Freeview vs Sky:Which is more popular?
In September 2026, Sky had more branded searches than Freeview among TV providers in the United Kingdom. Sky had about 151,000 branded searches, while Freeview had 110,000. Sky made up 17.1% of all TV provider searches we track, and Freeview accounted for 12.4%. When we asked ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews about TV providers, Sky appeared in all five answers and Freeview in two. Sky was mentioned before Freeview in every answer.
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Top TV providers in ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews
In three ChatGPT questions and two Google AI Overviews, Sky appeared in all five answers. Freeview was mentioned in two out of five: in one of the three ChatGPT answers and in one of the two Google AI Overviews. Sky was listed before Freeview in every answer.
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 Freeview or Sky more popular in search?
This chart shows how often people search Google for Freeview and Sky 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 Sky, Freeview. 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 Freeview and Sky comparison changed over the last 12 months?
3 findings
- Sky was ahead of Freeview in every measured month of the 12 months ending September 2026.
- 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.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Sky’s share of searches among TV providers in the United Kingdom moved from 18.7% to 17.1%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 193K to 151K.
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%.
In September 2026, Sky gained share of searches among TV providers in the United Kingdom, from 15.6% to 17.1%.
How are branded searches counted?
4 search terms
Brandwave collects information about searches that people make online using Freeview’s and Sky’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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