BT vs Freeview:Which is more popular?
In September 2026, Freeview had more branded searches than BT among TV providers in the United Kingdom. Freeview had about 110,000 branded searches, while BT had 6,600. Freeview made up 12.4% of all TV provider searches we track, and BT accounted for 0.75%. When we asked ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews about TV providers, BT appeared in four of the five answers and Freeview in two. BT was mentioned before Freeview in three out of four answers that named either.
Who do people search for more?
Freeview, about 17 searches for every 1 for BT
Who does AI mention more?
BT, mentioned in 4 of 5 answers, Freeview in 2
Who does AI recommend more?
BT, named ahead of Freeview in 3 of 4 answers
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Top TV providers in ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews
In three ChatGPT questions and two Google AI Overviews, BT was mentioned in four out of five: in two of the three ChatGPT answers and in both Google AI Overviews. Freeview was mentioned in two out of five: in one of the three ChatGPT answers and in one of the two Google AI Overviews. BT was listed before Freeview in three out of four answers that named either.
Most recommended by AI
Brands get a higher ranking if they are mentioned earlier in the answers.
Mentioned by AI
Each dot is one answer, filled in when that answer mentions the brand.
NOW5 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
Sky5 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
EE5 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
Virgin Media5 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers- BT4 of 5Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
- Freeview2 of 5Named in 1 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
Freely2 of 5Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
See every answer about TV providers
5 answers
Asked ChatGPT
“Which TV provider should I choose in the UK?”
Asked ChatGPT
“What are the best TV providers in the UK?”
Asked ChatGPT
“What's the best value TV and broadband package in the UK?”
Searched Google, AI Overview
“tv packages”
Searched Google, AI Overview
“broadband and tv”
Brands are shown in the order each answer named them. The survey took place in United Kingdom on October 22, 2026.
Is BT or Freeview more popular in search?
This chart shows how often people search Google for BT and Freeview by name. Each line represents a brand's share of searches for all seven TV providers we track, month by month, from searches in United Kingdom.
Share of searches by month for Freeview, BT. The figures are in the table below the chart.
View monthly share of searches table
| Month | NOW | Sky | Freeview | Freely | EE | Virgin Media | BT |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 2025 | 53.2% | 18.7% | 10.6% | 7.2% | 2.6% | 6.7% | 0.96% |
| Nov 2025 | 57.6% | 16.5% | 11.6% | 6.3% | 2.3% | 4.9% | 0.85% |
| Dec 2025 | 60.8% | 13.5% | 12.2% | 8.2% | 2% | 2.5% | 0.73% |
| Jan 2026 | 62.9% | 16.1% | 12.6% | 3.8% | 2.1% | 1.7% | 0.76% |
| Feb 2026 | 64.4% | 15.8% | 10.5% | 3.2% | 2.1% | 3.2% | 0.77% |
| Mar 2026 | 64.6% | 16.3% | 10.6% | 2.6% | 2.6% | 2.5% | 0.78% |
| Apr 2026 | 64.3% | 15.7% | 12.9% | 2.6% | 2.1% | 1.8% | 0.63% |
| May 2026 | 63.9% | 14.3% | 10.5% | 5.7% | 2.1% | 2.8% | 0.63% |
| Jun 2026 | 55.8% | 18.1% | 13.6% | 7.5% | 2.2% | 1.9% | 0.82% |
| Jul 2026 | 63.9% | 14.9% | 12.8% | 3.8% | 2.1% | 1.9% | 0.63% |
| Aug 2026 | 67.2% | 15.6% | 9% | 3.3% | 2.2% | 1.9% | 0.66% |
| Sep 2026 | 62.2% | 17.1% | 12.4% | 3.1% | 2.5% | 1.9% | 0.75% |
How has the BT and Freeview comparison changed over the last 12 months?
3 findings
- Freeview was ahead of BT in every measured month of the 12 months ending September 2026.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, BT’s share of searches among TV providers in the United Kingdom moved from 0.96% to 0.75%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 9.9K to 6.6K.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Freeview’s share of searches among TV providers in the United Kingdom moved from 10.6% to 12.4%, and its estimated monthly branded searches held steady at 110K.
How did search popularity change for United Kingdom TV providers in September 2026?
2 changes
In September 2026, Freeview gained share of searches among TV providers in the United Kingdom, from 9% to 12.4%.
Estimated monthly branded searches for BT in the United Kingdom fell 33.3% over 12 measured months, from 9.9K to 6.6K in September 2026.
How are branded searches counted?
2 search terms
Brandwave collects information about searches that people make online using BT’s and Freeview’s names. When viewed over time, estimated search volumes for these branded terms can be used to understand whether interest in the brands is growing, holding steady, or fading.
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