Sky vs Virgin Media

portchieboy

Hi

I currently have a cable package, Broadband + Large? TV, for which I pay £21 a month. Have had it for 5+ years, and the box is getting a bit knackered. Maybe time for a change?

So, a few questions. My primary concern is the BB. Presumably, not being phone based, I can really do what I want with this, and do not need one of those codes....forgotten the name! So, if that is the case, my ideal would be to have some sort of + box. HD not really a priority, as I only have a modest size TV., but I think the Virgin mob has free HD on their + package?

Sky looks OK, but I think it would cost more. A decent TV, with 3 packs, and BB works out £23.50, that is OK, plus maybe £129, ie £99 for the box, and £30 installation.

I currently have the TV, a Home Entertainment (speakers) system, a seperate HD recorder and the cable box. Between all of that, the wiring is horrendous, and I just think that if I go down to the TV, the + box and the sound system, it would presumably be far easier to wire up to maximise the use of all features.

Have not yet phoned Virgin, but I guess they may offer some deal on their + box.

One final thought, there is much talk of referrals etc to get discounts off of, or even a free + box on Sky. Can you do that, and also get the Quidco money back?

Sorry, lots of questions, but help as always very much appreciated.

flimes

I'm switching sky after 4 years of using virgin, for me the only worthwhile service with virgin was their broadband (that was the only reason I stuck with them so long) but with their throttling I felt I was paying to much for the low speed I been getting recently.

After finding a code for free sky+ box and free installation in my junk mail folder I thought I'd take a look at what sky was offering. The prices looked good (unlike virgin, there's no extra charge for the sky+ service as long as you sky subscribe to pay package) but I was worried about having to pay BT to activate my phone line but after having a live chat (through their site) with an advisor he arranged for sky to activate my phone line as long as I payed line rental directly to them which was fine with me.

Have a look around the forums as I seen offer codes posted for the free sky+ box and installation - if you have no luck I'll see if i can find mine for you.

Good luck with who ever you decide to go with.