Broadband Guide

How to make the most of watching TV programmes online

Updated: Tuesday 03 January, 2012

By Editorial - news@consumerchoices.co.uk

Watching TV programmes has become a hugely popular way to keep up with all your favourite shows with Brits watching more than 153 million programmes on the BBC iPlayer in September 2011 alone.

Follow our guide for top tips and advice on how to make the most of video-on-demand services and watching TV online.

How do I watch TV online?

Online and interactive TV catch-up and streaming services let you watch what you want, when it suits you, without the constraints of a TV schedule. You can watch programmes on your PC, laptop, mobile phone, and on other digital media devices such as MP3 players and even games consoles.

There are a whole host of platforms from which you can now download and watch TV programmes online. BBC’s iPlayer and Channel 4’s 4oD have proven massively popular. ITV and Sky Broadband (www.Sky.com) also offer similar services allowing you to watch their programmes online, whenever you want.

Top tip - Many programmes are available for free on catch-up services, so before you pay to watch an episode of your favourite sitcom or soap, check online to see if you can watch it elsewhere for free.

More information on video-on-demand services.

What’s the difference between live streaming and downloading TV programmes?

There are two ways that you can watch TV online:

• Streaming
• Downloading

Streaming - This is the quickest and simplest way to watch TV online. Streamed programmes play directly from the broadcaster, over the internet, to your computer. They can often be paused and rewound - unless they are “live” - but they aren’t saved anywhere on your computer. You will need to be connected to the internet for the full duration of the programme, so if you require subtitles, want to watch offline, or want a higher quality picture, downloading may be a better option.

Downloading - Downloaded programmes are saved on your computer’s hard drive, and can be watched whenever you want, even if you're no longer connected to the internet. However, many have digital rights management (DRM) protection that locks them after a day, a week or a month, preventing you from watching them again. While some streamed programmes can be available worldwide, most download services are geographically limited; you won’t be able to download BBC shows when you’re on holiday abroad for example.

While some streamed programmes can be available worldwide, most download services are geographically limited; you won’t be able to download BBC shows when you’re on holiday abroad for example.

Top tip - If you don’t have to watch the programmes live, then download them overnight. Traffic shaping, which slows down your connection and therefore your downloads, is applied by many broadband providers during peak hours.

Top tips for downloading TV programmes.

What broadband package do I need to watch TV online?

You don’t need any particular broadband package to watch TV online, but you will need one with a high download limit, a reliable connection and fast speeds.

Some internet providers, such as BE Broadband (www.Bethere.co.uk) and O2 Broadband (www.O2.co.uk) have packages that are specifically designed for heavy downloaders. O2’s top two packages offer truly unlimited downloading with no fair usage policy, and although all of BE’s packages come with “unlimited broadband” downloads and fair usage policies, they are generous with their allowances and rarely enforce restrictions. These providers offer connection speeds of up to 24Mb broadband and 20Mb speeds respectively, so downloads will also be faster.

Sky Broadband (www.Sky.com) also offers truly unlimited downloads - its Unlimited package, which comes with up to 20Mb broadband, has no fair usage policy attached.

If you want to go for the very fastest broadband, Virgin Media's (www.Virginmedia.com) 50Mb broadband and 100Mb broadband packages offer superfast speeds with no traffic management policy applied - giving you truly unlimited downloads.

Top tip - Use our broadband calculator to compare packages and find one that best suits your needs.

Best ISPs for downloading.

Do I need a high-speed broadband connection to watch TV online?

Broadband speeds are crucial for downloading, though they can vary across the country. The BBC advises a connection speed of between 500kb and 1.5Mb to use its iPlayer service - though you need at least 3.5Mb to watch its high-definition programmes.

However, for “live” programmes that are streamed, you will need a constant speed of around 2Mb. If your speed dips too low, which can be caused by several people using the same home connection, your programme won’t run smoothly.

Top tip - Check the details of your existing package, and use our free broadband speed tester to see how your provider is performing. If you think you will regularly use video downloading or streaming services, then consider switching broadband providers to a package with a faster connection speed.

Download our free guide to speeding up your broadband.

Will watching TV online affect my download limit?

You will need to keep an eye on your download limit if you regularly watch TV online. Even if you’re streaming content, rather than actually downloading it, all the data received by your modem will still count against your monthly download allowance.

This could result in your connection speed being throttled during peak times. Some customers with set download limits may even be charged for additional usage if they exceed their monthly allowance.

Consumer Spy column - Hidden charges of TV on demand.

Top tip - Install our free Broadband Download Monitor to keep an eye on your downloads, and set alarms to ensure you never exceed your monthly limit.

Top tip - Use your task manager to fully exit each program and turn off your peer-to-peer software. Services such as the BBC iPlayer and 4oD use peer-to-peer software to share files faster between users. Many of these programs will simply continue to run in the background after you close them, uploading files to the sharing network and eating away at your download allowance.

Read our top tips for downloaders.

Can I watch online programmes on my TV?

If your television set has a socket for a VGA or HDMI cable - which most new flat screen TVs will have - you will be able to connect your laptop or PC to your TV and watch online TV on your television screen.

Top tip - For a better connection from your PC or laptop, with a clearer picture and sharper sound, and the ability to watch high-definition content, try using a HDMI cable. However, while most new TVs will have a HDMI socket, not all computers do, so you might need to buy an adaptor if you want to watch content in this way.

Ask our expert: Streaming from PC to TV.

Do I need a TV licence to watch programmes online?

At present you must be covered by a valid TV licence if you watch or record online television programmes “live” - as they're being shown on TV. It makes no difference what equipment you use - whether it’s a laptop, PC, mobile phone, digital box, DVD recorder or a TV set - you will still need a licence. So if you’re watching BBC News 24 or an episode of Eastenders as it is being shown on television, you will need to be a licence holder. You may be fined if use these services without a valid licence.

Top tip - You do not need a TV licence to view video clips on the internet, as long as what you are viewing is not being shown on TV at the same time, or virtually the same time, as you are watching it. So downloaded programmes, and catch-up services don’t require a licence.

How much does watching TV online cost?

Most online TV services let you download and watch programmes for free. However, some content may have to be paid for. All content on the BBC iPlayer or the ITV Player is free to watch, though you will need a TV licence to watch anything that is broadcast “live”.

Some programmes from Channel 4’s 4oD service are free; however other programmes and films do have to be paid for. Most of the programmes on Demand Five are also free, though like 4oD, some have to be paid for, and prices can vary.

To watch the Sky Player you must have a monthly digital TV subscription for the provider’s basic entertainment package. Other packages, including sports channels, can be added to this for an extra fee.

Top tip - There are lots of TV clips available on YouTube, so if you can’t find what you want for free from the broadcaster, try YouTube. However, the quality may be poor, and you may have to watch your favourite programme in separate instalments.

The cost of video-on-demand.

Can I use a British catch-up service while abroad?

While some online TV services can be used abroad, others, such as the BBC iPlayer cannot. Because of rights agreements, the iPlayer programmes are only available to users who stream or download them in the UK.

However, you can watch downloaded BBC iPlayer programmes while abroad if you download them in the UK. But bear in mind that they will expire after a certain amount of time.

Top tip - There are a few services that you can use from anywhere in the world that broadcast a number of British TV programmes.

• JumpTV - This service has more than 180 television broadcasters from over 60 countries from around the world. Visit www.JumpTV.com for more details.
• Joost - Offers a small selection of shows on demand. Visit www.Joost.com for more details.
• Slingbox - If you have a friend - or office - in the UK with a broadband connection, you can buy and connect a Slingbox to their TV aerial and broadband connection. You can then watch streamed TV from this box on any internet-enabled PC in the world. Visit www.SlingMedia.com for more details.