Help & Advice

Modern TV is changing fast — streaming is growing, but we’re not fully wireless yet. Depending on your TV, you may still need an aerial, satellite dish, or coax cabling to watch live TV reliably.

Below is a simple breakdown of what each system needs in 2026.

1. Freeview TVs (DVB‑T / DVB‑T2)

To watch live Freeview channels in the normal way:

• You still need a TV aerial
• You still need a coax TV point
• Freeview tuners rely on RF broadcast signals, not internet
• Works even if your broadband goes down
• Ideal for homes with good transmitter coverage

Technical notes:

• Freeview HD uses DVB‑T2, which needs a clean, stable signal
• Water‑damaged or poorly aligned aerials reduce MER/BER quality
• Signal strength alone is not enough — signal quality matters more

2. Freesat TVs & Freesat Boxes (DVB‑S / DVB‑S2)

If your TV or box is Freesat‑enabled:

• You still need a satellite dish
• You still need coax cabling from the dish LNB
• Freesat is perfect for rural or weak Freeview areas
• Works independently of your internet connection

Technical notes:

• Uses DVB‑S2 for HD channels
• Requires the correct LNB type (Legacy, Hybrid, Wideband)
• Dish alignment must be precise — even a few mm off causes pixelation

3. Smart TVs (Apps & Streaming Services)

Smart TVs offer apps like iPlayer, ITVX, Channel 4, My5, Netflix, Prime, Disney+ and more.

• Apps can stream live channels, but not in the traditional channel‑hopping way
• Many older Smart TVs still need an aerial for normal live TV
• Streaming depends entirely on your internet speed and Wi‑Fi stability

Technical notes:

• Older TVs lose app support as manufacturers stop updates
• Wi‑Fi congestion causes buffering — Ethernet is always better
• Streaming HD needs 3–5 Mbps per TV
• Streaming 4K needs 25–30 Mbps per TV

4. Sky Digital (Sky Q, Sky HD, Sky+ & Sky Stream)

Sky Q / Sky HD / Sky+

• Still require a satellite dish
• Still require coax cabling
• Sky Q uses Wideband LNBs, not compatible with older Freesat unless Hybrid is fitted

Sky Stream

• No dish required
• Works entirely over the internet
• Needs stable broadband for smooth playback

5. Freely TVs (The New Free‑to‑Air Streaming Platform)

Freely is the newest way to watch Free‑to‑Air TV without an aerial.

• Not available on all new TVs yet
• Streams live BBC, ITV, Channel 4, Channel 5 over Wi‑Fi/Ethernet
• No aerial, no dish, no coax required
• Works like Freeview, but delivered via internet

Technical notes:

• Uses HbbTV 2.0.3 hybrid broadcast/streaming technology
• If your internet drops, all live TV stops
• Router quality and Wi‑Fi coverage make a big difference
• Link to Freely to see what TV`s are available 

Why You Should Still Install Coax Cabling

Even with Freely, Sky Stream, EE and app‑based TV:

• Coax is still the universal standard for Freeview, Freesat and Sky Q
• It works independently of your internet
• It provides a reliable backup if your broadband goes down
• It keeps your home compatible with older TVs, guest TVs, and future owners
• Coax is cheap to install during a build, expensive to retrofit later
• Aerial and satellite systems last 10–20 years with almost no maintenance

If you want honest guidance on what’s best to install in your home, 

give us a call today - our advice is always free.