Help please with TV options :)

Cornucopia

Typical questions for this kind of thread:-

- What channels are you interested in?
- What streaming services are you interested in?
- Do you need Live TV reception of some kind - would this be for some or all of the channels you are interested in?
- If you need Live TV reception, will you be interested in recording some of this content?
- Do you have good Broadband service (now/potentially available)?

And already answered...

- What kind(s) of receiving tech do you already have?   (You said you have a SkyQ dish and no aerial).

WillPS

firesidemaid said:

@WillPS

This is all really helpful (and sort of what I had feared / accepted) that generally app-based means no live TV 😬 1st world problem I know.

So all, what about NOW TV as an option - have had it before (seemed live to me) but was in a different house that may have had an actual aerial 😅

Now isn't really an optimal live viewing platform - it's getting better, but it only has a dozen 'entertainment' channels (mostly from Sky themselves, with a couple of big name pay ones like Gold, MTV and Comedy Central). It's there, and it works, but it's not really the best experience if you're used to flicking about. This is all aside from the fact it costs money (£10 per month if you're not careful, but not nothing beyond a free trial).

The biggest issue with using apps for live TV is that each broadcaster/service has their own one - there's no EPG currently which allows you to flick between them all like you might be used to from the Sky EPG.

In order for us to help you we need to know which channels you actually watch a lot of. If, for example, most of your viewing is between one or two of BBC, ITV and Channel 4 (incl E4, More4, Film4 and 4seven) then it might well be viable to stick with apps; but otherwise I would say as a minimum you need either a decent Freeview or Freesat setup which you can then 'top up' with apps.

Rodders53

WillPS said:

The biggest issue with using apps for live TV is that each broadcaster/service has their own one - there's no EPG currently which allows you to flick between them all like you might be used to from the Sky EPG.

Surely that's exactly what Freely is intended to provide?  https://www.freely.co.uk/  

firesidemaid

Have just had a quick read of all your comments, which have been brilliantly helpful thank you 😊 am going to have a think / look re. some of the questions & suggestions and come back to you 👍

WillPS

Rodders53 said:

WillPS said:

The biggest issue with using apps for live TV is that each broadcaster/service has their own one - there's no EPG currently which allows you to flick between them all like you might be used to from the Sky EPG.

Surely that's exactly what Freely is intended to provide?  https://www.freely.co.uk/  

Yes, the problem is that it's only just launched, there aren't many channels other than the PSB ones and the only way to get it (currently) is embedded directly in to a new (mostly low end) TV.

Alpha_5

If you have broadband with Virgin, they offer a streaming box (also called Stream) for a one-off fee of £35 (sometimes they have offers on). It includes most of the main freeview channels, plus more at no extra monthly cost. All the main streaming apps are there (discovery+ is one exception) and you can subscribe to entertainment, sports, cinema, kids etc channels one month at a time if you wish.

The drawbacks:
It only works with Virgin's own broadband
If you leave Virgin, you need to send the box back
Virgin broadband is usually more expensive than the budget broadband providers.

HaroldWhistler

WillPS said:

firesidemaid said:

@WillPS

This is all really helpful (and sort of what I had feared / accepted) that generally app-based means no live TV 😬 1st world problem I know.

So all, what about NOW TV as an option - have had it before (seemed live to me) but was in a different house that may have had an actual aerial 😅

Now isn't really an optimal live viewing platform - it's getting better, but it only has a dozen 'entertainment' channels (mostly from Sky themselves, with a couple of big name pay ones like Gold, MTV and Comedy Central). It's there, and it works, but it's not really the best experience if you're used to flicking about. This is all aside from the fact it costs money (£10 per month if you're not careful, but not nothing beyond a free trial).

The biggest issue with using apps for live TV is that each broadcaster/service has their own one - there's no EPG currently which allows you to flick between them all like you might be used to from the Sky EPG.

In order for us to help you we need to know which channels you actually watch a lot of. If, for example, most of your viewing is between one or two of BBC, ITV and Channel 4 (incl E4, More4, Film4 and 4seven) then it might well be viable to stick with apps; but otherwise I would say as a minimum you need either a decent Freeview or Freesat setup which you can then 'top up' with apps.

Agreed.

A possible alternative to a Firestick might be an Apple TV 4K box. It's very quick to launch and switch between apps. And until the Freely service offers an App on the Firestick, Apple or existing/all brands of Smart TVs, you can technically use the "TV Launcher" app (a one off cost) as an EPG guide on the Apple. It's not quite as seamless as a Sky or Freeview TV Guide, but still lets you tap on an item in the TV guide for information, and in most cases when you select a programme, it automatically opens up the relevant app and live Channel feed for you for live TV or the specific programme from the past. You can also use the voice assistant from the Apple Home Screen or within any app and say a channel name (e.g. "BBC One Live", or 'ITV1 Live") and it opens that up too. That additional Launcher app apparently does show the Freeview channels and Sky/NOW channels if you have a NOW TV Subscription as well. 

The ideal world is when the Freely service becomes available via all existing Smart TVs and smart devices. And I guess in the future for there to be a "Guide" button that instantly works with that service. The BT (EE) TV service and Sky Stream have that Guide button, but are monthly subscription services even if going for the standard Freeview channels without extras. 

 

tayjoh

What about remy types plug and play 

JSmithy45AD

Alpha_5 said:

If you have broadband with Virgin, they offer a streaming box (also called Stream) for a one-off fee of £35 (sometimes they have offers on). It includes most of the main freeview channels, plus more at no extra monthly cost. All the main streaming apps are there (discovery+ is one exception) and you can subscribe to entertainment, sports, cinema, kids etc channels one month at a time if you wish.

The drawbacks:
It only works with Virgin's own broadband
If you leave Virgin, you need to send the box back
Virgin broadband is usually more expensive than the budget broadband providers.

I have one and it's quite good.

One other positive is that you manage your subscriptions (if you take any) yourself via your online account, so no need to try and phone Virgin. They're all rolling monthly deals.

I would disagree on the cost of VM broadband as although it may be a bit dearer than the very cheapest budget ones it is generally much faster (especially if you have O2 mobile) which makes it better value. This is on deals obviously, but the equivalent of £21 a month for 280Mbps on Volt for me is good value.