TV Without the Subscription: The Top 10 Free Satellite TV Channels

Charlotte Miller

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It’s no secret that satellite television can be expensive. Many of us have grown used to the ever-increasing subscription fees and are almost resigned to shelling out more and more every month for our favourite shows.

But did you know there is a way to watch TV without a subscription?

It turns out, many of your favourite satellite TV channels offer free TV programming! In this article, we’ll show you the top ten free satellite TV channels available in the UK and tell you how to access them.

1 – BBC One

BBC One is one of the biggest and most popular channels in Britain, offering a range of top-quality programs from its flagship news broadcasts to drama shows such as:

  • Doctor Who
  • Eastenders
  • Sherlock
  • Line of Duty.

BBC One offers free access to its programming via Freeview and Freesat. To get started, you’ll need a satellite dish, an HD receiver or a set-top box, and an aerial or cable – all of which can be easily found online.

2 – BBC Two

Just like its sister channel, BBC One, you can access BBC Two without a subscription. It offers a range of documentaries, comedies and dramas which you can watch for free on Astra 2E satellite.

3 – ITV

ITV is the main commercial channel in the UK with popular shows such as:

  • I’m A Celebrity Get Me Out of Here,
  • Britain’s Got Talent
  • Coronation Street,
  • The X Factor
  • This Morning

You can access ITV’s free programming through your satellite dish and receiver, or you can use the ITVX app to stream it on your device.

4 – Channel 4

Channel 4 offers a range of thought-provoking programs such as:

  • The Great British Bake Off,
  • Black Mirror
  • Gogglebox
  • The Inbetweeners

To access Channel 4’s free programming, you can use the Freeview and Freesat services, or watch on demand via the All 4 app.

5 – ITV2

ITV2 is the free satellite channel from ITV, offering light-hearted programming such as:

  • The Only Way Is Essex,
  • Love Island
  • Celebrity Juice.

You can watch ITV2 for free on your satellite dish and receiver, or you can use the ITV Hub app to stream it on your device.

6 – Channel 5

Channel 5 is a popular satellite channel offering a range of entertainment programming and reality shows such as:

  • Big Brother
  • The Gadget Show
  • Neighbours.

You can access Channel 5’s free programming through your satellite dish and receiver, or you can use the My5 app to stream it on your device.

7 – Sky News

Sky News is the UK’s leading news service, providing round-the-clock coverage of national and international news. It is available free-to-air on Astra 2E satellite, allowing you to stay informed without needing a subscription.

8 – Sky Sports News

Sky Sports News provides dedicated sports coverage 24/7 and can be accessed free-to-air on Astra 2E satellite.

9 – Pick TV

Pick TV is the home of classic movies, documentaries and reality shows on satellite TV. It is available free-to-air on Astra 2E satellite, allowing you to access its great programming without needing a subscription.

10 – Challenge TV

Challenge TV brings together your favourite game shows from around the world, such as:

  • Family Fortunes
  • Who Wants to Be a Millionaire?
  • Catchphrase.

It is available for free on Astra 2E satellite, giving you access to all the classic game shows without needing a subscription.

What is Astra 2E satellite?

Astra 2E is a satellite located at 28.2° East and it provides coverage of the UK, Ireland, Scandinavia and the Mediterranean. All of the channels mentioned above are available on this satellite, allowing you to access them without needing a subscription.

Satellite TV Installation

Installing Satellite TV is relatively straightforward but there are a few key steps you need to follow.

First, you’ll need to purchase and assemble your satellite dish, HD receiver or set-top box and an aerial or cable.

Once that’s done, you’ll then need to point the satellite dish in the correct direction towards the Astra 2E satellite, an approved satellite installer can help with this.

Once that’s done, you just need to connect everything up and you should be good to go! You’ll then be able to access all the free satellite TV channels mentioned above without needing a subscription.

However it’s important to remember that satellite dishes are subject to local weather conditions and may require occasional maintenance to keep them in good working order.

A TV license may also be required in order to watch certain channels.

Conclusion

So there you have it, the top 10 free satellite TV channels available in the UK and how to access them. As you can see, it’s possible to get great entertainment without needing a costly subscription.

Whether you’re into news, sports or classic movies and game shows, there’s something for everyone to enjoy.

So why not give it a go and see what’s available for free on satellite TV? You won’t be disappointed!