Summary
- Virgin Media has added three new free Rakuten TV FAST channels to its TV service.
- Sky One will return in February 2026, replacing Sky Showcase and Sky Max.
- Large channel number changes are coming to Sky Q, Glass, and Stream platforms.
- Sky will raise broadband and TV prices for new customers from April 2026.
- Broadband customers will keep the right to leave without penalty after price rises.
Broadband and TV provider Virgin Media has expanded its free streaming offer by adding three new Rakuten TV FAST channels to its TV packages.
Customers using Virgin TV 360 or Stream (Flex) can now access:
- Rakuten TV Drama on channel 462
- Rakuten TV Comedy on channel 463
- Rakuten TV Sci-Fi on channel 464
These channels are available at no extra cost and rely on advertising rather than monthly fees.
They focus on themed schedules, with programmes and films grouped by genre. Virgin Media customers who bundle TV with Virgin broadband can watch these live-style channels without needing a separate subscription.
How FAST channels work on Virgin TV
FAST stands for Free Ad-Supported Streaming Television. These channels operate differently from traditional pay TV channels.
Instead of charging viewers, they:
- Show regular advert breaks
- Offer curated schedules based on specific themes
- Rely on streaming delivery rather than satellite or cable feeds
On Virgin Media’s platform, these channels appear alongside standard TV channels. Customers can:
- Find them in the main TV guide
- Search for them using voice control
- Access related on-demand content through the Rakuten TV app
The Rakuten app is available from the Virgin TV app store and provides access to hundreds of films and TV episodes.
With these additions, Virgin Media now offers 40 FAST channels in total.
Sky brings back a familiar channel
Sky has confirmed that Sky One will return to its TV platform on 24 February 2026, alongside its wider range of Sky TV and broadband bundles.
Sky One was closed in September 2021 after decades on air. At the time, its content was spread across newer entertainment channels as part of a wider rebrand.
The revived channel will return to position 106 on the electronic programme guide and will replace:
- Sky Showcase
- Sky Max
The move brings selected entertainment content back under a single main channel.
New and returning programmes on Sky One
When Sky One relaunches, it will carry a mix of new productions and established titles.
Confirmed programmes include:
- The Dyers’ Caravan Park
- Gemma Collins: Four Weddings and a Baby
- Rob & Romesh Vs..
- The Paper
- Ted
Sky has also confirmed that Saturday Night Live UK will launch later in the year on the channel.
Other Sky-branded channels such as Sky Atlantic, Sky Comedy, Sky Witness, Sky Crime, Sky Nature, and Sky Documentaries will continue to operate separately.
Major changes to Sky channel numbers
The return of Sky One will trigger a wider reshuffle of channel positions across Sky’s platforms.
Sky Q changes
On Sky Q boxes, several channels will move:
- Sky Comedy 113
- Sky Documentaries 114
- Sky Crime 121
- Sky Arts 122
- Challenge 130
- Sky Sci-Fi 145
Sky Glass and Sky Stream changes
On Sky Glass and Sky Stream, the new positions will be:
- Sky Comedy 109
- Sky Documentaries 110
- Sky Crime 111
- Sky Arts 112
- Challenge 116
- Sky Sci-Fi 114
These changes are designed to accommodate Sky One’s return and simplify the layout following the removal of Sky Showcase and Sky Max.
New Sky prices from April 2026
Sky has also announced new annual price increases for customers joining from 1 April 2026.
For new customers, the changes include:
- Broadband: £3 extra per month
- Cinema add-on: £1 extra per month
- Triple Play bundles: £3 extra per month
The broadband increase applies as a flat rate, rather than a percentage.
At present, these changes only apply to new customers. Sky has not yet confirmed whether existing customers will face the same increases later.
Contract rights and options for customers
When broadband and phone prices rise during a contract, Sky customers will usually receive formal notice.
After being notified, broadband and talk customers have:
- 31 days to leave their contract without paying exit fees
- The option to contact Sky to discuss revised pricing
These exit rights do not normally apply to standalone TV services unless they are bundled with broadband.
Customers on certain benefits may also be eligible for social tariffs. These lower-cost plans are not affected by standard annual price increases.
Why providers are making these changes
Both Virgin Media and Sky are adjusting their services in response to wider industry pressures.
Key factors include:
- Higher wholesale and network costs
- Increased energy and infrastructure spending
- Investment in full-fibre broadband and streaming platforms
- Competition from global streaming services
Sky has increasingly shifted towards broadband-based TV through Sky Glass and Sky Stream, while Virgin Media continues to blend traditional TV with app-based viewing.
At the same time, FAST channels allow providers to expand content without adding subscription costs.
What this means for UK viewers
For customers, these updates bring a mix of benefits and higher costs.
Virgin Media users gain more free streaming content without paying extra. Sky customers will see the return of a central entertainment channel but will need to adjust to new channel numbers.
New Sky customers will also face higher monthly bills from 2026, although broadband users will still have contract exit rights if they do not accept the increase.
Together, these changes show how major providers are reshaping their TV and broadband services around streaming, consolidation, and revised pricing.
