freeview to be made available online ?

Several ( even most) of the channels can be viewed on line - both live and their ?catch up? service.

I don?t think all are but certainly a good selection.

I?ve installed the various Apps for BBC, ITV, CH4, 5, UKTV etc on my tablets ( also firesticks) but some you can view from the Freeview programme guide in a browser. I think there is also a Freeview app.

We sometimes find it useful when travelling.

I guess the commercial channels would really like that, because you can't skip the adverts.

Maybe someone might make PVRs that would record the stream, but look back at Digital radios - some of them used to be able to record to an SD card, but that facility no longer exists on current production. (AFAIK).

Chris

My Panasonic TV has apps to access to iPlayer, ITV hub, 4, My5, UKTV Play, CBS catchup channels, horror bites, Pop player, BBC sounds, STV player, and "Explore FreeviewPlay".

All those cover quite a few of the OTA programmes.

Not all programmes are available for streaming. Even when they are, if they are "time limited" and you can't get to watch them, standard PVRs will not record them even if they can stream the programmes.

I think that once most people have > 10Mbps broadband they will phase out TV over a decade and used the bandwidth for wireless data

You could try an Amazon stick or similar.

Can't see it myself, particularly with the Tories who aren't likely to be prepared to piss off the geriatrics who have no interest in anything except broadcast TV for their entertainment.

I am a geriatric. I have written two books in the last two years I drive and own five different vehicles I always have a major DIY project on the go I play a major part in local affairs I provide help of all kinds for my children and their families I produce graphics for a local business I provide support for those nearby who need it I'll be travelling extensively this year.

So f*ck off.

Bill

Freeview could be reduced in scope to (say) six channels, the rest being "free to view" via streaming.

Why? Of course I forgot. You're a good Tory, so selling off frequencies a priority. As is making even more profits for the broadband companies.

Freeview is already owned by a private company as far as I know (the BBC is a major shareholder in it and was eager to get involved when Ondigital / ITV Digital failed). Reducing the number of broadcast channels would hardly be a fettering of the state.

There is no limit to the number of providers who could "transmit" via the internet. And that's whether or not Freeview's channels were reduced.

Dave is such a wanker. I have never voted Tory (or Labour) in my life....

It's nothing to do with politiics either. That fact of thee matter is that broadband reaches homes better than radio signals, so why not use the radio signals for when people are not at home.

Everything over IP is the name of the game, and if you haven't got fibre, why not use the TV spectrum?

You can still receive internet TV over it...

Indeed. I spend a lot of time watching 'minority interest' videos on You tube. Some are very good.

FreeView don't own the frequencies they use.

No limit, eh? Good to know.

It's up to the government to decide how they're used, you mean?

I absolutely agree. You were the one who started going on about public v. private "ownership".

None at all, just as there is no limit to the number of websites which can exist.

If you want to create one, just do it. The only limiting factor would be whether you can afford to do it.

But as every year goes by, another catchup app will disappear until Panasonic will tell you your TV is now 7/8 years old and they won't update it any longer.

Firestick...

Or a cheap laptop computer which can cast a streamed service to your TV.

Yup. For some reason my kitchen TV cannot see certain internet sites, but the laptop can and has an HDMI port and a far better interface.

Ive been offered out of date tellies with decent screens for peanuts and a small computer - maybe even a raspberry pi - to drive them looks a better bet than a new smart telly