We all remember the old disappointments of a night in front of the box... flicking through the same 5 channels over and over again to find absolutely nothing that you wanted to watch. And then the glories of digital television were announced! Does the promise of up to 200 extra channels actually mean we'll always have something to entertain us? Pretty much.
While some of the channels are undoubtedly televisual "padding", also known as advertising space, there are a host of entertaining, informative and exciting new channels. Here we'll group the best of these new digital channels into their respective genres, to further whet your appetite for the digital switchover. All the highlights we have picked in this selection are part of the standard Freeview package and you don't need to pay a penny in subscription fees to enjoy them!
NEWS AND CURRENT AFFAIRS
- BBC News 24. While you can never entirely trust just one news source, the Beeb seems to offer the best quality news coverage around. Its 24 hours, so they can afford to cover smaller interest stories in more depth, and you can tune in anytime you need an update.
- BBC Parliament. This won't be to everyone's tastes, but it does give you an idea of what digital broadcasting makes TV capable of. Here, you can watch live debates as they take place. This is the chance for a real insight into our own democracy, something that wouldn't have been possible in the days of 4 analogue channels.
MOVIES
- Film 4. Famed for its exciting mix of classics, foreign art-house and Hollywood blockbusters. The channel also runs seasons such as a review of British gangster films, for you to really get your teeth into one genre or another. Film buff, or casual film fan, this channel is fantastic!
MUSIC
- TMF -Straight from the makers of MTV and VH1 comes a free-to-view music channel, with more than just wall to wall music videos. There are movies, themed weekends and great classic shows like Ally McBeal and Cribs thrown into the mix. There is also a fantastic pre-school slot with prime Nickolodeon programming like the tales of Dora the Explorer.
ENTERTAINMENT
- E4 - When Channel 4's companion, E4, started broadcasting as a pay-to-view channel in 2001, its delights were what turned the majority of people to Digital TV. It had all the best American comedies and dramas first, even before Channel 4. Now, in its evolved and matured state it has more British programming, some highly original home-grown comedy, but the same satirical and nonsensical programme announcers. The spaces between the shows can be even more entertaining than the shows themselves! (Especially if the show in question is yet another repeat of Friends. The schedule's reliance on these repeats of Friends is perhaps their only weakness.)
- FTN - In the market for something a little different? Possibly even, out of this world? This fantastic new channel is a truly eclectic mix of drama and documentary. It takes an alternative tack with programming that is not afraid to enter the dark side. You'll be spooked and amazed by programmes like Most Haunted, Gail Porter's Dead Famous and Street Hypnosis.
KIDS
- CITV - Everyday from 6 am to 6 pm. So rather than waking you up at 6 am, the kids can amuse themselves a little. Without advocating the television as a full time nanny for your children, this channel really does offer some great shows, previously only broadcast for a couple of hours in the afternoon. Now your kids can enjoy Curious George, Horrid Henry and other such gems at all times of the day!
SPECIAL INTEREST
The amount of space out there in digital world means that whatever your particular, special interest, you're likely to find a channel that caters for you. Now, the following is not necessarily a list of recommendations.. We can't vouch for the content, but just to give an idea of the breadth of digital coverage, check this out:
- TeleG provides a daily Gaelic TV service on Freeview channel 8 in Scotland. Tune in to keep your gaelic grammar up to scratch!
- Teachers' TV - A channel dedicated to the trials, tribulations and triumphs of those working in the education sector. A truly useful television service.
- Smile TV - for the gamers out there. To add a bit of spice to your gaming evening, tune in for the chance to win thousands of pounds every night on this interactive channel, headlined by the show Quizworld. Hit the jackpot and then you'll really smile.
