If you grew up watching Ash Ketchum, Pikachu, Misty and Brock on television, you may remember Pokémon as one of the defining animated shows of the late 1990s. But when did Pokémon start airing in the UK? The Pokémon anime officially arrived on British television in 1999, giving UK viewers their first regular opportunity to follow Ash’s journey to become a Pokémon Trainer.
The first episode of the Pokémon animated series aired in the UK on 29 March 1999, with the show launching on Sky One. The original UK broadcast was scheduled on weekday mornings, helping introduce a new generation of British viewers to the world of Pokémon.
Pokémon’s First UK Broadcast
The Pokémon anime had already become a major success internationally before reaching British screens. The original animated series premiered in Japan in 1997, followed by its English-language debut in other markets in 1998. By March 1999, Pokémon had made its way to the United Kingdom.
Sky One began broadcasting Pokémon during the week of 29 March 1999, making it the show’s first-run UK broadcaster. Contemporary industry reporting confirms that Sky TV in the UK was among the European broadcasters that acquired the series, with broadcasting beginning that week.
For many British fans, this was the beginning of a long-running relationship with the Pokémon TV series.
Ash, Pikachu and the Pokémon Adventure
The first UK episodes introduced viewers to Ash Ketchum, his loyal partner Pikachu, and friends including Misty and Brock. The early episodes followed Ash as he travelled through the Kanto region, caught Pokémon, challenged Gym Leaders and worked toward becoming a Pokémon Master.
Today, these episodes are commonly associated with Pokémon: Indigo League, although the original broadcasts simply presented the programme as Pokémon. The first season became an important part of the franchise’s television history.
Pokémon on ITV and Saturday-Morning Television
Pokémon did not remain exclusive to Sky One. During the late 1990s and early 2000s, the animated series also became familiar to viewers through British terrestrial children’s programming.
From 1999, Pokémon appeared regularly within SM:TV Live, the popular Saturday-morning programme broadcast on ITV. The show also appeared on other ITV-related children’s programming, helping Pokémon reach audiences beyond its original Sky One broadcasts.
This period helped establish Pokémon as a major part of British children’s television culture.
When Did Pokémon Start Airing in the UK? The Answer
So, when did Pokémon start airing in the UK?
The answer is 29 March 1999, when the Pokémon animated series began its UK run on Sky One. Pokémon subsequently expanded its presence across British television, including ITV programming, and continued with new generations, characters and Pokémon regions over the following decades.
The Pokémon franchise has continued evolving since those original broadcasts. The official Pokémon website now features the latest animated adventures, including Pokémon Horizons, while also providing information about the wider Pokémon universe.
A Pokémon TV Legacy That Continues
For UK fans who remember watching Pikachu and Ash for the first time in 1999, the original Pokémon anime represents an important piece of television nostalgia. What began with weekday broadcasts on Sky One grew into a long-running British presence spanning multiple Pokémon series, broadcasters and generations of fans.
Whether you’re researching when Pokémon first aired in Britain, remembering the original Pokémon UK broadcast, or looking back at Pokémon Indigo League, the key date to remember is 29 March 1999.

















