With Orange France, you can easily get your Internet plan using your foreign number (EU only) — no French SIM needed! Only available for subscriptions through Selectra.
Need help with internet in France? Our English speaking advisors help you understand your options and choose the right plan. Call us for clear, practical advice (free of charge).
Need help with internet in France? Our English speaking advisors help you understand your options and choose the right plan. Call us for clear, practical advice (free of charge).
You can watch English TV in France via your French Internet box, a paid English TV pack, UK streaming platforms, or a satellite dish pointed at Astra 28.2°E. Channels like BBC World News, Sky News and CNN are often included at no extra cost, while Orange at €5 per month and SFR at €5.99 per month offer dedicated English bouquets. Free-to-air UK channels such as BBC and ITV are also available by satellite in many areas of France.
Options to watch English TV in France: quick overview
Can you watch English TV channels in France for free?
Watching English TV in France has never been easier, whether you want to keep up with UK news, enjoy your favorite shows, or follow live sports. Thanks to a range of options including streaming services, VPNs, satellite dishes, and international TV packages from French Internet providers, expats and english-speaking residents can access popular channels like BBC, ITV, and Channel 4 without leaving France.
Many French providers even include English-language channels in their standard or add-on packages, giving viewers the chance to watch live broadcasts, movies, and on-demand content from the UK.
For those new to the French television landscape, here's a quick overview:
Public French channels: TF1, France 2, France 3, France 5, and M6, which are available nationwide.
Digital TV (TNT): Free channels such as France 4, France 5, ARTE, and LCP, accessible with a standard decoder available at electronics stores.
International channels in French packages: BBC World News, CNN, Sky News, CNBC, and others often included in basic or premium Internet TV bundles.
💡 Good to know
Many French Internet providers offer an English-language add-on or "bouquet" (packages), such as Orange's Bouquet Anglophone, which provides access to multiple English channels for just a few euros per month. It's a simple way to enjoy UK content without worrying about VPNs or complicated setups.
Watch English TV channels in France with a French Internet box
When you subscribe to an Internet box from a French operator (a triple-play package including TV), you automatically get access to a few English-language channels in the basic package. You'll typically find Sky News, Bloomberg TV, BBC News, and other international news channels, which are perfect for keeping up with news from home. These channels are included at no extra cost.
If you want more English-language content, only Orange and SFR offer paid packages. Orange has the Bouquet Anglophone for €5/month, adding about 4 extra channels in English. SFR's Bouquet Anglais costs €5.99/month and includes roughly 8 additional English channels.
Bouygues Telecom and Free don't provide any paid English-language packages, so your options there are limited to the channels included in the base package.
English channels with French TV providers
Operator
English channels included in base TV package
Paid option
Want to know more?
BBC World, CNN International, Sky News, Bloomberg TV
Bouquet Anglais (8 additional English channels) €5.99/month
CNN, BBC World News, Sky News
Bouquet Anglophone (4 additional English channels) €5/month
France 24 English, Sky News, Bloomberg TV, BBC News, CNN International, CNBC Europe
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Disney Channel, Nat Geo Live, National Geographic, BBC World News, Sky News International
How to watch UK TV in France online (BBC, ITV, Channel 4)
One of the easiest ways to watch UK TV in France online free or via subscription is through streaming services. Platforms like BBC iPlayer, ITV Hub, and All 4 offer a wide range of British content, including dramas, comedies, and documentaries. Keep in mind that some of these services are geo-restricted, meaning they may only be available to viewers in the UK. In that case, a VPN is often necessary to enjoy uninterrupted access.
Popular options for UK TV streaming include:
BBC iPlayer: Live TV, catch-up shows, and a wide range of series.
ITV Hub: Free access to current ITV programming with on-demand episodes.
All 4 (Channel 4): Offers full series, specials, and exclusive online content.
Subscription platforms: Netflix UK or BritBox, which provide extensive libraries of UK TV shows and movies for a monthly fee.
💡 Good to know
If you encounter geo-blocking when trying to access UK platforms, a reliable VPN can make a big difference. Choose one with servers in the UK to watch shows in real time and ensure your internet speed is fast enough for HD streaming. NordVPN, CyberGhost VPN, Surfshark and Express VPN are often popular choices among users.
Your shortcut to French telecom plans Skip the French forms and hold music: our advisors can handle the setup for you in a few minutes. Call our English-speaking team today!
👌 Your shortcut to French Internet & mobile plans. Skip the French forms and hold music: our advisors can handle the setup for you in a few minutes. Call our English-speaking team today!
How to get English satellite TV in France with Astra 2
To get English satellite TV in France, install a dish aligned to Astra 2 at 28.2°E and connect it to a compatible Freesat or Sky‑type receiver to access free‑to‑air channels like BBC, ITV and Channel 4. In most of France, a dish of about 80-100 cm is enough, but southern regions may need a larger 120-160 cm dish for a stable signal.
You can then add paid subscriptions if you want a full UK line‑up including extra Sky channels.
Good practices for expats in France:
Check that your building or commune allows satellite dishes before installing one.
Test signal and line of sight towards 28.2°E before buying equipment or fixing the dish permanently.
Compare what you get free‑to‑air with paid UK subscriptions to decide if extra packages are worth it for your viewing habits.
💡 Pro-tip: Even if you mostly watch free-to-air channels, a small extra subscription may be worth it if you want full Sky or UK sports content without interruptions.
NEED AN INTERNET PLAN WITH TV? Call an English-speaking Selectra advisor at +33 9 77 55 72 27 (Mon. to Fri. from 8 am to 9 pm and 9:30 am to 6:30 pm on Sat. and on Sun. 9 am to 5 pm) to help you sign up for an internet plan with TV.
Call an English-speaking Selectra advisor at +33 9 77 55 72 27 (Mon. to Friday, from 8 am to 9 pm and 9:30 am to 6:30 pm on Saturdays and on Sundays 9 am to 5 pm) to help you sign up for an internet plan with TV.
NEED AN INTERNET PLAN WITH TV? Call an English-speaking Selectra advisor at +33 9 77 55 72 27 . Our call-center is currently closed. Ask for a free callback to help you sign up for an internet plan with TV.
Call an English-speaking Selectra advisor at +33 9 77 55 72 27 . Our call-center is currently closed. Ask for a free callback to help you sign up for an internet plan with TV.
Internet‑based UK TV boxes: how to watch English TV in France without a dish
To watch English TV channels in France without a satellite dish, you can use an internet‑based UK TV box that streams UK channels over your French broadband connection via a plug‑and‑play receiver. This option is ideal for apartments, rented homes or holiday lets where installing a dish is impossible or not allowed.
For smooth HD viewing, aim for a stable connection of at least 10-20 Mb/s and connect the box by Ethernet whenever possible. You still need a legitimate UK TV or IPTV subscription, but many expat‑focused services bundle the hardware, subscription and support, so activation and billing remain simple from France.
⚠️ Legal note: Avoid hacks, card-sharing, or methods that circumvent UK provider rules. Stick to legitimate UK TV boxes or expat-friendly subscriptions to stay within the law.
👌 Talk to someone who gets it. We’ve been there too: French contracts can be tricky. Our English-speaking team helps you compare or switch plans easily.
👌 Talk to someone who gets it. We’ve been there too: French contracts can be tricky. Our English-speaking team helps you compare or switch plans easily.
