For years, watching TV meant one thing: plugging an aerial into the back of your television.
But things have changed. With more TV being delivered over the internet, you no longer have to rely on an aerial for everything you watch.
So, if you’ve been searching for a solution to getting live TV but without the use of an aerial, satellite dish or traditional cable, what are your options?
Does TV need an aerial?
Not necessarily. If you’re watching traditional Freeview through your television’s aerial connection, then yes, you’ll need an aerial.
However, you can now watch live TV, catch-up TV and streaming services through your broadband connection instead. This is generally referred to as internet TV or TV over broadband.
And it’s exactly how the Wildanet TV box works.
What is TV over broadband?
Rather than receiving a TV signal through an aerial, TV over broadband uses your internet connection to deliver the content to your television. You may already be doing this without realising it.
If you’ve watched Netflix, BBC iPlayer or YouTube on your TV, you’ve already used your broadband to watch TV. The difference with services such as Freely is that you can also watch live TV over your broadband connection as it is broadcast.
With the Wildanet TV box, Freely delivers live TV directly to your television without needing an aerial, satellite dish or smart TV.
Can I watch Freeview without an aerial?
This is where the terminology can get a little confusing. Traditional Freeview is delivered through an aerial, so you can’t simply unplug your aerial and expect the normal Freeview service to carry on working in exactly the same way.
However, many of the programmes and channels you’re used to watching can be accessed through internet-based services, and Freely provides live TV over broadband as an alternative to traditional aerial TV. Freely is essentially Freeview, with access to all major UK TV channels, without the need for an aerial.
If you’re looking for broadband and TV deals with no aerial, you’re really looking for a TV service that uses your internet connection rather than an aerial.
How to watch Freeview (Freely) without an aerial?
Step 1: Sign up for a Wildanet TV package and wait to receive our TV unit in the post.
Step 2: Once it arrives, unbox it, plug in the included HDMI and power cables, and sign in with your Wildanet WiFi.
Step 3: Start watching!
What is Freely?
Freely is a free-to-use TV streaming platform that delivers live UK TV channels through broadband and there’s no aerial involved.
With the Wildanet TV box, Freely sits alongside your other TV services, so you don’t have to keep switching between different devices to find something to watch. You can use the TV guide to see what’s on, browse live channels and access catch-up services when you’ve missed something.
Why would you want TV without an aerial?
There are plenty of reasons to ditch the aerial and watch TV over your broadband instead.
You don’t have an aerial
If you’ve moved into a property without an aerial, you don’t necessarily need to pay for a new one just to watch live TV. A broadband TV service can deliver your channels through your internet connection instead.
Your aerial reception isn’t great
A weak or unreliable aerial signal can cause problems such as missing channels, pixelation, interference and picture break-up. This can be particularly frustrating if your reception varies from room to room or your aerial is exposed to the elements.
With broadband TV, your TV service is delivered through your internet connection rather than relying on your aerial signal, so you can avoid many of the problems associated with poor aerial reception.
You want TV somewhere without an aerial socket
Want a TV in the kitchen, spare bedroom, conservatory or somewhere else without an aerial socket?
A broadband TV box can make it much easier. Instead of installing new aerial cabling or running cables through your home, you can connect your TV box to your broadband and watch your channels over your WiFi or wired connection.
You want a simpler setup
Aerials are exposed to the weather and can eventually become damaged, corroded or displaced. If your aerial or cabling develops a problem, it can affect your TV reception.
With broadband TV, there’s no rooftop aerial to maintain. Connect your TV box to your television, connect it to your broadband and you’re ready to watch.
A great option for Cornish homes
Cornwall’s landscape can make reliable TV reception more challenging in some areas. Hilly and coastal terrain, distance from transmitters and local variations in signal strength can all affect aerial reception.
For homes where aerial reception is unreliable, watching TV over broadband provides an alternative way to access live TV and catch-up services without depending on a terrestrial aerial signal.
So, if you don’t have an aerial, don’t want to install one, or you’re simply fed up with unreliable reception, broadband TV could be a simpler way to watch.
Yes. That’s one of the reasons TV and broadband packages can be worth looking at.
Instead of having broadband from one provider and then buying separate equipment and TV services elsewhere, you can get your broadband and TV together.
Wildanet TV runs through your Wildanet Full Fibre connection, so your broadband and TV work together rather than needing a separate aerial or satellite installation. The TV service is available as an add-on to Wildanet Full Fibre broadband.
Yes. You can still enjoy all of the shows you watch on Freeview, but enjoy improved reliability, faster access and easier navigation with Wildanet TV.
With the Wildanet TV box, you can watch live TV, catch up on programmes and access streaming services through your broadband connection instead of relying on a traditional aerial. That means you can enjoy TV without an aerial, whether you don’t have one, your reception isn’t reliable, or you simply want a simpler way to get TV around your home.
And if you’re looking for broadband and TV with no aerial, there’s another advantage. As more TV services move online, broadband is becoming an increasingly important part of how we watch live TV, catch-up and streaming services. With Wildanet TV, your TV and broadband work together, giving you a more flexible way to watch without depending on a traditional aerial.
No aerial. No dish. No faff. Just plug in and watch – TV future-proofed with Wildanet TV.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are there new channels coming to Freely in 2027?
Freely’s channel line-up is continuing to grow, with new channels and streaming content being added over time.
In 2026, Freely has already added a number of new channels, including Food Network, Quest Red and DMAX, as well as 11 new streaming channels from Channel 5 such as 5 Cops, 5 Police Interceptors, 5 Movies and 5 History.
Freely has also confirmed that more channels will be added as it continues to work with broadcasters and channel partners. While specific 2027 Freely channel launches have not all been announced yet, the service is continuing to expand its selection of live and on-demand TV.
That means your Wildanet TV experience can continue to evolve as Freely adds more content and new ways to watch.
What is IPTV in the UK?
You may have come across the term IPTV UK when searching for TV over the internet.
IPTV stands for Internet Protocol Television. Put simply, it means television or video content delivered using an internet connection rather than a traditional broadcast method such as an aerial or satellite. Ofcom uses IPTV as a general term for TV and video delivered using Internet Protocol.
However, it’s important to remember that not every service advertising IPTV online is the same. Some services may offer legitimate, licensed TV content, while others may not have the necessary rights to provide the channels or programmes they advertise.
If you’re looking for internet TV, check what you’re signing up for, who provides the service and what channels and content are included.
With Wildanet TV, live TV is delivered through Freely, alongside supported streaming apps and catch-up services. You’re getting TV through a recognised platform rather than relying on an unknown IPTV service.
Do I need a TV Licence to watch Freeview or Freely without an aerial?
Yes. Not having an aerial does not mean you don’t need a TV Licence.
In the UK, you need to be covered by a TV Licence if you watch or record live television on any channel or TV service, including live TV delivered over the internet. This applies whether you’re watching through an aerial, broadband, a streaming service or a device such as a smart TV or streaming box. You also need a TV Licence to use BBC iPlayer.
So, if you use Wildanet TV to watch live TV through Freely, you’ll still need a valid TV Licence.
You don’t generally need a TV Licence if you only watch on-demand programmes and never watch live TV, although BBC iPlayer requires a TV Licence even when watching on demand.
For the latest information about TV Licensing requirements, it’s best to check the official TV Licensing website.
