The majority of internet box operators offer different ways to enjoy their TV packages from another domestic television, whether by adding a second box or a dedicated application. Here is an overview of the options available.
Have you just installed a TV in your bedroom or bathroom (we don’t judge) so you can finally watch the Sunday night movie in bed or in the shower? Only, you do not have the TV channels of your subscription on this second screen? Rest assured, today operators have fully understood this need and almost all offer additional options in their offers to meet it, this is generally called the ” Multi-TV ». The latter is based on the rental of a second TV box. The other method consists, with a connected television or even his smartphone, of having access to the channels of his TV package without having to subscribe to another subscription, but here again, there are disparities according to the operators.
We will only talk here about the ways to watch TV from another television and not the mobile applications that we have already covered in another dedicated article.
How to have a second TV box at your operator?
If you don’t have a second connected TV, adding a second TV decoder is probably the best solution. This is where the famous Multi-TV option comes into play.
The latter is generally obtained on request. It is therefore necessary to subscribe to a corresponding offer with your internet operator, which freely sets its prices. Please note that the price of the Multi TV option may also vary over time. This option is often the subject of a non-binding contract to be subscribed from the supplier’s customer area.
Orange was one of the first operators to have launched this option 10 years ago. For 8.99 euros per month and without commitment, you have a second TV box to connect via an Ethernet cable to the Livebox or via a CPL box. In this way, you get all the services you have on your main TV without restriction.
Bouygues Télécom also offers a Multi-TV option with the same price (8.99 euros per month) and the same conditions as at Orange (minus the 10 euro activation fee). The box provided varies according to the subscribed offer: Bbox Must and Bbox Ultym (VDSL) customers as well as Bbox Must Fiber customers will receive a Bbox TV Miami decoder and Bbox Ultym Fiber customers receive a Bbox TV 4K decoder.
It is undoubtedly on the side of Free that we find the most diversity concerning its Multi-TV option. The operator lets its subscribers choose the decoder that suits them according to their needs with three rental models and a decoder offer to buy. Everything happens from the Customer area with prices ranging from 4.99 to 9.99 euros per month depending on the box chosen.
Finally, at SFR, we are more or less in the same idea as at Free with the choice of decoder according to its offer, each one having different characteristics (we strongly recommend the Connect V2 box). Note that this option is available free of charge for all SFR + TV box offers with a 24-month commitment. Otherwise, the offer is also available for 3 euros more per month without commitment.
How to watch TV for free without needing a second decoder?
With the emergence of connected TVs allowing easier access to VOD services such as Netflix, Prime video or Disney +, operators have understood that the era of TV decoders may be coming to an end. The offer is attractive, but not yet fully developed, as there are significant differences between operators.
The OrangeTV app
If you have an Orange internet offer or a mobile or internet + mobile Sosh offer, you can enjoy your favorite programs wherever you are thanks to the Orange TV application. This application is available on Android, iOS on the mobile side as well as on Android TV and Samsung TVs since 2018 via TizenOS.
Note, however, that access to it depends on your subscription. As a Livebox + Box customer, there is no particular procedure to take to take advantage of the Orange TV app, given that you had direct access to it when activating the services. Simply enter your identifiers from the mobile authentication by QR Code to enjoy it as you wish on your compatible TV or box. On the other hand, the story is different for customers who have not subscribed to a TV box, they must either order a TV box or subscribe to the TV option for 5 euros more per month.
The OQEE by Free app
Free was one of the first operators to completely dematerialize its TV interface. This service is accessible for all Fiber or ADSL customers. The application is available via Android devices, iOS, Android TV, Apple TV, on most Smart TVs on the market and on a web browser in addition to its Player Pop version.
Another advantage of this unified platform, in addition to access to 550 live TV channels, including the many Replay channels included: it also offers advanced functions such as live control, start-over and remote recording. It is clearly the best provided application of all the operators.
Bouygues Telecom’s BTV app
Like all other TV solutions of this type, Bouygues has also got up to speed with its own application available on most platforms.
Note however that access to this application is only possible for the Bbox Must and Ultym offers, the only ones offering the addition of a TV decoder. However, you can subscribe to the unlimited B.TV option with any subscription (6 euros per month) to cast TV from a Chromecast compatible device or via the TV application.
The SFR TV / SFR Play application
Access to the SFR TV application is free for all SFR Box customers with a TV package (SFR Starter, SFR Fiber Power and SFR Fiber Premium). However, this application is compatible only with mobile devices, it is not available on any Smart TV in the market. It is therefore necessary to cast the TV from your smartphone with a Chromecast or AirPlay compatible TV. The Android TV version does not exist yet, but it can nevertheless be installed via its APK version. Note all the same that you will have to do with the mobile interface which is absolutely not adapted to the TV format.
As for SFR Play (TV application using the interface of SFR Boxes), it was removed from the Google Play Store some time ago and can only be found in APK version. Be careful though, its support having also ended, it is possible that the experience will be altered, or even impossible.
Our Fibre/ADSL comparator to enjoy TV everywhere
To go further and compare all the fibre/ADSL offers with these multi-TV options, we invite you to consult our comparator of the best offers from the moment.
Fibre
Bbox fit Fibre
Débit jusqu’à 400 Mb/s
Sans Player TV
Téléphonie vers 110 destinations
Fibre, Câble
RED box Fibre
Débit jusqu’à 500 Mb/s
Sans Player TV
Téléphonie vers 100 destinations
ADSL, Fiber
Freebox Pop
Flow rate up to 5 Gbps
220 TV channels included
Telephony to 110 destinations
All internet boxes
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