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Somali TV in the UK

Britain's Somali community is one of the oldest in Europe. It began with sailors who settled in Cardiff, Liverpool and east London, and grew after the civil war from 1991. Today the largest communities are in Birmingham, Brent, Ealing, Bristol, Manchester and Leicester.

Updated · By the IPTV UK editorial desk

How do Somali families in the UK watch TV?

Somali news is the core of most households' viewing, and a good part of it is made in London. Somalia is 2 hours ahead of the UK in summer and 3 in winter.

What does the census say?

MeasurePeople
Born in Somalia
Census 2021 TS012, Somalia		108,921
Main language: Somali
Census 2021 TS024, people aged 3 and over		62,240

Where does the community live?

The council areas in England and Wales with the most people counted by the country-of-birth figure, out of 318:

  1. Birmingham10,8120.9% of residents
  2. Brent6,6782% of residents
  3. Ealing5,8481.6% of residents
  4. Bristol4,6541% of residents
  5. Manchester4,2720.8% of residents
  6. Enfield3,8071.2% of residents
  7. Newham3,7551.1% of residents
  8. Leicester3,3940.9% of residents

Our town pages with a large Somali community: London, Birmingham, Manchester, Sheffield, Bristol, Cardiff, Leicester, Milton Keynes.

Which channels do people ask for?

  • Universal TV
  • SNTV
  • Horn Cable TV
  • Somali Cable TV
  • Goobjoog TV

This is what people from the community ask us about, not a promise that every channel is in the line-up today. We confirm specific channels in writing before you buy.

Ask us to confirm these channels

What are the legal ways to watch from the UK?

  • BBC SomaliThe BBC's Somali service publishes news online and on YouTube.
  • Universal TVA Somali channel made in London.
  • Official YouTube streamsMost Somali news channels stream live on their own YouTube channels.

Availability and prices change; check the provider's own site before you subscribe.

Sport and kick-off times

The Premier League and athletics.

Time in Somalia now—
UK time now—

Somalia is 2 hours ahead of the UK in the British summer and 3 hours ahead of the UK in winter. Busiest viewing: Ramadan and Eid.

Try it before you pay

The free 24-hour trial gives the full line-up, including the channel groups for Somali. If it suits your family, plans start at £6.25 a month.

More communities

Other community pages

Readers also ask

How many Somali families live in England and Wales?
Census 2021 counted 108,921 (born in Somalia); 62,240 (main language: Somali). Scotland and Northern Ireland run separate censuses.
Can I watch Universal TV in the UK?
Ask us before you buy and we confirm in writing whether it is in the current line-up, or check it during the free 24-hour trial. Legal routes from the UK include BBC Somali, Universal TV, Official YouTube streams.
What time are Somalia programmes in the UK?
Somalia is 2 hours ahead of the UK in the British summer and 3 hours ahead of the UK in winter. So a 9pm programme at home airs at 19:00 UK time in summer.

Sources

  1. Census 2021, TS012 Country of birth (detailed) checked 6 October 2026
  2. Census 2021, TS024 Main language (detailed) checked 6 October 2026

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