HOW TOWATCH ON DEMAND TV
Most people find it tricky to navigate the ever-changing maze of on-demand and catch-up TV. With new streaming services launching every couple of months, we’ve compiled Ireland’s biggest on-demand guide to help readers to squirrel out the best shows, which can be watched at any time of day. Some services have free trial periods so you can see what works best for you. Others offer a pay-as-you-go or pay-by-the-day option. Modern smart TVs already provide these services, or you can view them using an internet-connected device, such as a laptop, tablet, PC or smartphone.
RTÉ PLAYER
This online service from the national broadcaster is available as an app on most devices (phones, tablets and computers), including many smart TVs. As well as providing a way to watch RTÉ live online, the service also provides an archive of many Irish programmes. Free to use.
VIRGIN MEDIA PLAYER This app replaces the ‘3 Player’ since TV3 was rebranded as Virgin Media. As well as recent broadcasts on the channel, it also offers some archives of UK content, such as a A Touch Of Frost. Free to use.
Other free streaming and catch-up services including ALL 4 (channel4.com) and TG4 (www.tg4.ie/en/player/) allow you to watch programmes live or that have already aired and are generally available for 30 days after broadcast.
NETFLIX The subscription service offers a vast library of TV box sets to stream, much of which is original programming, plus an extensive selection of movies (netflix.com/ ie). From €7.99 per month.
AMAZON PRIME VIDEO Available as part of its next-day shopping delivery package, the TV and film service offers original programming as well as movies, box sets, live sport and music (amazon.co.uk/ amazonprime). From €5.99 per month.
SKY ON DEMAND A huge selection of shows, movies and sport come with a varying range of subscription packages (sky.com). From €25 per month. If you don’t want to sign up to a Sky contract, NOW TV offers ‘passes’ to watch Sky’s movies, entertainment or sport channels (nowtv. com/ie). The current entertainment offer is €15 for two months, €15 per month thereafter.
APPLE TV+ Original content plus TV shows and movies, available via your iPhone, iPad, Mac or Apple TV, as well as a smart TV app (apple.com). Seven days free, then €4.99 per month.
DISNEY+ The relatively new service is the place to go for all things Disney, Pixar, Marvel, Star Wars and National Geographic (disneyplus.com/ie). €69.99 per year or €6.99 per month.
RAKUTEN TV New movie releases, plus Hollywood classics, TV shows and documentaries (rakuten.tv/ie). No monthly fee, pay for what you watch
GOOGLE PLAY MOVIES, TV shows, apps, music and games (play.google.com/store). No monthly fee, pay as you go.