IPTV in the UK: a plain-English guide for UK viewers

What IPTV means in the UK

IPTV (Internet Protocol Television) delivers TV channels as data over a broadband connection, to an app on a smart TV, streaming stick, phone or computer. It isn't a niche technology: a growing share of UK viewing already arrives this way. Sky, for example, offers Sky Stream and Sky Glass, which carry its channels over home broadband with no satellite dish. Freely, from the UK's public-service broadcasters, streams live channels over broadband on supported TVs. For the technical basics, see what IPTV is and how it works.

Where people get caught out is the other meaning of “IPTV” in the UK: cheap subscriptions or “fully loaded” boxes offering every sports and film channel for a fraction of the official price. Those services usually don't have the rights to what they stream. We cover them in detail in what a “dodgy box” is and what UK law says.

Do you need a TV Licence for IPTV?

Usually, yes. TV Licensing says you need a licence to watch or record programmes as they're being shown live on any channel, on any device and through any service, including streaming services. You also need one to watch anything on BBC iPlayer, live or on demand. One licence covers a household, however many devices you use.

• Watching live channels in an IPTV app: a licence is needed.
• Watching live sport or news streams online: a licence is needed.
• Using BBC iPlayer in any way: a licence is needed.
• Watching only on-demand programmes from non-BBC services: TV Licensing's guidance generally doesn't require a licence, but check its website for your situation.

Paying an IPTV provider doesn't replace the TV Licence; the two are separate.

What broadband do you need?

Streaming services generally recommend a few megabits per second for HD and considerably more for 4K. Netflix, for instance, suggests 5 Mbps for 1080p and 15 Mbps for 4K. Live TV is less forgiving than on-demand video, because the stream can't be downloaded far ahead, so leave headroom: add up the streams your household watches at once, then allow extra for everything else using the connection. Our internet speed guide shows the sums.

Speed on paper isn't the whole story. Test at the time you usually watch, on the device itself, and connect the TV with an Ethernet cable if the router is in another room. See Wi-Fi vs Ethernet for streaming.

Is IPTV legal in the UK?

The technology is legal, and licensed IPTV services are perfectly lawful to use. Unlicensed services are a different matter. Under the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988, communicating copyright works to the public without permission, for gain or causing loss to the owner, is a criminal offence with a maximum of ten years' imprisonment. That applies chiefly to people who run or sell unlicensed services. Viewers have also been warned that dishonestly obtaining paid-for services can be an offence, and they risk losing money when an unlicensed service disappears.

How to choose an IPTV provider in the UK

1. Find out who runs it. A real company name, terms of service and a privacy policy are the minimum.
2. Ask how the content is licensed. Legitimate services can explain it; unlicensed ones avoid the question.
3. Be wary of prices that look too good. Premium sport and film rights are expensive, and that's reflected in legitimate prices.
4. Check the support hours and that they suit UK time.
5. Pay with a card that offers buyer protection rather than gift cards, bank transfers to individuals or cryptocurrency.
6. Start short. A trial or one-month plan lets you test on your own devices and connection.
7. Read the cancellation and refund terms. Know whether the plan renews automatically, how to cancel, and what happens if the service stops working mid-term.

Our checklist for choosing the best IPTV service goes into more detail; it's written for US readers but the questions apply equally in the UK.

Devices commonly used for IPTV in the UK

These device guides were written for US viewers, but the set-up steps are the same in the UK.

Key points

• IPTV is TV over broadband; major UK services already use it.
• Live TV on any device still needs a TV Licence.
• Licensed IPTV is legal; unlicensed services carry real legal and financial risk.
• Check who runs a service, how its content is licensed and how you pay before signing up.