Video on Demand

Watch Freeview in Ireland & Abroad | LIVE + On-Demand | 2025

What is Freeview Play? Freeview Play is UK’s free-to-air digital and satellite streaming service that consolidates all free English channels and services in one place.

With the Freeview Play, you can access 60,000 hours of TV On-demand content, accessible in over 1500 Boxsets.

The platforms it connects you to, include ITVX, BBC iPlayer, STV Player, UKTV Play, Channel 4, My5, and plenty more.

However, Freeview and its offered services and channels are restricted to the UK only. To watch Freeview UK in Ireland and abroad on TV and mobile, you can use a VPN and circumvent these restrictions.

Our Recommended VPN – ExpressVPN

ExpressVPN is our recommended choice for streaming any geo-restricted services that are unavailable in Ireland OR it is used to stay anonymous over the internet for watching anything for free as it hides your streaming activity from the ISPs.

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How to Watch Freeview Online Free in Ireland

Freeview Play is a completely free service to watch your favourite shows in Ireland. Some of the services would require you to create a free account such as ITVX or BBC iPlayer.

All you will need is a VPN service to connect. You can easily watch Freeview in Ireland by the following steps:

Step 1: Subscribe to a good VPN service

Step 2: Download the ExpressVPN app and install it on your device

Step 3: Open the VPN app and connect to the UK server (e.g. Docklands)

Step 4: Go to the Freeview website and select What’s On

Step 5: Search for Peaky Blinders

Step 6: Click Watch Now

Step 7: Click Play

Step 8: Click Sign In if you already have a free account OR click Register

Step 9: Select Under 16 or Over 16

Step 10: Enter your Date of Birth

Step 11: Enter your Email/Password

Step 12: Select “I have a TV License, Watch Now” option

Step 13: Select either Turn On PG Lock OR Play Without PG

Step 14: Start streaming!

Try ExpressVPN


Why Do I Need a VPN to Access Freeview in Ireland?

As we all know by now Freeview is not available in Ireland, and that’s due to geo-restrictions applied because of licensing agreements and copyright ownership. 

It is strictly a UK-based streaming service and can’t be watched in Ireland without the help of a Virtual Private Network.

The VPN works by routing your data through a virtual UK-based server instead of the actual Irish server.

The virtual IP tricks Freeview UK into believing you’re accessing the site from within the licensed region; thus, giving you access.

Try ExpressVPN


3 Best VPNs to Unblock Freeview in Ireland

I tested about 35+ VPN services to see which ones can bypass Freeview geo-restrictions in a single attempt. 

Take a look at the 3 best VPNs to unblock Freeview in Ireland:

  1. ExpressVPN
  2. Surfshark
  3. NordVPN

1. ExpressVPN – Best VPN for Streaming Freeview in Ireland & Abroad

Features Details
Global Servers 3000 servers in 100+ countries
Server locations Multiple servers in London, East London, Wembley, and the Docklands
Exclusive deal €4.87/month (30-day money-back guarantee)
Multi-Device Compatibility Connect up to 8 devices at once – Windows, Android, Mac, and more
Enhanced Streaming Fast and throttle-free streaming with Smart DNS, Split Tunneling, and Lightway Protocol.
Top-notch Privacy Digital privacy with 256-bit Encryption, Kill Switch, and No Log policy.

Recommended Servers: London, East London and Docklands

ExpressVPN provides a vast network of high-speed servers to seamlessly stream your favourite shows and sports on geo-restricted services

Speed Test Results: A speed test on ExpressVPN’s Docklands Server demonstrated excellent performance, achieving speeds of 41 Mbps out of a possible 50 Mbps.

Access More Content: This VPN allows you to unlock more than just Freeview; it also provides access to other geo-restricted channels and services available in Ireland, such as USA Network, PBS, Frndly TV, Prende TV, etc.


2. Surfshark – Most Affordable VPN for Unblocking Freeview in Ireland

Feature Details
Global Servers 3200+ servers in 100 countries
Server locations Multiple servers across London, Manchester, Glasgow, and Edinburgh
Price €3.06/month (30-day money-back guarantee)
Device Compatibility Unlimited devices – Windows, Android, Mac, and more
Fast Streaming Uninterrupted streaming with Higher bandwidth per user, and numerous servers
Added Privacy Secure the connection with Camouflage Mode, AES-256-GCM Encryption, Kill Switch, and No-Logs Policy.

Recommended Servers: London, Manchester, Glasgow

Surfshark is another top-notch VPN option for accessing Freeview in Ireland. Renowned for its affordability and advanced technology, it ranks highly on our list.

In our evaluations, Surfshark effectively bypassed geo-restrictions on various services and channels, using forward secrecy to ensure user privacy.

Moreover, this VPN service provides access to other geo-restricted channels and services in Ireland, such as 9 Now, Servus TV, 7Plus, Netflix, Prime Video etc.


3. NordVPN – Biggest Server Pool to Access Freeview Play in Ireland

Feature Details
Global Servers 6000+ servers in 60 countries
Server locations 440+ Servers across the UK
Price €3.99/month (30-day money-back guarantee)
Device Compatibility Up to 6 devices simultaneously – Windows, Android, Mac, and more
Enhanced Streaming Faster streaming with a Wider server range & NordLynx Protocol.
Added Privacy Military-grade encryption, Double VPN, CyberSec, and No logs policy,

Recommended Servers: London, Edinburgh, Glasgow

NordVPN offers an extensive network of servers, ensuring smooth streaming experiences. Its user-friendly interface makes navigation simple.

During tests for accessing Freeview, NordVPN’s robust server network maintained a stable and fast connection, ensuring seamless streaming.

Additionally, this VPN allows access to various other geo-restricted channels and services in Ireland, such as ORF, Hulu, FuboTV, Sling, BBC iPlayer etc.


What Can You Watch on Freeview?

Here’s a look at some of the content that you can watch on Freeview:

Shows Sports
The Suspect Wimbledon
Peaky Blinders Tour de France
Killing Eve Kylian Mbappé
Love & Death Paris Summer Olympics
A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder Super Bowl
Doctor Who
Love in the Flesh
Holding
Our House

To check the schedule of Freeview live TV channel stream, click here.


On What Devices Freeview Play is Available?

Following are the devices compatible to stream Freeview:

  • Philips Android TV
  • Sony Android TV
  • Samsung Android TV
  • Hisense Android TV
  • LG Android TV
  • TCL Android TV
  • Panasonic Android TV
  • Hitachi Android TV
  • Android phones
  • iOS devices

How to Watch Freeview Outside the UK on Android Phone

Freeview Play app isn’t available outside the UK, so you won’t be able to install it on your device through Play Store. Therefore, you will have to download Freeview Play APK, I have discussed it in detail below:

Step 1: Subscribe to ExpressVPN and connect to the UK server

Step 2: Download the Freeview Play APK and run the installation

Step 4: Open the Freeview app

Step 5: Choose your favourite Live or on-demand channel

Step 6: Choose any content and start streaming!

Try ExpressVPN


How to Watch Get Freeview in Ireland on iPhone

Following are the steps to stream Freeview Play on iOS in Ireland.

Step 1: Subscribe to ExpressVPN app and download its iOS app.

Step 2: Connect to a UK server.

Step 3: Navigate to your device’s Settings and tap on your Apple ID.

Step 4: Select ‘Media & Purchases’ and then ‘View Account.’

Step 5: Sign in if prompted.

Step 6: Scroll to ‘Country/Region’ and change it to the UK.

Step 7: Accept the Terms and Conditions to confirm.

Step 8: Provide a payment method and billing address corresponding to the UK region.

Step 9: Download the Freeview Play app from the App Store.

Step 10: Search for a show or sports event you want to watch

Step 12: Start streaming!

Try ExpressVPN


How to Watch Freeview on Fire TV Stick in Ireland

Step 1: Go to Firestick settings on the Homepage.

Step 2: Enable the Developer Option.

Step 3: Turn on ‘Apps from Unknown Sources.’

Step 4: Download the Downloader App from the Amazon Store.

Step 5: Search for Freeview on the Downloader app. Enter the URL bit.ly/fsh-downloads OR Freeview Downloader Code 730116.

Step 6: Open ExpressVPN and connect it to the UK server

Step 7: Open the “Freeview Play” app and sign in.

Step 8: Click “Detect Region”.

Step 9: Enter the postcode. e.g. M417EX

Step 10: Choose a channel or show.

Step 11: Enjoy streaming!

Try ExpressVPN


Having Trouble Streaming A Channel on Freeview?

Go to the status checker on Freeview Play to register your issue. If you are experiencing problems with multiple channels, add your postcode and the service will guide you further.


Other Free Streaming Services to Watch in Ireland

There are numerous other streaming channels and services you can enjoy watching in Ireland. Some of the free ones are:


FAQs – Freeview

Can I watch Freeview on my mobile device?

Yes, you can watch Freeview on your mobile device using the Freeview app, which is available for Android and iOS devices. The app allows you to watch live and on-demand TV​.

How can I find out which channels are available in my area?

Use the Freeview Channel Checker on their website by entering your postcode and house number to see the channels you should be able to receive.

Can I access Freeview outside of the UK?

Indeed you can, by connecting yourself to a VPN you will be able to access Freeview from outside the UK no matter where you are. Just connect to any of the working UK servers and you are good to go.

How do I set up Freeview on my TV?

Connect your TV or set-top box to an aerial, and then follow the on-screen setup menu to scan for available channels. Detailed guidance can be found on the Freeview website.

How often should I retune my TV for Freeview?

It’s recommended to retune your TV or set-top box periodically to ensure you have the latest channel lineup, especially after any service updates or changes.

Can I record programmes on Freeview?

Yes, by using a Freeview HD Recorder or Freeview Play Recorder, you can record live TV to watch later.


Conclusion

Freeview connects you to the UK’s top streaming platforms and channels. However, Freeview is only available in the UK.

The only way to watch Freeview in Ireland is to use a reliable VPN service and bypass geo-restrictions by connecting to a UK server.

ExpressVPN is my recommended choice to stream Freeview outside of the UK because of its multiple UK servers and great speed.

Paul Adair

Passionate writer and avid streamer, I try and test streaming services and cord cutting options. By combining my love for writing with the thrill of discovering new media platforms, I like to guide and enlighten Irish audiences on the best ways to enjoy content without the cords.

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