can you watch tv channels on Laptops

[the simpsons]

hello all on Techwatch i have been thinking about this for a few days now and could members on here tell me can you watch tv channels on a laptop and if so what type of software i might need for that. as on my tele there are certain programs i would like to be able to watch but i dont have them on my tele and would like to watch tv channels on my latop instead so am i able to watch tv channels on my laptop and what software i might need to be able to do that.(sorry if asking to many questions)
any help will be much appreciated but its properly an easy question to answer but i dont know it so help appreciated thanks

The Simpsons

[Analoguesat]

Generally speaking yes. There are various ways to do it. C4 & the BBC have catch up services.

4OD needs the C4 software installed.

BBC runs in a flash player, (although its flaky)

If you have a sky account theres also Sky Anytime which allows you to download programmes for later viewing.

However to get onto actual channels, a slingbox will allow you to access any source across your home network or across the net - Ive had mine running from Scotland to Brighton no trouble at all. and also successfully watched by digital receiver whilst sitting in bedplaying with my laptop

Or there are bits of software to allow you to watch assorted channels (mainly foreign) - TVU Player being one of them.

But if you are wanting to watch Sky Sports, UKTV Gold or things like that you are going to be out of luck watching live streaming unless you have the Slingbox mentioned earlier