Three ways to watch TV in a UK home
Freeview
Freeview is the UK's digital terrestrial service. It is free to watch (apart from the TV Licence) and offers around 70 TV channels, but it depends on an aerial and good reception. In hilly areas, such as the Welsh valleys or the Scottish Highlands, reception can be patchy.
Freely
Freely is a newer free service that streams live channels from the main UK broadcasters over your broadband, built into compatible Smart TVs. It removes the need for an aerial but keeps a similar channel line-up.
IPTV subscription
An IPTV subscription streams a much larger list of channels, including sport and international TV, plus a video-on-demand library, to a player app on your TV, stick, phone or computer. It is a paid service, usually on a plan of a few months up to a year. Learn more in what is IPTV?
Comparison table
| Freeview | Freely | IPTV subscription | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cost | Free to watch | Free to watch | Paid plan |
| Needs | Aerial and tuner | Broadband and a compatible TV | Broadband and a player app |
| Channels | Around 70 free channels | Main UK broadcasters | Large UK, sport and international line-up |
| Sport | Free-to-air events only | Free-to-air events only | Wide range of sports channels |
| On demand | Via broadcaster apps | Via broadcaster apps | Built-in VOD library |
| Devices | TV or recorder | Compatible Smart TVs | TV, Firestick, box, phone, tablet, PC |
Who should stay with Freeview?
- You mainly watch the main UK channels and the news.
- You have good aerial reception.
- You do not need sport or international channels.
Who is IPTV better for?
- Homes with poor aerial reception or no aerial socket in some rooms.
- Flats where an aerial or dish cannot be installed.
- Sports fans who want more than free-to-air coverage.
- Families who want TV from other countries as well as British channels.
- People who want the same channels on the TV, a phone and a laptop.
Regional channels still matter with IPTV. Our location pages explain what is available in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.
Using Freeview and IPTV together
You do not have to choose one. A common set-up is Freeview on the main TV and an IPTV app on a Firestick in the bedroom or kitchen, where there is no aerial socket. See our Firestick installation guide to set it up.
A note on the TV Licence
Freeview, Freely and IPTV all follow the same rule: if you watch or record live TV, you need a TV Licence. Read our guide to TV Licences and IPTV.
Frequently asked questions
Is Freeview free?
Freeview has no subscription fee, but you need a TV or recorder with a Freeview tuner, a working aerial and a TV Licence to watch live TV.
What is Freely?
Freely is a free UK service that streams live channels from the main public service broadcasters over broadband, built into compatible new Smart TVs.
Can I have Freeview and IPTV at the same time?
Yes. Many households keep Freeview on the main TV and add IPTV for extra channels, sport, international TV and other rooms without an aerial socket.