Updated September 2026. StreamerATV is an independent guide and is not affiliated with Saorview, 2RN or RTÉ.
Quick answer: a Saorview box is a small set-top box that adds free-to-air Irish TV to a television that has no compatible tuner. Plug in a UHF aerial, connect the box to your TV by HDMI, run a channel scan and you get RTÉ One, RTÉ2, TG4, Virgin Media channels and more with no monthly fee. Always choose a box marked Saorview Approved.
Do you actually need a Saorview box?
Most TVs sold in Ireland in recent years already include a Saorview-compatible tuner (DVB-T with MPEG-4). Check the TV menu for an Antenna or Aerial input and try an automatic scan with the country set to Ireland. If channels appear, you do not need a box. You need one if:
- your TV is older and only supports the old analogue or MPEG-2 signal;
- you bought a TV abroad whose tuner does not handle Irish channel ordering;
- you are using a monitor or projector without any TV tuner;
- you want to record programmes and your TV cannot.
Types of Saorview box
| Type | What it does | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Basic Saorview receiver | Receives free-to-air channels with a 7-day guide | Second rooms, older TVs, lowest cost |
| Saorview recorder (PVR) | Built-in hard drive or USB recording, pause and rewind live TV | Recording shows without a subscription |
| Hybrid box with apps | Saorview tuner plus streaming apps over broadband | One remote for aerial TV and player apps |
| Combined Saorview + satellite | Adds Freesat or Saorsat satellite reception | Homes with poor aerial reception |
What to look for when buying
- Saorview Approved logo — guarantees correct channel ordering, HD, subtitles and the 7-day guide. Boxes sold only as “Irish digital ready” may not work properly.
- HD support — RTÉ One, RTÉ2 and TG4 broadcast in HD.
- HDMI output — for the best picture on modern TVs; SCART only for very old sets.
- Recording — a twin-tuner recorder lets you record one channel while watching another.
- Remote and menus — simple menus matter for older family members.
How to set up a Saorview box
- Connect the UHF aerial cable to the box's RF IN socket.
- Connect the box to the TV with an HDMI cable and select that HDMI input.
- Follow the first-time setup: choose Ireland and run an automatic scan.
- Check the channels are in the standard Saorview order (RTÉ One on 1, RTÉ2 on 2 and so on).
No channels found? Your aerial may need adjusting — see our Saorview aerial guide. For the full picture of free TV, read the complete Saorview guide.
FAQ
How much does a Saorview box cost?
Basic Saorview Approved receivers are usually among the cheapest TV accessories you can buy, while recorders and hybrid boxes with apps cost more. Compare prices at major Irish electrical retailers.
Is there a monthly fee for Saorview?
No. Saorview is free-to-air. You only pay for the box or TV and your aerial; normal TV licence rules still apply.
Can I use a Saorview box without an aerial?
No. A Saorview box receives the broadcast signal from an aerial. Without an aerial you can still stream Irish channels using RTÉ Player, TG4 Player and Virgin Media Play.
Will a UK Freeview box work for Saorview?
Some Freeview boxes can pick up Saorview channels, but they are not designed for Irish channel ordering and may not support everything correctly. A Saorview Approved box is the safer choice.
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