Does A Smart TV Need An Aerial?

  • It's possible - and highly likely - that you'll need an aerial with your smart TV.
  • Whether you do (and what type) depends on a few different factors. Read on for more info!
a tv aerial next to the chimney of a uk property

An interesting question! Many of us have grown up with televisions that have aerials. The TV aerial has always seemed like such a vital part of owning a television set throughout the years. In a way, these times have passed.

The question of whether or not you need an aerial for your Smart TV will depend on what television channels you’re looking to watch.

What is a TV aerial?

A TV aerial, or “television antenna”, is used to receive broadcast signals from various television networks.

Many homes are already fitted with aerials, thanks to previous owners or landlords that are renting out their properties. But, in some cases, you may find that you’ll need to purchase an aerial to gain access to certain channels.

tv aerial components
You’re probably used to the messy components of a TV aerial!

What types of TV aerial are there?

Broadly, you will find that there are indoor and outdoor TV aerials.

Indoor aerials are available in two types. The wire loop indoor aerial is less likely to perform well for your services, so if you’re going to buy an indoor aerial, it’s better purchase the ones that are essentially mini versions of outdoor TV aerials.

As for outdoor television antennas, wideband aerials offer better results than other types. These aerials are also marketed as Type T and Type W aerials and have the ability to cover the whole range of signals that are used to broadcast television.

There are a large number of other aerial types, including yagi aerials, log periodic aerials, and TV aerials that are specifically manufactured to be placed in your loft rather than outside or near your television.

Which channels require a TV aerial?

Typically, any Freeview TV channels would require the use of a television antenna before you can receive those broadcasts in your home. The channels that you would receive at your address will largely depend on where you live.

As an example, let’s say you’re living in central London. According to the Freeview website, homes in central London should be able to receive broadcasts from over 100 Freeview channels. These include ITV, BBC, e4, and more.

You’ll find that, without an active TV aerial or satellite, your Freeview channels are full of static.

Alternatively, you could subscribe to Sky or another satellite system to receive some channels on your TV. The major difference between a Smart TV and a regular TV is that Smart TV’s hook up to your WiFi to find channels.

a smart tv on a cabinet with red background
A Smart TV set up in a living room.

Can I watch TV without an aerial?

Certainly! You can watch your Smart TV without an aerial, but you might have trouble using other types of television sets without a TV aerial of some sort.

Television aerials catch the signals of broadcasting TV networks. These include all Freeview channels, and any other broadcasts made by terrestrial transmitters.

To explain that term, “terrestrial transmitters”, that just means any channel that uses radio waves to broadcast from their station’s transmitters to television antennas.

In a way, Smart TVs that don’t have an antenna or aerial are limited. You’ll only be able to watch content that is included on your Smart TV’s apps. Which, considering the vast amount of Freeview television channels, you might prefer adding a TV aerial to your set-up.

But that doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy the streaming services that are offered through your Smart TV without the addition of a TV aerial. It’s personal choice, really. You’d only need an aerial if you wanted to access specific Freeview channels.

Why purchase a Smart TV over a regular television?

A Smart TV is a great way to cut the cost of regular television-watching. If you aren’t fussed about having Freeview channels or watching anything live, you could buy a Smart TV, forego the television antenna, and even cut out your yearly TV license bill.

You only need a television license if you watch live television channels or use on-demand services. If you’re sticking to the streaming apps included with your Smart TV or connecting to the internet to watch Netflix or other streaming sites, you won’t need to pay for that license.

This, surprisingly, isn’t something that a lot of people know about. Next time you’re about to renew your TV license, check if you actually need one, or if you’ve been paying for one without any reason to.

That said, many Smart TVs do include apps for things like BBC iPlayer – which does require a TV license. But Netflix, Amazon Prime, and YouTube do not require a license. Check what you’re using and make sure your television set-up is right for you.

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