Terrestrial television in Ukraine hasn’t gone anywhere, but people are increasingly watching it not via an antenna, but through an app—on a TV, laptop, or phone. We’ve looked into which legal services are available in Ukraine, how they differ, how much they cost approximately, and where to watch the TV programming itself.
A quick note: Providers change their rates and package offerings several times a year, so the figures below are just a rough guide—not a price list. Always check the service's website for the current price.
Three Ways to Watch TV
1. T2 TV — Free
DVB-T2 digital terrestrial broadcasts are received via an antenna and require neither an internet connection nor a subscription. You’ll need a TV with a built-in T2 tuner (all modern models have one) or a separate set-top box costing a few hundred hryvnias.
Pros: It doesn't rely on the internet and works even during power outages, as long as you have a power bank for your TV or set-top box. Cons: About three dozen channels; no pause, rewind, or archive features; and the quality depends on the signal.
2. IPTV from an Internet service provider
TV bundled with internet is what most home internet providers offer. Most often, this is either the provider’s own IPTV service with a set-top box or a subscription to a partner OTT service included in the plan.
Pros: a single bill for internet and TV, which is often cheaper than paying for them separately, and technical support all in one place. Cons: tied to your address—if you move, everything changes.
3. OTT services — an app that works over any internet connection
You pay for a subscription to the service, and you can watch on any device, anywhere there's an internet connection. This is the most flexible option, and it is precisely this option that has replaced traditional "television" solutions in recent years.
Major Legal Services in Ukraine
MEGOGO
Ukraine's largest video service: TV channels, movies, TV series, audiobooks, and radio—all in one app. Several subscription tiers are available—ranging from an affordable package with a basic selection of channels to a premium package featuring movies and sports. There is also a free tier with ads.
Who it's for: People who want an "all-in-one" solution and watch more than just broadcast channels.
sweet.tv
A service focused specifically on television: a wide selection of channels, an archive of programs from the past few days, and Ukrainian-dubbed movies. It often runs promotions with TV manufacturers and internet service providers.
Who it's for: people for whom the channels and a convenient archive are the most important features.
Kyivstar TV
A mobile operator's TV service. For Kyivstar subscribers, a subscription is often included in their plan or costs a nominal fee; others use the service under standard terms. It works on smartphones, Smart TVs, and in a web browser.
Who it's for: Kyivstar subscribers—it's almost always the cheapest option.
OLL.TV
A service from the 1+1 Media Group focusing on the group's channels, sports broadcasts, and TV series.
Who it's for: Fans of soccer and Ukrainian TV series.
Divan.TV
One of the oldest Ukrainian OTT services. It’s available abroad as well, which is important for those who want to watch Ukrainian TV from abroad.
Volia and other cable operators
Traditional cable and digital TV with a set-top box, plus a dedicated app for watching on other devices. It's usually sold as part of a home internet package.
Satellite TV
Xtra TV and satellite packages are still relevant for the private sector and rural areas where there is no reliable internet. You'll need a satellite dish and a receiver, followed by an annual or monthly payment for an access card.
How much does it cost?
- T2 Broadcast — 0 UAH per month, plus a one-time cost for an antenna and a set-top box if your TV doesn't have a built-in tuner.
- Basic TV Package of the OTT Service — starting at about 100 UAH per month.
- An expanded package featuring movies and sports — approximately 200–400 UAH per month.
- TV included in the provider's service plan — often an additional 30–80 UAH on top of the internet cost.
- Annual payment It is cheaper than the monthly plan by 15–30% almost everywhere.
Practical tip: Before you pay, check to see if the subscription is already included in your internet or cell phone plan. Very often, people end up paying twice—once to their service provider and once to the service itself.
What You Can Watch for Free and Legally
- T2 Broadcast — all major national channels.
- Broadcasters' YouTube Channels — “Suspilne,” news outlets, and most major TV channels are broadcasting live on YouTube.
- TV Channel Websites — Some broadcasters stream live directly on their websites.
- Free tiers of OTT services — a limited selection of channels with commercials.
Where to watch the TV show itself
If you're looking for a program schedule rather than a live broadcast:
- "TV Schedule" Sections on Portals — ukr.net, tsn.ua, and other major websites provide a complete weekly schedule with a search option by channel.
- The TV channels' own websites — the most accurate source for a specific channel, since it is updated by the editorial staff.
- OTT Service Apps — The program is integrated into the interface; from there, you can immediately start watching a show or view it in the archive.
- Internet Service Provider Websites — Providers publish their programming lineups for their respective packages.
Some TV guide websites in Ukraine have gradually lost their audience: it’s more convenient to watch a show on a site where you can just click “watch.”
What to Watch
- Smart TV — Apps for the main services are available in the Samsung, LG, and Android TV stores.
- TV set-top box (Android TV, Apple TV, ISP set-top box) — comes in handy when your TV is old or its “smart” features are no longer being updated.
- Browser — All major services work without requiring any installation.
- Smartphone and Tablet — A subscription usually includes access for several devices at the same time; it's a good idea to check this before paying.
About "Free" Pirated Services
Websites and apps that offer “400 channels for free” make their money from ads and visitor data. Typical consequences include aggressive redirects, subscriptions to paid services, installing APKs with malicious content, and account theft. The risks for the average user are the same as those in messaging apps—we discussed them in an article about scammers on messaging apps.
A legal subscription costs as much as two cups of coffee a month and doesn't require you to install any suspicious files.
How to Choose in Five Minutes
- Take stock of what you already have. Check your internet and cell phone plan—TV might already be included.
- Identify what you're watching. If you're only interested in news and TV shows, the basic package will suffice. For sports, check which service holds the rights to the tournaments you want—that's the main difference between the services.
- Check the devices. Is there an app for this service on your TV, and how many screens are allowed at the same time?
- Sign up for a free trial. Almost all of them offer a few days or the first month for a nominal fee—that's enough to see if you like the interface and the quality.
- Pay for the year only after taking the test — The discount isn't going anywhere.
How is this helpful if you're building a website in this niche?
TV services and providers represent one of the most competitive niches on the Ukrainian web, and success in this niche doesn’t go to whoever has the most channels, but to whoever has the most user-friendly website. Three things that get results:
- Transparent rates with no "from" clauses. The user should be able to see the total amount and exactly what's included in the package without having to click four times.
- Check availability at this address. For service providers, this is the website's main feature: a user should be able to tell within 10 seconds whether service is available at their home.
- Speed. Pages with the app and pricing plans are heavy, and most of the traffic comes from mobile devices. We’ve outlined what to optimize first in our article about website speed.
We built a website for an internet service provider that has been in business since 1991—you can check it out at "Information Technology" Case Study. If you have a similar task, Calculate the cost of the website in three steps.
Are you building a website in this niche—from an internet service provider to an online movie theater? We We develop turnkey websites: structure, rates, integrations, speed.
See also: convenient TV schedule for Ukrainian channels It's right here on our website—no registration or ads required.
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