Channel 4

Channel 4 live is a different beast from its terrestrial rivals. It's the broadcaster that gave us the chaos of Gogglebox and the artistry of It's a Sin, and it refuses to play it safe. Daytime leans heavily on property shows and cookery battles, Bake Off remains the crown jewel, but the real action starts post-9pm. That's where you'll find boundary-pushing docs and left-field reality series that define the channel's character. The 7pm news is leaner than the BBC's, but it knows its audience. When you watch Channel 4 online, you get the full unapologetic slate: witty, rude, occasionally maddening, but rarely boring. It's not the prestige of BBC One or the populist sweep of ITV, it's the channel that let Derry Girls and The Inbetweeners become cultural touchstones. For anyone wanting a taste of British broadcasting at its most daring, this is the general TV United Kingdom can be proud of.