireland (Republic of Ireland only)
  • Channel 144 BBC Two NI (Republic of Ireland only)
  • Channel 146 You TV (FTA)
  • Channel 148 BEN (FTA)
  • Channel 150 Reality TV (FTA)
  • Channel 151 Reality TV +1 (FTA)
  • Channel 152 Reality TV Extra (FTA)
  • Channel 153 Hallmark Channel
  • Channel 155 E!
  • Channel 157 Ftn
  • Channel 159 OBE (FTA)
  • Channel 161 Biography
  • Channel 163 Hollywood TV (FTA)
  • Channel 165 Bonanza (FTA)
  • Channel 169 UKTV G2 +1
  • Channel 173 Open Access 2 (FTA)
  • Channel 175 RTÉ One (Northern Ireland only)
  • Channel 176 RTÉ Two (Northern Ireland only)
  • Channel 177 TG4 (Northern Ireland only)
  • Channel 179 FX
  • Channel 180 FX+
  • Channel 181 Information TV (FTA)
  • Channel 182 Information TV 2 (FTA)
  • Channel 183 Passion TV (FTA)
  • Channel 185 abc1
  • Channel 187 Raj TV (FTA)
  • Channel 189 More4 +1
  • Channel 193 Rapture TV (FTA)
  • Channel 195 Propeller TV (FTA)
  • Channel 197 Sky One HD
  • Channel 199 Eat Cinema (FTA)
  • Channel 201 Trouble
  • Channel 202 Trouble +1
  • Channel 203 Channel m (FTA)
  • Channel 205 TTV2
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Lifestyle and Culture

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Movies

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Music

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Sport

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News

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Documentaries

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Kids

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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 665 We Deliver TV
  • Channel 666 Max TV
  • Channel 667 One TV
  • Channel 670 ChoicesUK TV
  • Channel 672 GDTV
  • Channel 673 2ShopTV
  • 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
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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
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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
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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 805 TV5
  • 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 818 ATN Bangla (FTA)
  • Channel 819 ARY Oneworld (FTA)
  • Channel 820 ARY QTV (FTA)
  • Channel 821 Vectone 2U
  • Channel 822 DM Gold (FTA)
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Gaming and Dating

  • Channel 840 iPlay (FTA)
  • Channel 841 AVAGO (FTA)
  • Channel 842 Quiz Nation (FTA)
  • Channel 843 PokerZone (FTA)
  • Channel 844 The Poker Channel (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 852 Quiz 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)
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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
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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 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 18 Plus XXX
  • Channel 942 XXX Housewives
  • Channel 943 Live XXX TV
  • Channel 944-950 18 Plus Movies
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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 BBC1 Scotland
  • Channel 972 BBC1 Wales
  • Channel 973 BBC1 Northern Ireland
  • Channel 974 BBC1 London
  • Channel 975 BBC1 North East & Cumbria
  • Channel 976 BBC1 Yorkshire
  • Channel 977 BBC1 East Yorks and Lincs
  • Channel 978 BBC1 North West
  • Channel 979 BBC1 West Midlands
  • Channel 980 BBC1 East Midlands
  • Channel 981 BBC1 East (E)
  • Channel 982 BBC1 East (W)
  • Channel 983 BBC1 South East
  • Channel 984 BBC1 South
  • Channel 985 BBC1 Oxford
  • Channel 986 BBC1 West
  • Channel 987 BBC1 South West
  • Channel 988 BBC1 Channel Islands
  • Channel 989 BBC2 England
  • Channel 990 BBC2 Scotland
  • Channel 991 BBC 2W
  • Channel 992 BBC TWO NI
  • Channel 993 ITV1 London (AD)
  • Channel 994 Channel 4 (AD)
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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)
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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).

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See also

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External links

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