How forum members set up French TVs to run UK apps and Freesat
Practical approaches used by owners in France: which hardware and network tricks let you access UK apps, Freesat and UK-registered streaming while using a French internet connection.
Useful takeaways from this story.
Workarounds used: use a Fire TV Stick or separate Freesat box, run a VPN at the router or create a VPN-routed SSID/hotspot, or use satellite Linux receivers (Enigma2/Vu+/OpenPli) with plugin options.
Streaming services behave differently: Netflix uses IP location, Amazon Prime uses the account registration country, and unregistered services like YouTube show local feeds.
Some owners route only selected ports through a VPN (via router, switch or hotspot) so some devices appear to be in the UK while others stay on the French ISP.
The useful part
I have found that there are plenty of work-arounds to make Enlish language tv viewing straightforward. In fact I have now used Firestick + YouTube content provider 'Electrical MD' tutorial to gain even further and free access to films, shows etc. billybutcher 22 September 2026 08:17 103 2 Likes Dan1 22 September 2026 12:57 104 Yes..
How it works
- It was quickest at that point to enable my phone's hotspot (UK SIM so looks like a UK network) and use that.
- billybutcher 23 September 2026 13:25 107 After a bit of fiddling (and much swearing) I now have some physical network ports on an Ethernet switch which route via the VPN and other ports on that switch which...
- It doesn't have PlanetRock either So I thought I'd give casting a go again, otherwise it does work to use the TV's built-in browser but it's a faff.
- I'm sure cables breed in the drawer, but somehow two less than useful examples never seem to combine to produce a more useful item, but always the other way around.
- Sounds like they didn't do their homework by stopping it in the first place.
What to take from it
JohnH 22 September 2026 13:36 105 Netflix content changes based on the identified geographical location to which the IP address resolves. Amazon Prime delivers content based on the registered location on the account. and I have no doubt I would not have had access to be able to install iPlayer etc.
Example or evidence
- Or do you do the enthusiast stuff, programming python etc?
- Then one of the useful cables eats the other in some sort of bizarre mating ritual so the number of useful cables always goes down and the number of useless ones always increases.
- 2 Likes billybutcher 23 September 2026 17:54 110 Gadget of the day: survive15 23 September 2026 19:28 111 Is that a Vu+?
- survive15 23 September 2026 19:30 112 They certainly wriggle themslves into tangled messes.
Details worth keeping
Setting up French TV for UK apps and Freesat. A bit more fiddling then I would usually bother with, but worth it. Her indoors is bingingon Game of Thrones at the mo.
Related coverage
- Survivefrance: Assuming it has hdmi inputs then a Freely box and a VPN should do the trick.
- Survivefrance: It is quite an old Freesat box. We use it only for tv programmes. Tout à fait. Netflix is obtained by using our LG tv remote.
More context around this story.
Setting up French TV for UK apps and Freesat
Assuming it has hdmi inputs then a Freely box and a VPN should do the trick.
Setting up French TV for UK apps and Freesat
It is quite an old Freesat box. We use it only for tv programmes. Tout à fait. Netflix is obtained by using our LG tv remote.
Setting up French TV for UK apps and Freesat
Presumably there is some sort of cable between the two items ?
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