Free, Legal Live TV in the UK: Every Option in 2026

You can watch a huge amount of live television in the UK completely legally without paying a subscription. The main routes are the free-to-air platforms Freeview and Freely, the broadcasters' own apps such as BBC iPlayer and ITVX, and free ad-supported channels on services like Pluto TV and Samsung TV Plus. The one cost many people overlook is the TV Licence.

Quick answer: For free, legal live TV in the UK use Freeview (aerial), Freely (internet), broadcaster apps (BBC iPlayer, ITVX, Channel 4, My5, U, STV Player) and free ad-supported channel platforms. You need a TV Licence to watch live TV on any service and to use BBC iPlayer at all.

Do I need a TV Licence to watch free live TV?

"Free" in this context means no subscription. It does not mean no licence. According to TV Licensing:

• You need a TV Licence to watch or record live TV on any channel or service, whether through an aerial, an app or a website.
• You need a licence to watch or download anything on BBC iPlayer, live or catch-up.
• You do not generally need a licence for purely on-demand programmes on other services, and S4C on demand is exempt.

The colour licence costs £180 a year from 1 April 2026. Rules and prices can change, so check tvlicensing.co.uk. For the legal background, see Is IPTV Legal in the UK?.

What are the main ways to watch free live TV?

What is Freeview and Freeview Play?

Freeview is the UK's free-to-air digital terrestrial service, received through an aerial. Freeview Play is the version built into many TVs and boxes that adds internet-delivered catch-up apps such as BBC iPlayer, ITVX, Channel 4, My5 and U in a single guide. Support varies by manufacturer and model, so check the box or the TV's specification. If you want to receive an aerial signal elsewhere in your home, see Plex, Jellyfin and Live TV From Your Aerial.

What is Freely and which TVs support it?

Freely launched in 2024 from Everyone TV, the company that runs Freeview and Freesat. It delivers live channels over your broadband connection instead of via an aerial or dish. It is available on selected new TVs and devices, so check the manufacturer's list before relying on it. Everyone TV has also been adding channels through 2026; the line-up changes, so look at the on-screen guide rather than a printed list.

Because Freely is live TV, it falls under the TV Licence rules. It also uses your internet connection, so the tips in How Much Internet Speed Do You Need for IPTV? apply.

Which broadcaster apps stream live channels?

• BBC iPlayer shows the BBC's channels live and on demand. A TV Licence is needed for all iPlayer use.
• ITVX streams ITV channels live and catch-up. Some content sits behind a paid tier, with adverts on the free version.
• Channel 4 streams its channels live and on demand through its own app and website.
• My5 (Channel 5) offers Channel 5's channels live and on demand.
• U is the streaming service from UKTV, which was relaunched from UKTV Play in July 2024. It carries UKTV's free channels and on-demand programmes.
• STV Player streams STV's output, aimed mainly at viewers in Scotland.

App availability, branding and the live channels on offer can vary by device and region, so confirm in your device's app store.

What are free ad-supported channels?

These are themed channels, funded by adverts, that run on a schedule like normal TV. Examples include:

• Pluto TV, which has a UK line-up that differs from the US one.
• Samsung TV Plus, built into many Samsung TVs.
• LG Channels, built into LG TVs.
• Rakuten TV, which has run free channels in a number of European markets. Check in the app which are available in the UK.
• Plex, which offers free ad-supported live channels and does not require Plex Pass for them. Channel availability varies by country.
• YouTube, which carries live streams from many broadcasters and channels.

We explain how these platforms work in FAST Channels Explained. These services change their line-ups often, and the app itself is the only reliable list.

Do FAST channels need a TV Licence?

The rule depends on whether you are watching a service that shows TV programmes as they are broadcast. Guidance from TV Licensing is that live viewing requires a licence. How it applies to a specific free ad-supported channel is a question for TV Licensing; if you are unsure, ask them directly or take the safe route and be licensed. A common summary you will see online is that FAST channels do not need one, but we have not found that confirmed by TV Licensing so treat it with caution.

What happened to Amazon Freevee?

Amazon announced it was shutting down the standalone Freevee app, and said it would end in August 2025, with content moving to a free ad-supported section of Prime Video. We have not confirmed how this applied specifically to the UK, so check Prime Video for what is currently offered.

Which devices support these services?

Most modern platforms support most services, but not all. As a rule of thumb:

• Smart TVs (Samsung, LG, Sony, Panasonic and others) carry most broadcaster apps. FAST platforms are often built into specific brands, such as Samsung TV Plus on Samsung and LG Channels on LG.
• Streaming sticks and boxes such as Fire TV, Google TV and Apple TV generally have the broadcaster apps in their app stores. See Fire TV Stick Setup.
• Games consoles, phones, tablets and computers can usually use iPlayer, ITVX and others through apps or browsers.

Older TVs may no longer receive app updates, which can cause an app to drop off. Ask in the Official apps forum if an app has disappeared from your TV.