Watching UK and International TV in Malta

For many expats, Sunday night television is a ritual they aren't ready to give up just because they've moved to the Mediterranean. I know plenty of people who have moved to Malta and still want to keep up with the news, sports, or their favourite series from back home.

Watching foreign TV abroad used to be a bit of a headache. But I can put your mind at ease straight away: you can absolutely get your fix of UK or international TV here on the island. Generally, there are two ways to go about it.

Receiving International TV via Satellite in Malta

The first option is the classic one: the satellite dish. You can receive a massive range of international channels this way.

However, if you are looking to pick up specific satellites (like Astra), size matters. While you might get away with a standard 60cm dish for some signals, in my experience, that's a bit of a gamble in Malta. You are much better off with a dish diameter of 80-90cm.

Setting up a satellite system can be a bit fiddly, but once it's done, nothing stands in the way of your TV enjoyment.

Note: If you are specifically looking for UK Freesat channels (BBC, ITV), be aware that the signal beam is very tight on the UK. You often need a significantly larger dish (sometimes 3 meters+) to catch those specific signals in Malta. For general international channels, however, the standard sizes work fine.

Streaming TV via the Internet

The second option is only possible thanks to the internet: streaming. Most major broadcasters today make their programmes available online. Whether it's BBC iPlayer, Sky Go, or other national broadcasters, they usually offer live streams and catch-up services.

There is, however, a catch. Due to licensing rights, most broadcasters use "geoblocking" to prevent their content from being viewed outside their home country. If you try to log in from Malta, you'll likely get a "content not available in your location" message.

The solution here is a VPN (Virtual Private Network). I'm not a tech wizard, but essentially, a VPN tricks the website into thinking you are back in the UK (or your home country) by routing your internet traffic through a server located there. It's a simple workaround that opens up pretty much everything.

You don't have to go without your home comforts in Malta. Whether through modern streaming tech or a classic satellite dish, keeping up with your favourite programmes is entirely possible. It's a small tip for anyone who has moved to Malta and wants to make the transition a little smoother.