TV for relative with no aerial

fluffy123

Hi everyone, I'm trying to sort out a relative's TV for their new home.

They have no aerial and don't watch much apart from the basic channels so essentially freeview would be required. They would find it difficult to pay for sky etc. Getting an aerial isn't much of an option really and they've tried internal aerials with not much success too.

The TV that they have isn't a smart TV albeit relatively modern, about 7 years old and they're extremely overwhelmed by smartphones/casting etc so that wouldn't work out either by doing it via that method.

I've scratched my head trying to think of a simple solution for them.

Can anyone help with alternatives? I was thinking of being able to get the freeview play app onto a NOW TV stick/firestick and sync up the BBC,ITV,C4,C5 accounts for them to use that app as their main viewing device for live tv essentially but I'm not sure that'll work?

Thanks in advance

coffeehound

If they have enough indoor space, and they are near a transmitter, they might get away with a smaller external aerial mounted say in a box room or on top of a wardrobe.

getmore4less

You will need to sort out their broadband first.

Streaming with the iplayer(s) does work that's how we do most of our viewing but not everything is available

Not so good for live, you need arial, virgin, sky for that.

fluffy123

Sorry - they have fibre broadband but given their lack of tech expertise, I'm not sure how much use they get out of it!

The aim is to essentially get them an easy way to view live TV on the basic channels that doesn't require casting and bareing in mind their TV isn't smart and there isn't an aerial. Possibly it's an impossible question but guess that's why I'm asking!

[Deleted User]

fluffy123 wrote: »

Sorry - they have fibre broadband but given their lack of tech expertise, I'm not sure how much use they get out of it!

The aim is to essentially get them an easy way to view live TV on the basic channels that doesn't require casting and bareing in mind their TV isn't smart and there isn't an aerial. Possibly it's an impossible question but guess that's why I'm asking!

You need either an aerial, a satellite dish or VM cable. There is no other way for the intended recipients.

pphillips

If they have hdmi then just get them a Roku stick, show them how to use it and choose the apps they need to stream live TV.

Inner_Zone

pphillips wrote: »

If they have hdmi then just get them a Roku stick, show them how to use it and choose the apps they need to stream live TV.

While I would normally recommend a Roku over a Now TV stick (both made by Roku) the Now TV stick has less options (and cheaper) and therefore may require less ongoing support from the OP, but it includes all the major UK streaming providers, BBC, ITV, C4, C5, STV.


OP You won't get Freeview Play on any device but those licensed and shipped with it mainly TV's.

Cornucopia

Now TV box. Has its own remote control (so not casting) and no smart phone required.

It's cheap enough to give it a try and if it doesn't work out, not too much of a loss.

The broadcaster apps are separate, though, you choose the broadcaster app and then use the menu to select the content you want. Each broadcaster has content from several channels to choose from. Most of the apps are focused on catch-up, although several of them now have live feeds, too (iPlayer, ITV Hub and C4 do).

headpin

Cornucopia wrote: »

.......... Most of the apps are focused on catch-up, although several of them now have live feeds, too (iPlayer, ITV Hub and C4 do).

You need to be careful as not all TV apps offer a live feed on all platforms, especially on the Smart TV versions. If you think this option is the most suitable (and I believe that it probably is your best option) then check that the apps offer a live option.

Cornucopia

headpin wrote: »

You need to be careful as not all TV apps offer a live feed on all platforms...

Specifically on the Now TV black Box, the following live options are available as of today (could change in the future)...

ITV Hub - ITV1, ITV2, ITVBe, ITV3, ITV4, CITV.

All4 - C4, E4, More4, Film4, 4-7.

iPlayer - all BBC channels.

My5 and UKTV Player do not offer live streaming on this platform

pphillips

Roku has same live options as above plus STV & Sky News.