BBC Three will have four different channel numbers on Sky satellite this January, depending on where you live. Ofcom has ordered a prominent slot for all by mid-2023.
At present, BBC Three is available on either channel 117, 141 or 173. From 5th January, Sky viewers in Northern Ireland will see BBC Three on 115, adding a fourth option.
The anomaly is caused by the BBC shoehorning BBC Three back on to the Sky channel list last year when it returned as a linear TV channel. It’s original pre-2016 slots had been given up.
It caused particular problems in London, where the only available slot was down on channel 173. And after BBC Three closed in 2016, the BBC launched BBC Scotland, limiting where the channel could go in Scotland.
▶ Overview: BBC Three on Sky satellite
| Nation | Channel number up to 5th Jan | Channel number from 5th Jan |
|---|---|---|
| England (not London) | 117 | 117 |
| Northern Ireland | 117 | 115 |
| Scotland | 141 | 141 |
| Wales | 117 | 117 |
| London | 173 | 173 |
Ofcom wants BBC Three to appear in a top 24 slot everywhere in the UK by the middle of the year. That’s when BBC Three will have been on air for 18 months.
It’s part of Ofcom’s EPG code which aims to give public service broadcasters greater prominence on electronic programme guides or channel lists. Alongside Sky, Virgin Media has yet to meet the prominence rules for BBC Three in Scotland and Wales.
Why is BBC Three moving in Northern Ireland?
The change is due to the first of the year’s HD upgrades, which sees BBC Two Northern Ireland launch in HD on channel 102.
That means the copy of BBC Two HD, carrying the main network version of the channel, on channel 115 is no longer required. BBC Three moves to fill the slot.
BBC Two HD (Network) will then be listed on channel 970. Here it will sit alongside other regional and national variations.
When will BBC Three move in England?
Between now and the end of March, BBC One HD regions go live on Sky. This will be done on a region-by-region basis. When your region has been upgraded, the copy of BBC One HD (with the red screen during regional programmes) on channel 115 will no longer be needed. You’ll be able to see your local BBC One HD on channel 101.
When that happens, channel 115 will be freed up for BBC Three. BBC Three will move from channel 117 in most of England to channel 115. In London, it will move from channel 173 to 115.
What happens in Scotland and Wales?
In Scotland, the BBC Scotland already uses channel 115, forcing BBC Three to channel 141. This will not be permitted to continue following Ofcom’s decision to guarantee BBC Three a top 24 slot. Sky will be required to move the channel up to at least channel 124 this year. That is likely to have a knock-on effect on other channels on Sky, which will have to move to fit BBC Three in.
In Wales, 115 is used by Sky Comedy, a result of a shuffle up to fit Channel 4 on 108 (S4C takes 104 in Wales). That means BBC Three has to go on channel 117. This is within Ofcom’s expectations of BBC Three having a top 24 slot and wouldn’t need to be changed.
In 2024, BBC Four will go online only as an archive channel. That will trigger yet another reshuffle of BBC channels on satellite.