Virgin and aerial related question 19 August 2017 at 4:35PM in TV MoneySaving 8 replies 4.2K views

Honey9036

I've had Virgin TV, broadband and phone since moving in to my house 2 years ago. Due to price increases, I now want to change to something cheaper. I hardly watch TV, but would still like some kind of TV package to watch the "basic" channels, including news. I was wondering about Now TV for example.

However, I think I have a problem. Behind my TV there is only the Virgin junction box (or whatever it's called). There is no aerial socket. does this mean my house has no aerial? Can the Virgin connection be used at all after I cancel my Virgin contract?

Is there anything I can do to get live TV channels if I *don't* have an aerial? I have a 3rd Gen Apple TV, but haven't really used it much. Could I connect to some kind of TV channels via the Apple TV?

Sorry if my questions sound vague and uninformed. I am a total novice when it comes to anything to do with TV stuff.

Lori
x

Tiexen

Now TV will connect the same as the Apple TV box - do you have a BT phone socket? because without that your stuck with Virgin.

Honey9036

Tiexen wrote: »

Now TV will connect the same as the Apple TV box - do you have a BT phone socket? because without that your stuck with Virgin.

My landline is plugged into a standard phone socket in my bedroom. the socket was here when I moved it - ie it was not installed or altered when I got Virgin installed. Does that mean it's a BT socket? I'd hate to be stuck with Virgin!

Thanks for your reply. x

Tiexen

Virgin won't use a BT socket, if you don't have another box with BT on it then no, you'd have to have a new line installed.

iniltous

Honey9036 wrote: »

I've had Virgin TV, broadband and phone since moving in to my house 2 years ago. Due to price increases, I now want to change to something cheaper. I hardly watch TV, but would still like some kind of TV package to watch the "basic" channels, including news. I was wondering about Now TV for example.

However, I think I have a problem. Behind my TV there is only the Virgin junction box (or whatever it's called). There is no aerial socket. does this mean my house has no aerial? Can the Virgin connection be used at all after I cancel my Virgin contract?

Is there anything I can do to get live TV channels if I *don't* have an aerial? I have a 3rd Gen Apple TV, but haven't really used it much. Could I connect to some kind of TV channels via the Apple TV?

Sorry if my questions sound vague and uninformed. I am a total novice when it comes to anything to do with TV stuff.

Lori
x

It's possible you have an aerial socket, it may just be your current TV position isn't close to it , have a look in the loft to see if there is a TV aerial , or outside on or near the roof.
If there is no aerial , you could always get one installed, or you could get a satellite dish for freesat ( or Sky but that would be pay TV )
Now TV would give you a selection of channels ( if you get the entertainment pack) but not your BBC , ITV, Channel 4 or 5 etc...obviously if you plan to get rid of VM completely you would need to get a phoneline installed to host your broadband, there are quite a few broadband providers that have a TV service , but they also need an aerial for the 'free' broadcast channels
You could get a Kodi box, and an 'add on' that allows you to watch freeview channels over broadband, but probably wouldn't be regional ( so you may not get your local ITV/BBC news etc) and the quality may not be that good

Cornucopia

Honey9036 wrote: »

I've had Virgin TV, broadband and phone since moving in to my house 2 years ago...

If you get your Phone service from Virgin and there are no other disused phone sockets in the property then you probably do not have a BT line, and would need to get one installed in order to have a Phone service and associated broadband from a provider other than Virgin.

Depending on the type and location of your property, this could be cheap and easy, or expensive and difficult. The best thing is probably to approach BT for a quote in the first instance. Then you can phone around and see if any other providers will cover the installation cost or subsidise it.

Due to price increases, I now want to change to something cheaper. I hardly watch TV, but would still like some kind of TV package to watch the "basic" channels, including news. I was wondering about Now TV for example.

Depending on what you mean by "basic", the Freeview or Freesat services may provide what you want. Have a look at their channel lists and see if they would provide what you want.

Can the Virgin connection be used at all after I cancel my Virgin contract?

No.

Is there anything I can do to get live TV channels if I *don't* have an aerial?

Yes, you can choose from Satellite (free or paid) or TV over the Internet (free or paid). You'd need to arrange a Phone line and Broadband separately, or as part of a bundle with the provider of your TV (if that is a paid service).

Honey9036

Thanks to everyone who replied. I ended up going for the BT Infinity Broadband, TV and phone package. With £150 gift card from BT plus £140 cashback from Topcashback. They will install a new phone line and an aerial. It's only less than £10 cheaper per month than I'll end up paying with Virgin. But the cashback and gift card make it an amazing deal. And I'm only tied to a 12 month contract - after which time I'll at least have an aerial if I decide to go for freeview.

Lori
x

Inner_Zone

Tiexen wrote: »

Virgin won't use a BT socket, if you don't have another box with BT on it then no, you'd have to have a new line installed.

Its not unknown for VM contactors to reuse an existing BT socket, even though they are not supposed too.

AndyPK

often if you stay with virgin for BB and phone, they will throw TV in at the last minute for free. (as they like all customer to have 3 services)


So you may wish to call their bluff if you want their BB.


Otherwise, you will have to get an Arial in the loft or whatever