How To Get Freeview On Smart TV Without Aerial?

Freeview is the biggest TV platform in the UK where you can watch some of the most popular channels, like BBC and ITV, for free.

If you’re wondering how to get Freeview on a smart TV without an aerial and what alternatives you have at your disposal, read on.

Do You Need an Aerial For Freeview?

The answer depends on where and how you want to access Freeview.

You need an aerial to receive Freeview live on TV through the TV Guide.

However, you can watch certain content through an internet connection on a Freeview Play TV, or on mobile phones and tablets through the Freeway app. If you want to access Freeview through your computer, you can do so via Freeview’s official website.

How To Get Freeview on Smart TV Without Aerial?

There are several ways to get Freeview without an aerial, all of which require an internet connection.

Thus, before you try any of them, make sure to connect your smart TV to the Internet. 

• Kodi

Kodi is a free, open-source application that allows users to control their media –everything from photos, music, videos, and movies– from a central hub. 

Since it’s open-source, there are countless Kodi add-ons and plug-ins that can be found to watch content online, one of which is Freeview.

To watch Freeview without aerial via Kodi, you’ll first need to download the Kodi app on your smart TV through Google Play.

Once you do, you can get a Freeview add-on, through an external repository, to get access to some of the provider’s content.

• Google Chromecast

The streaming media adapter Chromecast lets users access online content like video and music on digital TV. The adapter is a dongle that plugs into an HDMI port and costs around £30.

To watch Freeview without an aerial through Google Chromecast, you’ll need to set up the device:

1. Download the ‘Google Home’ app on your phone or computer.
2. Plug the device into the TV’s HDMI port.
3. Connect the USB cord to the adapter and plug it into a power outlet.
4. Follow the instructions on the TV screen.

To cast Freeview from your phone to Chromecast TV:

1. Open the Freeview app on your phone.
2. Tap the ‘Cast’ icon in the top right corner of the screen.
3. Select the Chromecast device to connect the channels to the TV.

To stop the streaming, tap the ‘Cast’ icon and select ‘Stop Casting’.

If you’re using your PC to cast Freeview TV without aerial to Chromecast TV:

1. Open ‘Google Chrome’.
2. Go to the official Freeview website.
3. Click the Chrome menu that’s on the top right corner of your desktop.
4. Choose the ’Cast’ option.
5. Select the Chromecast device.

You can then browse the Freeview for content you want to watch with no aerial.

• Roku

 Roku is a company that makes hardware that streams media from the internet to your TV.

To access Freeview on a smart TV without an aerial via Roku, you’ll need to install the TVPlayer app:

1. Plug your Roku device into your TV.
2. Connect your device to your Wi-Fi and create an account.
3. Go to Roku’s channel store and click the Movies & TV category.
4. Search for ‘Freeview Play’ and install it.

• Amazon Fire TV Stick

The Amazon Fire TV stick is a media streaming device that you can use to install apps, play music, and stream video. 

You can watch Freeview without an aerial through the Fire TV Stick, but since the app is not available on Amazon, you’ll have to side-load it. 

Here’s how you can link Freeview to your smart TV without an aerial:

1. Plug the Amazon Fire TV Stick into the HDMI port on your TV.
2. Go to ‘Settings’ and enable ‘Apps from Unknown Sources’ and ‘USB Debugging’.
3. Install the Downloader app. (You can find a step-by-step guide on how to install the Downloader app here.)
4. Open the Downloader and insert the Freeview link in the URL section to install the app.

Freeview Alternatives

If you have a satellite TV, then you might want to consider the following alternatives:

• Sky

Unlike Freeview,  Sky TV only needs a satellite dish to do the job, so it’s a great choice for those that have no aerial and want to watch Freeview. 

If Sky TV is too pricey for you, here are some pocket-friendly Sky TV alternatives that are available in the UK.

• Freesat

Freesat is a free satellite TV that offers more than 200 channels, as well as some of the most popular on-demand services such as BBC iPlayer, YouTube, and Netflix. 

You can also access HD channels on Freesat, but you’ll need a TV with a Freesat HD tuner (DVB-S2), a set-top box, or PVP.

Bottom Line

If you want to watch Freeview live on TV through the TV Guide, you will need an aerial. But, if you’re wondering how to get Freeview on a smart TV without an aerial, the only way is through an Internet connection and devices like Roku, Amazon’s Fire Stick, or Google Chromecast. 

If all fails, you can consider Freeviews’ alternatives like Sky and Freesat, which require having a satellite dish.