How do I get BBC iPlayer on my TV?

[buttery81]

I feel like a total dinosaur asking this. But how do I get catch-up TV and TV on demand (BBC iPlayer, All4, ITV etc) on my TV, which was bought in 2010 and isn't a smart TV? I'd also like to watch Netflix.

The TV has Freeview built in according to the instructions, but doesn't have any of the catch-up channels or apps. Previously I was using a YouView box supplied by TalkTalk to watch catch-up, but have recently switched internet provider so the TalkTalk box is no longer working.

I'm embarrassed that I have to ask this, but if anyone could help I would be most grateful!

I’m not sure you can. You probably need a smart TV or a Sky or Virgin box.

We use a Google Chromecast and then cast either from phones or laptops.

When it works it's great, but it does seem to be a bit temperamental. That could be to do with our WiFi though.

You basically plug the device into your TV via an HDMI port. You then set it up via on screen instructions and your phone. Can then cast all catch up services, YouTube, Netflix, videos from Facebook etc, even your photos/videos.

Hi buttery. There are lots of ways to watch the various free players, You can get:

Google Chromecast
NOW TV stick
Roku stick

They range between £15-40 and have all the apps.

You shouldn't have cast to your TV, that's a pain. BBC iPlayer ect are all available as apps on many sticks, no need to cast.

Amazon Firestick

We always used our PlayStation for all the apps, but you can buy boxes or a Firestick that offer most apps as well.

Amazon firestick. Plug it in to your TV and then you can download Iplayer, Netflix, Hulu, Prime and a whole bunch of other things. Much cheaper than a new TV.

Amazon firestick. You can pick one up for about £25-30 and use it for catch up (inc iPlayer), Netflix, amazon prime and other apps.

Thanks all. The Amazon fire stick looks good - but how does it connect to the internet?

Your tv needs a USB port.

Roku stick is the best of them.

I have a smart TV, blu ray player, Now TV box, Amazon Prime stick, Google Chromecast and Roku stick.

The Roku stick is the one that includes the most TV apps e.g. Netflix, Amazon Prime Now TV as well as the free ones.

Then to connect the stick to your wifi. It talks you through it when you first plug it on.

If your TV has a USB port, get an Amazon fire stick. It's very easy to connect to the internet, it walks you though it once its powered up.

Does your tv have a usb?

Now tv/ amazon firestick and you then download the apps.

You set it up during the initial process and input your wifi password etc.

It uses Wi-Fi.

You can download all the apps onto a firestick once it's connected.

I should add the problem with the Amazon Prime stick is when Amazon starts playing games with a competitor or vice versa you can't get particular apps on your stick. So when Google and Amazon were playing games I couldn't get YouTube on the Amazon Prime stick but could on the Roku stick.

If your tv doesn’t have a USB port, then you can buy an hdmi cable that goes from laptop to tv. So long as laptop has hdmi port as well. That’s what I do. You just plug it in, select that port on your tv and then whatever is on your laptop screen comes up on the tv.

Just checked and yes, the TV does have a (very dusty looking as it's never been used) USB port!

This is going to sound a bit silly, but with the Amazon firestick, is it obvious that you're using something by Amazon when using the menus etc? DH actively tries to avoid buying stuff from Amazon on principle, so I think it might annoy him if a massive Amazon logo keeps popping up all the time! (I have no such qualms...)

I've just got a new tv that doesn't have iPlayer. But realised I can play from the iPlayer app on my phone and connect to the tv.

@RedRumTheHorse when did thay happen? I've had fire sticks for a few years and never had issues accessing YouTube.

Oh yeah.
You get all sorts of Amazon branded stuff pushed at you.
The price of simplicity, your principles

@Shmithecat2 a good while ago.

@buttery81 yes it is clear it is Amazon.

I'm also a bit of a dinosaur, but I think I know the answer to this one ...

Your TV will not get any of these catch-up services by itself as you need something that connects your TV to your WiFi - this is what your you view box used to do (free view by itself doesn't connect to WiFi).
So what you'll need is something like a NowTV or Amazon Fire stick, which both plug into your TV (check you've got the right socket on the TV) unless you want to go for sky or virgin box as pp said. I think NowTV is the one you can get Netflix on and costs £9 or £10 a month, the Amazon firestick means you have to subscribe to amazon prime at £8 a month and you also get their next day delivery. In both cases you have to buy the stick to begin with, which will set you back £25 - £30.

There are other sticks you can buy to connect your TV to your WiFi.
We had one.
Didn't work.

Mind you we did have a bit of trouble with the fire stick as it kept buffering, but DH sorted by putting an actual cable from the computer to the fiestick/TV which boosted the signal. The fire stick also has YouTube and internet and a load of movies/TV series for free as well as an option to buy others, and access to various apps (but I don't know whether its every app around). We could probably get Netflix too if we wanted to pay another subscription as well.

Hope this is some help.

You get all sorts of Amazon branded stuff pushed at you.

Hmm, maybe DH would prefer the Roku in that case!