This week I'll review the wide range of UKTV viewing guides available on the WWW for users in and outside of Great Britain. If you're a UK viewer, these are handy, often searchable, resources for planning you all important telly time. If you're outside the UK they can be a way to keep up with the world's best TV programming so you can beg your local PBS station or best pals in the UK to get it for you.
The Radio Times is the UK's answer to TV Guide. Published by the BBC, but including all major networks, the RT is an institution and this past year it's finally migrated to the Web at Radio Times @ The Beeb.Com. I've sung the Beeb's praises in this space before so I'll keep it short this time. The Online Radio Times is the premier listings site on the Internet with a wide range of useful and entertaining content and features. If you watch TV in the UK or are a serious fan of British television, you owe it to yourself to visit soon.
Sometimes you just want to see what's on during Prime Time and that's where the UKTV Peak Time Guide provides. Access a week's worth of prime time listings on one convenient page.
Various British news services contain TV review and listing areas, the best of which is the PA NewsCentre TV and Radio area.
The various networks also have informative sites including the BBC, Channel 4 and Channel 5. For an expanded list check out the Networks section at Bigglethwaite's.
The greatest of all web guides from a pure program listings standpoint, was Yearling, which, sadly, became defunct a few months ago. It may be gone but it's certainly not forgotten as none of the remaining sites have matched its search and personalization capabilities.
In Canada check out Canoe's Jam! National TV Listings homepage and the sites presented by the CBC and TVO.
UKTV fans in the US can drool over the big listings sites but for us the options are more limited. If you have TCI Digital Cable then you can get BBC America and I envy you <g>. The BBC America web site contains a complete list of programming. Otherwise you need to keep your eyes peeled on the few networks that carry British programming such as PBS, A&E, and Comedy Central. DirecTV subscribers can access a well-done online schedule grid at the DirecTV site. There are a number of fine US listing sources including TV Guide, Click TV and Gist.
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