Bought a rubbish TCL tv because it was cheap... doesn't have an app for freeview and have to use an aerial for it (no chance of that working where I am) - what's the best option to get freeview these days? Firestick?
Posted by _Starwind@reddit | AskUK | View on Reddit | 27 comments
[removed]
justwhy33333@reddit
I've gone through a dozen providers this year and half of them are just laggy resellers. I settled on AlwaysTivi recently because the uptime is actually consistent during big events, which is where most services fail. It's definitely one of the few that actually works in 2026 without constant buffering.
davus_maximus@reddit
Freeview app? Wtf is a Freeview app? Freeview is just a collective name for digital broadcast TV received over an aerial. That's normal.
Freeview Plus might have some kind of app but why bother when virtually all channels have streaming apps?
Whole-Strawberry3281@reddit
I assume op means freely, which is live tellestrial tv via internet so you don't need aerial cable. I have it as renting and often don't have aerial cable where I want the tv
coops2k@reddit
I've got a Roku soundbar and just recently upgraded my old HD Firestick to a 4K Max because I've got a new TV. The new Firestick is really good.
TCL_Official_UK@reddit
Are you referring to Freely? We have those on Fire TV versions - If you can't get a specific app I would recommend getting a firestick
_Starwind@reddit (OP)
Looks like that is the only option, thanks for commenting. Tried an aeriel and the signal isn't great, no iPlayer, so deciding between a firestick and roku stick now.
TCL_Official_UK@reddit
Just bare in mind fire sticks don't have freely either you will need to just create accounts on individual apps aswell - you can try updating your TV aswell (this may unlock bbc iplayer)
rossburton@reddit
Run a long length of coax between the aerial socket and your TV? You can pin it to the skirting or under the carpet...
Alternatively, I think the Roku sticks are better than the Amazon Fire sticks.
Beartato4772@reddit
Assuming you have an aerial socket.
Or in my case that you have one but no-one ever thought to run a cable between it and the aerial.
Martipar@reddit
I have a Fire TV Stick, My Mum has a Roku Stick. I do prefer the Roku however hers has a common bug where the remote goes flat after a few days. She uses rechargeable AA batteries and they last 3 days, I can't recall how long non-rechargeables worked but swapping batteries every 3 days is better than buying new batteries every 4 or 5. My Fire Stick isn't bad by any stretch but the REoku seems to have a better UI and responsiveness.
As far as I know Roku have still not fixed the remote problem and they just recommend buying their rechargeable remote which isn't a solution.
Over-Language2599@reddit
I have 2 Roku sticks one 4K one not, and neither remote has this problem.
I have also had a Fire Stick, they both do the job but I prefer the Roku overall.
Martipar@reddit
https://support.roku.com/en-gb/
https://www.reddit.com/r/Roku/comments/zxg1zs/roku_remote_battery_drain_is_a_known_hardware/
There are a lot of links that now point to a blank Roku page which is a shame. Maybe they have fixed it on more recent devices but if my Mum's Roku dies i'll just pass on my Fire Stick. I've barely used it recently as i've got a PC under my TV now, the one i'm using to write this comment, and I generally use that instead of shutting it down to use the Fire Stick.
Over-Language2599@reddit
Both mine are permanently powered on, which seems likely to remove one possible cause. If there was (also?) a hardware bug then mine don't have it, or if it was firmware then it's been updated, I suppose. Mine are both fairly recent.
Martipar@reddit
My Mum's is on all the time too, that is it's powered, she also watches TV via her DVR, the Roku is mostly used when i'm there or she's watching something on Paramount+
Far_Kaleidoscope_102@reddit
They made the standard fire sticks shit so your arm is twisted to get the max version.
I always wondered why Alexa was so stupid, now with Alexa plus (which is excellent) it’s so they can twist your arm to pay the premium for it.
They all do it..ring is another example.
nivlark@reddit
There is no "freeview app". Any TV requires an aerial to receive broadcast TV.
No iPlayer is shit though, based on the BBC's supported devices page only listing three 2026 models for TCL it seems it's a common issues with their TVs. If I had to guess it's some dumb licensing/copyright issue.
That_Organization901@reddit
Man, we used to have a 4-way booster on the far side spare room that ran aerial cables round that room, across the hall, and into the other 2 bedrooms.
There was the same thing running from the kitchen, round the room, and through the wall into the living room for that telly.
Still couldn’t get channel 5, even when freeview came out, but I’m pretty sure you can just pop to the big supermarket and still get a fair wedge of tv antenna cable and some of them tacks to tick it into the skirting board.
sheepandlambs@reddit
You seem confused as to what Freeview is. Freeview is normal TV. The stuff that comes via the aerial. It is only available via the aerial.
Any TV made in the last 15-20 years will have Freeview support. I refuse to believe yours does not.
Educational_Worth906@reddit
I picked up a used Apple TV 4K first gen for about £60. It’s so much better than the newer Firestick it’s replacing. I wish I’d bought it years ago.
Agitated-Drive7695@reddit
Roku is pretty good.
IpromithiusI@reddit
Update the firmware on it - iplayer wasn't initially available on my TCL until I did this, it does vary by model but you might just be missing the latest software.
ThrowRAMomVsGF@reddit
I've never seen a TV with a built in "Freeview app"...
MercatorLondon@reddit
I would buy 2nd hand Apple TV.
ADH02@reddit
The only thing you can use to get actual freeview over wifi is the Manhatten Aero which costs about £70
Sad_Interaction_2933@reddit
What do you mean doesn’t have a freeview app? That’s just a way to consolidate some of the on-demand apps like iPlayer. You’ve always needed an aerial, cable or satellite for live broadcast freeview. Very recently there’s freely which I think lets you stream broadcast TV but I don’t think that is very common yet. You should be able to get the individual on-demand apps on your TV.
Peppy_Tomato@reddit
This might help:
https://www.freeview.co.uk/get-freeview/products
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