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Red button FAQs
Got a burning question about our red button service? Let's see if we can answer it for you here
How do I get red button?
Red button is available across all UKTV channels on the Sky. It is not available on Freeview or Cable platforms.
I’m pressing the red button but nothing is happening
There is no UKTV red button service live at that time
When can I access the UKTV red button service?
UKTV’s red button service is not always turned on. It is only available when a specific campaign (competition, vote or programme feature) is running. The red button service is promoted on-screen via a red button icon in the top right hand side of your TV screen. Typically, this icon appears on your screen for the first and last 30 seconds of each part of the programme you are watching, going into and coming out of advertising breaks.
How do I access the UKTV red button service?
You can access the red button service while it is live by pressing the red button on your remote control. You can access the service even when the red button icon itself is not visible on your TV screen, providing the service is live at that time.
What happens to the TV programme I’m watching when I press red?
You may notice a very brief break in your viewing of a few seconds. Once the application has loaded you can continue to watch your TV programme either behind the red button application or in the top left/right hand quarter of the screen. In some instances the application may fill the screen. You will be able to continue listening to the programme. To continue viewing you can either press the yellow button to minimise the application and return to your programme or press the Back-Up or Sky/TV button.
How much does it cost to use the red button service?
The service is free to access but to enter a competition/vote or to submit your details to UKTV requires use of a telephone line connected to your set top box. There may be a charge associated with making this call. This will be advertised clearly in the application before you are invited to make the call. Any terms and conditions related to making this call will also be clearly advertising on screen before you are invited to make the call.
Does the red button service involve making premium rate telephony calls?
Entering a competition/vote or submitting your details may require a premium rate phone call. This will incur a premium rate charge. In each instance the cost of this call will be advertised before you are invited to initiate the dialling process.
How will I be billed?
The charges for entering a competition/casting a vote or submitting your details using the UKTV red button service will appear on your telephone bill.
Can I enter for free?
Yes. All competitions and votes promoted via the red button application are also available for free entry via the UKTV website. Competitions may also be available for entry via post as well. Details of how to enter a competition or submit your vote for free are advertised clearly within the red button application.
Can I get help using the application?
Once you have launched the red button application you can press the HELP button on your remote at any time to access the Help section for UKTV’s red button service.
Are there any terms and conditions for using the red button service?
Yes. Once you have launched the red button application you can press the ‘i’ button on your remote at any time to access the service terms and conditions. For some activities (e.g. competitions and votes) a full set of terms and conditions may be published on the UKTV website. The red button application will detail where you can find these terms.
I pressed red button to launch the application and it seemed to make a telephone call without me doing anything
From time to time, UKTV initiates a FREEPHONE call when the application is loaded to help us measure usage of our services. If this occurs to you when you press red and launch the application an on-screen message within the application will inform you of the purpose of this call and reassure you that is Free. You will not be charged for this call. If you wish to cancel the dialling process you can press BACK UP or TV/Sky button on your remote to cancel the application.
How do I get rid of the red button icon on my TV screen?
Press BACK UP on your remote control. Note, however, that it will reappear when your programme recommences after an advertising break and also if you change channels and then return to the UKTV channel you were watching. To remove it again, press BACK UP on your remote
How do I cancel the red button application and return to the TV?
You can return to the TV broadcast and cancel the application by either pressing BACK UP on your remote or by pressing the Sky/TV button your remote. In some application you can also press the BLUE button on you remote to exit the application.
I am trying to enter a competition/cast a vote/enter my details to register for something and I can’t enter my details in the form fields?
Check the batteries in your remote. Also check that your remote is pointing at the set top box and that nothing is interrupting its view.
I am unable to submit my competition entry/vote?
To submit your competition entry/vote or pass your details to UKTV via the red button your set top box must make a telephone call. To do this the telephone cable must be connected to the back of your set top box and the phone line must be operational and not in use at this time. In the event of this error the red button application may report the following error number on screen: Error number range 1023 -1026
I’ve checked the telephone line is plugged in to my set top box and the line is not busy but I’m still not able to submit my entry?
The lines at UKTV may be busy or there may be a temporary fault with the system. Wait a few moments and try again. If the problem persists please contact UKTV to report it. Contact numbers are advertised in the red button application terms.
I pressed SELECT to make a call (to enter a competition/cast a vote/submit my details) and then pressed BACK UP to stop the call. Will I still be charged?
There is a chance that if you press BACK UP during the dialling process you may not succeed in submitting your details but you may still incur a charge. You will receive a reminder about this possibility on-screen before you are invited to initiate the dialling process.
How do I know if I’ve successfully submitted my competition entry/vote/details?
A confirmation screen will appear confirming that you have completed your submission and that your submission has been recorded
How will I know the result of my submission (result of a vote/competition)?
Only winning competition entrants are contacted but you can find a list of winners on the UKTV website which is advertised within the red button application. The date and location of where the results of votes will be announced will always be advertised on the voting confirmation screen within the red button application.
I’ve heard bad things about premium rate services and TV competitions/votes being faked. Can I trust UKTV?
All UKTV interactive competitions and votes are run in strict accordance with the guidelines of industry regulators Ofcom & PhonePay Plus. UKTV endeavours to follow best practice in all aspects of the interactive competitions and votes it runs. All activity is reviewed and approved by UKTV’s compliance team before it is broadcast.
Details of UKTV’s privacy policy and the steps it takes to safeguard your personal details can be found in the terms and conditions for each activity and the company Privacy policy. All these documents are available on the UKTV website and are advertised within the red button application.
Red button is available across all UKTV channels on the Sky. It is not available on Freeview or Cable platforms.
I’m pressing the red button but nothing is happening
There is no UKTV red button service live at that time
When can I access the UKTV red button service?
UKTV’s red button service is not always turned on. It is only available when a specific campaign (competition, vote or programme feature) is running. The red button service is promoted on-screen via a red button icon in the top right hand side of your TV screen. Typically, this icon appears on your screen for the first and last 30 seconds of each part of the programme you are watching, going into and coming out of advertising breaks.
How do I access the UKTV red button service?
You can access the red button service while it is live by pressing the red button on your remote control. You can access the service even when the red button icon itself is not visible on your TV screen, providing the service is live at that time.
What happens to the TV programme I’m watching when I press red?
You may notice a very brief break in your viewing of a few seconds. Once the application has loaded you can continue to watch your TV programme either behind the red button application or in the top left/right hand quarter of the screen. In some instances the application may fill the screen. You will be able to continue listening to the programme. To continue viewing you can either press the yellow button to minimise the application and return to your programme or press the Back-Up or Sky/TV button.
How much does it cost to use the red button service?
The service is free to access but to enter a competition/vote or to submit your details to UKTV requires use of a telephone line connected to your set top box. There may be a charge associated with making this call. This will be advertised clearly in the application before you are invited to make the call. Any terms and conditions related to making this call will also be clearly advertising on screen before you are invited to make the call.
Does the red button service involve making premium rate telephony calls?
Entering a competition/vote or submitting your details may require a premium rate phone call. This will incur a premium rate charge. In each instance the cost of this call will be advertised before you are invited to initiate the dialling process.
How will I be billed?
The charges for entering a competition/casting a vote or submitting your details using the UKTV red button service will appear on your telephone bill.
Can I enter for free?
Yes. All competitions and votes promoted via the red button application are also available for free entry via the UKTV website. Competitions may also be available for entry via post as well. Details of how to enter a competition or submit your vote for free are advertised clearly within the red button application.
Can I get help using the application?
Once you have launched the red button application you can press the HELP button on your remote at any time to access the Help section for UKTV’s red button service.
Are there any terms and conditions for using the red button service?
Yes. Once you have launched the red button application you can press the ‘i’ button on your remote at any time to access the service terms and conditions. For some activities (e.g. competitions and votes) a full set of terms and conditions may be published on the UKTV website. The red button application will detail where you can find these terms.
I pressed red button to launch the application and it seemed to make a telephone call without me doing anything
From time to time, UKTV initiates a FREEPHONE call when the application is loaded to help us measure usage of our services. If this occurs to you when you press red and launch the application an on-screen message within the application will inform you of the purpose of this call and reassure you that is Free. You will not be charged for this call. If you wish to cancel the dialling process you can press BACK UP or TV/Sky button on your remote to cancel the application.
How do I get rid of the red button icon on my TV screen?
Press BACK UP on your remote control. Note, however, that it will reappear when your programme recommences after an advertising break and also if you change channels and then return to the UKTV channel you were watching. To remove it again, press BACK UP on your remote
How do I cancel the red button application and return to the TV?
You can return to the TV broadcast and cancel the application by either pressing BACK UP on your remote or by pressing the Sky/TV button your remote. In some application you can also press the BLUE button on you remote to exit the application.
I am trying to enter a competition/cast a vote/enter my details to register for something and I can’t enter my details in the form fields?
Check the batteries in your remote. Also check that your remote is pointing at the set top box and that nothing is interrupting its view.
I am unable to submit my competition entry/vote?
To submit your competition entry/vote or pass your details to UKTV via the red button your set top box must make a telephone call. To do this the telephone cable must be connected to the back of your set top box and the phone line must be operational and not in use at this time. In the event of this error the red button application may report the following error number on screen: Error number range 1023 -1026
I’ve checked the telephone line is plugged in to my set top box and the line is not busy but I’m still not able to submit my entry?
The lines at UKTV may be busy or there may be a temporary fault with the system. Wait a few moments and try again. If the problem persists please contact UKTV to report it. Contact numbers are advertised in the red button application terms.
I pressed SELECT to make a call (to enter a competition/cast a vote/submit my details) and then pressed BACK UP to stop the call. Will I still be charged?
There is a chance that if you press BACK UP during the dialling process you may not succeed in submitting your details but you may still incur a charge. You will receive a reminder about this possibility on-screen before you are invited to initiate the dialling process.
How do I know if I’ve successfully submitted my competition entry/vote/details?
A confirmation screen will appear confirming that you have completed your submission and that your submission has been recorded
How will I know the result of my submission (result of a vote/competition)?
Only winning competition entrants are contacted but you can find a list of winners on the UKTV website which is advertised within the red button application. The date and location of where the results of votes will be announced will always be advertised on the voting confirmation screen within the red button application.
I’ve heard bad things about premium rate services and TV competitions/votes being faked. Can I trust UKTV?
All UKTV interactive competitions and votes are run in strict accordance with the guidelines of industry regulators Ofcom & PhonePay Plus. UKTV endeavours to follow best practice in all aspects of the interactive competitions and votes it runs. All activity is reviewed and approved by UKTV’s compliance team before it is broadcast.
Details of UKTV’s privacy policy and the steps it takes to safeguard your personal details can be found in the terms and conditions for each activity and the company Privacy policy. All these documents are available on the UKTV website and are advertised within the red button application.
