Can you get English TV over the air in Gran Alacant?

Freeview is digital UK TV via a TV aerial....and is only available in the UK, as it is transmitted via TV masts like Emley Moor...and as such you cannot get Freeview outside the UK.

Spain has its own version, TDT. There are NO UK channels on TDT. All Spanish channels. However, most UK and USA programmes are transmitted with their English sound track,which uyou can switch to using a button on the remote.

 If you want UK TV "over the air", then satellite is the way to go... using a dish of appropriate size for your locations (Alicante about a 125x135cm dish), and a satellite receiver, like a Freesat set top box, Sky digibox or "generic" satellite receiver.

Most Freeview channels are available for free on satellite, but some do require a Sky subscription.

Via internet you have options for UK TV like filmon and Kodi (usually lower picture quality and unreliabilty than satellite beroadcasters) or paid IPTV

Ok thanks the apartment I am purchasing already has a satellite dish but not 1.25 in size so prob won't be compatable do you need planning permission for a larger dish I assume you prob will

You may not need planning permission from the local council, but you may need permission from the apartment blocks administrators

Jon (Sat & PC guy) is a little further North where reception is stronger, so do need to be cautious with dish type size. Legally you are allowed to install a dish and the administration are not supposed to interfere - though this is Spain. 

Generally if not causing obstruction of access to anything community related, then hopefully ok.

Satellite most economical as sub free for UK terrestrials - if you want other services such as catch up TV, then the subscription based services offer a 'Sky like' user experience. I would suggest if just for now wanting the UK terrestrials that a dish may be your most economical long term option, you can also add in Sky and additional connections / multiroom at a later stage, with this type of system.

Paul

www.televisiontechnology.eu

Hi Paul what sort of price would you be looking at approx for basic terrestrial Chanel to be installed

Hi John,

Thanks.

€299 for the Tecatel 1.4 offset, which is a superior dish to the Famaval offset equivalent (best reception of all the offset dishes of this size). This includes all fitting and a twin output LNB and single cable run (so you have a spare port).  

A receiver / decoder is required. We price separately as some people have their own and there are a few options available - decent HD European (2 year local warranty) receiver €100 or multimedia options from €130 (multimedia options give you USB PVR, option to record) and with a little extra software / internet connection, you can also add in cheap Sky (we do not offer this directly, but can advise if required).

In summary €299 if you have your own receiver. €399 if you don't and €429 if you would like multimedia options. There are other receivers available - though probably enough info for now.

Paul

www.televisiontechnology.eu

Thanks Paul will be in touch once the sale has gone through 

John

Hi don't rush into anything, you may find you have a receiver in the flat, many people leave them behind.  Also we have a 'digi' box (like a firestick) and can get all channels on it.   There are a number of place near by that will supply and set it up for just over £100 euros.  

Android boxes do not compare well to a satellite system for free to air. They use below standard definition for UK TV (filmon) - no HD terrestrial channels & are less than simple to navigate, using multiple applications, with no guarantee of service (why - you are not paying for it!). Good for free films old series and basic stuff - but not comparable to a satellite system which gives HD much easier to use and not reliant on internet at all - whereas the IPTV systems are. 

I tried to watch a film 'Room' on Android / Kodi yesterday - 6 times it reset mid film and I had to find other links - gave up. Not my idea of watching TV, too much faffing, not enough time viewing - I use as a back up. Our company sells some of these type of products and they eat more support time up than any other product - which is why I try to advise be tread a little carefully and do a little research / homework beforehand.

If wanting a dish alternative, the MAG or subscription based boxes, which are much more like a UK Sky box, simple channel list,  7 day program guide and proper catch up TV (unlike the Android boxes) & no technical 'know how' needed by end user. 

In summary for FTA satellite higher quality than other mediums & best if wanting UK terrestrials - no ongoing cost and best quality. If considering the internet route - whilst the firesticks (average) and other Android boxes offer access to a lot of additional content - and you can't grumble as the content you are getting is for free - however this is a double edged sword, as it is free, no guarantees of stability or availability can be given or promised - reliant on what is 'freely available'. These systems are quite technical to use (multiple applications) and can be quite unstable at times (would not recommend for stable sports) & a hosted type IPTV solution (many variants) will offer a more 'Sky like' user experience, with stability as is a hosted solution (with a decent service provider). 

As with most things - you get what you pay for.