TheaterFire

What sort of TV package do you have?

Posted by Old-Amphibian416@reddit | AskUK | View on Reddit | 90 comments

I've always had sky but find it too expensive. Other than going down to the 5 basic channels, what other options are there?

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90 Comments

Robotadept@reddit

Dodgy stick best £40 I’ve spent
View on Reddit #59642206

LemmysCodPiece@reddit

You can get all the moody streams that they offer for free.
View on Reddit #59643319

BronzePleb@reddit

How do you go about doing this? I'm tired of spending 50 odd quid for buffering constantly.
View on Reddit #59644005

Kyla_3049@reddit

Sideload apps. Streamsfire has similar issues but it's free and you install it on your own fire stick.
View on Reddit #67872082

LemmysCodPiece@reddit

Google is your friend.
View on Reddit #59650702

Tenpin-Tower462@reddit

Fire stick package I do pay for Netflix and prime separately. Oh and I pay for my tv licence. No idea why as I don’t have an aerial or a dish. Worth binning?
View on Reddit #59642041

Kyla_3049@reddit

You should get one from Amazon and sideload apps on it. It's £40 on sale and it's yours forever. I like HDO Box and OnStream best, and those are free.
View on Reddit #67871979

Grouchy-Nobody3398@reddit

You will still a tv license if anything you watch on Netflix or prime is being live streamed in real time, such as sport or news channels.
View on Reddit #59642280

Tenpin-Tower462@reddit

I don’t watch live stuff or news on Netflix or prime Guess I need it for the fire stick, even though it’s about 2 minutes behind?
View on Reddit #59642877

UnacceptableUse@reddit

If you're stealing TV with the fire stick I don't know why you would worry about paying a TV license. That's like walking out of a restaurant without paying for the meal but still tipping the waiter
View on Reddit #59643949

Tenpin-Tower462@reddit

Yeah fair point 🤣 Wouldn’t even know how to cancel it, or if it’s worth the hassle. They’ve taken a DD for decades but I haven’t seen any paperwork
View on Reddit #59644123

MDK1980@reddit

TV licence isn't for a dish or aerial, it's for *any* live broadcast TV.
View on Reddit #59642432

Tenpin-Tower462@reddit

Yeah but I meant if there’s a licensing van in the area, surely a house with no dish or aerial won’t be high on their list of priorities for a spot check? Irrelevant anyway. As I’ve got a licence
View on Reddit #59642916

UnacceptableUse@reddit

Even if they do a spot check, you aren't watching live TV are you? So it doesn't matter, and you aren't required to even let them in your house
View on Reddit #59643900

Tenpin-Tower462@reddit

Technically I’m not, but I’m sure it would still be classed as ‘live TV’ even if there’s a new minutes delay
View on Reddit #59644086

EvilTaffyapple@reddit

Dodgy firestick, obviously. Who is paying for every package when you can get them all?
View on Reddit #59641949

Kyla_3049@reddit

Get a regular one from Amazon when they're on sale and sideload some apps onto it like Bee TV, OnStream, HDO Box, but make sure to only use those apps to watch public domain content ;-) The IPTV guys can F off.
View on Reddit #67871774

Mountain_Brush_6185@reddit

Dodgy firestick
View on Reddit #59641803

Kyla_3049@reddit

But don't get one from someone providing a preloaded one. Get a regular one from Amazon when they're on sale and sideload some apps onto it like Bee TV, OnStream, HDO Box. I do not endorse piracy. Only use those sites to watch public domain content.
View on Reddit #67871528

borokish@reddit

Boom!
View on Reddit #59643412

Kyla_3049@reddit

None. Streaming services let you watch whatever you want, whenever you want, and Freesat+Now TV are cheaper than Sky and give you basically everything if you want traditional TV.
View on Reddit #67871209

trmetroidmaniac@reddit

Mate I don't even have a tv license
View on Reddit #59642192

AtomicDioxide@reddit

Same here; tv isn’t worth watching these days
View on Reddit #59642600

Bernardozila@reddit

I mostly agree, except for live sports
View on Reddit #59648879

AtomicDioxide@reddit

Eh, go to the pub for that, spend the money on pints instead of the tv licence😂
View on Reddit #59838619

Mdl8922@reddit

This is the way. I genuinely know more without licences than with.
View on Reddit #59643830

ConsciouslyIncomplet@reddit

No TV licence + Netflix. The ‘High Seas’ for any specialist. Total = £8.99 a month.
View on Reddit #59676516

BangkokLondonLights@reddit

IPTV on Apple TV.
View on Reddit #59642139

AEHBlandalorian@reddit

What app are you using mate? I’ve never had a lot of luck with a decent IPTV app on my Apple TV.
View on Reddit #59643983

BangkokLondonLights@reddit

SwipTV.
View on Reddit #59666921

AEHBlandalorian@reddit

I’ll check it out, thanks a lot.
View on Reddit #59670613

EuroSong@reddit

None. I only watch **two** programmes per year on live TV: the Eurovision Song Contest, and the King’s Speech at Christmas. Everything else is on streaming. Were it not for Eurovision, I would have stopped paying my TV licence several years ago.
View on Reddit #59649970

TSC-99@reddit

Omfg they’d be the two things I’d avoid first all year.
View on Reddit #59661937

iamabigtree@reddit

It's not 5 basic channels and hasn't been for over a decade. Freeview has lots of channels beyond the traditional 5. Add to that any subscriptions such as Netflix, Prime Video etc. you won't be short of stuff to watch
View on Reddit #59641909

New_Pop_8911@reddit

Freeview was launched in 2002, how does op not know of its existence?
View on Reddit #59643015

Old-Amphibian416@reddit (OP)

I'm old
View on Reddit #59646178

85NH@reddit

You say on 1 post your 44 then on another post you say you’re 12 years from retirement (55) but even at them ages surely you’d know about freeview which has existed for 20+ years. Unless you work for Sky and are trying to find out dodgy IPTV providers to take down.
View on Reddit #59651266

HenshinDictionary@reddit

And more importantly, "the 5 basic channels" were abolished 15 years ago with the digital switchover. It was incredibly well-publicised at the time.
View on Reddit #59648055

New_Pop_8911@reddit

It's also been virtually impossible to buy a TV without Freeview built in in the last 10 years
View on Reddit #59648273

iamabigtree@reddit

Indeed and I was counting only from when analogue switch off occurred where the final transmitters to shut down were in 2012. So it's been impossible to only get 5 channels since then.
View on Reddit #59647972

LifeMasterpiece6475@reddit

Don't watch live TV so I don't need a TV licence. Get everything you need on YouTube, DVD and catch up as long as you don't use iPlayer.
View on Reddit #59642394

OrganicMemories@reddit

It’s not just restricted to iPlayer.
View on Reddit #59644955

HenshinDictionary@reddit

Yes it is. You only need a TV license for live TV and the iPlayer. https://www.tvlicensing.co.uk/check-if-you-need-one?utm_source=website&utm_medium=homepagelink&utm_content=check_button In my experience most people who oppose the TV license are doing so because they're paying for one they don't need.
View on Reddit #59648110

LifeMasterpiece6475@reddit

Its live tv and iPlayer, live means transmitted to everyone at the same time. All other catching up services don't require a license.
View on Reddit #59645191

HenshinDictionary@reddit

Freeview HD via my Smart TV. That's enough for me. > Other than going down to the 5 basic channels Analogue TV closed between 2009 and 2012, depending on your region. It was replaced by Freeview, which has like 100 channels.
View on Reddit #59648009

-TheHumorousOne-@reddit

IPTV. Saves me having to buy Sky with Sky sports and TNT added, Prime Video, Netflix and Disney plus.
View on Reddit #59647212

starsandbribes@reddit

No aerial connection in my living room. I’ve got the TV Guide app on my Apple TV which shows me the schedule of programming then just jumps to the right app (iPlayer, NOW TV Sky Max etc) if theres something “live” I want to see. Other than that just streaming services.
View on Reddit #59645552

OrganicMemories@reddit

None. We have access to freeview channels but it’s not even tuned in on the tv. Streaming + channel apps like iPlayer, ITVX etc cover the rest.
View on Reddit #59645020

SirDickButtFarts@reddit

I paid for the fully sky package a couple years back and used it on maybe once every other month. Frankly, it’s hard to see why live TV remains so popular. Video on demand isn't just the future, it's the present.
View on Reddit #59644085

morecbt@reddit

I don’t pay for anything. Do not watch any live tv. Just YouTube. Currently got 30 day free trial of Amazon so watching what on that but will cancel before it gets billed.
View on Reddit #59643998

NoisyGog@reddit

I have a tiny little PC, with a big dumb screen, and I use iPlayer, ITVX, 4OD, Disney +, TNT Sports, Prime, Netflix, Nebula, and nowTV. I’m an outlier, I know. I have my music collection the mini PC, too, connected to some decent speakers, as well as Spotify. Even further into the outlier category, I have the audio running through a couple of compressors in series to transparently reduce the difference between really loud and really quiet tv and films (so transparently that my wife doesn’t know or care about it, except for mentioning a few times in conversations with people that “tv is much better these days, you used to always have to turn it up and down because one minute it was too loud, and the next minute you could barely hear them speak, but now it’s much better, isn’t it?”)
View on Reddit #59643784

kipha01@reddit

O channels, I haven't had a TV since 2003.
View on Reddit #59643660

Sad_Pea2301@reddit

A lovely 80 feet long Brigantine.
View on Reddit #59643621

Rednwh195m@reddit

People have said freeview, the bus service of TV channels. Miss a programme and it will be along in an hour, or a bit later, if you miss that maybe a few days later and if you are really lucky a few weeks and then every month after that.
View on Reddit #59643392

wondered-bongo@reddit

Don't have one. The computer is connected to the tv, so I have Amazon, Netflix, and YouTube through that
View on Reddit #59643350

Blandiblub@reddit

Still using my YouView box for Freeview but am recording far less than I used to (which means I'm watching far less broadcast TV than I used to).
View on Reddit #59643349

Sad-Garage-2642@reddit

Netflix and Disney Free versions of All 4 and ITVX
View on Reddit #59643341

BCF13@reddit

I only use YouTube Premium now. I live alone and was watching less and less mainstream tv or tv in general tbh. With the cost of the TV license + streaming, I went cold turkey and went to YouTube instead. I got Premium after a week or so as the ads were doing my head in. There’s so much content, more than I can keep up with on the channels I subscribe to. I don’t miss regular TV or streaming (Amazon/Neflix) at all, but obviously everyone is different.
View on Reddit #59642276

LemmysCodPiece@reddit

I have YTP too. I have other streaming services, but YTP is the only one I wouldn't cancel.
View on Reddit #59643275

HolbeckMax@reddit

Other than Freeview I use Cruchyroll and then I cycle through streaming services (Netflix, Disney etc) every few months as there is too much to watch and I found I was paying for a service I didn't use. If I see something I want to watch I'll make a note which will determine which streaming service to pay for next. However, I avoid Prime, though there is a fair amount on it's free output if you don't mind waiting. I do pay the TV licence as I get pissed off if I end up working for free and don't expect others to do so either.
View on Reddit #59643226

LemmysCodPiece@reddit

I have Netflix, Prime Video (but only because it is free with Prime), Disney + and Youtube Premium. I have 3 TVs, each with a Google Chromecast. I do not have a TV licence as I don't use the iPlayer. I know I am supposed to have a TV Licence to watch "live streams" on any platform, but that is completely unenforceable. I also have a Jellyfin media server that lets me watch my considerable DVD/Bluray collection that I have ripped to hard drives. This is great for the rare occasion that the internet goes down.
View on Reddit #59643188

Working_Document_541@reddit

We use Freeview, which we watch... About an hour or two a year. Wife has Polish satellite, which we pay £6pm and for an extra £12 (roughly) we can get sport, for another £30 and we could get the larger package of which there would be about 300+channels of nothing to watch.. We have netflix, paramount, Disney and prime.. but we also have BBC, itvx and the channel 4od if we need it. If anything we are spoilt for choice.
View on Reddit #59643176

Lazy-Kaleidoscope179@reddit

Virgin basic package because you need to have that to get sky sports with them. Only pay £60 a month for tv, sky sports, fibre broadband and netflix.
View on Reddit #59642971

hsw77@reddit

Only
View on Reddit #59643139

thatscotbird@reddit

None! I have a smart tv with plenty apps & it’s own channels on it. Like… an entire channel for Baywatch & Ice Road truckers lol. Channels 1-5 you can “watch live” through the apps, plus ITV2 etc. Then we have Netflix & Prime, I subscribe to Paramount plus occasionally then cancel when I’m done - got it recently for Yellow Jackets & Moblands but now they’re done, I’ve recently cancelled.
View on Reddit #59642875

JakeGrey@reddit

KTorrent, when I can be bothered to watch stuff at all.
View on Reddit #59642617

DropDeadDigsy@reddit

A dodgy stick (hello officer)
View on Reddit #59642553

BarnesyBorr@reddit

I use a mix of Freeview and my mother in law lets me use the sky go app on my xbox.
View on Reddit #59642548

DigitalStefan@reddit

YouTube Premium
View on Reddit #59642519

djashjones@reddit

Depends on the pub, lol.
View on Reddit #59642475

S1nnah2@reddit

Freeview and steal any content from US streaming services.
View on Reddit #59642409

SubYorkshire@reddit

As in the cardboard packaging that came with the TV? 🤣 Only kidding, I stream everything via Netflix / Disney+ etc
View on Reddit #59642391

cgknight1@reddit

None at all - never have.
View on Reddit #59642329

Acrylic_Starshine@reddit

You get a freeview tv or box and just stream the stuff you want
View on Reddit #59642299

Stunning-Attention81@reddit

Pikey stick. Amazon and netflix too
View on Reddit #59642223

TulipTatsyrup@reddit

I don't have a TV.
View on Reddit #59642184

my__socrates__note@reddit

>5 basic channels What year are you going back to?
View on Reddit #59641833

Old-Amphibian416@reddit (OP)

Isn't that what you get if you don't have sky
View on Reddit #59641985

Downtown_Economy9435@reddit

Have you actually been living under a rock since the 80s? There are 100+ freeview channels https://thechannellist.com/freeview-channel-list/
View on Reddit #59642165

Trifusi0n@reddit

No. Freeview has existed for over 20 years. It has 70+ channels.
View on Reddit #59642114

thecuriousiguana@reddit

No. Freeview has loads of channels. We use a combination of Freeview plus subscription streamers like Netflix, Apple and Disney. The advantage of the streamers is there's no minimum term. So you can subscribe for a month or two, watch the stuff you want, then switch to another to catch up on what they have. Now TV is cheaper than Sky and can give you Sky Atlantic and even Sky Sports if you want it.
View on Reddit #59642092

my__socrates__note@reddit

Maybe in the 90s. If you want to keep using your dish, freesat is an option : https://www.freesat.co.uk/channels?srsltid=AfmBOorY-4y699Fm0SyAMRCnYWT__tF099gZYAksGth12bnLxouhym2R
View on Reddit #59642071

Motor_Possibility_22@reddit

Next we will hear OP is booking their holiday on teletext
View on Reddit #59642093

gaz19833@reddit

You're aware that tons of free basic channels are available through the arial now?
View on Reddit #59642016

Voodoopulse@reddit

I'm on the dodgy firestick crew as well
View on Reddit #59641973

Numerous_Ticket_7628@reddit

The full bhoona.
View on Reddit #59641962

Gryeg@reddit

Box of bootleg DVDs
View on Reddit #59641896

SquareAfternoon4841@reddit

I cut the cord a decade ago. Just use my dish for freesat. Got a tv with a receiver built in and that’s it. The £££ still go to streaming services. But not sky. And I just have the ad based packages which now has reduced the cost a lot.
View on Reddit #59641895

TWOITC@reddit

Freeview, Freesat or Freely.
View on Reddit #59641787

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