Can someone give me a quick rundown of TV viewing options?

[IThinkAdversePossessionApplies]

All I want to do is watch bloody telly!

We're rennovating the lounge so have moved the tv into the dining room where there's no aerial connection. It's connected to the wifi and we've been watching terrestrial telly using the BBC iPlayer and Channel 4 and 5 apps. We don't have Netflix or Sky or anything like that. The ITV app deleted itself from the TV a little while ago, and the Channel 4 and 5 apps have just done the same! They're (apparently) no longer supported, so our " smart tv" is becoming dumber and dumber everytime it gets a software update

What's the best way of being able to watch channels 1-5? People have mentioned firesticks (?). I could do with something relatively cheap and quick to set up as the tv will eventually go back into the lounge where we can plug back into the aerial.

Please help! I've got the DCs watching the footie by installing the ITVx app on my tablet and screen sharing to the TV, but can't be doing with that faff all the time!

A firestick has all the apps, you don't need Prime to use them.

Second a fire stick, they’re cheap and they generally work pretty well. We’ve got one for ILs who are complete technophobes and they’re able to manage it pretty well.

Fire Stick

Roku xpress is another option. As simple as it gets. £30.

Thanks! So with the firestick, it looks like you need to plug it into a power supply, but not the Roko? (The rats nest of wiring behind the TV drives me potty so if I can avoid an extra cable and the need for a spare plug socket, I'd prefer it!)

Hm now I'm confused! The Amazon page for the Roku seems to contradict itself...

Ive used the Rokus and i dont even think they come with a plug anymore. It'll be USB power from back of tv then straight into HDMI. FOr £30 they are well worth it. Cheaper than a fire stick

Def Roku as they are a bit more independent than firesticks (which will be pushing amazon prime constantly). Our cheapo Roku express gets power from the TV via a USB port so no plug. Then just an hdmi cable to connect the signal. Do it!

Brilliant, that's sold it to me! I've just ordered one!
Thanks everyone for your help

Good job! You'll probably have to create a Roku account on their website which doesnt take long at all, then set up a PIN on the device when you get it but it's simple as and no messing about with Amazon. Youll have to load all the usual apps onto it but they should work flawlessly unlike your old tv, which seems to be a bit of a thing with aging smart tvs, their apps fail to update to the latest version after so long.

You could just use any of the apps on your phone and cast to the tv.

I ended up doing that off my tablet when the kids wanted to watch the football tonight. It works but it's a pain when the tv just used to bloody work! It's annoying when the apps get switched off - I turned the telly on tonight and opened SmartHub and the window popped up and said "removing expired apps", and C4 and C5 literally disappered off the menu in front of my eyes!

Roku or a Now TV stick are good options, Roku also do a mini soundbar with all the viewing functions on.

Good shout with the Roku. That's what we use with our 10 YO 'smart' TV that is slowly losing its faculties.

I like that if you know what program or film you want to watch it will tell you what service its available on and whether it's free or paid for.