Best digital TV package deals 2023

Digital TV package reviews

Virgin Media

Bigger bundle

Virgin now only offer TV if you take it out as a bundle with their fibre broadband and line rental.

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Package details

• Channels: 190+
• TV box: Record, pause and rewind
• Contract: 18 months
• Extra: BT Sport, Sky One, 264Mbps broadband
• Advertised cost: £39.50pm
• Effective cost: £39.50pm (see below)
• Lifetime cost: £711

Effective cost breakdown

• TV & broadband for 18 months: £711
• Upfront costs: FREE
• Calculation: (£711) / 18 = £39.50pm

Visit Virgin TV »

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Sky TV

Sky Stream

Sky Stream is quite different from the other TV packages on the list, as it’s essentially a streaming site for TV.

With it, you get to stream Sky TV, Netflix, and Freeview TV over your WiFi. If you’re already paying for Netflix, you can add it to your account to avoid paying twice.

The regular subscription gives you access to over 30,000 shows. For an extra monthly fee, you can upgrade your package to include the likes of Sky Sports, Sky Cinema, BT Sports and Sky Kids.

However, the standard streaming package doesn’t include broadband like some others on this list. You can get a subscription that includes both Sky Stream and broadband, but it’s an 18-month contract starting at £39 per month.

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Package details

• Channels: 150+
• Contract: 1 month
• Extra: Netflix and Freeview TV
• Reward: 1 month free
• Advertised cost: £29pm
• Effective cost: £29.92pm
• 12 month cost: £358.95

Effective cost breakdown

• TV for 12 months: £319
• Upfront costs: £39.95
• Calculation: (£319 + £39.95) / 12 = £29.92pm

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TalkTalk

TalkTalk TV, broadband and entertainment boost

This has 30 extra entertainment channels (inc. Sky) beamed from a smart recording TV box. Broadband’s included.

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Package details

• Channels: 80+
• TV box: Record (180hrs), pause/rewind
• Average broadband speed: 11 Mbps
• Contract: 18 months
• Advertised cost: £24.95pm
• Effective cost: £26.34pm (see below)
• Lifetime cost: £474.10

Effective cost breakdown

• TV & broadband for 18 months: £449.10
• Upfront costs: £25
• Calculation: (£449.10 + £25) / 18 = £26.34

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BT TV

BT TV

BT TV offers a “flexible” package where you can pick and choose between different packages depending on your needs. You can change them every month, so the idea is that you don’t have to pay for something if you’re not planning to watch it.

It includes a Now and Netflix subscription. The downside is that you have to take out broadband with BT to get access to BT TV.

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Package details

• Channels: 170+
• TV box: Record, pause/rewind
• Average broadband speed: 67 Mbps
• Contract: 24 months
• Extra: Now & Netflix (Netflix isn’t included in the Sports package)
• Advertised cost: £39.99pm (broadband and Sports package – other packages may be more expensive)
• Effective cost: £40.41pm (see below)
• Lifetime cost: £969.75

Effective cost breakdown

• TV & broadband for 24 months: £959.76
• Upfront costs: £9.99
• Calculation: (£959.76 + £9.99) / 24 = £40.41pm

Visit BT »

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Is it worth getting a paid TV package?

Most recent TVs will already have Freeview channels included. But, if you have an older television, you can get a Freeview box on Amazon. With Freeview, you can access over 70 channels – including some in HD – and the boxes can be bought for around £25. After that initial cost, viewing is free (hence the name…).

If it’s movies you’re into, online streaming services like Netflix and Amazon Prime (get six months free here) may satisfy your cravings for less money.

But if you have specific interests, such as live sport, paying for a TV package can open you up to over 300 live channels. Just review all the channels you’re getting before committing to a lengthy contract and weigh up the value for you.

Do you need to pay for a TV Licence?

The answer is: probably. Even though you’re paying a monthly subscription for your TV package, this doesn’t include the cost of a TV Licence. You’ll likely need to buy this separately.

They cost around £160 for the year and can be bought online. If you have a licence but don’t watch live TV during the summer months, you can apply for a refund.

But, if you’re savvy, you might not actually need one. You just need to take advantage of this TV Licence loophole.

How does TV package installation work?

Getting set up with a TV package is usually pretty easy. After confirming that they can supply your address, your provider will send you a set-top box that you can connect to your TV.

However, if your house hasn’t had cable or satellite services before, installation can be more complex. It could require an engineer to visit for an extra cost. You’ll also need to get permission from your landlord.

After installation, you’ll pay the advertised monthly fee for the length of the contract. However, if you find you’re not watching all the channels, you can sometimes rework the contract.

How to get cheaper TV package deals

Here are some quick ways to save money on your paid TV package:

• Only sign up for the channels you need
• Pay upfront
• Select paperless billing
• Bundle with broadband and line rental
• Watch out for price hikes (switch!)
• Always haggle at the end of the contract
• Seek out hidden charges when comparing (think about the ‘effective monthly cost’).

You can cut down your monthly bills even further by finding the best deals on energy and gas suppliers. Have a read of our guide to find out how.