The way people consume media has been revolutionised due to the staggering improvements in technology, namely the internet. In 2021, an estimated 4.9 billion people use the internet, which is a large portion of the entire world’s population.
People use the internet for different purposes such as work, academics, and, of course, entertainment. Whether it’s to listen to music or watch funny clips, there are so many options to go through. For a while, TV shows weren’t available on the internet, unless you purchased copies of the show for download. But most of the time, people had to wait for the availability of these copies at the end of every season or release.
So, people still had to watch their favourite shows when they air on TV. But due to the availability of streaming services, people will only have to wait for the release on the streaming TV app and website. Then, they can finally watch their shows whenever they feel like it.
How to get started with streaming TV channels
If you want to start streaming your favourite shows, there are several things to consider and prepare first. This way, you can be sure that you can get the services without a hitch, and start binge-watching all your favourite shows.
- Make sure your internet is stable and fast enough
- Have devices that can handle the streaming app, such as a tablet or a smart TV
- Choose the right streaming services and plans for you
How to watch free to air TV channels for free
While streaming services are great and can be a good investment, they can be rather pricey. There are several streaming applications available now, and this can add pressure on which ones to subscribe to. So, if there’s a free option, then that’s definitely something that people love to entertain themselves with TV shows. Free to air channels not only offer TV programs, they also have movies, documentaries and many more content offered by paid streaming subscription services.
There are many ways for people to watch content online. But it can be hard to make sure that they’re free, available in your area, and completely safe. With these few tips, you’ll be able to feast your eyes and satisfy your media cravings easily.
Look for free to air TV services
The first thing on the list is to look for free to air TV services. While this might seem like a quick and easy search on the internet, it can actually be tricky. This is because there are many streaming services or websites that claim to be free. But when you click on the website, it isn’t actually free, but only a free trial.
To filter through the search results and find a legitimate free TV streaming service online, it’s better to use an app that’s similar to a TV guide for streaming sites. Compare TV is a great app that can give you information on free to air TV shows available in Australia.
This way, you can just go on the free to air TV guide, enter your location, the date, and the channel to see which shows are on and where you can watch it. This helps narrow down the search so you can spend more time being entertained and less time searching.
Know your free to air catch-up services
Australia has five primary free to air networks: Channel 7, Channel 9, Chanel 10, ABC and SBS. With streaming changing the way people watch their TV now, these networks made sure that viewers can still enjoy their favourite free to air shows without the standard TV-watching arrangement. Hence, catch-up TV services. Currently, you can stream shows, movies, documentaries, news, and so much more by using 7plus, 9now, 10play, ABC iview and SBS On Demand.
7plus – Channel 7’s catch up streaming app
Channel 7‘s 7plus has everything that entertainment fans could ever want, from trending dramas, crime thrillers and reality shows. The 2022 Oscars is currently trending on the platform, as well as hit reality series SAS Australia and The Amazing Race. Looking for premium drama? Find out what’s on Channel 7 here.
You get US shows like Hawthorne, Timeless, Public Morals, as well as local programs including A Place to Call Home, RFDS, and The Secret Daughter. 7plus supports several devices so you can watch on your TV, mobile, tablet, laptop, streaming boxes and even gaming consoles. To explore other shows, check out this Channel 7 TV guide.
9now – Streaming your favourite Channel 9 shows
9now offers every TV program available on Channel 9 for watching on demand. Married at First Sight is currently trending on Channel 9, as well as other hits shows including La Brea, The Real Housewives of New Jersey, Cypher, and The First 48. Looking for premium drama?
You get global shows like Saving Hope, Satisfaction and Major Crimes, as well as local programs including The Flying Doctors, Doctor Doctor, and Amazing Grace. 9now supports several devices so you can watch on your TV, mobile, tablet, laptop, streaming boxes and even gaming consoles. You can also use this Channel 9 TV guide to search for something specific.
10 play – Watching your favourite Ten shows on the go
Channel 10 has an excellent catalogue of local and international shows, which is why having the option to watch them wherever you are with just a portable device makes it very convenient. New shows and movies are added every week so there’s always something new to watch. Check out what’s on Channel 10 this month here.
Right now you can also access top favourite shows like NCIS, Prisoner, Australian Survivor, MasterChef and the local soap opera Neighbours. For streaming online, 10 play is available on Apple TV, Telstra TV, Fetch TV, Android TV, select Samsung smart TVs, as well as iOS and Android devices. To find more content, you’ll find this Channel 10 TV guide handy.
ABC iview – Streaming premium drama anywhere
ABC is the home of award-winning local and international dramas. From the UK you’ll find engrossing titles like Killing Eve, Unforgotten, and Silent Witness. ABC is also known for producing their own shows, including acclaimed dramas Troppo, Fires, The Newsreader, and many more.
To access these shows via ABC iview, the following devices are supported: iOS and Android mobile devices, smart TVs (Samsung, Hisense, LG), Apple TV, Telstra TV, Android TV and Playstation 4. You can refer to this ABC TV guide for discovering more shows.
SBS On Demand – Exploring diverse TV and film
SBS On Demand is ideal for movie lovers who want to explore cinema, not just the mainstream ones. There are several documentaries coming from different parts of the world too, so there’s plenty to discover here. But if you just want to catch up on regular TV drama, SBS On Demand also offers popular shows like Atlanta, Letterkenny, and Tin Star.
To watch SBS On Demand shows and movies on the go, SBS On Demand is supported on mobile, web, Apple TV (4th generation or higher), Telstra TV, Fetch, Foxtel iQ3 & iQ4, Android TV, Fire TV Stick, and selected models of smart TVs (Hisense, Samsung, LG, Panasonic, Sony). You can also discover more content on the channel using this free SBS TV guide.
Get Freeview
When someone mentions free to air, Freeview also comes to mind. So what is Freeview? Freeview is a free service that brings together all the free to air catch-up content in one convenient place. It’s not a network or its own exclusive streaming TV service. It aims to simplify the viewing experience so that it’s easier to watch your favourite free to air shows.
Instead of downloading and installing multiple catch-up apps, the entire entertainment menus can be accessed right on your television. The added feature on Freeview Plus is that you can switch between a free to air program and a catch-up show without any interruption.
Use a reliable VPN to access international shows
When it comes to TV shows, there are several things you’ll also want to consider. TV channels where the show will be airing might not be available internationally. For instance, you might be looking at a Perth TV guide that isn’t actually available for other areas. This can be a problem for viewers who want to watch certain shows on stream services that are region-locked.
To fix this, getting a reliable Virtual Private Network will help hide your IP and assign you a new one. The new IP will depend on the server in the host country you choose. So, if you want to access certain Australian shows, all you need to do is to choose that country as your server and you can start watching.
Prioritize internet safety
Aside from giving you access to more shows around the world, a VPN is also great so that you can be safe. Some free streaming applications might be hosted on insecure servers, which means that your IP might be logged. But with a VPN, you can remain completely anonymous and safe.
Conclusion
There are so many shows, movies, and series available all around the world. Thankfully, the internet can allow more people to watch their favourite TV shows. And the best part is that you can watch free to air TV shows, making it even more enticing.
But to get to the free content is the tricky part. Thankfully, there’s a solution like Compare TV that helps you look for shows and channels on the internet based on location and the air date. This way, you won’t need to miss a show and even save up on money since streaming apps can get rather expensive when you subscribe to more than one service.
