Do you think subscription-free TV like Freeview and Freesat are pointless? In this article, you’ll discover some of the benefits of non-subscription TV you’ve been missing.
But first, on the 19th of July, Netflix announced it lost 970,000 subscribers in the second quarter of this year.
Although, this dip in subscribers was far less than the 2,000,000 subscribers it projected to lose in the second quarter. And not to forget, the popular streaming service also lost about 200,000 subscribers in the first quarter of this year. This was the first major subscriber loss Netflix recorded since a decade ago.
Netflix then linked this loss to increased competition due to the entry of other streaming services providers like HBO max, Disney+, Hulu, and Amazon Prime Video into the market, an increase in household password sharing, and Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. The biggest losses came from the markets it has its highest market share-US and Canada. However, the company still holds the largest share of the streaming market with about 220 million subscribers, and it plans to add additional 1,000,000 subscribers in this third quarter.
And the company are planning to overhaul its streaming services. For instance, it’s testing a new system in Latin America that will prevent a household from adding users in another household without a fee. This is because the streaming service provider has estimated that about 100 million subscribers might be watching for free, so it’s planning a password-sharing crackdown.
I’m sure you’re wondering why we’re telling you all this. This is because most households neglect subscription-free TV services like Freeview and Freesat. You just need a TV set, an aerial, a box, and a TV license-no monthly subscription required.
And the best part is, these services don’t stop you from subscribing to streaming services like Netflix. But it guarantees you’ll be entertained for free even if you can’t subscribe to your choicest streaming service provider for some reason, such as the new policy not favouring you or a hike in the subscription cost. Moreover, it can augment your streaming service subscription by offering you more entertainment options at no extra cost. The days when you could only receive 5 channels are over with the digital switchover.
Now, let’s explore some of the advantages of non-subscription TV.
Benefits Of Subscription-Free TV Like Freeview And Freesat
Access To Over 60 Channels For Free
If you’re someone who can’t spend much time behind the screen or money on a subscription to a streaming service provider, subscription-free TV is perfect for you.
Depending on the reception of your location, you can access around 60-70 channels on Freeview and over 170 channels on Freesat-all without monthly bills.
The channels cater for a wide range of age groups and interests like music, film, religion, news, lifestyle, history, kids e.t.c.
You Save Money
With Free TV, you don’t spend money on monthly subscriptions. This is one item off your to-pay list. Other providers like Sky and Virgin Media will require you to pay a monthly subscription fee to access their channels, which can be pretty expansive. Even Sky has an option that allows you to stream on Netflix through their box. This might seem like a great option, but most households in the UK use a smart TV which enables them to download apps. So, paying more on Sky to access Netflix might not be economical.
Non-Subscription TV Doesn’t Disturb Streaming Services
Though streaming services like Netflix, Hulu, and Amazon Prime Video are getting more popular because of people’s interests, it doesn’t mean live TV has become obsolete. Free TV allows you access to additional content at no extra cost, while you can still subscribe to streaming services. This way, even if you miss your monthly subscription to a streaming service, you’re still assured of some quality screen time at no charge. Moreover, sometimes nothing beats the feeling of sitting in front of a TV and gaining essential knowledge such as real-time updates on political issues. And on a day when your internet connection has problems, Free TV might be your only source of screen entertainment.
Minimal Or Low Setup Cost
Setting up Free TVs like Freeview and Freesat isn’t capital intensive. In fact, most TVs produced after 2010 have a Freeview box already built-in. So, you don’t even have to buy a box. But if you don’t have a Freeview box built into your TV, you only incur a one-time cost of around £100-200 to buy a box that will last for years. And the best part is you get to choose the type of set-top box you would like to use from a wide variety. Some boxes have a recording so you can rewatch shows or programs. And there are also different hard drive spaces.
Conclusion
Access to over 60 free channels, money savings, non-interference with streaming services, and minimal set-up costs are the benefits of non-subscription TV we’ve discussed so far. But it is important to remember that asides from a box, you’ll need a functioning tv aerial to access Freeview and a satellite dish to access Freesat. And while installation might seem like a Do -It -Yourself task, it’s best to allow experts to help you do it. This way, you are assured of a quality reception for a pleasurable viewing time.
The Aerial Man has 20 years of experience in aerial and satellite installation. You can reach out today to get help installing your Freesat or Freeview.
