STV Player is free to watch anywhere in the UK, and it’s already on most Manhattan boxes. These are the box sets and films we’d start with. And if you’re a Manhattan customer who is new to STV Player+, you can claim a free month between 5 and 19 October.
With the evenings drawing in, we’ve been exploring the free box sets and films on STV Player, and there’s a lot more there than many people realise. If you’ve always thought of it as a service for viewers in Scotland, it’s worth a proper look: STV Player is available wherever you live in the UK, and you don’t need a paid subscription to get stuck in.
What is STV Player? #
STV Player is STV’s streaming service, and it’s free to watch with adverts anywhere in the UK. Alongside STV’s own programmes, it has a large library of British and international dramas, crime series, documentaries and films, and new titles arrive every month. If you’d prefer fewer interruptions, there’s also a subscription version, STV Player+.
How to watch STV Player on your Manhattan box #
STV Player is already on most Manhattan boxes, so there’s nothing to install.
On the T3, T3•R, T4, T4•R and S4•R, you’ll find STV Player on the Home Screen.
On Aero, you’ll find STV Player on the home screen or in the Freely section, alongside BBC iPlayer and the other broadcasters.
If your Manhattan box doesn’t have STV Player, you can still watch with the STV Player app on a phone or tablet, or on your computer at stv.tv.
Six places to start #
Cuffs: Jake is the newest recruit in Brighton’s police force, and being the chief’s son makes his first weeks a baptism of fire, from criminals and colleagues alike. Ashley Walters, Amanda Abbington and Shaun Dooley star in this British police drama, which The Guardian called ‘bright and breezy’, and all eight episodes are on STV Player.
Prisoners’ Wives: The women doing time on the outside get their own story in this British drama, which follows the wives, girlfriends and mothers dealing with the fallout while the men in their lives serve their sentences. All ten episodes are available.
Spooks: All ten series of the MI5 thriller arrive on STV Player this month, 86 episodes in all, following the intelligence officers of Section D. If you missed it first time round, now’s the time to start from the beginning.
Coroner: Serinda Swan (Reacher) plays Jenny Cooper, a newly widowed emergency doctor turned coroner, in this Canadian crime drama based on M.R. Hall’s novels. Each episode follows a new case alongside Jenny’s own story, and with four series and 38 episodes to explore, it should keep crime fans busy for a while.
Colin and Justin’s Sub-Zero Reno: The Scottish designers, now based in Canada, usually renovate for their clients. This time it’s their own home, and they’re up against freezing temperatures and supply shortages in the depths of a Canadian winter. There are six brand-new episodes.
GREAT! Movies: When you fancy a story you can finish in one evening, browse STV Player’s collection of GREAT! Movies, which leans towards thrillers and mysteries.
More to try #
Hunted: Sam is a spy who suddenly finds herself being hunted, and has to work out who wants her dead, and why. Melissa George and Morven Christie star in this eight-part British thriller, filmed in London, Scotland and Morocco.
Acceptable Risk: When pharmaceutical executive Lee Manning is found dead in Montréal, his wife Sarah realises she knew nothing about his past, or about what he really did for the powerful company he worked for. Elaine Cassidy and Angeline Ball star in this six-part Irish drama.
The Victim: Years after her young son was murdered by another child, Anna Dean is still desperate for closure, even though the killer has served their time. The story plays out over four episodes.
Striking Out: A shock discovery leaves solicitor Tara Rafferty striking out on her own, professionally and personally, and there are two series to enjoy.
The Field of Blood: Set in Glasgow in 1982, this drama follows copy boy Paddy Meehan’s investigation into a string of murders in the hard-drinking, cut-throat, male world of newspaper journalism. Both series are on STV Player.
A free month of STV Player+ for Manhattan customers #
Everything in this guide is free to watch with adverts. If you’d like fewer interruptions, we’ve teamed up with STV to give Manhattan customers who are new to STV Player+ their first month free.
STV Player+ lets you watch most on-demand shows and films without ad breaks, and download eligible programmes to your phone or tablet. Live channels and some programmes still carry adverts.
To claim your free month, sign up between Monday 5 and Monday 19 October at stv.tv/manhattanpplus using code: STVMANHATTAN.
After your free month, the subscription renews automatically at £3.99 a month unless you cancel. You can cancel at any time before renewal to avoid the next charge. For Full Terms and Conditions click here.
And if you’d rather carry on watching with adverts, STV Player is still free.
More what-to-watch ideas #
Our social media manager, Bruin, will be sharing his own STV Player favourites on Instagram, TikTok and Facebook during October, alongside the usual streaming tips and classic telly clips. Find us at @manhattantv.uk on Instagram and TikTok, and as Manhattan TV on Facebook. We’d love to hear what you’ve been watching.
Our commitment hasn’t changed #
Manhattan has been making boxes for free British telly for more than 30 years, so we’re always pleased to point you towards more of it. STV Player costs nothing to watch on the box you already own, and the free month of STV Player+ is there if you’d like to try it without the adverts. Great British telly, on your terms.
If you don’t have a Manhattan box yet, the Aero 4K TV Streamer with Freely is £89.99 from Currys, John Lewis, Argos, Richer Sounds, Hughes and Amazon, and the T4•R Freeview recorder and S4•R Freesat recorder are available from leading UK retailers including Currys, Argos, Amazon, John Lewis and Richer Sounds.
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FAQs #
Is STV Player free? #
Yes. STV Player is free to watch with adverts anywhere in the UK. STV Player+ is the optional subscription that removes the ad breaks from most on-demand shows and films.
Do I need to live in Scotland to watch STV Player? #
No. STV Player is available across the UK.
Which Manhattan boxes have STV Player? #
You’ll find it on the Home Screen of the T3, T3•R, T4, T4•R and S4•R, and on Aero in the Freely section. If your box doesn’t have it, you can watch on a phone or tablet, or on your computer at stv.tv.
What does STV Player+ include? #
It lets you watch most on-demand shows and films without ad breaks, and download eligible programmes to your phone or tablet. Live channels and some programmes still carry adverts.
How do I claim the free month? #
If you’re a Manhattan customer who is new to STV Player+, sign up between Monday 5 and Monday 19 October at stv.tv/manhattanpplus using code: STVMANHATTAN
What happens after the free month? #
The subscription renews automatically at £3.99 a month unless you cancel. You can cancel at any time before renewal to avoid the next charge. For Full Terms and Conditions click here.
Can I watch STV Player on my phone? #
Yes. The STV Player app is free on iPhone, iPad and Android phones and tablets, and STV Player+ subscribers can download eligible programmes to watch offline.
Does the offer change anything about my Manhattan box? #
No. Nothing about your box, its free channels or its price changes.