Digital TV Aerials vs Streaming: Which Setup Is Best for Your Home in 2025?
With more ways than ever to watch TV, it’s no wonder people get stuck choosing between digital TV aerials and streaming. We’ve worked in homes all over West Yorkshire, and time and again, we find that the right setup comes down to how you live, how you watch, and what kind of frustrations you're hoping to stop, whether that's weak signal, rising bills, or tech that just won't cooperate.
What problems are people trying to solve with TV setups today?
We often hear the same few complaints: buffering during big football matches, the kids getting frustrated when Netflix freezes upstairs, monthly bills creeping up, or rooms where the telly just doesn’t work.
That’s usually the point where people start looking for something that just works every time, in every room. In many cases, digital TV aerials end up being the answer.
Why do people still install digital TV aerials in 2025?
Streaming grabs the headlines, but digital TV aerials are still the go-to choice when you want a reliable live signal particularly in older homes where thick stone walls make Wi-Fi unpredictable.
We regularly meet homeowners who assumed streaming would cover everything, only to realise their router can’t handle it across the whole house. Others are just fed up with juggling logins and remote controls.
A proper digital TV aerials setup gives you instant access to 70+ Freeview channels — no buffering, no subscriptions, no waiting. In listed buildings, we often use loft-mounted aerials to keep things discreet. For properties in Otley, Ilkley, or the surrounding hills where signal can dip, we fit high-gain aerials with filters to cut through the noise.
We’ve set up digital TV aerials that power four or five rooms from one spot — no lag, no fiddling. Once it's in, it just works.
Check out our Domestic Services or Commercial Services to see what we offer.
What are the downsides of relying on streaming services?
Streaming can look great when it works but it leans entirely on your internet.
We’ve been out to homes where people built beautiful media walls, only to find out their router was tucked away downstairs in a cupboard. The result? Lag, dropouts, or frozen screens just when you sit down to relax.
Even in well-connected areas like Headingley, we see interference from neighbouring networks and overworked bandwidth. Add in someone on a Zoom call and a teen gaming upstairs, and your stream stalls.
People also tell us they’re spending far more than they expected. Subscribing to three or four services can easily top £60 a month. A digital TV aerial cuts all that out and keeps live channels available on demand.
And for those who prefer things simple, a remote, a screen, and a picture that works, an aerial setup is still unbeatable.
Not sure what’s right for your setup? Start with these questions
Before you decide, think about what happens in your house.
Do you get dead zones? Are you setting up new TVs in different rooms? Want a solution that works even when the Wi-Fi doesn’t?
If your router’s nowhere near the TV or your walls block the signal, an aerial is a solid fix. Coax points are easy to run to wherever you need them from bedrooms, garden offices, even garages. A lot of people use Freeview for the day-to-day stuff, then stream when they want a boxset or film.
When we install media walls or full-room setups, we usually pair aerial feeds with internet connections. If you’re unsure what type of aerial would suit your property, our team can advise during a quick site check with no obligation.
Can you have both a digital aerial and streaming setup?
Absolutely and we can help with both. We also install and align Sky dishes for homes that need access to premium channels alongside Freeview. If you want everything wired up cleanly, without signal issues or messy cables, this is where we come in. See our Sky services.
Definitely. In fact, that’s what most people go for.
You can stream through the apps on your smart TV, and your digital TV aerials keep the live channels steady no matter what the internet’s doing. We run all the cables neatly out of sight, and we often add extra coax points while we're there so you're future-ready.
We’ve lost count of the times a customer thanked us when everything worked without a second thought.
In homes with tricky layouts, thick stone, or long cable runs, we’ll often add signal boosters or plan alternate routes to protect quality. That’s the sort of detail we think through before we even pick up the drill.
Many of our customers ask the same things once we get talking so here are a few answers up front.
Why trust Cube Communications for your aerial installation?
We’ve been climbing ladders and cabling homes across West Yorkshire for more than 35 years. From storm-damaged chimney installs to neat loft jobs in listed buildings, we’ve seen and sorted every variation.
We don’t guess. We measure the signal, talk through the options, and build systems that last.
Whether you own your home, rent it, or manage a property portfolio including HMOs or short-lets, we’ll get you a setup that’s solid and future-proof. Read our reviews to see what others say.
Talk to Us About Your Setup!
Stop putting up with weak signal and over-complicated systems. Whether you’re sorting out the lounge, upgrading the rental property, or wiring up new rooms, we’ll give you practical, honest advice that fits your home and timeline. We can often book installs within just a few days.
Still not sure whether you need streaming, digital TV aerials, or both? Let’s figure it out together.
Contact Cube Communications and speak with someone who knows how to get it done right.

Common Questions About Digital TV Aerials
Can I still get Freeview with an aerial?
Absolutely. We install digital TV aerials every week in new builds and 100-year-old terraces — all feeding Freeview, no subscription needed.
Is it worth installing an aerial if I already stream?
Most of the time, yes. It gives you a backup when Wi-Fi lets you down and lets you catch live events without delay.
Will I need a new aerial for a smart TV?
Maybe. If your picture breaks up or the cable looks ancient, it’s worth upgrading. We’ll always check your current setup first.
What if my aerial signal is poor?
It’s usually down to the aerial being too low, the cable being damaged, or the connectors rusted out. We test the lot and fix what’s needed, simple as that.
