TV & Broadband Deals January 2023

What is a TV and broadband bundle?

A TV and broadband bundle combines your broadband deal with TV in one package. In most cases, you can combine a broadband deal and TV package of your choice to make the perfect bundle for you.

TV packages typically include Freeview channels and catch-up TV, with the choice to add TV channels such as movies, dramas, documentaries, sports and kids’ channels, as well as streaming services such as Netflix and Amazon Prime. TV channels and add-ons will vary by provider, so check deals individually to make sure you get what you’re looking for.

Why should I bundle my TV and broadband?

You can get a better deal on broadband when you bundle all your services, because buying them individually from different providers can leave you paying the entire cost of every single service. Many broadband providers also offer deals to new customers in the form of discounts, freebies, cashback or vouchers. Bundling your services also makes it easier to manage all of your services and bills from one account. This way, you can easily keep track of what you are spending every month.

Types of TV and broadband deals

Broadband providers will let you choose what type of internet connection you would like to combine with your TV deal to get a cheap broadband deal. Get standard ADSL broadband or opt for a superfast fibre connection with higher average speeds. Remember to check broadband available in your area. The different types of TV and broadband deals include:

Standard broadband + TV

Standard broadband, also known as ADSL broadband, uses copper cables to connect your home to the BT Openreach network, making it the cheapest and most basic type of broadband.  While standard broadband offers the slowest speeds, its speeds are sufficient for video streaming in SD, emailing and browsing. Average speeds with ADSL can reach a maximum of 11Mbps, but they’re also affected by factors such as distance to the cabinet and the exchange, as well as the weather.

An ADSL connection is not suited for those interested in streaming Netflix, Prime, iPlayer or other streaming services. If you want to stream videos online in HD, or are simply a big household with multiple devices, consider getting quicker broadband speeds with the help of fibre broadband.

Fibre broadband + TV

Fibre broadband delivers superfast internet through the use of fibre-optic cables, which transfer internet data at much faster average speeds than copper cables. Nowadays, fibre broadband is more accessible than standard broadband, as broadband providers are focusing more on delivering superfast internet. 

You can get fibre broadband from all major internet providers, including Virgin Media, Sky, BT, EE, TalkTalk, Plusnet, NOW, Vodafone, Hyperoptic and Zen Internet. There are two types of fibre broadband:

Fibre-to-the-cabinet (FTTC) + TV

FTTC provides superfast speeds while still being affordable. Average speeds start at about 30Mbps and can reach up to about 70Mbps, making it at least three times faster than standard broadband. FTTC broadband can deliver such speeds because it uses fibre-optic cables as far as the cabinet on your street. From the cabinet to your home it uses a phone line, so line rental is usually required.

If you combine a fibre-to-the-cabinet connection with a TV deal, you shouldn’t have any problems watching films and sport online in HD as long as there aren’t too many doing so at the same time. For this reason, an FTTC + TV package is a popular choice with broadband customers.

Fibre-to-the-premises (FTTP) + TV

FTTP, also referred to as full-fibre internet, is high-speed broadband, which can deliver average speeds of 1,000Mbps, or 1Gbps. FTTP broadband can achieve these high speeds because it runs completely on fibre-optic cables. 

Full-fibre internet is not necessary in all households, but it might be best suited to your specific TV package. Consider getting a fibre-to-the-premises broadband and TV package if you’re interested in streaming in 4K, especially if you’re a household with a total of 10 or more devices.

Cable broadband + TV

Virgin Media is the only provider offering cable broadband in the UK. This type of deal offers broadband speeds starting at 54Mbps and can reach more than 500Mbps through the use of coaxial cables, rather than fibre or copper ones. If you look into Virgin Media broadband and TV bundles, you might find that a cable connection is best suited to your household and budget. With cable broadband, you should get fast and reliable internet and be able to watch all your favourite TV channels without having to worry about connection issues. New customers are often offered incentives for signing up with Virgin Media.

Types of TV packages

Satellite

Works via a satellite dish that sits on the outside of the house or on the roof. Satellite TV is only offered by Sky.

Cable

Your home gets connected to a TV signal from a cable that is positioned underground. Cable TV is only offered by Virgin Media. 

Streaming 

Get TV from streaming services and apps such as Netflix, Prime Video or BBC iPlayer straight to your smart TV and other devices. 

TV via the internet

TV on-demand is offered by Sky, Virgin, NOW TV and BT, and is provided through the internet.

Should I get a broadband and TV bundle?

Before signing up for a broadband and TV bundle, you might want to consider the following:

How much TV do you watch?

If you don’t watch a lot of TV, or often use streaming services such as Netflix, Amazon Prime or iPlayer, bundling your services might be unnecessary. There’s always the option of a broadband-only deal without the added TV package, so that you don’t pay for a service you won’t use. If you are a frequent TV watcher, you might find that paying for inclusive channels is better value for money. 

Are you in it for the long-term?

TV and broadband contracts typically involve a minimum term of 12 months or longer, so if you’re planning on switching broadband providers in the near future, you might end up paying over the odds to switch mid-contract.

Do you have children?

TV packages often include kids’ channels, especially if you have a Sky TV or Virgin Media TV box. You might find that a TV package is worth it if you’re interested in inclusive kids’ entertainment. 

Do you prefer to use streaming services?

If you watch films and series on streaming services such as Netflix and Amazon Prime and don’t really watch traditional TV or specific channels, you might find that sticking to streaming apps is a better choice for you.

Providers offering TV and broadband deals

Sky 

Why join Sky?

Sky Broadband and TV deals feature a high-end set-top box and Sky Q with superfast fibre broadband. Sky is one of the more expensive broadband and TV providers, but offers the widest range of premium entertainment and sports, both live and on-demand. Sky also offers the Sky Go app, which helps you manage your broadband and TV plan from one place.

Sky gives customers the ability to customise their own plan to suit their requirements. Within a customised Sky TV plan, you’ll always get the basics such as fibre broadband and Freeview, and then it’s up to you to choose extras such as Sky Sports, Sky Cinema, Sky Kids, Sky Atlantic, BT Sport, Ultra HD, Disney+ and Netflix. New customers can often benefit from deals making certain bundles more affordable during their contract term.

Sky is a competitively priced quad-play provider, meaning it offers four separate services, with mobile and home phone deals that can be added to any plan for an additional cost. If you’re looking for a big bundle with all four services, Sky can offer you a good deal.

Which channels does Sky offer?

Sky has a range of different TV channels. The highlights include:

Sky Cinema

Sky Cinema has 11 channels that air blockbusters and independent films. You can also watch movies on-demand.

Sky Kids

Sky Kids has 11 channels for children to enjoy. These include Nickelodeon, Cartoon Network, The Disney Channel and more. You can also watch thousands of shows on-demand.

As a Sky Kids customer, you also get the Sky Kids app free of charge, which can be downloaded onto any Android or Apple device. If you want to limit what the children can see, there’s also the option of enabling parental controls.

Sky Atlantic

Sky Atlantic primarily airs US programmes and box sets. On Sky Atlantic, you can enjoy shows such as The Real Housewives series and other reality TV shows from the United States.

Sky Sports

Sky Sports offers 11 channels which air a wide range of sports events. The best features include:

• Premier League football
• F1 racing
• EFL
• Premier League Darts
• Ryder Cup
• Carabao Cup
• Scottish Premiership

BT Sports

It’s possible to add BT Sports to Sky Q for an additional monthly cost. BT Sport membership is a one-month contract that is set to auto-renew each month. This means you can cancel it at any point, bearing in mind that there is a 30-day notice period. The best BT Sports features include:

• Premier League football
• Championship football
• Champions Cup
• Premiership Rugby
• Boxing
• UFC
• WWE
• Moto GP

Disney+ and Netflix

Certain Sky packages include a Netflix basic plan, which offers unlimited streaming in SD. You can always add these streaming services to your plan for an extra monthly charge, which is often cheaper than paying for them separately with the individual provider.

What TV and broadband deals does Sky offer

Similar to Sky, Virgin Media offers an extensive number of TV channels through the Virgin Media TV 360 Box and the option to add Sky channels to your package. To watch TV on multiple devices or screens, you can add the Virgin Mini Box to your package, which will allow for multi-room viewing.

Virgin Media is unique in that it offers a broadband connection that doesn’t require a phone line. By not having to pay for line rental, you could save money on your broadband package if you’re not interested in having a landline. If you do need a landline, there’s the option of signing up for a Virgin bundle with broadband, phone and TV. 

Which channels does Virgin Media offer?

Virgin Media offers hundreds of channels and the choice to add movies, documentaries or sports to your Virgin TV 360 Box. The Virgin box allows you to watch Sky and BT Sport add-ons for an extra monthly charge.

Virgin Media TV and broadband bundles

BT TV packages with broadband are flexible and customisable. You can add any BT TV package to your broadband plan without limitations. BT also offers pre-built packages geared to entertainment and sport.

What channels does BT offer?

The BT YouView box offers 70+ Freeview channels, with the option to add BT Sport or Sky channels for an extra monthly cost. You also get access to apps such as Netflix, Amazon Prime and iPlayer. 

BT TV and broadband deals

NOW Broadband

Why join NOW Broadband?

NOW offers ADSL and fibre broadband, and the option of a flexible TV package. You can add TV passes to your broadband package on a monthly basis, which means you can watch your favourite channels in a cost-effective way. NOW TV passes allow you to watch Sky Cinema, Sky Sports and entertainment channels.

What channels does NOW Broadband offer?

NOW Broadband works a little differently from other providers, in that it doesn’t offer a set-top box. Instead, you can sign up for a monthly NOW TV pass that gives you access to channels. Highlights include: Sky Sports, Sky Kids, Sky Atlantic, Sky Comedy, Sky One, National Geographic, Comedy Central and Gold. 

NOW Broadband and TV deals

More TV and broadband providers

While Sky, Virgin Media, BT and NOW are widely recognised TV and broadband providers, there is always the option of some other budget-friendly providers.Take a look at TalkTalk, Plusnet, EE and Vodafone to see the bundles they’re offering.

How to choose your bundle

When you’re looking for your ideal broadband package, there are a few aspects you should consider in order to get the best deal for you.

Monthly cost

The monthly cost of a broadband and TV package is one of the most important factors to consider. Comparing the price of the deal against the service you’ll get, is important in determining if it’s good value. Keep in mind that fast average download speeds, and a comprehensive TV package will be more expensive than standard broadband and TV. There might also be other charges to consider, such as one-off set-up costs or the installation of a fixed line. 

Perks and extras

More often than not, providers offer incentives for you to sign up to their service. Incentives can include discounts, freebies, cashback and vouchers. Some providers even offer exclusive deals to new customers. Check to see what the broadband supplier is offering and weigh up these benefits alongside the monthly cost of the deal.

Availability

There will be a limit on the broadband providers available in some areas and the types of connections they offer. To find the broadband deals available to you, use an online postcode checker – this way, you can also find out which is the cheapest internet connection with the fastest speeds in your area.

Broadband speed

You should think about the average download speed you realistically need to have a good, stable connection. Take a look at the download speed and upload speed the broadband deal is offering, but pay more attention to the average download speed as it tends to have more of an effect on usage than uploads. If you’re a YouTube content creator or you have a SoundCloud account you upload music to, however, you’ll want to pay attention to upload speeds as well.

If you’re a frequent internet user or gamer and enjoy streaming in HD, consider getting a fibre-optic connection. While it’s more expensive than standard broadband, you won’t regret a connection with faster speeds if it meets your internet requirements. If your TV package comes with internet TV or streaming packages, you’ll also need a fast connection for the best results. If you’re using Wi-Fi, your connection may be slower or be interrupted by obstructions in your home – use an ethernet cable where possible to get the most out of your connection.

Download limit

Keep in mind that some broadband deals do not have unlimited downloads. If you’re a frequent user, you should consider getting a broadband plan with unlimited downloads, an option offered by most suppliers nowadays. Unlimited broadband will let you download as much internet content, without having to worry about hitting a data cap and be charged extra on top of your monthly cost.

Contract length

Broadband and TV contracts are typically long-term contracts, with a minimum term of 12 to 24 months. Consider whether you’re happy to stick with the bundle for the entirety of the minimum term stated, because you’ll end up having to pay a hefty fee if you cancel your bundle mid-contract.

Customer service

It’s not unheard-of to have problems with your internet connection at some point. Choosing a broadband provider with a good customer-service team is important to guarantee good help and support if you ever need it. Read online customer reviews to learn about the quality of the provider’s customer service. This way, you’ll know what to expect from the provider when you need their help.