The UK's biggest cable TV provider. Most new TV customers must also sign up for phone and/or internet services.

Basic multi-channel option that comes through normal TV aerial with no monthly subscription.

Basic satellite deal with no monthly subscription.

Long-established subscription satellite service. Has also run its own free service - Freesat from Sky - since 2004.

A box will be supplied and connected to your TV and phone. The standard installation cost is £30. The company offers a basic package for £11 per month along with a phone line subscription, and up to £125 per month for a VIP package.

One-off payment from as little as £20 - for a set-top box - with no monthly subscription. Some new TVs come with built-in Freeview equipment. Some homes will need an aerial upgrade.

The BBC and ITV's service costs £80 for a dish and installation and from £49 for a box. HD boxes cost from £120. No viewing card is needed.

From £16 a month, with additional costs for extra services. There is a standard set-up fee of £30 for a satellite and set-top box.

Its free service, which requires a viewing card, has a one-off fee of £150 with no monthly payment - or £20 if you already have a Sky dish and box.

Basic deals include about 40 TV channels, including the BBC, ITV and Channel 4's digital channels. Also news, children's and limited sport, music and film. More expensive packages offer a wider choice with about 145 channels.

The basic BBC, ITV and Channel 4 digital channels plus news, shopping and some music and other general entertainment. Extra channels available with a top-up card for £9.99 a month, via Top-Up TV.

The BBC and ITV offering will initially have 80 channels, increasing to 200, including news, shopping, music and other general entertainment.

The basic packages have about 40-100 channels. This includes the main ones plus your choice of bundles featuring variety, children's, documentaries, music and news. Movies and sports are extra.

Sky's free offering has more than 120 channels - but no access to major movies or sports without upgrading to Sky subscription.

50%

75%

98%

98%

3.26 million customers (all digital cable services)

9.57 million homes

Has only just launched.

8.29 million

A further 1.05 million watch Sky's free satellite service.