Specific TV packs or just streaming. Choosing what is required is an important decision.
Every home has its needs for what to include in the TV package; whether there’s a movie lover, sports fanatic or young one(s), there’s plenty for each individual to enjoy if you know where to look.
With the likes of Sky, Virgin and BT all offering their own TV services, then on top of them the plethora of streaming services out there, it can be tough to decide what you need.
Worry not, for this guide can help streamline your decision so you don’t have to frantically search everywhere for the service that hosts various shows, movies or live events that you are in need of.
Find comparisons of the main providers and streaming services, where you can find specific things, and more that will help you choose the best TV package for your household.
TV providers compared
Choosing the right TV provider starts with understanding how each one differs in channels, technology, pricing and flexibility.
The UK’s main three providers – Sky, Virgin Media and BT – all offer something slightly different, so the best choice depends on what your household watches most.
The main three
Sky
Sky is the UK’s best-known TV provider and is ideal for households that want the widest range of premium channels.
Strengths:
- Huge selection of entertainment, sports and movie channels
- Sky Sports and Sky Cinema exclusives
- Sky Stream, Sky Glass or Sky Q options depending on preference
- Strong 4K and UHD support
Services
- Sky Stream
- Streaming-based TV; uses your home broadband to deliver live TV channels plus on-demand and catch-up as well as third-party services. Can work on non-Sky broadband
- Sky Glass
- Sky’s in-house smart TV featuring Sky Stream built within
- Sky Q
- Satellite TV that features a set-top box. Live TV channels plus on-demand and catch-up as well as third-party services
Consider if: You watch lots of sports, films or want the biggest channel line-up with options as to how you want your service delivered to you (streaming-based or standard satellite TV).
Virgin TV
Virgin Media delivers TV via cable, offering fast set-top performance and strong HD/UHD support.
Strengths:
- 360 Box with slick voice control and catch-up features
- Excellent for households that want TV + very fast broadband
- Wide range of channels, including Sky channels
Services
- Virgin TV 360
- Set-top box delivered via broadband through a cabled connection. Only works on Virgin Media broadband as TV service is built on the same network as the broadband
- Flex
- An optional super-flexible TV option with a smarter, slimmer Ultra HD TV box. Also requires Virgin Media broadband.
Consider if: You want an all-in-one TV and broadband deal with top speeds and are happy to be a fully Virgin Media-connected home.
BT/EE TV
BT TV, known as EE TV, uses an internet-based TV service combined with BT Broadband, making it flexible and modern.
Strengths:
- Easy-to-switch channel packs (e.g., entertainment, sports, films)
- Access to NOW Memberships (Sky channels)
- Good for sports fans via TNT Sports
Services
- EE TV Box Pro
- Best box offered by BT, connects wirelessly to broadband but has functionality to be used with satellite dish for free-to-air channels. Best recording (600 hours) and viewing capabilities (4K HDR content)
- TV 4K Recordable Box G5 & TV Recordable Box G4
- Recordable Box G4 allows 300 hours of recorded TV plus pause and rewind live TV. 4K Recordable Box G5 does the same but with added feature of Ultra HD
- EE TV Box Mini
- Does most of the things of the Box Pro only smaller and without an aerial input (fully dependant on an internet connection)
- TV Box Z4
- Unable to record live TV and less pause and rewind functionality. Otherwise, very similar to Recordable Box G4
Consider if: You want flexible channel packs or already have BT Broadband.
Other provider options
While those are the main three providers, there are other options available that can provide what you need but using a different method (i.e. purely streaming-based) and for less.
TalkTalk TV
TalkTalk offers a simple, budget-friendly TV service through a streaming-style TV hub.
Strengths:
- No long-term TV contracts
- Straightforward and affordable
- Works via broadband, not cable or satellite
Services
- TV Hub
- TV service delivered over the internet based on Android TV. Features built-in Chromecast and voice control, on-demand apps (BBC iPlayer, ITVX etc.), access to subscription-based streaming services (Netflix, Disney+ etc.) and 70 Freeview channels
Consider if: You want a low-cost option that keeps things simple.
Free-to-air options
If you’re not interested in paying for your TV, the good news is you can get free channels that may only require an aerial connected to your TV.
Freeview and Freesat both offer multiple free-to-watch channels – such as BBC and ITV channels – that don’t require a subscription. All you need is a modern smart TV from after 2010 as they have a built-in tuner, and an aerial (not a big dish, you can get small ones from Amazon for no more than £20 that works).
Freeview/Freeview Play
Freeview is the UK’s main free-to-air TV service, giving you access to live channels through a TV aerial. Freeview Play adds catch-up and on-demand features when your TV/box is connected to the internet.
Strengths:
- No monthly subscription (free TV via an aerial)
- Wide range of live channels, including HD options
- Freeview Play adds catch-up players in one place
- Great as a simple “TV basics” option alongside streaming apps
Services
- Freeview
- Live TV delivered through a TV aerial (built into most TVs). Includes a broad selection of free channels (SD and HD), plus radio channels.
- Freeview Play
- A smart-TV / set-top box platform combining Freeview live channels + catch-up. Requires an aerial plus internet connection for on-demand. Includes catch-up apps like BBC iPlayer, ITVX, Channel 4 and My5, with features like restart/scroll-back on supported devices.
Consider if: You want free live TV with optional catch-up, and you’re happy to add Netflix/Disney+/Prime separately.
Freesat
Freesat is a free-to-air TV service delivered via a satellite dish, making it useful in areas where aerial reception is weak. Like Freeview, it has no subscription fee — you just need the right equipment.
Strengths:
- No monthly subscription (free TV via satellite)
- Reliable in rural/low-signal areas where aerial TV struggles
- Strong range of free channels, including HD options
- Freesat 4K boxes add streaming apps and catch-up in one place
Services
- Freesat (via satellite dish)
- Live TV delivered through a satellite dish and a Freesat-enabled TV/box. Provides a wide selection of free channels and radio stations.
- Freesat 4K TV Box / Freesat Recordable Boxes (where available)
- Combines live satellite TV with catch-up and on-demand when connected to broadband. Some boxes support recording, pause/rewind live TV, and select streaming apps.
Consider if: You want subscription-free TV but need satellite for better reception, or you want a “free TV base” with optional streaming on top.
Streaming services
We’ve mentioned some streaming-based TV options but now it’s time to look at the choices available if you’re interested in opting for just streaming.
Many people these days don’t end up watching much live TV, instead opting to stream their favourite content or watch on demand.
Services like Netflix and Disney+ are often bringing out popular new shows and movies, while free services like BBC iPlayer and ITVX allow users to either watch shows live online or immediately straight after they finish.
NOW
NOW is a subscription service that is operated by Sky Group (but is separate from Sky, not a Sky product) that offers a flexible, no-contract way to watch Sky content.
Each subscription has multiple plan options that offer flexibility (flexible monthly rolling plans) or the chance to save more by choosing longer commitments (saver plans, typically 12 month minimum term). There are also combined plans so you can get two subscriptions in one lower saver plan (eg. Entertainment + Cinema Saver).
The subscriptions to choose from are:
- NOW Entertainment – Access to premium Sky channels such as Sky Atlantic, Sky Max and Sky Comedy and their box sets
- Entertainment Saver = £4.99 a month
- Flexible Entertainment = £9.99 a month
- Entertainment & Cinema Saver = £8.99 a month
- NOW Cinema – Access to all Sky Cinema channels and movies on demand
- Cinema Saver = £6.99
- Flexible Cinema = £9.99
- NOW Sports – Access to all Sky Sports channels including Sky Sports+ streams
- 6-Month Saver = £28 a month
- Fully Flexible = £34.99
Netflix
Netflix is one of the leading streaming services for good reason. They have established themselves as one of the leaders in compelling TV show creation and arguably are behind the streaming revolution, appearing early into the days of movies and shows being available to watch online (remember the old ads with the Netflix beaver?)
In recent years, Netflix has expanded their catalogue and offerings, now beginning to surge into the live sports market to go along with their extensive range of shows and movies. They have acquired the rights to the WWE, host multiple live boxing events each year and have even started hosting Christmas Day NFL games.
Like with NOW, there are three subscriptions tiers to choose from:
- Standard with Ads | £5.99 a month – Basic plan with 1080p (Full HD) quality, good video and sound quality, and up to two devices streaming simultaneously in the same household
- Standard | £12.99 – The same as the above only without any advert breaks
- Premium | £18.99 a month – 4K (Ultra HD) plus HDR quality, the best video and sound quality plus spatial audio (immersive sound) included, no ads and up to four devices streaming simultaneously in the same household
Netflix also offers extra member plans, which for a fee you can add another member to your subscription who can get access even if you aren’t in the same household. The extra member will get their own account, but the user who invited the extra member pays the extra monthly fee.
The number of extra member slots you get are determined by plan:
- Standard – Up to one extra member, £4.99 with ads, £5.99 without ads
- Premium – Up to two extra members, £4.99 with ads, £5.99 without ads
Sky, Virgin Media and BT offer many TV packages with a Netflix Standard with Ads subscription included, to provide even more content.
When choosing your TV package with either one, you’re able to choose if you want to upgrade the subscription to either Standard or Premium at the normal subscriptions cost. You can also choose to add Netflix on to your package if it doesn’t include it already (again at the normal cost).
Disney+
Disney+ came along a few years after Netflix but instantly became a firm favourite in many households, with the full range of Disney movies available and brilliant others plus TV shows added regularly.
Like Netflix, Disney+ does come with live sports – albeit only the two competitions of the Women’s Champions League and Saturday evening La Liga coverage for UK users.
So it’s still very much a movie and TV show service, with very limited live sports which is unlikely to change much any time soon.
Once again, there are three plans to choose from that largely replicate Netflix’s plans:
- Standard with Ads | £5.99 – 1080p Full HD quality and can be streamed on two devices simultaneously. Comes with regular advertisements
- Standard | £9.99 a month or £ 99.90 a year – The same as the above only without any ad breaks and allows downloads on up to 10 devices
- Premium | £14.99 – Up to 4K Ultra HD plus HDR quality, immersive sound with up to Dolby Atmos audio, downloads on up to 10 devices and simultaneous streams on four devices
You have the option to pay for your subscription monthly or annually.
Disney+ also offers extra member plans, the same as Netflix, although their structure differs in that extra members only have access to the one profile created for them, and only one Extra Member slot is available per account regardless of plan.
- Standard with Ads – £4.99 a month extra
- Standard & Premium – £5.99 a month extra
Prime Video
Another well-established service, Prime Video, is similar to Netflix in that it offers a great range of movies and TV shows, originals included, plus a serious live sports offering.
Prime Video is available at no extra cost if you already have Amazon Prime, or if you don’t already have Prime, you can purchase Prime Video on its own for £5.99 a month (Amazon Prime costs £8.99 a month or £95 a year).
Prime offers discounts for students, providing them a Prime Student subscription for £4.99 a month or £47.49 a year.
Apple TV
Apple TV launched around the same time as Disney+, but unlike the latter, they did not come with an extensive back catalogue of beloved movies from years past.
But over time, Apple TV has become known for its quality programming and in recent years has produced a number of well-received films, including Killers of the Flower Moon and F1: The Movie.
In terms of sport, Apple TV doesn’t offer too much for UK users outside of live MLS coverage.
Specific pack needs
Everyone has their specific likes and viewing pleasures, so when picking your TV package, it’s best to opt for those that have what your household needs.
For the sports fan
Here’s the annoying thing about wanting to watch sports in the UK; it’s everywhere. There is no one provider that has it all. If you’re a varied sport watcher, you’ll find that Sky has the best spread, but not all of it.
For example, Premier League football can mostly be found on Sky Sports, with 215 live games a season. But you’ll also find that TNT Sports shows 52 live games as well, so if you want to watch every live game each season, you need to fork out the money for both. Not to mention the Champions League is exclusive to TNT Sports.
Thankfully, you’ll find that both providers have options to put the two together in one.
With Sky, you can add TNT Sports on to any TV package, so you simply choose a Sky TV package that includes Sky Sports, then choose to add TNT Sports when given the option. You’ll also get a Discovery+ account with it so you can watch on various devices.
It’s similar with BT/EE TV and TNT Sports, but also slightly different. Their offering of Sky Sports comes through a NOW Sports subscription, so whether you choose to add it on separately or via the pre-made Full Works package, you’re getting a NOW subscription. This also means you can watch on the go via the NOW app on various devices.
If you’re opting for Virgin Media TV, they don’t have their own sports channels or offerings, but instead allows you to add both Sky Sports (via a NOW subscription) and/or TNT Sports to your package.
With most of each providers’ package you’ll also get a Netflix subscription, which as described also offers select live sports.
Prime Video is a good choice as well, as they are constantly expanding their offering. You can add on other sports packages to it, including Premier Sports, which is the home of Spanish La Liga football, NHL ice hockey, European rugby union competitions and lots more.
You can also add Premier Sports to your TV package with Sky, BT and Virgin Media.
For the movie lover
Movie lovers will likely look to streaming services first for getting their fill of big screen content.
As said earlier, Netflix has long stood as a leader in this field with a stellar catalogue of original movies and series plus blockbusters, old classics and so much more.
Disney+ is the place to go for their very own movies, which includes films and series from studios they’ve acquired over the years – Marvel Studios, Lucasfilm, 20th Century Studios and the likes.
Prime Video has a decent range of films, too, although be sure to not get caught out as you may see the movie you want to watch on there only for it to require payment. I’ve been burnt by that before…
Apple TV’s original movies have performed well in cinemas recently and can now be found on their streaming service.
Don’t disregard Sky, though. Through Sky Cinema and Sky Entertainment, they offer an extensive range of movies and series, most notably many brand new blockbusters.
For the kids
You can’t forget about the little one’s – a phrase which was no doubt uttered at some point by every provider. Maybe not exactly those words but something along those lines.
Freeview includes channels like CBBC and CBeebies but if you’re wanting more, the NOW Entertainment pass comes with popular channels such as Sky Kids, Nickelodeon and Cartoon Network.
With Sky and Virgin Media, you can opt for a Kids TV pack for an extra monthly fee. Sky’s choice gives you the same channels found with NOW Entertainment, while Virgin’s Kids pack adds a lot of the same but without the Sky-specific channels.
You’ll also find that each streaming service has a wide range of shows and movies that the young ones can enjoy. Disney+ can obviously be seen as a leader in that category but Netflix do a very good job of catering to kids too, with every account being given the option to create a kids-specific account that only offers content that is suitable for younger ages – you know, so you can avoid an awkward circumstance of your sweet child’s innocence being ruined after mistaking Sausage Party for a family-fun flick.
