Sky is the most popular pay-TV provider and satellite service in the UK. Although best known for its range of television channels, it’s possible to listen to digital radio stations with Sky. There are more than 40 digital radio stations on the service.
On 13 December 2023 several radio stations were removed from Sky. These were Absolute Radio, Planet Rock, KISS, Magic, Hits Radio, Absolute 80s, Absolute 90s, Jazz FM, Absolute Classic Rock and Greatest Hits Radio.
Absolute Radio previously listed Sky among TV platforms including Freesat, Freeview and Virgin Media on the ‘Ways to listen to Absolute Radio’ page on their website. The references to these platforms are no longer displayed.
Sky users can already access the full range of radio channels through their Sky digibox, regardless of receiver type and subscription. Freesat from Sky users can also access the same line-up of channels.
Listening to radio on Sky
Radio channels on Sky can be accessed through the TV guide or directly with a channel number.
To listen to radio through TV Guide on a Sky HD box, press the tv guide button on the top of the remote control. Press up to go to the menu, then the right button until you see the list of radio channels. Press the down button to scroll through the radio channels, then select to listen to the chosen radio station.
Alternatively from any TV or radio channel you can enter the number of a radio channel, if you know it. We’ve compiled a full list below.
Unlike DAB digital radio there isn’t scrolling text with additional information, such as the name of the currently playing song. General information about the current on-air programme or station is shown.
The audio quality of radio channels on Sky is very good. Older Sky receivers have analogue RCA (phono) out connections so that an amplifier or hifi system can be used to listen to radio channels with the television switched off. Newer Sky+HD receivers and Sky Q boxes have an optical audio output.
Freesat from Sky
Freesat from Sky was a digital television platform which used Sky set-top boxes to receive free television and radio channels.
As all digital radio stations on Sky are ‘free to air’, i.e. available for free without a subscription, the line-up of radio channels was the same as with a Sky subscription. Sky+ HD and Sky HD receivers can tune into the radio stations on Sky without a subscription or viewing card.
There are more radio channels on Sky than Freesat or Freeview.
Digital radio channels on Sky
More than 40 digital radio stations are available on Sky.
All of the BBC’s national and regional services are available, but not the BBC local radio stations. Popular radio stations including Heart, Capital and Radio X are available in addition to digital only Heart 90s and Virgin Radio.
Radio stations which have begun broadcasting in recent years, like Talk and Magic Soul, have not been available via Sky on satellite.
| Number | EPG Name | Radio Station Name |
|---|---|---|
| 0101 | BBC R1 | BBC Radio 1 |
| 0102 | BBC R2 | BBC Radio 2 |
| 0103 | BBC R3 | BBC Radio 3 |
| 0104 | BBC R4 | BBC Radio 4 |
| 0105 | BBC R5L | BBC Radio 5 live |
| 0106 | Classic FM | Classic FM |
| 0107 | talkSPORT | talkSPORT |
| 0108 | Capital | Capital |
| 0109 | Heart | Heart |
| 0110 | Heart 80s | Heart 80s |
| 0111 | Radio X | Radio X |
| 0112 | Capital XTRA | Capital XTRA |
| 0113 | BBC World Sv | BBC World Service |
| 0114 | BBC R Scot | BBC Radio Scotland |
| 0115 | BBC R Wales | BBC Radio Wales |
| 0116 | BBC R Ulster | BBC Radio Ulster |
| 0117 | BBC Asian Net | BBC Asian Network |
| 0118 | BBC R6 Music | BBC Radio 6 Music |
| 0119 | Gold Radio | Gold |
| 0120 | WRN Europe | WRN Europe |
| 0121 | LBC | LBC |
| 0122 | Smooth | Smooth Radio |
| 0123 | BBC R4 Extra | BBC Radio 4 Extra |
| 0124 | BBC R1X | BBC Radio 1Xtra |
| 0125 | Panjab Radio | Panjab Radio |
| 0126 | BBC RnGàid | BBC Radio nan Gàidheal |
| 0127 | BBC R5SX | BBC Radio 5 live sports extra |
| 0128 | Heart Dance | Heart Dance |
| 0130 | BBC R Cymru | BBC Radio Cymru |
| 0131 | RTÉ Radio 1 | RTÉ Radio 1 |
| 0132 | RTÉ 2FM | RTÉ 2FM |
| 0133 | RTÉ Lyric fm | RTÉ lyric fm |
| 0134 | RTÉ R na G | RTÉ Raidió na Gaeltachta |
| 0135 | EWTN Catholic | EWTN Catholic |
| 0136 | BFBS Radio | BFBS Radio |
| 0137 | Virgin Radio | Virgin Radio |
| 0138 | Heart 90s | Heart 90s |
| 0139 | BBC R Cymru 2 | BBC Radio Cymru 2 |
| 0140 | BBC R Foyle | BBC Radio Foyle |
| 0141 | LBC News | LBC News |
Last updated: 26 August 2025