BBC regional and national channels, plus the broadcast red button channel have been tidied up and harmonised across Sky’s platforms after the HD upgrade.
HD changes to BBC channels in January and February, plus the closure of two regional services, left various services scattered across the bottom of Sky’s channel list on satellite. Meanwhile, the planned formal addition of the previously hidden regions on Sky was postponed from January until today.
The regional channel changes apply to all Sky customers across both satellite (Sky Q/Sky+HD) and Stream (including Sky Glass).
As part of the changes, BBC One Scotland is now available on channel 964, followed by BBC One Wales and Northern Ireland on 965 and 966. BBC English Regions now start from channel 951 (see full list below).
The regional/national variations are popular with sports fans, who can sometimes find extra sports coverage on one of the alternative national variants of BBC One or Two.
Red Button changes
On Sky Q and Sky+HD, BBC Red Button (BBC RB1), the home of extra coverage of major sports, music and national events has moved up 11 slots, from channel 981 to 970. The SD version of the service has moved from 982 to 971. On 6th May, BBC RB1 will carry an alternative commentary of the King’s Coronation for viewers with sight loss.
Viewers with an internet connected receiver, i.e Sky Q can access a wider range of extra services from the BBC via the iPlayer in lieu of the broadcast red button channel.
▶ BBC Nations and Regions on Sky
From Tuesday 11th April 2023
| Old* | New | Channel |
|---|---|---|
| 954 | 951 | BBC One London HD |
| 955 | 952 | BBC One North East & Cumbria HD |
| 958 | 953 | BBC One North West HD |
| 956 | 954 | BBC One Yorkshire HD |
| 957 | 955 | BBC One East Yorks & Lincs HD |
| 959 | 956 | BBC One West Midlands HD |
| 960 | 957 | BBC One East Midlands HD |
| 961 | 958 | BBC One East HD |
| 963 | 959 | BBC One South East HD |
| 966 | 960 | BBC One West HD |
| 964 | 961 | BBC One South HD |
| 967 | 962 | BBC One South West HD |
| 968 | 963 | BBC One Channel Islands HD |
| 951 | 964 | BBC One Scotland HD |
| 952 | 965 | BBC One Wales HD |
| 953 | 966 | BBC One Northern Ireland HD |
| 970 | 967 | BBC Two HD (England/Scotland) for viewers in Northern Ireland and Wales |
| 980 | 968 | BBC Two Wales HD for viewers in England, Scotland and NI |
| 970 | 969 | BBC Two Northern Ireland HD for viewers in England, Scotland and Wales |
| 981 | 970 | BBC Red Button 1 HD Satellite only: Sky Q and Sky+HD |
| 982 | 971 | BBC Red Button 1 SD Satellite only: Sky Q, Sky+HD and older Sky receivers |
You won’t find your own region in this section, instead go to channel 101 for your local BBC One in HD.
*Old channel numbers for Sky satellite viewers only. New channel numbers apply across both Sky satellite and Stream, except where specified.
Marc Thornham