Free streaming services in the UK: what you can watch without a subscription
The UK's free-to-stream services, what each one has, which ones need a TV Licence, and how to get them on your TV.
You don't need a paid subscription to stream a lot of good TV in the UK. The main broadcasters all run free streaming services, paid for by adverts or the licence fee. Here's what each one is and what you need.
The TV Licence rule in one line: you need a TV Licence to watch or record live TV on any channel or service, and to watch or download anything on BBC iPlayer (live or on demand). Watching other services' on-demand programmes doesn't need one, as long as you never watch live TV. Check the official rules on the TV Licensing website, linked below.
The free services
| Service | From | Paid for by | Licence needed? |
|---|---|---|---|
| BBC iPlayer | BBC | Licence fee (no adverts) | Yes, for everything on iPlayer |
| ITVX | ITV | Adverts (optional paid Premium tier) | Only for live TV |
| Channel 4 | Channel 4 | Adverts | Only for live TV |
| 5 | Channel 5 | Adverts | Only for live TV |
| U | UKTV (Dave, Gold, Alibi and others) | Adverts | Only for live TV |
In Scotland, STV Player also offers STV's own programmes free with adverts.
Getting them on your TV
- Smart TVs and streaming sticks usually have all of these as apps. Search the app store on your TV.
- Freely is a free service built into many newer UK smart TVs that shows live channels from the main broadcasters over your broadband, in a TV-guide layout. Watching live on Freely needs a TV Licence; its on-demand programmes don't.
- Freeview is still there if you have an aerial.
Tips
- Most free services need a free account to watch. Sign up with an address you check.
- Box sets often leave after a set time. Each service shows "available for X days" on the programme page.
- Not sure where something is streaming? See our guide to finding where a show is on.