Cheap live TV without an aerial

verycleverusername

Hi folks. I'm slightly baffled that this is such a complex problem in 2019 but here we are. I'm in a rented flat and the Virgin contract is coming to an end. I don't want to lock myself into another 12 months and also don't want to pay the hiked price. In fact, saving money would be lovely. I'd be happy to just get broadband + freeview + Now TV. But there's no aerial on the building and I don't want to shell out £150+ on an aerial that I probably can't take with me, on a building I don't own. Same for Freesat. I do want to still have access to basic live TV and already have accounts with Netflix and Amazon. My TV isn't a smart TV.

So has anyone found a decent, frugal option in this situation? I find it odd that freeview TV still demands an aerial rather than just coming down the internet.

System

If you have an Amazon Fire TV stick/box then TV player is a good free app.
Create an account and you have 'Ever-so slightly delayed' live TV - All of which are on freeview.

verycleverusername

Oooh that might well be a solution, thank you. Now to find a cheap broadband offer that doesn't lock me into a contract either...

Bigphil1474

OP, depends where you live, but you could try a portable aerial. We had one in our back bedroom for a few years and worked fine. They aren't that expensive. Try googling portable TV aerial for Freeview.

System

It is limited at the moment but freeview will be launching an app next week that includes live and catch up tv:

https://www.digitaltveurope.com/2018/11/28/freeview-to-launch-one-stop-shop-app-for-uk-television/

mobileron

Firestick is perfect,remember you are streaming,so get decent broad band.

itstheone

Walcott wrote: »

It is limited at the moment but freeview will be launching an app next week that includes live and catch up tv:

https://www.digitaltveurope.com/2018/11/28/freeview-to-launch-one-stop-shop-app-for-uk-television/

Not available on Android yet, boo!

studentsaver_889

verycleverusername wrote: »

Oooh that might well be a solution, thank you. Now to find a cheap broadband offer that doesn't lock me into a contract either...

Try smarty £25 rolling unlimited contract :money:

Kernel_Sanders

studentsaver_889 wrote: »

Try smarty £25 rolling unlimited contract :money:

6 months of that could have paid for the aerial

glennevis

£150 for an aerial? I paid less than £17 for a Panasonic external folded dipole aerial from cpc.co.uk a few weeks ago. Folded dipole aerials are very compact and at present mine is sat on top of a pile of cardboard boxes pointed towards the transmitter 8 miles away. It's about as long as the tv is wide. One day I might get round to mounting it outside.



I wouldn't bother with a set top aerial, just read the reviews.

mobileron

Its not £150 for an aerial,its £150 for aerial fitting testing and install.
Cable and ladders supplied free.