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.
I was able to unblock Freeview Play and its content in Ireland with the help of ExpressVPN by connecting to a UK server.
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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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 (ExpressVPN is our #1 choice)
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!
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.
ExpressVPN is our #1 choice to bypass the restrictions due to its security and efficiency. 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.
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:
| Features | Details |
|---|---|
| Global Servers | 3000 servers in 100+ countries |
| Server locations | Multiple servers in London, East London, Wembley, and the Docklands |
| Exclusive deal | €6.42/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
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.
| 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.
| 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.
Here’s a look at some of the content that you can watch on Freeview:
Shows
Sports
To check the schedule of Freeview live TV channel stream, click here.
Following are the devices compatible to stream Freeview:
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!
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!
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!
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.
There are numerous other streaming channels and services you can enjoy watching in Ireland. Some of the free ones are:
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.
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.
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