How to get Freeview on TV without aerial is one of the most searched questions on Google, especially if you are living in the United Kingdom.
Many people inquire about this topic because buying an aerial to stream these channels on their television screens at home would only be an additional expense.
In truth, the prices of most aerials available in the market would range from £80 to £180.
One thing we noticed, however, is that most answers you would see online will tell you that it is impossible to get Freeview without your very own aerial.
But today is your lucky day!
Here, we have sought out possible alternatives on how you would be able to get Freeview channels on your television screen at home without having to buy an aerial.
Make sure to tune in to this article to learn more about these surprising techniques.
What Is Freeview?
Before we delve into this topic, let us first talk about what Freeview is.
Freeview is a popular digital terrestrial television platform in the United Kingdom.
Launched by DTV Services Ltd in 2002, Freeview allows its users to stream their favourite shows at home for free.
Believe it or not, it is viable to watch both standard and HD channels any time you want.
Freeview subscribers can now enjoy more than 70 live TV and radio channels at their homes or on the go.
But despite the convenience that Freeview offers, its services only operate when you have an aerial connected to your television screens.
How to Get Freeview On TV Without Aerial?
One of the most effortless and economical ways to watch Freeview channels on your television screen is through your laptop.
This alternative, however, will only work if your computer has access to a stable WiFi connection.
For this option to work, you can try out the following steps one by one.
Steps
- Plug your HDMI cable into your laptop.
- Connect the other end of your cable to one of the HDMI ports on your television.
- Go to TVCatchUp.com on your laptop.
- Browse any of the available Freeview channels on the website
- Press play.
How to Get Freeview On Smart TV?
Similar to our smartphones, smart TVs are smart home devices that allow people to watch movies and shows when connected to an internet source.
Below are the most popular methods on how to get Freeview on smart TV.
Kodi
Kodi is a free, open-source application that allows its users to access various media content, such as music and movies.
You can launch this software on any device because it supports almost all available operating systems.
Because Kodi does not have any media content, to begin with, you can either import your audio or video files from any of your on-hand devices or install Kodi add-ons.
To install Kodi on your Smart TV, follow the steps below:
- Turn on your television.
- Once you see the home screen, launch Google Play Store.
- Look for the Kodi app and click download.
Kodi add-ons allow you to view media content available online. There are several available plug-ins for Kodi.
Two of the most used add-ons to get Freeview on your smart TV are the Freeview AddOn and FilmOn TV.
Downloading the Add Ons
You can only download these plug-ins through an exterior repository, so before following the steps below, make sure you know where to get your preferred add-on.
Search for a repository source that has your preferred plug-in and add it to your Kodi app. Install the repository and download the plug-in.
Once you have the Freeview AddOn or FilmOn TV on your Kodi app, you can now stream your favourite Freeview shows at home.
Quick Fact
For those who plan on getting the Kodi app, make sure to use a VPN to hide and protect your online activity and information.
Google Chromecast
Google Chromecast is another alternative you can check out. It is a small device that allows you to access shows not only from Freeview but also from other platforms like Netflix and YouTube, using your smartphone or laptop.
Aside from its convenience, the Google Chromecast is also affordable. You can have it for as low as £30.
To set up your Google Chromecast at home, follow these steps.
Steps
Step #1. Install the Google Home application on your smartphone or laptop.
Step #2. Plug your Google Chromecast into your television’s HDMI port and the USB wire into a power outlet.
Step #3. Once connected, follow the instructions on your screen. Don’t worry because these steps are pretty simple and straightforward.
Step #4. After setting up your Google Chromecast, you can now watch any of your favourite shows on your television screen.
Amazon FireStick
The Amazon FireStick is one of the available home devices sold by Amazon.
Although you can access Freeview shows on your FireStick, the Freeview app is not available in some regions.
Thus, a possible way to get around this limitation is by sideloading it on your FireStick using a downloader app.
Follow the steps below to watch Freeview shows using this device:
Steps
Step #1. Plug your FireStick into one of the HDMI ports on your television.
Step #2. Once turned on, open its settings and enable “Apps from Unknown Sources and USB Debugging” in the Developer option.
Step #3. Once turned on, open its settings and enable “Apps from Unknown Sources and USB Debugging” in the Developer option.
Step #4. Search for the Downloader app on the Amazon store and install it.
Step #5. Open the Downloader app and type in the URL of the Freeview app to download its APK.
Step #6. After installation, you can now use your Amazon FireStick to access Freeview.
Quick Fact
If you plan on using Amazon Firestick, you will also need to use a VPN. Get it to avoid any privacy issues or problems.
Roku
Roku is a newly-launched player that allows you to watch shows conveniently and cost-effectively.
Roku’s newly added feature allows it to support the TVPlayer app, allowing you to watch Freeview shows through your Roku streaming box.
Accessing Freeview on this player is simple and pretty straightforward. Below are guided steps that you can follow to start using Roku:
- Plug your Roku into your television.
- Connect to the WiFi and create your own Roku profile.
- Once completed, go to the Roku channel store and select the Movies & TV category.
- Look for the TVPlayer app and install it to access Freeview shows on Roku.
Quick Fact
The TVPlayer app allows you to watch Freeview shows on Roku for free.
But if you want to remove the advertisements and have access to 25 premium channels, you can pay £5.99 a month.
Conclusion
Contrary to popular belief, it is feasible to get Freeview on your television screen without an aerial.
The possible alternatives we discussed all provide convenience and ease to their users. Whatever method you use, make sure you mask your IP and take control of your privacy.
For this, all you need is a reliable VPN provider and any app that you find suitable. Although there are a lot of options to choose from, select the choice that matches your budget.
For this, we highly recommend getting a paid plan of AtlasVPN. They are cheap($1.39 per month) and yet super powerful.
We also suggest that you do some additional research on your preferred alternative to minimize possible issues in the future.
Kevin has over five years of experience working in various Tech startups and providing Technical solutions. He has contributed to many Tech publications and websites.