TV and broadband deals

Many of the UK’s leading broadband providers offer TV and broadband deals, so there are some competitive offers out there.

NOW Broadband

NOW Broadband is an affordable service that gives you the opportunity to access Sky channels without taking out a Sky contract. That’s because the company is owned by Sky.

NOW’s streaming packages allow you to pick and mix different TV memberships, which include Entertainment, Cinema and Sports. These can be added to the company’s broadband, which is available in three plans ranging from 11Mb average speed to 63Mb average speed, all with line rental included.

NOW doesn’t offer a set-top box, so you won’t be able to record and rewind TV programmes. At the time of writing, it doesn’t offer a full fibre connection either.

Sky

Sky’s TV services are mostly transmitted by satellite, meaning they’re available across the UK. And new products like Sky Stream mean you can stream Sky content even without a dish. Its broadband uses the BT Openreach network, which also has good coverage. Sky Broadband offers a range of speeds from 35Mb all the way up to top-speed Full Fibre at 900Mb.

Despite its impressive speeds, Sky’s main attraction is its TV services. It offers a range of packages that bundle its broadband with combinations of Sky channels such as Sky Cinema, Sky Sports and Sky Entertainment.

BT

BT’s Openreach network is well established across the UK and is leading the full fibre rollout. That means customers get a wide range of speeds and there is coverage for most addresses.

It’s less of a leader in TV, with fewer channels than Sky or Virgin Media O2.

But you can get packages that include BT Movies, TNT Sport, and Sky channels via NOW TV add-ons. BT’s packages are flexible, meaning you can change your channel selection every 30 days.

The set-top box BT provides is called YouView, and it can pause, rewind and record live TV.

Virgin Media

Virgin Media’s broadband runs on its own cable network, which has good high-speed coverage around the UK, independent of the full fibre rollout. Its speeds range from 50Mb up to a remarkable 1130Mb.

Rather than offering a pick-and-mix selection of customisable bundles, Virgin offers ‘Big’, ‘Bigger’ and ‘Mega’ bundles.

These include a range of channels for different age and interest groups, as well as packages for sports and cinema lovers.

The Virgin TV set-top box is called TV 360. It offers pause, record and rewind functions and supports 4K resolution.

There are a few things to think about when you’re weighing up the options. Here’s a 3-step guide to the decision-making process.

Know the speed you need

Available broadband speeds are getting faster all the time thanks to technological improvements. But do you actually need the fastest speed out there?

To decide, think about how your household uses the internet. How often are people streaming, gaming, using smart devices or running AI services? Do you or someone you live with work from home frequently, and does this involve video calls?

Know what kind of connection you can get

The UK is in the middle of a big full fibre (fibre-to-the-premises) rollout at the moment.

Not all addresses have the technology yet, so your options may be limited to part-fibre (fibre-to-the-cabinet) or copper ADSL (‘standard’ broadband) for the time being.

These services don’t bring fibre optic cable all the way to your home, so they’re not quite as fast as full fibre. They are also likely to be more expensive than full fibre packages.

Another option is Virgin Media’s broadband, which uses a special insulated copper cable to connect your home to the fibre network – it’s not as fast as full fibre, but good enough for most households.

Know which channels and services you want

We’re living in the Golden Age of Television at the moment, meaning there's an almost endless selection of good-quality programming available.

Some services have their own exclusive channels and content, such as Sky Sports or TNT Sports. If these are essentials for you, then your choice is limited to these providers.

Paid-for TV services can also come with equipment like a set-top box that lets you record, pause and re-watch live TV. Check which features your provider offers and how much storage you’ll get for recorded programmes.

The UK has several kinds of digital TV, some of them new, some of them old, and some of them are being phased out. Here’s a quick guide.

Satellite

TV signals arrive at your property via a satellite signal. You need a physical satellite dish to receive them, which is installed on the outside of the property. Sky TV is the best-known satellite TV service, although UK viewers can also pick up Freesat.

Cable

Your TV signal comes through a cable connected to your home. In the case of Virgin Media 02, your TV, internet and phone signals all travel through the same cable.

Streaming TV

Different to streaming services like Netflix, this is pay-TV from big providers like Sky offered through streaming devices like Sky Stream or Sky Glass. These connect to your Wi-Fi to give you access to your provider's content.

Streaming services

Services like Netflix, NOW and Disney Plus use your home internet connection to deliver video on demand as a subscription service. Some services also stream TV live as it’s being broadcast.

IPTV

Internet Protocol TV (IPTV) uses a privately managed internet network. Some IPTV services are illegal, and are used to access media that’s not available in a viewer’s region or to get content for free.

Freeview

Freeview is a digital terrestrial TV service that’s free to access (although you still need a TV licence to watch or record live broadcasts.) It works via a digital signal received by your TV aerial.

Freeview was set up as a joint venture by UK broadcasters in 2002. Today, Freeview combines live digital broadcasts with an on-demand streaming service. Its sister service, Freesat, delivers TV via satellite.

Can I add extra channels to a broadband and TV package?

Usually, providers offer add-ons or passes that you can buy to upgrade your package. Some offer a flexible package where you can change the mix of channels you receive each month during your contract. Check with your provider before you subscribe, especially if your contract is for a long period.

Can I add a mobile plan to my TV and broadband deal?

Some providers offer a bundled deal that includes TV, broadband and mobile.

For example, Virgin Media O2 offers packages that include an O2 SIM.