Digital Television
All of the BBC's national radio stations including the World Service and the digital-only stations; 1Xtra, 6 Music, Asian Network, Radio 7 and 5 live sports extra are available on the digital terrestrial (Freeview), digital satellite (Sky and Freesat), digital cable (Virgin Media) and other broadband-based television platforms.
To find out what digital TV services are available in your area, go to the BBC digital page and enter your postcode in the reception checker
To find out more about equipment and set up of digital TV and the best option for you, visit the digital options comparison page.
Freeview
Freeview is a non subscription digital television service that just requires a set top box which plugs into your TV set or an integrated digital TV.
To see whether you can receive Freeview in your area, visit the Freeview website and check what coverage is available for your postcode.
Listening to BBC radio services on Freeview is accompanied by on screen dynamic text and graphics that makes the most of listening to radio via your television set. In addition, programme, news and event information is available if you press the red button on your remote control.
If you are a Freeview owner, programme listings are available from your remote control. Often the button is labelled as 'Guide'.
Channel numbers can be found on the Freeview channel numbers list.
Digital Satellite Television
Digital satellite television BBC radio stations are available free, without a subscription on digital satellite television. However you will still require a dish and set top box.
Alongside the national stations, you can also receive BBC Radio Scotland, Wales, Ulster, nan Gaidheal and Cymru via digital satellite.
The Freesat service offers free-to-air TV without a subscription. You can get free-to-air satellite TV from Sky, with or without additional subscription based channels.
Listening to BBC radio services on Freesat is accompanied by on screen dynamic text and graphics that makes the most of listening to radio via your television set. Programme listings are available from your remote control.
Currently there is no way of accessing a programme guide or dynamic text for radio on Sky.
Channel numbers can be found on the Freesat channel numbers list and the Sky channel numbers list.
Digital Cable Television
Digital cable is available on subscription and requires specialist installation of a cable connection point and set top box. BBC radio channels are available free on all subscription packages.
Availability of local and regional BBC services is based on location so can vary. It's therefore advisable to check with the service provider for precise information about what's available in your area.
Listening to BBC radio services on Freeview is accompanied by on screen dynamic text and graphics that makes the most of listening to radio via your television set. In addition, programme, news and event information is available if you press the red button on your remote control.
Channel numbers can be found on the cable channel numbers list.
Broadband Television (IPTV)
Broadband based TV (or IPTV) is received via an ADSL broadband line which runs through a connection box, providing digital TV and internet access.
IPTV is currently only available in limited areas. However, availability is due to increase.
National BBC radio channels are available free on subscription packages. For current information about availability and channel numbers of BBC services, contact the service provider.
Red Button services
BBC Radio has an increasing presence behind the red button on digital TV, allowing listeners to watch live music performances or enhanced sporting commentary. Some examples include Glastonbury, Last Night of the Proms and scorecard enhancements for cricket and football.
When you press the red button on your digital remote control, a menu will appear on the right hand side of the screen. From this menu you can choose to read news stories, check weather reports, sports scores and more. During certain programmes e.g. Wimbledon, Glastonbury you can press red to watch more tennis courts, or more bands. We sometimes film music sessions/gigs. Each gig plays on a loop on red button for about a week.
Details of what's coming up can be found on the BBC music pages.
Availability
You can press the red button on your remote control anytime whilst watching any BBC TV channel on digital TV. You can also press the red button from BBC Radio stations on Freeview and Virgin TV.
There are fewer channels available under the red button on Freeview, so you may only be able to see 2 extra bands or courts, instead of 4.
Recording red button programmes
If you are watching a red button channel, and you press 'record' you can record the programme. You can't programme your VCR/Sky+ box to record red button programmes/services in advance. This is because red button programmes aren't listed in the EPG (electronic programme guide).
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