Which TV channels are free?
Emma Payne
Published Jan 15, 2026
What channels are on Freeview?
- BBC ONE.
- BBC ONE NI.
- BBC ONE Scot.
- BBC ONE Wales.
- BBC TWO.
- BBC TWO NI.
- BBC TWO Wales.
- ITV.
How many free TV channels are there in the UK?
As of March 2021, Freeview contains up to 70+ TV and radio channels, which are received via an aerial. It is operated by DTV Services Ltd., a joint venture between the BBC, ITV, Channel 4 and Sky.
How can I watch UK TV for free?
Freeview at home and wherever you are
You can now enjoy your favourite Freeview shows on your mobile or tablet. Browse great shows from BBC iPlayer, ITV Hub, All 4, My5 and UKTV Play, wherever you are.
How can I get all TV channels for free?
Freeview, a joint venture of the BBC, Sky, ITV, Channel 4 and Channel 5, is the United Kingdom's digital terrestrial television platform. It lets you watch over 80 free, over-the-air channels, without any subscription fees (except for an annual TV licence).
What can I watch on TV for free?
The best options include Crackle, Hoopla, Kanopy, Peacock, Pluto TV, the Roku Channel, Tubi TV, Vudu, and Xumo. Like Netflix and Hulu, these free services are available through most streaming devices and smart TVs, as well as on many laptops, smartphones, or tablets.
45 related questions foundIs free cable TV free?
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How do I get free channels without an antenna?
Satellite Options
- Freesat. The easiest way nowadays to get Freeview if you do have a satellite dish is to get a Freesat box. ...
- Sky. Of course, the most well known alternative to watching Freeview channels on your TV without using an aerial is definitely Sky. ...
- Alternative – Use an Old Sky Box. ...
- Streaming Stick. ...
- Get a Smart TV.
What is the cheapest way to watch TV?
Roku Express — The most affordable option and will work well for everyone; this is a stick like the Amazon Fire TV Stick. Roku Streaming Stick — About $20 more than the Express. It's also a stick and comes with voice remote and a volume + power option so you don't need to use your TV's remote for basic functions.
How do I get rid of cable and still watch TV?
You can get rid of cable and still watch TV by using streaming apps, also called streaming channels. There are a few big streaming channels that most people have heard of, like Disney+, Netflix, and Hulu. But there are actually hundreds of streaming channels in 2021.
How can I watch live TV without cable?
How to watch local TV channels over the internet
- Purchase an HD antenna.
- Subscribe to the TV channel's app.
- Live TV streaming app subscription.
- Live stream local news online on their website.
- Watch the clips on Youtube.
Is Freeview free UK?
Freeview is the UK's digital terrestrial television service. We've got one simple aim: to give you the best possible line-up of TV, for free. With more than 70 standard channels and 15 HD channels*, we're bringing you the nation's favourite shows, through your TV aerial, for no monthly cost.
Is Freeview play free?
Freeview Play gives you the biggest shows live and on demand, all together in one place and all for free. With over 70 TV channels, 15 HD channels and 10 on-demand players, that's a whole lot of something for nothing.
How can I watch TV without aerial or satellite?
The Best Solution: The best option for watching a TV without an aerial is to connect your TV to your router or broadband via an ethernet cable and use the built-in streaming apps.
How can I view Freeview channels?
In addition to viewing your favourite programmes through live TV you can also watch Freeview on a connected TV via Freeview Play, on mobile phones and tablets through our mobile app or online via our TV Guide on the Freeview website.
...
Freeview Play TV
- BBC iPlayer.
- ITV Hub.
- All4.
- My5.
- UKTV Play.
- CBS Catchup.
What is Free to Air TV UK?
In the UK, the five main free-to-air television networks are BBC One, BBC Two, ITV, Channel 4 and Channel 5.
What will replace cable TV in the future?
The best cable TV alternatives you can buy today
- Sling TV. Best cable replacement service overall. ...
- Hulu with Live TV. The best original programming and bundle deal. ...
- YouTube TV. Best DVR feature and access to local networks. ...
- FuboTV. The best streaming service for sports. ...
- DirecTV Stream.
Do smart tvs need cable boxes?
Does a smart TV need a cable box or broadband? If you want to continue receiving the same channels you have, then the answer is yes: You still need a cable or satellite box, because no other option will deliver the same channels and stations in the same way.
Is Roku TV free?
There are no monthly fees for watching free channels or for using a Roku device. You only have to pay for subscription channels like Netflix, cable-replacement services like Sling TV, or movie and TV show rentals from services like Apple TV.
Is streaming cheaper than cable?
streaming: cost. In the early days of live TV streaming, this was an easy one: streaming is cheaper than cable. But, with top services like YouTube TV and Hulu + Live TV regularly raising their rates, that price gap is closing.
What is the cheapest way to get premium channels?
Sling TV: The most affordable way to get SHOWTIME and EPIX
The only service providing discounts on SHOWTIME and EPIX is Sling TV, and you can only save $1/mo. On any one of them. Even, you can create a fairly affordable lineup with premium channels with packages starting at just $30/mo.
Can a smart TV pick up local channels without an antenna?
Free local channels without a TV antenna
A number of local ABC, CBS, FOX and NBC stations have their own apps available on Smart TVs and streaming devices. You can find these apps by doing a broad search for a station (e.g. NBC), or by searching for a station using its call sign.
Can I get local channels without cable or antenna?
If you don't want to use an antenna, there are several ways to stream your local network channels. The best options to stream local ABC, NBC, Fox, and CBS are DIRECTV STREAM, Hulu + Live TV, and YouTube TV. They all offer a way to live stream major broadcast networks in nearly every market in the US.
Does a smart TV need a Freeview box?
You'll need to connect your Smart TV to both broadband and your TV antenna to get Freeview On Demand. While all Smart TVs work with a UHF aerial, only Dual Tuner models will connect directly with a satellite dish.
Do modern TVs need an aerial?
Modern smart TVs use a broadband aerial signal to connect to the internet and streaming services. With the rise of on-demand video services, and people wanting to use a streaming app, such as BBC iPlayer, Netflix and YouTube, internet connections are becoming increasingly important for TV sets.
Can I watch Netflix without an aerial?
However, since you have a smart television it should have internet TV services such as Netflix, Amazon, BBC iPlayer and more built in. You don't require an aerial to watch these services. This is because you will be streaming content from the internet. You will need an aerial to watch live TV in your area.