TV provider recommendations - NOT SKY!

[Izzadoraduncancan]

Hi, just wondering which TV boxes/providers etc you'd recommend.

We are terminating a year long contract with SKY - having been subjected to the worst customer service. We live rurally (no cable) but decent WiFi. Looking at getting a set top box maybe with Soarview and FreeView possibly? We already have Netflix and Amazon Prime - but kids love channel 4 etc.

I suspect DH will want to get some sports channels - is there any options except NowTV - which is owned by SKY 🤬

Any recommendations appreciated.

We've given up on tv packages completely and just use the internet. It does depend what you watch, but if your broadband is good enough, it's much better value.

Newish smart telly, Roku stick etc. can all run RTÉ player, TG4 player, etc. if you want to watch live tv. You also have access to their catchup catalogs.

But mainly, we subscribe to amazon prime video and Netflix, and both kids and adults watch those. Not sure if we'll keep going with the prime video subscription once the perks of amazon delivery from the UK disappear in June (when the low-cost vat exemption goes). But Netflix has so much that we can't possibly watch it all, so between that and Irish TV we're covered.

Some friends also subscribe to Disney tv, mostly for their kids, but I can't stand the shrieky Americanised kids' programmes so we're not getting it.

And if you're technically inclined, it's possible to install a vpn and get the British channels via bbc iPlayer, ITV player, etc. but I can't be bothered.

We have saorview, for about 6 weeks now. I'm still getting used to it. We have the sky satellite dish, plus Netflix.
I have discovered lots of things on assorted itv channels and channel 5!

I really enjoy channel 4 and affiliated channels. I'm wondering about FreeView. Should them have access to Irish and UK terrestrial channels.
6 kids here over a wide age range so lots of differing needs

My parents switched from sky to Vodafone last summer. It was significantly cheaper at the time. Good customer service so far and plenty of channels. Interface is really nice too.

I use IPTV and gave up my Sky Q boxes. Cost me £30 each for 4 Fire sticks (one off cost) and then it's £60 a year (I think) for the subscription. Only downside is you can't record but most stuff is on catch up anyway. You do need good internet speed to stop constant buffering.

@Izzadoraduncancan

I really enjoy channel 4 and affiliated channels. I'm wondering about FreeView. Should them have access to Irish and UK terrestrial channels. 6 kids here over a wide age range so lots of differing needs

You have full access to the All 4 app from Ireland, not restricted to the UK, so you still get c4, e4, catchup etc. with the internet option.

I'm rewatching the West Wing via the app now

If you want a decent IPTV I run my own one, I’ll sort you out, full support group and it has EVERYTHING for the kids and us parents

I wish I could get the BBC iplayer.
I would be willing to pay a small subscription.

What was the issue with Sky? Something presumably was going wrong if you had to contact customer services so much?

I've got a Firestick, you have BBC IPLAYER, 4 OD and ITV Player on which you can watch live TV on. It's lovely not having a direct debit going out every month too.

@LemonFanta123
Can you record when using a firestick ?

No you can’t, but all the shows appear on the relevant apps anyway so I’ve not found any need to record