How to Watch STV: Live TV and Catch Up

Where can I watch STV?

There are two ways to watch STV, and which one applies to you depends a little on where you are in the UK.

On television, STV is the Channel 3 licence holder for central and northern Scotland. If that's your region, you can get this over the air on your TV or through a built-in service such as Freeview, Sky, Virgin Media, Freesat, or Freely. 

You can also get access to STV via the  STV Player  mobile app,  a connected device (Fire TV, Google TV, Apple TV or Roku) or the STV Player website, which are free to use anywhere in the UK.

The live STV channel and catch-up for STV's own broadcast programming are limited to the STV transmission area. An extensive on-demand catalogue — STV originals, box sets, films and documentaries — is available UK-wide.

Is STV free to watch?

Yes. STV is a free-to-air public service broadcaster and STV Player is a free streaming service. You don't pay a subscription for either.

Two things to be aware of. You still need a valid TV Licence to watch or record live television as it's being broadcast, on any channel and on any device — that includes streaming STV live on STV Player. And STV Player is ad-funded, so you'll see advertising breaks during most programmes.

Watching STV live

Within the STV area, the live channel is available on your TV platform in the usual way, and you can also stream it on STV Player at player.stv.tv/live.

Live streaming on STV Player works on the web and on mobile, and on a number of connected TV devices.

You can check the STV TV guide for the schedule up to 7 days in advance.

Catch up and on demand

STV Player carries two different kinds of content, and the distinction matters if you're outside Scotland.

Catch up is programming that has recently aired on the STV channel. Because it's tied to the broadcast, it's available to viewers in the STV transmission area.

On demand is STV Player's wider streaming catalogue — box sets, films, documentaries and STV originals that aren't tied to a particular broadcast. This is available free to anyone in the UK, wherever you are.

Watching STV outside Scotland

This is the question we get asked most, so to be clear about it: if you're elsewhere in the UK, you can absolutely use STV Player, and the on-demand catalogue is free and open to you. What you won't get is the live STV channel or catch up for STV's broadcast output, because STV's Channel 3 licence covers central and northern Scotland.

For live ITV network programming and network catch up outside the STV area, use ITVX, which is also free.

Travelling abroad? Neither service is available outside the UK, and using a VPN is against the terms of use.

Watching STV without an aerial

You don't need an aerial to watch STV. If you're in the STV area, streaming the live channel on STV Player over your broadband connection gives you the same output — on a phone, tablet, laptop, smart TV or streaming device.

Satellite and cable are the other aerial-free routes: STV is carried on Sky, Virgin Media and Freesat. And if you only want the on-demand catalogue rather than live TV, STV Player alone is enough, anywhere in the UK.

On connected devices

STV Player is available on most major connected TV platforms, streaming devices and mobile devices. Search for "STV Player" in your device's app store, install it, and you're ready to go.

For the full breakdown of what supports on-demand playback and what also carries the live channel, see which devices support STV Player.

How to watch STV on a smart TV

Search for “STV Player” in your smart TV or streaming device’s app store. Download the app, sign in to your free STV Player account and choose a programme to watch. Live-channel availability depends on your location and the device you are using.

Which devices support STV Player?

Live-channel streaming on STV Player is available in the STV transmission area. Support can change as platforms update their apps — if you can't find STV Player on your device, check your app store for the latest availability.

Do I need an STV Player account?

You can browse the STV Player website and some app versions without an account. If you want to watch anything, then you will need an account. Accounts are free and you only need to set this up once to cover all the available platforms and devices.

Troubleshooting playback

If something isn't playing properly, these are some key things to check:

• Buffering or poor picture quality — check your connection speed, and move closer to your router or switch to a wired connection if you can. Rebooting your router or freeing up bandwidth can also help.
• The live channel isn't showing — live streaming is limited to the STV area. If you're elsewhere in the UK, ITVX is the route to live ITV network programming.
• The app won't load or crashes — close it fully and reopen it, then check for an app update in your device's store.
• A programme has disappeared — titles are available for a limited window, and rights can expire.
• Still stuck — a device restart clears a surprising number of playback faults. Beyond that, STV Player Help has platform-specific guides.

Frequently asked questions

Is STV free to watch?

Yes. STV is free-to-air and STV Player is a free, ad-funded streaming service. There's no subscription. You do need a TV Licence to watch or stream live television.

Can I watch STV outside Scotland?

You can use STV Player anywhere in the UK and stream its on-demand catalogue for free. The live STV channel and catch-up for STV's broadcast programming are available in central and northern Scotland, where STV holds the Channel 3 licence. Elsewhere in the UK, use ITVX for live ITV network programming and network catch-up.

How do I watch STV live online?

Stream the live channel on STV Player at player.stv.tv/live, or through the STV Player app on mobile and supported connected TV devices. Live streaming is available in the STV transmission area.

Can I watch STV without an aerial?

Yes. Stream it on STV Player over your broadband connection, or watch through Sky, Virgin Media, Freesat or Freely. A TV Licence is still required for live TV.

Which devices support STV Player?

STV Player works on web browsers, iOS and Android phones and tablets, Amazon Fire TV, Google TV, Apple TV, Roku, many smart TVs, YouView, Virgin Media, Sky and Freesat, plus casting via Chromecast and AirPlay. Live-channel support varies by device.

Do I need an account to watch STV Player?

Yes you need an account to watch STV Player on any of the platforms or devices.

Do I need a TV Licence to watch STV Player?

You need a TV Licence to watch or record live television as it's broadcast, including streaming the STV live channel. On-demand and catch-up viewing on STV Player is covered by the same rules that apply to other broadcasters' on-demand services.

Start watching

Pick up a box set, catch last night's programmes, or jump straight into the live channel.

Start watching on STV Player