Television in the Borders

Drawing of a television Television in the Scottish Borders is supplied via a Digital signal. The analogue/digital switchover was completed in November 2008.

Digital Television can be received via terrestrial aerial - Freeview, FreeSat and Sky Satellite. Television programmes can also be supplied by some broadband suppliers - such as BTVision. You can also watch television 'online' from many of the television companies websites, and from other services such as iTunes.

There are no cable companies offering a television service in the Scottish Borders.

Some locations on the edge of our region may need to continue to pick up the analogue signal (Transmitter coverage details are available) as the STV Central region is not due to switch until 2010, and the Tyne Tees region is scheduled to switch in 2012 .

The BBC

The BBC supplies both its main channels (BBC 1 and BBC 2) with a regional flavour. The BBC Scotland website has details on programming, news, sport, and weather. Around the Berwick-upon-Tweed area, it is possible to receive BBC North East.

BBC 1 has regional news (Reporting Scotland) at 1:30pm, 6:30pm and 10:30pm each week day and evening (bar 'special events' - e.g. bank holidays or sporting events). There are also bulletin updates during breakfast and daytime television schedules. Weekend updates are more variable. Check the BBC schedules for an accurate tv listings - make sure that you set the region to Scotland once you have chosen the channel!

Commercial Terrestrial Broadcasters

The ITV network is supplied principally by Border television, but on the edges of the region it is possible to pick up Grampian, STV, and Tyne-Tees.

Border Television serves three principle areas - the Scottish Borders, the North West of England and The Isle of Man. On occasion the Scottish Borders transmitter will deliver different programming to that of the two English based transmitters. This difference is not always picked up in television schedules (both on websites and in the national press), although the Scottish newspapers are more aware than the more UK-centric papers.

Border Television has regional news (Lookaround) at 12:30pm 3:00pm and 6:00pm each week day and evening (bar 'special events' - e.g. bank holidays or sporting events). There are also bulletin updates during breakfast and daytime television schedules. Weekend updates are more variable. Check the tv schedules for an accurate listings - make sure that you set the region to Scotland once you have chosen the channel! At the time of writing this page ITV schedules does not include Borders TV station.

Channel 4

Channel 4 is available throughout the region.

Channel 5

Channel 5 is available on the Selkirk transmitter, but is not available on the low-power transmitters used to boost the signal around the region.
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Freeview

The digital service Freeview (formerly known as On-Digital) is available - as above - from the Selkirk transmitter only.
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Sky Satellite Television

Sky television is available throughout the region. A larger 'Zone 2' dish (60cm) is recommended as bad weather can result in loss of signal - a signal that is slightly weaker than that in mid to south England (Zone 1).