Guide · TV & satellite
Freeview, Freesat, Sky or Freely?
There are now four main ways to watch TV in the UK, and they need different things on your roof or in your router. Here's how they compare, and how to choose the one that suits your home, your signal and your budget.
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The short answer
If you have a good aerial signal and want free TV, Freeview is the simplest choice. If your aerial signal is weak, which is common across the Fens and in some coastal and valley areas, Freesat gives a reliable free picture from a small dish. If you want premium sport and films, Sky is the main subscription option. And if you have fast, reliable broadband and a newer TV, Freely lets you watch live channels over the internet.
Freeview
Freeview comes through a TV aerial and needs no subscription. It's built into almost every TV sold in the UK, and in most areas includes the main channels in HD. Freeview Play adds on-demand catch-up if the TV is connected to the internet.
- Needs: a TV aerial pointed at the right transmitter
- Running cost: none beyond the TV licence
- Best for: homes with a good signal, and every TV in the house
- Watch out for: areas far from a mast or shadowed by hills and trees, where reception can be unreliable
Rather talk it through? Call or WhatsApp and a local engineer will give you a straight answer.
Freesat
Freesat comes from the same satellites as Sky, at 28.2° east, through a small dish. It needs no subscription and isn't affected by distance from a TV mast, which makes it a good choice where Freeview struggles. You need a Freesat box or a TV with Freesat built in.
- Needs: a dish with a clear view to the south-east
- Running cost: none beyond the TV licence
- Best for: weak Freeview areas, second TVs, homes that already have a dish
- Watch out for: trees or buildings in the way, and rules about dishes in conservation areas
Sky
Sky is the main pay-TV service, with sport, films and entertainment channels on top of the free ones. Sky Q uses a dish, while Sky's newer streaming products deliver everything over broadband. We're independent: we fit, move, align and repair dishes and add extra room feeds, while subscriptions are arranged with Sky directly.
- Needs: a dish for Sky Q, or reliable broadband for streaming
- Running cost: monthly subscription
- Best for: premium sport and films
- Watch out for: Sky Q needs the right type of LNB on the dish
Freely
Freely launched in 2024 from the organisation behind Freeview, owned by the BBC, ITV, Channel 4 and 5. It streams live channels over broadband through a guide that looks like normal TV, and it's built into many new TVs. An aerial is optional, but connecting one gives you the fullest range of channels.
- Needs: a compatible TV and broadband of at least 10 Mbps
- Running cost: none beyond the TV licence and broadband
- Best for: homes with fast, stable broadband and new TVs
- Watch out for: slow or patchy broadband, which is still common in rural East Anglia
Which suits your home?
You live on the Fens or a long way from a mast
Freesat is often the most reliable free option, because the satellite signal isn't affected by distance. Many homes around Wisbech, March, Downham Market and the Norfolk coast use Freesat for the main TV.
You live in a conservation area or listed building
A dish may not be allowed on the front of the house. Freeview through a discreet or loft aerial, or Freely over broadband, can be simpler. See our guide to satellite dish planning rules.
You want TV in every room
Freeview distributed from one aerial is usually the cheapest way to feed several rooms. For satellite in several rooms, a multi-output LNB and a cable to each box does the job.
Your broadband is slow
Stick with an aerial or a dish for live TV. Streaming services, including Freely and Sky's broadband products, need a reliable connection, especially if several people are streaming at once.
Using more than one
You don't have to choose just one. A common set-up is Freeview on every TV, Freesat or Sky on the main TV, and catch-up apps through the internet. We can run aerial, satellite and network cables to the same wall plate so every option is available.
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FAQ
Common questions
Free advice, no obligation. Tell us your postcode and what's wrong.
Call 0800 151 2978Is Freeview being switched off?
No. The government has committed to Freeview continuing until at least 2034. Freely, which streams the same channels over broadband, is growing alongside it rather than replacing it overnight.
Can I have Freeview and Freesat in the same house?
Yes. Many homes use Freeview on some TVs and Freesat on others, or have both connected to the main TV. We can run aerial and satellite cables to the same wall plate.
Do I need a dish for Sky?
Not always. Sky Q uses a dish, but Sky's streaming products deliver TV over broadband instead. If you want a dish-based service, we fit, move and align dishes for Sky and Freesat.
Picture problems or security worries? Talk to an engineer.
Call or WhatsApp for free advice and a price over the phone.