How to watch live TV online (original) (raw)

Even with on-demand TV and catch-up TV services, there are still times when you’ll want to watch TV as it happens. If you’re away from home or your TV is in use, streaming live TV online is a convenient option.

Fortunately, watching live TV online on most devices is now easier than ever.

What you’ll need to stream live TV

You can watch live TV on laptops, desktop computers, smartphones and tablets, although some services are limited to specific devices.

Depending on the service, you can watch through a web browser or a dedicated app.

A stable internet connection is essential. Standard-definition streaming typically works with speeds of around 2-3Mbps, while higher-quality streams use up more bandwidth. Mobile data can be used, but streaming can quickly use up your allowance.

Finally, you’ll also need a TV licence. If you watch or stream live TV on any device, or watch anything on BBC iPlayer, you need a TV licence in the UK.

Streaming using provider apps

Even though streaming live TV is becoming more popular, not many channels are available online individually. If you already have a TV package, the easiest way to watch live TV online is usually through your provider’s app or website, which is often included with your subscription.

Most major providers offer their own streaming service, including:

Sky

With Sky Go, you can watch all the live channels included in your TV subscription on up to six registered devices. With a Sky Go subscription, you can stream on two devices, though you can register up to six devices.

Virgin Media

The Virgin TV Go app lets you stream live channels included in your package on multiple devices, with a limit on simultaneous viewing: up to five devices and two devices simultaneously. The limit applies to laptops, desktops, mobiles and tablets.

BT / EE

BT TV has been rebranded as EE TV. Both BT and EE broadband customers with a TV subscription can stream live channels through the EE TV app or the EE TV web player. You can register up to four devices per account and watch on up to two devices at the same time.

The channels available through EE TV depend entirely on your package. All packages include free-to-air channels and a recordable TV box.

• ‘Entertainment’ adds Sky Atlantic, Sky One and other Sky channels via NOW Entertainment, plus Netflix.
• ‘Sport’ and ‘Big Sport’ allow you to add TNT Sports and Sky Sports channels to your package, respectively.
• ‘Full Works’ includes all channels mentioned.

NOW

The channels you can stream from the NOW app also depend on your TV membership (such as Entertainment or Sports).

The NOW app can be used on up to five devices per account, including laptops, games consoles, tablets, smartphones, and set-top boxes. It only allows simultaneous viewing on three devices at a time, however, and some older devices can’t stream live TV.

Stream Freeview channels

Several Freeview channels are free to stream live online:

• BBC: Thanks to BBC iPlayer, you can watch over 10 BBC channels live online or through the app.
• ITV: ITVX lets you stream all six ITV channels live on their website or app, plus a rotating selection of ‘FAST’ channels, which stands for ‘Free Ad-supported TV’.
• Channel 4: Through the Channel 4 streaming service (previously called All 4), you can watch all six of Channel 4’s channels live online, either via the website or via the app.

Stream live sports

If you pay for premium sports channels like TNT Sports and Sky Sports, you probably don’t want to miss a single game. Luckily, both channels make it easy to watch your favourite matches no matter where you are.

Watch Sky Sports online

You can watch Sky Sports online through either Sky Go, or Sky Sports app and website, no matter who your TV provider is. Or, if you don’t want to download another app, you can watch it via services such as Sky Go, NOW or participating TV provider apps.

Watch TNT Sports (formerly BT Sport) online

TNT Sports can be streamed through the discovery+ app or via supported provider apps such as Virgin TV Go or the EE TV app, depending on your subscription. To sign in on your TV, follow the 'Sign in to discovery+' steps on TNT Sports via BT / EE.

Stream using other apps

There are also streaming sites and apps, such as Freely, that let you stream live TV across more channels. Some are free, but some cost money.

When using one of these services, make sure you choose a legal, non-pirated service. More and more ISPs are cracking down on illegal streaming and online piracy, and if you’re caught, you risk getting your service cut off, fines or even jail time.

Always make sure you use legal streaming services. With so many official options available, it’s not worth the risk.

Take a look at our latest TV deals from all the major digital TV providers and see which one is right for you.