Free Catch-Up TV Apps Explained
Not all streaming costs money. Five of the most useful services in Australia are completely free: ABC iview, SBS On Demand, 7plus, 9Now and 10 play. They let you watch local news, the shows you already know, and a good range of films, over the internet rather than at a set time on the telly.
If you’ve been put off streaming by the thought of monthly bills, these are the perfect place to begin. There’s nothing to pay, no contract, and you can stop any time. Here’s what each one is and how to get going. If you are choosing a new television too, our guide to the best smart TVs for seniors is a good place to start.
Quick answer
ABC iview, SBS On Demand, 7plus, 9Now and 10 play are the free apps from Australia’s free-to-air channels. They carry the same channels and shows you watch on ordinary TV, plus a big back-catalogue you can start any time. The free Freeview app brings all five together in one place, so you don’t have to hop between them. You watch a few short ads instead of paying. To use them you need home internet and either a newer smart TV, a small streaming device, or a tablet. Set up a free account with your email address and you’re away.
What ABC iview is
ABC iview is the free service from the ABC. It carries ABC TV, ABC News and the other ABC channels, the news bulletins, and a large library of dramas, documentaries, comedies and local favourites you can watch whenever it suits. There are no ads at all on ABC iview. If you missed something last night, it’s usually waiting there for you the next morning. You can also watch the channels live, just as you would on the television.
What SBS On Demand is
SBS On Demand is the free service from SBS. It’s especially strong on world films, foreign dramas with subtitles, documentaries and food shows, and it carries NITV, the free Indigenous channel, as well. Like the commercial apps, you watch a few short ads and pay nothing. Between SBS On Demand and ABC iview you’ll rarely be short of something to watch in the evening.
7plus, 9Now and 10 play
These are the free catch-up apps from the three commercial channels: 7plus from Channel 7, 9Now from Channel 9, and 10 play from Channel 10. They carry their channels live, the news, and the reality, lifestyle, sport and drama you’d see on the ordinary broadcast, plus extra shows you can start any time. Again, they cost nothing beyond a few short ads.
One app for all five: Freeview
If five separate apps sounds like a lot to keep track of, the free Freeview app gathers ABC iview, SBS On Demand, 7plus, 9Now and 10 play into a single guide, with a familiar channel list and a search across the lot. It’s a tidy way to find what’s on without remembering which channel a show belongs to. From January 2026, new televisions sold in Australia must also show these free-to-air apps clearly on the home screen, so they’re getting easier to find, not harder.
How to start watching
1. Find the app on your screen
On a newer smart TV, look for ABC iview, SBS On Demand and the others among the apps on the home screen. If they’re not there, your TV’s app store will have them to add. On a tablet or phone, download them free from the App Store or Google Play. On an older TV, a small streaming device adds them easily, as we explain in our guide to the best streaming devices for seniors.
2. Set up a free account
The first time you open each app, it asks you to sign up. You give an email address and choose a password, and that’s all. There’s no card to enter, because there’s nothing to pay. Write the password down somewhere safe so you have it if you ever need to sign in again.
3. Pick something and press play
Browse the rows of shows, or use the search to look for a name you know. Choose an episode and it starts. You can pause, rewind and pick up where you left off later. There’s nothing to break, so it’s worth having a wander through to see what’s there.
Once you’re comfortable here, you may want to look at the paid options too. Our overview of the best streaming services in Australia explains how Netflix, Stan and Disney+ fit alongside these free ones.
Before you finish
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FAQ: free TV online in Australia
Are these catch-up apps really free?
Yes. There’s no monthly charge and no contract. You watch a few short ads, the same as on ordinary television, and ABC iview has no ads at all.
Do I have to give my bank details?
No. Because there’s nothing to pay, the apps only ask for an email address and a password to set up a free account.
Can I watch the news live?
Yes. All of them let you watch their channels live as they broadcast, as well as catching up on shows afterwards.
What if my TV is old?
A small streaming device plugs into the back of almost any television and adds these apps. It’s an inexpensive way to bring an older set up to date.
Is there one app instead of five?
Yes. The free Freeview app brings ABC iview, SBS On Demand, 7plus, 9Now and 10 play together in a single guide, so you can find a show without remembering which channel it’s on.
