Free Irish And UK TV: Which Satellite Should You Point To In Ireland?
If you want free Irish and UK TV without a monthly bill, the first step is to choose the right signal. In Ireland you have two parts to think about. Irish channels come from Saorview over a terrestrial aerial, while UK Free To Air channels come from a satellite dish aimed at 28.2° East. The good news is you can have both on one tidy system with a single remote and a combined channel list.
Please note: We generally do not install in apartments, as individual satellite dishes are usually not permitted by building management. Always check your building’s policy.
Below, you will learn which satellite to use, what you can expect to receive, the dish and LNB you need, and how coverage looks in Dublin, North Kildare and Meath. You will also get clear next steps to book an install or a combo setup.
Quick answer: what satellite for Free To Air in Ireland?
For UK free channels, point your dish to Astra 2 and Eutelsat 28A at 28.2°E. This is the position used for Freesat and also where almost all unencrypted UK channels live. In everyday use, people say Astra 28.2°E or simply 28.2 East.Saorview is not on satellite. It is terrestrial TV received by an aerial. To get RTE One, RTE2, Virgin Media, TG4 and more, you need a Saorview aerial aimed at your local transmitter. Most homes combine Saorview with 28.2°E
satellite for the full Irish plus UK Free To Air mix.
Which option has the most Free To Air channels?
The 28.2°E position carries the most UK Free To Air TV and radio channels. You can receive BBC, ITV, Channel 4 and Channel 5 variants, plus dozens of entertainment, news and music channels. A realistic expectation is over 130 TV channels and 40 plus radio, depending on your receiver and how you scan. The set top boxes we sell are preprogrammed with all available free to air satellite channels.
Saorview gives you the Irish core in HD with excellent reliability. Think of Saorview for your Irish channels in high quality, then add 28.2°E for a large range of UK content. Put them together in a combo receiver and you get a seamless list that feels like a single platform.
What is the best satellite choice in Ireland?
If your goal is UK Free To Air and regional BBC and ITV, 28.2°E is the clear winner and the practical choice for almost every home. You could add other satellites like 19.2°E or 13°E for European channels, but they do not carry BBC, ITV or Channel 4. For most households, 28.2°E plus Saorview is the sweet spot.
If you already have a Sky dish, it is already facing 28.2°E. With the right LNB and a suitable receiver you can repurpose it for Free To Air.
Freesat vs Freeview vs Free To Air
Freeview is a UK terrestrial service that uses a UK aerial. It does not cover the Republic of Ireland, but it is available in Northern Ireland.
Freesat is the UK free satellite platform that uses 28.2°E. In Ireland, you can receive Freesat channels from the same satellites, and you can also use a generic Free To Air receiver to get those channels without a subscription.
If you want a simple single remote setup that merges Saorview and UK Free TV, a programmed combo receiver is the easiest route.
Coverage in Dublin, North Kildare and Meath
Reception for both Saorview and 28.2°E is excellent across Dublin city and county. Coverage is also strong in North Kildare and much of Meath. Local terrain can affect Saorview aerial choice and mounting height, so a quick site check helps. You can also use the Saorview Coverage Checker to confirm your local transmitter and expected signal.
Apartments: Many apartment buildings do not allow individual satellite dishes, and we generally do not install in apartments for this reason. If your block has a managed or shared system, please contact your management company for access details and approved installers.
What dish size do you need?
Dublin and surrounds: a compact dish is suitable for 28.2°E in most locations. Many legacy Sky mini dishes work well if the mount and LNB are sound.
North Kildare and Meath: a 45cm compact dish is generally fine;
We use sturdy wall mounts and correct fixings and we dampen movement to keep your signal stable in bad weather.
Which LNB is right for you?
Standard universal single or twin LNB: great for one or two tuners on a Free To Air or combo box.
Quad LNB: useful if you plan multiple rooms or PVR features.
Sky Q Hybrid LNB: needed if you want to retain Sky Q alongside Free To Air in the same home distribution.
Not sure which you have now? We can swap the LNB to match your box and future plans.
What channels should you expect?
On Saorview you get the core Irish lineup in HD, including RTE, Virgin Media, TG4 and a selection of digital radio. On 28.2°E you get BBC, ITV, Channel 4, Channel 5 and many extras. Some channels change names or move frequencies over time, so your receiver may need an occasional retune. We pre-program our combo receivers and can update the lists during a service call.We also provide step by step instructions in our Frequently Asked Questions section on our website satellite.ie
How to get Free To Air channels at home
You can follow three paths:
1. Saorview only: install a Saorview aerial to get Irish channels in HD. This suits homes that want local news, sport and RTE Player access on compatible TVs.
2. Free To Air satellite only: repurpose a Sky dish or fit a new dish aimed at 28.2°E. Add a Free To Air satellite receiver for UK channels.
3. Combo system: combine a Saorview aerial with a 28.2°E dish into one combo box. You get a single remote, one channel list and no monthly fees.
Dish, cabling and setup tips
Keep cable runs short where possible and use CAI‑approved RG6.
Weatherproof all outdoor connectors.
Mount the dish clear of nearby trees and roofs that could block the southeast view.
After storms, a quick visual check can save you a service call.
If you are moving from Sky, we can reuse your dish and wiring in many cases or replace the dish with a new one, and fit the right LNB and receiver.
Recommended next steps
Want Irish channels only? Book a Saorview aerial install and we will tune your TV and explain the features.
Want UK channels only? Book a Free To Air satellite setup aimed at 28.2°E with a suitable receiver.
Want it all in one list? Choose a combo system. We install the aerial and dish, program your channels, and hand you a simple remote.
Call +01 4526039 or email salesdesk@satellite.ie for same or next day installs in Dublin, North Kildare and Meath. Please note: We generally do not install in apartments due to building policies on dishes.
Helpful extras and local support
If you are in Dublin 24 and nearby suburbs, we provide fast help for Free To Air satellite systems in Tallaght. For Clondalkin and surrounds, we also support Free To Air systems in Clondalkin with the same friendly service.
If you need a fresh dish or an upgrade, our satellite dish installers can advise on hardware and placement that will last.
Please note: We do not provide television repair services.
Summary
Point your dish to 28.2°E for UK Free To Air. This position has the most free channels relevant to Ireland.
Saorview is terrestrial and needs an aerial, not a satellite dish.
In Dublin, North Kildare and Meath a compact dish suits most homes; consider a sturdier, larger option in very exposed areas for extra weather margin.
We generally do not install in apartments because dishes are usually not allowed; check your building policy.
A combo setup gives you Irish and UK channels on one remote with no monthly bills.
Ready to go free? Call +01 4526039 or email salesdesk@satellite.ie to book your Saorview install, your Free To Air satellite setup, or a combo system. We often offer same day or next day appointments, and we will leave
you with a tidy, reliable system that just works.
If you want free Irish and UK TV without a monthly bill, the first step is to choose the right signal. In Ireland you have two parts to think about. Irish channels come from Saorview over a terrestrial aerial, while UK Free To Air channels come from a satellite dish aimed at 28.2° East. The good news is you can have both on one tidy system with a single remote and a combined channel list.
Please note: We generally do not install in apartments, as individual satellite dishes are usually not permitted by building management. Always check your building’s policy.
Below, you will learn which satellite to use, what you can expect to receive, the dish and LNB you need, and how coverage looks in Dublin, North Kildare and Meath. You will also get clear next steps to book an install or a combo setup.
Quick answer: what satellite for Free To Air in Ireland?
For UK free channels, point your dish to Astra 2 and Eutelsat 28A at 28.2°E. This is the position used for Freesat and also where almost all unencrypted UK channels live. In everyday use, people say Astra 28.2°E or simply 28.2 East.Saorview is not on satellite. It is terrestrial TV received by an aerial. To get RTE One, RTE2, Virgin Media, TG4 and more, you need a Saorview aerial aimed at your local transmitter. Most homes combine Saorview with 28.2°E
satellite for the full Irish plus UK Free To Air mix.
Which option has the most Free To Air channels?
The 28.2°E position carries the most UK Free To Air TV and radio channels. You can receive BBC, ITV, Channel 4 and Channel 5 variants, plus dozens of entertainment, news and music channels. A realistic expectation is over 130 TV channels and 40 plus radio, depending on your receiver and how you scan. The set top boxes we sell are preprogrammed with all available free to air satellite channels.
Saorview gives you the Irish core in HD with excellent reliability. Think of Saorview for your Irish channels in high quality, then add 28.2°E for a large range of UK content. Put them together in a combo receiver and you get a seamless list that feels like a single platform.
What is the best satellite choice in Ireland?
If your goal is UK Free To Air and regional BBC and ITV, 28.2°E is the clear winner and the practical choice for almost every home. You could add other satellites like 19.2°E or 13°E for European channels, but they do not carry BBC, ITV or Channel 4. For most households, 28.2°E plus Saorview is the sweet spot.
If you already have a Sky dish, it is already facing 28.2°E. With the right LNB and a suitable receiver you can repurpose it for Free To Air.
Freesat vs Freeview vs Free To Air
Freeview is a UK terrestrial service that uses a UK aerial. It does not cover the Republic of Ireland, but it is available in Northern Ireland.
Freesat is the UK free satellite platform that uses 28.2°E. In Ireland, you can receive Freesat channels from the same satellites, and you can also use a generic Free To Air receiver to get those channels without a subscription.
If you want a simple single remote setup that merges Saorview and UK Free TV, a programmed combo receiver is the easiest route.
Coverage in Dublin, North Kildare and Meath
Reception for both Saorview and 28.2°E is excellent across Dublin city and county. Coverage is also strong in North Kildare and much of Meath. Local terrain can affect Saorview aerial choice and mounting height, so a quick site check helps. You can also use the Saorview Coverage Checker to confirm your local transmitter and expected signal.
Apartments: Many apartment buildings do not allow individual satellite dishes, and we generally do not install in apartments for this reason. If your block has a managed or shared system, please contact your management company for access details and approved installers.
What dish size do you need?
Dublin and surrounds: a compact dish is suitable for 28.2°E in most locations. Many legacy Sky mini dishes work well if the mount and LNB are sound.
North Kildare and Meath: a 45cm compact dish is generally fine;
We use sturdy wall mounts and correct fixings and we dampen movement to keep your signal stable in bad weather.
Which LNB is right for you?
Standard universal single or twin LNB: great for one or two tuners on a Free To Air or combo box.
Quad LNB: useful if you plan multiple rooms or PVR features.
Sky Q Hybrid LNB: needed if you want to retain Sky Q alongside Free To Air in the same home distribution.
Not sure which you have now? We can swap the LNB to match your box and future plans.
What channels should you expect?
On Saorview you get the core Irish lineup in HD, including RTE, Virgin Media, TG4 and a selection of digital radio. On 28.2°E you get BBC, ITV, Channel 4, Channel 5 and many extras. Some channels change names or move frequencies over time, so your receiver may need an occasional retune. We pre-program our combo receivers and can update the lists during a service call.We also provide step by step instructions in our Frequently Asked Questions section on our website satellite.ie
How to get Free To Air channels at home
You can follow three paths:
1. Saorview only: install a Saorview aerial to get Irish channels in HD. This suits homes that want local news, sport and RTE Player access on compatible TVs.
2. Free To Air satellite only: repurpose a Sky dish or fit a new dish aimed at 28.2°E. Add a Free To Air satellite receiver for UK channels.
3. Combo system: combine a Saorview aerial with a 28.2°E dish into one combo box. You get a single remote, one channel list and no monthly fees.
Dish, cabling and setup tips
Keep cable runs short where possible and use CAI‑approved RG6.
Weatherproof all outdoor connectors.
Mount the dish clear of nearby trees and roofs that could block the southeast view.
After storms, a quick visual check can save you a service call.
If you are moving from Sky, we can reuse your dish and wiring in many cases or replace the dish with a new one, and fit the right LNB and receiver.
Recommended next steps
Want Irish channels only? Book a Saorview aerial install and we will tune your TV and explain the features.
Want UK channels only? Book a Free To Air satellite setup aimed at 28.2°E with a suitable receiver.
Want it all in one list? Choose a combo system. We install the aerial and dish, program your channels, and hand you a simple remote.
Call +01 4526039 or email salesdesk@satellite.ie for same or next day installs in Dublin, North Kildare and Meath. Please note: We generally do not install in apartments due to building policies on dishes.
Helpful extras and local support
If you are in Dublin 24 and nearby suburbs, we provide fast help for Free To Air satellite systems in Tallaght. For Clondalkin and surrounds, we also support Free To Air systems in Clondalkin with the same friendly service.
If you need a fresh dish or an upgrade, our satellite dish installers can advise on hardware and placement that will last.
Please note: We do not provide television repair services.
Summary
Point your dish to 28.2°E for UK Free To Air. This position has the most free channels relevant to Ireland.
Saorview is terrestrial and needs an aerial, not a satellite dish.
In Dublin, North Kildare and Meath a compact dish suits most homes; consider a sturdier, larger option in very exposed areas for extra weather margin.
We generally do not install in apartments because dishes are usually not allowed; check your building policy.
A combo setup gives you Irish and UK channels on one remote with no monthly bills.
Ready to go free? Call +01 4526039 or email salesdesk@satellite.ie to book your Saorview install, your Free To Air satellite setup, or a combo system. We often offer same day or next day appointments, and we will leave
you with a tidy, reliable system that just works.