How IPTV works

Television through your broadband

An aerial picks up a broadcast signal from a mast. A satellite dish does the same from space. IPTV skips both. The programmes travel through your broadband line in the same way a video call or a film on a streaming app does, and a player app on your device turns that stream into a picture.

That has two practical effects. Your aerial socket becomes irrelevant, and the quality of what you watch depends on the quality of your connection rather than the weather or the direction of the dish.

What the service sends

After your trial request we send a login. It usually takes the form of a playlist link or an account name and password, plus a server address. You enter those into a player app. The player downloads the channel list, the programme guide and the on demand library, and then you pick what to watch.

What you need at home

• A device that can run a player app. Our device guides cover Firestick, Android boxes, Samsung, LG, Apple and PC.
• Broadband of about 15 Mbps per HD stream, and 25 Mbps per 4K stream. The speed calculator adds it up for your household.
• A router in a sensible position, or better, a network cable to the main TV.
• A TV licence, which UK law requires for live television on any service.

Why start with a trial

Streaming quality depends on your own line, your own router and your own device, so no review can tell you how it will feel in your living room. A 24 hour trial lets you find that out with nothing at stake. Watch at a busy hour, such as a weekday evening, because that is when weak connections show their cracks.

After the trial

If you like it, pick a plan on the plans page. If not, do nothing. The trial ends by itself and no card was ever held.