Broadcasting on the Isle of Man
Analogue Broadcasting was switched off in the Isle of Man in July this year. This page describes the various options there are available for receiving television pictures in the Isle of Man and which channels are available for each.
Other than the Internet the Isle of Man receives TV pictures from either the ten terrestrial transmitters dotted around the Island or by satellite. Satellite services are provided by Sky TV which offers a limited amount of free channels but is generally a subscription service, or the BBC and ITV Freesat which is the only platform to provide some free high definition channels. We are able to carry out aerial work and satellite installations if required.
Terrestrial Broadcasting
The majority of households on the Island receive their pictures from the local transmitters although a minority, particularly in the North and West of the Island are receiving their pictures from England, Scotland or Northern Island. Generally an outside or loft aerial is all that is required to receive the digital broadcasts from the local transmitters, and in some areas a set top aerial is sufficient.
All TV's which we sell today have a built in Freeview tuner and will automatically receive the following channels when connected to a suitable aerial. Older TVs which do not have digital tuners can be converted with a set top box at a cost of about £25.
The following channels are being broadcast from the Island’s transmitters:
TELEVISION
RADIO
BBC One North West, BBC Two England, BBC Three, BBC Four, CBBC Channel, CBeebies, BBC News, BBC Interactive Text, BBC1, ITV North West England, Channel 4, FIVE, ITV2, Channel 4+1, More4, E4, BBC Parliament, Community, Teletext, Teletext Holidays, Teletext on 4, BBC Interactive Text, BBCi, BBC News Interactive, BBC Radio1, 1Xtra BBC, BBC Radio 2, BBC Radio 3, BBC Radio4, BBC Radio5 Live,BBC Radio5 Live Sports Extra, BBC Radio6 Music, BBC Radio7, BBC Asian Network, BBC World Service, Heart
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Sky Subscription by Satellite
BSB Sky offer a wide range of subscription packages starting at £16.50 monthly. To receive Sky TV you will need a small satellite dish (40cm) and a Sky Box. You have the choice of a standard Sky Box, Sky Plus Box which allows you to record up to two channels at a time, or a Sky HD Box which allows you to take advantage of Sky’s High Definition Channels. Visit www.sky.com for details of the packages available and click HERE for details of our current Sky Offers. Please note that Sky Broadband is not available on the Isle of Man.
Sky Freesat by Satellite
BSB Sky offer an alternative to “Freeview” consisting of several non subscription channels including BBC1, BBC2, ITV, C4, and C5. Apart from offering more choice this can be a valuable option for people who live in areas of poor terrestrial reception. The cost of the equipment and installation for this service is £150. Visit www.freesatfromsky.co.uk for details of the channels you can receive.
BBC/ITV Freesat by Satellite
BBC/ITV Freesat was launched in May 2008, and is the only platform which is broadcasting free High Definition Channels. There is no subscription. The service is broadcast from the same satellite as Sky and uses the same satellite dish. To receive this service you will need a Freesat Box. The cost of a non HD Box is £60, the cost of a HD Box £150, and the HD PVR which has a 320GB Hard Drive and allows you to record one channel and watch another is approximately £300. Some Panasonic and LG Televisions have in built freesat decoders. For details of the channel line up visit www.freesat.co.uk .
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