FreeRange TV frequently asked questions

What is Shaw FreeRange TV?

Shaw FreeRange TV gives you access to your TV subscription in a single place that you can access from anywhere. You can watch over 80 live TV channels and on-demand content on your device, including your phone or tablet, while on the go. FreeRange TV also gives you the ability to download over 1,000 on-demand titles for offline viewing.

Shaw FreeRange TV is available for download for Shaw Direct customers and is included at no additional cost as part of your TV subscription.

What content will I have access to through Shaw FreeRange TV?

As a Shaw customer you will have access to most of your current TV subscriptions, including live TV shows, movies, sports, and on-demand content.

How does Shaw Direct–like all broadcast distributors–negotiate with content creators to carry channels and shows for our customers to watch?

For Shaw Direct, like all broadcast distributors, rights to air channels and shows on mobile devices must be negotiated and secured with our broadcast partners, due to an increasing preference to watch content online or through apps like Shaw FreeRange TV.

Despite this, there are cases where restrictions are imposed on the content we can provide for our customers digitally, which may impact where and how content can be viewed, and duration of access for customers.

We are committed to working with our distributors to give our customers access to the most content possible.

Where will Shaw’s FreeRange TV be available?

Shaw Cable and Shaw Direct customers are able to download the app on supported iOS and Android devices, including iPhone, iPad, iPod Touch and Android Tablets and Smartphones. Apple devices must have iOS 9.0 or later release and Android devices must have OS 4.1 or later release.

Who will have access to Shaw FreeRange TV?

Shaw Direct subscribers have access to Shaw FreeRange TV at no additional cost as part of your TV subscription. You will be able to download the app on supported iOS and Android devices.

How do I get Shaw FreeRange TV?

The app is available for direct download in iTunes and Google Play stores. You can also visit shawdirect.ca/freerangeTV for download links and to find more information about Shaw FreeRange TV.

What kind of features and functionality will the app provide compared to the existing TV apps?

You can access the networks (where Shaw has mobile rights) you subscribe to through a single app, rather than having to switch between apps. This creates a more seamless user experience for our customers. Also, download select on-demand kids' titles for offline viewing at a later time.

Shaw FreeRange TV offers suggestions based on the content you watch, and stores your viewing history for a full year to make it easier to watch a new TV series or find that favourite movie. Can't decide what to watch? Rotten Tomatoes and Flixster movie ratings are embedded throughout the app to ensure you can make informed viewing decisions easily, on a single interface.

Finally, Shaw FreeRange TV is family-friendly, with options for Parental Controls and Safe Browse features within the app, which enable the entire family to safely access content.

Do I need a special receiver to use Shaw FreeRange TV?

No, the FreeRange TV app is a standalone product and does not connect to your receiver(s).

What devices support FreeRange TV?

iOS devices (iOS 9 or newer) and most Android (Ice-cream Sandwich 4.1 or newer) devices.

What devices are compatible with Shaw FreeRange TV?

Most devices that use iOS 9 or newer, or Ice-cream Sandwich 4.1 or newer, will work with the Shaw FreeRange TV app, including iPhones, iPads, iPod Touches, and Android tablets and smartphones.

Please note that Shaw FreeRange TV does not support Chromecast, AirPlay, gaming consoles, or the Android equivalent of Air Play at this time.

Can I use any Internet connection to watch Shaw FreeRange TV?

Yes, Shaw FreeRange TV can be accessed in-home using your own personal Internet connection, on-the-go using Shaw Go WiFi, and even while connected to a cellular data network.

Are Video On Demand (VOD) and Pay-Per-View (PPV) events available on Shaw FreeRange TV?

No, the app does not currently support VOD and PPV events.

How many devices can access the Shaw FreeRange TV app at the same time, on the same account?

Two devices per registered account can simultaneously stream content, and five authorized devices can download titles for offline viewing.

Shaw FreeRange TV allows downloading on up to 40 devices, which become authorized devices, per Shaw Direct account. When a 41st device downloads the app, the first device authorized will automatically be replaced.

Note: When a third party initiates a stream using the same account, it will produce an error message that the other two streams are in use, and that it is necessary to wait until one of the other two streams ceases before be able to stream from your device.

Is it possible to use Shaw FreeRange TV outside of Canada?

Any content you download can be watched from anywhere, even outside of Canada, but must be downloaded within Canada and watched within 30 days, after which it will expire.

Due to content rights restrictions, customers will not be able to stream live TV and on-demand content on Shaw FreeRange TV outside of Canada.

What will the channel line-up look like on the app?

Say goodbye to channel numbers! The guide is intelligently grouped by theme, making it extremely easy to navigate. Select one of the genre categories to filter results by sports, kids’ content, or movies; or use the app’s search function to find content from your TV subscriptions.

Can I stream to another monitor using Shaw FreeRange TV?

On a PC or MAC, Shaw FreeRange TV is available for online streaming through: https://freerange.shaw.ca/.

Requirements for PC/MAC viewing:

• Software Platform: Adobe Flash 15.0.0.152+
• Operating System: Windows 7+ or Mac OS X 10.7+
• Web Browser: IE 10+, Chrome, Safari 5.1+, Microsoft Edge, Firefox

Note: All video output (e.g., HDMI, airplay, DLNA etc.) is blocked for iOS and Android.

Can I pause, rewind, or fast forward live TV or on-demand programs in the app?

You cannot pause, rewind, or fast-forward live TV, but pause and rewind are available for all on-demand programs, and fast-forward is available for most.

Are seasonal packages such as NFL Sunday Ticket or NHL Centre Ice available for streaming on Shaw FreeRange TV?

No, seasonal packages are not currently available on FreeRange TV.

Is the app available in French?

No, the app is not currently available in French.

Do blackout restrictions apply with Shaw FreeRange TV?

'Blackout restrictions' refer to rules under which content may be unavailable to customers, frequently depending on where he or she is located. Although we strive to provide you with the best on-the-go viewing experience that we can, sometimes certain programs may be unavailable or ‘blacked out’.

The programming available to you on Shaw FreeRange TV is based on your TV subscriptions and subject to mobile viewing restrictions. We work with our network partners to maximize the content that is available to you on a mobile device at any given time, but you may experience situations where some content is simply not available.

For example, when you travel outside of a sport league’s defined viewing boundary, the games you can view at home may become unavailable due to blackout restrictions.

For more information on blackout restrictions, visit the Shaw Support Community.

Will using my home Internet to access the Shaw FreeRange app count against my allotted monthly data usage?

Like all other video streaming apps, the Shaw FreeRange TV will count against your Internet data usage.

Note: Customers cannot alter the resolution of the videos.

What content will be available to download?

Over 1,000 on-demand kids’ titles will be available to download; however, the titles available for download depend on what’s included in your current TV subscription with Shaw Direct.

How do I download content to view offline at a later time?

There will be an option to download next to "Watch" if the feature is supported for that particular title. Given sufficient space in your device, and that no other device associated with the account has downloaded the same title, the file will begin download.

Find titles available for download only by applying a filter while browsing the selection of on-demand titles.

You can download up to 10 select on-demand kids’ titles per device and add up to five devices designated to download per account. If you want to download additional content you will be required to check in titles (remove them from the device) prior to downloading.

Note that titles can only be checked out (downloaded) by one device at a time, per account.

What type of Internet connection do I need to download a title?

With Shaw FreeRange TV, you can stream and download content, whether in-home or on the go, using any WiFi connection or over a 3G or 4G cellular connection (data charges may apply). Check your wireless provider's rate plan for more details. Once downloaded, a connection is not needed to play back the title.

How do I manage authorized devices?

You can manage your download-to-go devices through the app and streaming devices via My Shaw Direct.

Visit the ‘Settings’ menu in the app and open ‘Manage Download Devices’ to de-authorize devices. You can also de-authorize or remove devices by logging in to your My Shaw Direct account. Go to the Shaw FreeRange TV App page, choose the device you want to de-authorize, and click "Remove Device".

Note: Removing a device will return any downloads on the device

How long can I access downloaded movies and shows on my device?

You can access your downloaded programs for a maximum of 30 days. In the case that content becomes unavailable due to rights restrictions, it may be returned from your device sooner, before the title availability window expires.

You can hold up to 10 downloaded programs on one device, provided the device has adequate storage capacity.

No, you can only play back a program on the authorized device that originally downloaded it.

What happens when a download is interrupted? Can I watch a movie or show while it's downloading? Or can I watch a movie or show that was partially downloaded?

You cannot watch a program until it has been downloaded completely. If there is an interruption (e.g., loss of power or connectivity), the download will automatically pause and you can resume the download when you re-launch the app.

Will downloading content over a cellular network incur data charges?

Downloading content over a cellular network may incur data charges. Please check your wireless rate plan for details.

Note: You can watch downloaded content offline anywhere in the world as long as it is downloaded while in Canada.