TV Online - Streaming Television - IPTV
Introduction
Streaming television and Internet Protocol television (IPTV) deliver live, catch-up and on-demand TV via the Internet rather than traditional terrestrial, satellite or cable signals. Streaming TV can be viewed via numerous streaming devices, smartphones, tablets, and 'smart TVs' with integrated Internet. Given that broadband access is standard in Finland, streaming TV works very well.
Finnish IPTV
IPTV is increasingly popular in Finland, but Cable / Pay TV packages also remain prominent. Packages in the Finnish IPTV market include:
Elisa Viihde
Viihde means Entertainment! Numerous equipment offerings and entertainment packages. Watch films, series and sports on your set-top box, tablet or smartphone.
With Elisa's app you can also record directly from your TV and store remotely, then watch on your phone, tablet, computer or TV.
Elisa also offers a Netflix set-top box.
Site in Finnish but works great translated in Chrome browser (How?).
Alternatively use Google Translate.
Other Operators
- Maxivision Viihde: maxivision.fi
- Telia TV: telia.fi
Subscriber Internet TV
Some services which deliver films & TV over the internet to your streaming device, or to your TV via a streaming device, are gaining in popularity. See the following sites for details of program catalogues and system requirements:
- Netflix: netflix.fi Netflix has "thousands of films and TV episodes", from about 8-16€ per month
- HBO Max: hbomax.com/fi/fi Most of the HBO series as well as other programming streamed to your computer, tablet or smartphone from about 9€ per month
Free Finnish Streaming TV Channels
All the main Finnish broadcasters provide 'netti-tv' services for their main channels as well as sister channels. They are completely free (registration may be required) and quite simple to use even if your Finnish is limited. It's possible the first time you use them you'll need to download a free plug-in such as Microsoft Silverlight if it's not already on your system. See the FAQ's after this list for more information.
- Areena: YLE TV1 & Sister channels areena.yle.fi/tv
- MTV: MTV3 & Sister channels mtv.fi
- Ruutu: Nelonen & Sister channels ruutu.fi
- Discovery: TV5 & Sister channels discoveryplus.com/fi
See Also Finnish Newspapers with Video: - Ilta-Sanomat: is.fi > IS TV
- Iltalehti iltalehti.fi > IL-TV
FAQ's:
Are there only Finnish programs available?
No, there are also foreign programs in their original languages. Due to copyright / intellectual property rights, locally produced programs are often allowed to remain online longer, so the available shows may be predominantly Finnish.
How long are programs available?
Some programs may only be available for 7 days after initial broadcast, for others it may be 30 days. It depends on copyright and the rights purchased by the channel.
Can programs be seen abroad?
Some programs are available abroad. Again, it depends on the channel and the program's intellectual property rights.
I don't speak Finnish - can I use netti-tv?
You can certainly try!
1) Click Ohjelmat, which means Programs, at the above sites - It's quite possible you'll recognise some shows on the list or
2) Here are some words you can search in the site's 'Haku' box:
- Elokuva - Movie
- Sarjat - Series
- Dokumentit - Documentaries
- Urheilu - Sports
- Viihde - Entertainment
- Lastenohjelmat - Children's programs
- Ajankohtaisohjelmat - Current Affairs
- Komedia - Comedies
- Draama - Drama
- Uutiset - News
- Kulttuuri - Culture
- Taide - Arts
- Reality, tosi-tv - Reality TV
- Kotimaiset - Finnish
- Ulkomaiset - Foreign
YouTube TV
YouTube is of course not a TV channel. However, it's mentioned here because people missing shows from their home countries will be pleased to find an increasing amount of foreign TV showing up on YouTube - not just 2 or 3 minute clips but complete episodes of TV shows, and movies too! So if there is something in particular you've been missing have a search at YouTube; you may be surprised.
YouTube: youtube.com
Top Tip: In your YouTube search add the term full episode or full version. Also use the search filter Duration - Over 20 minutes
World News Channels
Numerous free, live online news channels are available in many languages, including English, Arabic, German, French, Russian and Iranian. Check the following links for other language options.
- Al Jazeera in Arabic: aljazeera.net/live
- Al Jazeera in English: aljazeera.com/live
- Bloomberg Business & Financial News: bloomberg.com/live/europe
- Deutsche Welle, multi-language: dw.com/en/live-tv/
- EuroNews Live, English: euronews.com/live
- France 24, English: france24.com/en/livefeed
- Press TV, Iranian news: presstv.com
- RT, Russian news, English: rt.com/on-air/ Blocked due to Ukraine
Related Links
Links to other sites are direct to the relevant page, where possible
