If you’re a UK resident interested in watching TV without a licence – also known as cord-cutting – you’ll be pleased to know that recent years have seen a surge in streaming providers. This includes a growing number of local alternatives and improved British programming from international brands.
In this article, we’ll cover some free and paid streaming services for internet TV available to viewers in the UK. While not all are based primarily in the UK, many offer a wealth of British content to keep you entertained.
Free streaming services
Keep your monthly costs down by choosing free options with a surprisingly deep pool of content. You can thank institutions like the BBC and Channel 4 for that.
1. BBC iPlayer
BBC iPlayer is a streaming platform from the UK’s primary public broadcaster, the BBC. It’s a great way to catch popular shows like “Line of Duty” or “Strictly Come Dancing”. BBC iPlayer is available as a free, ad-free platform for UK residents who have a TV licence. However, you can still use it to watch on-demand content without a TV licence, as long as you’re not watching live TV or BBC iPlayer exclusives.
2. All 4
All 4 (formerly 4oD) is Channel 4’s streaming service, offering a mix of live TV and on-demand content. It’s entirely free and ad-supported. All 4 features a wide range of British content, including popular shows like “Gogglebox” and “The Great British Bake Off”, as well as a selection of international programming.
3. ITV Hub
ITV Hub is ITV’s free streaming service, offering a combination of live TV and on-demand content. Like All 4, it’s ad-supported and provides access to popular British shows such as “Coronation Street” and “Love Island”. You can also upgrade to ITV Hub+ for an ad-free experience and additional features.
4. My5
My5 is the on-demand streaming service from Channel 5. It offers a mix of original content, popular shows, and documentaries. My5 is free to use and ad-supported, providing access to shows like “The Yorkshire Vet” and “Neighbours”.
5. YouTube
YouTube may be organized differently than platforms like Netflix or Now TV, but the sheer quantity and quality of content available makes it an inevitable contender for both free and paid content.
For the majority of users, YouTube is a great way to find free content from independent creators, international producers, and more. You will have to watch ads, of course, especially with popular content. But with YouTube Premium, UK viewers gain access to a paid tier that removes advertising and provides access to YouTube Originals.
6. UKTV Play
UKTV Play is a free streaming service that offers content from channels like Dave, Yesterday, and Drama. It’s ad-supported and provides access to a variety of British shows, including “Taskmaster” and “Red Dwarf”.
Paid streaming services
For many years, paid streaming services offered a limited variety in the UK. Changes are already well underway, thanks in part to newer brands providing support and increased competition.
1. Netflix
Netflix is the number-one force in the world of video streaming. New TV shows and movies are added every week, and the UK library is quite extensive.
Netflix in the UK is growing and appears committed to more local programming. In fact, Netflix
announced plans to start declaring its UK revenue to HMRC, showing its commitment to the British market.
Subscription cost:
- Basic: 1 simultaneous stream for £5.99/month
- Standard: 2 simultaneous streams for £9.99/month
- Premium: 4 simultaneous streams for £13.99/month
2. Now TV
Now TV is Sky’s streaming service, offering a variety of passes for different types of content. You can choose from Entertainment, Cinema, Sports, and Kids passes, allowing you to customize your streaming experience.
Subscription cost:
- Entertainment Pass: £9.99/month
- Cinema Pass: £11.99/month
- Sports Pass: various options available
- Kids Pass: £3.99/month
3. Amazon Prime Video UK
Prime Video is available as part of
Amazon Prime, which means that if you have a Prime account, you can access Prime Video. This also means that Prime provides the largest variety of services at its price point with free delivery, access to music via Amazon Music, and literary content via Prime Reading.
A subscription to Prime costs £7.99 per month or £79 per year. Like Now TV, you can also upgrade your Prime Video account with optional add-ons. These provide access to additional content from specialty channels like Shudder and Acorn TV.
Subscription cost:
- Amazon Prime: £7.99/month or £79/year
4. BritBox
Founded by the BBC and ITV,
BritBox is an extensive collection of British television shows from the UK’s main public broadcasters. That means loads of content from dozens of shows like the classic whodunit “Midsomer Murders”, hit period drama “Downton Abbey”, and its original inspiration, “Upstairs, Downstairs”. In addition to the archives, you’ll also gain access to new episodes of hit shows like “EastEnders” and “Coronation Street” shortly after they air.
Subscription cost:
5. Disney+
With
Disney+, you gain access to Disney’s massive existing catalogue and their new Star hub. Designed as a counterpoint to their main library of family-friendly fare, Star pulls together titles from big studios like 20th Century, Searchlight Pictures, and more.
You can watch Disney’s film library and new hits like “The Mandalorian”, plus international exclusives within the Star hub.
Subscription cost:
- Basic: £7.99/month or £79.90/year
6. Apple TV+
Apple TV+ is Apple’s streaming service, offering a range of original content. While its library is smaller than some competitors, it includes critically acclaimed shows like “Ted Lasso” and “The Morning Show”.
Subscription cost:
TV antenna for Freeview
While most broadcasters don’t use over-the-air broadcasting to deliver content these days, it remains accessible for many local channels through Freeview. Simply purchase a
Freeview-compatible TV or set-top box, and you can access a wide range of free-to-air channels without a TV licence, as long as you’re not watching live TV.
Summary
No-cost and paid services both have their own unique advantages, offering your choice of savings and variety. International services like Netflix and Disney+ have expanded availability, while competitors like Now TV and BritBox are certainly making waves with their available content.
Watching TV without a licence is easier than ever in the UK. You can assemble a varied lineup of shows and films from a variety of sources, whether you want to watch old favourites or see the latest hits. If you haven’t checked in a while, you may be surprised to see all the alternatives to traditional TV – and how affordable they are.
To enhance your streaming experience, consider upgrading your viewing device. The
HP Pavilion x360 14-ek1010na Convertible Touchscreen Laptop is an excellent choice for those who want flexibility in their viewing setup. With its 360-degree hinge, you can easily switch between laptop and tablet mode, making it perfect for streaming content in any position.
For those who prefer a larger screen, the
HP Pavilion 32-b1001na 4K All-in-One offers a stunning 31.5-inch 4K display, perfect for immersing yourself in your favourite shows and movies. Its built-in speakers and sleek design make it an ideal entertainment centre for your home.
No matter which streaming services you choose, having the right device can make all the difference in your viewing experience. Explore
HP’s range of laptops and
desktop computers to find the perfect match for your streaming needs.
About the Author
Dwight Pavlovic is a contributing writer for HP Tech Takes. Dwight is a music and technology writer based out of West Virginia.