topic I don't have a TV aerial in TV

I don't have a TV aerial

jamierbooth — Tue, 27 Aug 2024 20:46:22 GMT

I'm interested in switching from Sky TV over to EE, but I don't have a TV aerial so I'm wondering about how live TV channels such as BBC would work. The information given in the advert is not clear. It says you don't need an aerial in one place but mentions you need one for live TV in another.

Obviously I understand it connects through the broadband, but without an aerial - Can I flick through live TV channels one by one as I would on Sky, without having to access them through their respective app's? Or pick them out from a TV guide type menu as I would on Sky?

This is a deal breaker for me!

Re: I don't have a TV aerial

Midnight_Voice — Tue, 27 Aug 2024 20:55:47 GMT

@jamierbooth

In IP Mode, as the internet option is called, you get an EPG just as you do in Aerial Mode.

The only thing is, you don’t get quite all the channels that you get in Aerial Mode. Though you do get all the principle ones, some of the minor ones are not yet(?) available,

The channels that you get are listed here:-

https://www.bt.com/help/tv/guide/ip-freeview-guide

Compare this with the full set of Freeview channels, and see if any of the missing ones are a deal breaker for you,

Re: I don't have a TV aerial

Chris_B — Tue, 27 Aug 2024 21:06:53 GMT

@jamierbooth All the plus 1 channels will not be available for a start. It’s a legal thing that prevents this from happening.

Re: I don't have a TV aerial

Midnight_Voice — Tue, 27 Aug 2024 21:18:44 GMT

@jamierbooth @Chris_B

Though in most cases, you can ‘+1’ (or ‘+99’ if you choose 😛) by calling up the relevant programme in the channel’s Player.

Re: I don't have a TV aerial

XRaySpeX — Tue, 27 Aug 2024 21:58:12 GMT

It's the EE TV Channel guide to be precise in case it differs from BT.

& it does differ, principally channel nos. & no CITV (203 BT).

Re: I don't have a TV aerial

DarrenDev — Wed, 28 Aug 2024 05:54:01 GMT

The EE TV service (and channel list) is the same, no matter whether on BT Broadband or new EE Broadband. The EE TV web site has the most up to date list, though unfortunately it has the most confusing layout.

Re: I don't have a TV aerial

Weerab2024 — Wed, 28 Aug 2024 07:23:44 GMT

@Chris_B it's probably more of a contractual issue rather than a legal one.

The ad skipping with ITV channels was probably a clause in a contract renewal last year and the Iplayer clause on pro boxes is probably linked to another contract renewal.

I once approached CBS directly to ask if they could add Legend extra to EE tv and they said this was not possible. Hopefully when their agreement is up for renewal it gets added.

Im just being hypothetical here and these are my own theories whether they are correct or not.

Re: I don't have a TV aerial

Chris_B — Wed, 28 Aug 2024 07:28:11 GMT

@Weerab2024 The TV stations say no you can not have a plus 1 channel in order to have our service so it’s contractual and that makes it a legal thing. EE could offer this but that would break the contract between them hence legal proceedings could follow.

Re: I don't have a TV aerial

XRaySpeX — Wed, 28 Aug 2024 07:30:59 GMT

EE wouldn't break the contract between them. Hence EE wouldn't offer this!

Re: I don't have a TV aerial

DarrenDev — Wed, 28 Aug 2024 07:35:34 GMT

Let's not forget the cost element. Every channel in IP mode requires dedicated bandwidth on the core network. which is reserved 24x7. It'd be a waste to allocate bandwidth to a +1 channel, when that same content is available on catch up anyway.

Re: I don't have a TV aerial

jamierbooth — Wed, 28 Aug 2024 07:48:45 GMT

Thanks everyone. That answers our question. We'd be happy with that. As long as the main channels are available as a live service, we're not too worried about the rest or +1's. Most things we watch are on one of the streaming services, but there are times we just want to stick on the news or flick to something interesting rather than sit and search for something - usually something on one of the main 5 or 6 channels will do.