Can I watch live TV without an aerial?
Yes. Freely, built into many newer smart TVs, streams the main live channels over broadband with no aerial or dish. On any smart TV, stick or box, the BBC iPlayer, ITVX, Channel 4 and 5 apps also show their channels live.
Checked 4th November 2026.
Worth knowing
- Live TV over broadband needs a steady connection of about 10Mbps or more.
- Watching live TV, however it arrives, needs a TV Licence.
Answer checked by Tely. Prices from each provider’s own UK page, checked 4th November 2026. How we check. Reuse with credit: data for journalists.