Back in the days of the Raj (or maybe slightly later, after TV was invented), British TV had the reputation of being the best in the world. Things changed over the years and nowadays the very best comes out the USA. The last couple of years has included gems such as the conclusion of Breaking Bad, Fargo and True Detective. Recently I have enjoyed Better Call Saul, the Breaking Bad spin-off, and this weekend sees the return of Game of Thrones and Veep. All these very popular series are available via torrents.
UK TV also has some gems, but they tend to be smaller in scale and less publicised, and it can be hard to spot them and to find a way of viewing them. It would be good to have access to UK TV, preferably without having to stick to UK viewing schedules or seek elusive torrents.
There are several options floating around at various levels of expense, but one of the best regarded is Thai Expat TV.
The service is provided through the internet and a minimum download speed of 3MB is recommended. With quoted internet speeds from ISPs being somewhat arbitrary, it is best to check that you can reliably use the service before paying money; so I started with the two day free trial. Having signed up, you are sent a user name and password which you enter into the downloaded Thai Expat TV application. The application loads and away you go.
The first screen is an overview:
Then you choose the channel of your choice and will be pleased to find that you have all programmes for the past nine days available. This is the screen for Channel 4 as of now, with the programmes that are yet to air greyed out.
If I go back a day (or nine days) I have the complete days programmes available.
Pick a program and a summary appears:
Click ‘Play’ and the video starts in a few seconds.
You can tell how well your internet is coping by the size of the video buffer that builds up. My feed has a buffer in excess of 20 minutes after only a short viewing time so I guess I am OK. You can put the video on full screen mode and on my 27" monitor the picture was crisp; and the sound is clear.
You can run Thai Expat TV on your computer (Mac or Windows), your iPad, or connected to your TV; although you will need to drop a few thousand baht for the TV option. As I let she who must be obeyed have free range of the True Satellite Service on the TV, I am happy to watch my programs on the computer or iPad so will not be investing in a box.
Other than installing the application on your computer and signing in, there is nothing else to do. I am very impressed with the ease, quality and flexibility and have signed up for the basic monthly package for 600 baht per month. This offers:
BBC1 HD – National flagship channel from the BBC, offering unrivaled entertainment & drama. BBC2 HD - National alternative entertainment and informative channel. BBC3 HD - Ground breaking comedy and alternative entertainment. BBC4 - Quality BBC entertainment. CBBC - Britians leading childrens TV channel from the BBC. Cbeebies - Wide range of high quality, distinctive content for 6-12 year olds. ITV1 HD – The flagship channel from the ITV network, offering premium quality entertainment & drama ITV2 – The alternative entertainment & drama channel from the ITV network ITV3 - ITV4 - ITV’s digital channel specialising in premium sports, classic UK dramas and cult films. CH4 – Cutting edge comedy, drama & documentaries, from the UK’s favorite independent channel. Film 4 – Find the very best independent and cult movies on CH4’s premium movie channel More 4 - Intelligent documentary, new comedy, challenging drama, and quality art and lifestyle shows. E4 - Intelligent documentary, new comedy, challenging drama, and quality art and lifestyle shows. Channel 5 - A general entertainment channel, with internally commissioned shows alongside numerous international programmes, plus sport. Sky News - Latest news updates BBC World News - Latest news updates Australia Network - NHK World -
For an additional 300 baht you can have even more channels; but I am sticking to the basic package for now.
Thai Expat TV is a slick solution for what I consider to be a reasonable price. If you fancy having a trial to see for yourself, go here.
Comments 🔗
2015-04-11| genuinej saysDistance must be truly lending enchantment. The view you have there is very different to that held by many here in the UK. Especially me! Your descriptions of BBC and ITV bear no resemblance to the reality of the shit offered in 90% of their programmes. Admittedly there is the odd gem in there, but mostly it’s daily diets of dire rubbish, repeats and pathetic, unwatchable minority sports. Not to mention that we are made to pay the BBC over £150 a year regardless of whether you watch the lefty twats’ offerings or not. Roll on its dissolution.
2015-04-12| Grant saysOh do try and cheer up a little old chap, it is spring-time after all… The relentless over commercialisation and dumbing down of the visual media is obvious to those of us who have observed it at odd times over many decades. I do find your ratio very interesting for if the 90% crap supports the 10% content that we may want to watch we’re probably still OK. I guess the trick is to be highly selective and be prepared to record or watch at odd hours. I find it pays to keep a couple of good books on the go and, like Uncle Spike, have an absorbing hobby and a rich fantasy life… Thai Expat TV at 600 baht a month seems like good value to me if you can pick and choose the best of what is left of British TV. I’m paying 1800 baht equivalent to the rapacious Mr Sky in New Zild for very little British TV content, pity I can’t get TETV here. Or can I? Must check. If I can, Mr Sky can pop round and take his wretched box away. Thanks Spike, really good post, very useful.
2015-04-12| Andrew saysfrom the website: Watch UK TV live or on demand in Asia – Hong Kong, Singapore, Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia, Japan, South Korea, Indonesia, Philippines, and Kuala Lumpur. Also serviced in Australia, New Zealand and the UAE. Thai Expat TV is the ultimate internet TV solution in Asia for users of Windows PC, Mac OS, iPhone, iPad, iPod and Android devices. Whether you are a business traveler, an expat, or on holiday, Thai Expat TV gives you the best premium UK TV content on demand. Watch Sky News, ITV, Channel 4 and much more. Choose from three excellent platforms to receive our service – software player / mobile player / set top box. Enjoy your favorite British TV anywhere!
Get your FREE trial NOW!
although personally I find all television a greater wasteland than the Sahara…..
2015-04-13| Spike saysGenuinej is correct, it is 90% rubbish. But there is enough for a few hours entertainment each week. Over the weekend I watched the Grand National and the Boat Race; neither of which I have watched for many years. A documentary about Mike Oldfield, a couple of Louis Theroux documentaries and a motorsports compendium called The Grid. Being able to choose over nine days and multiple channels means there is usually something worth watching. And you can jump through the adverts.
2015-04-25| Pete saysHave you tried https://eztv.it/ as a torrent site? It specializes in TV series and adds them as they get aired. Home page has last 2 day’s worth of programmes, but individual series can be singled out.