Digital TV- what am I paying for?

Tinkywinks108

I have a Talk Talk bundle, which pays for my digital youview box, landline and internet. I am now looking to see if I can get a better deal, but realising I don't actually understand how digital TV charging works!

I do not pay a TV licence as I don't watch anything other than Netflix. So what, exactly, am I paying Talk Talk for? Is it for the use of their digital box?

iniltous

If you don't have a TV licence then you shouldn't watch any 'broadcast' or 'live' TV or anything on the BBC I player.. if you have a TT 'youview' box, then the majority of channels available are strickly speaking, ones you shouldn't be watching
Any 'catch up TV' (ITV hub, More4 etc) you are allowed to watch but they dont have to be accessed via a TT TV subscription, so you are paying TT for something that you can obtain for 'free' with the appropriate equipment .
You obviously pay a separate subscription for Netflix , so in essence, you don't need TT TV at all you presumably just need a way of getting Netfix onto your TV

pmduk

You are of course paying TalkTalk for the landline and internet, both of which are necessary to watch Netflix.

Tinkywinks108

iniltous wrote: »

If you don't have a TV licence then you shouldn't watch any 'broadcast' or 'live' TV or anything on the BBC I player.. if you have a TT 'youview' box, then the majority of channels available are strickly speaking, ones you shouldn't be watching
Any 'catch up TV' (ITV hub, More4 etc) you are allowed to watch but they dont have to be accessed via a TT TV subscription, so you are paying TT for something that you can obtain for 'free' with the appropriate equipment .
You obviously pay a separate subscription for Netflix , so in essence, you don't need TT TV at all you presumably just need a way of getting Netfix onto your TV

Yes, as I only ever watch Netflix, I need a way of getting Netflix on my TV. I'm not sure if I'll still be able to use the you view box if I end my contract with Talk Talk.

Tinkywinks108

pmduk wrote: »

You are of course paying TalkTalk for the landline and internet, both of which are necessary to watch Netflix.

Yes, but I only need to pay for the landline and internet right? And not for digital TV. I'm looking to switch suppliers, so I'm thinking that I just need to look for a supplier/package offering broadband/internet, not digital TV.

iniltous

It's probably the case, if you cancel the TV part of your TT package, you would save something (however much the TV part of the package costs) and chances are You-view box would still work ,Freeview/catchup services, and maybe even the PVR functions.
Any premium' channels included would stop ( Sky 1 etc ?)
I don't know how you pay for Netflicks, directly to Netflicks , or you pay TT and TT arrange access to it, so you pay TT for TV and part of that subscription goes to Netflicks, if that's the 2nd option you may may have to subscribe again to Netflicks if cancelling TTTV cancels Netflicks.
There are many ways to get Netficks, as an app on a PC , tablet or phone ( and connect that device to the TV or 'cast' from the device to the TV) or if you have a smart TV it may well have a Netficks app

DCFC79

Yes the cheapest option is if your TV is smart enabled as you might be able to get the app on the tv.

The next option is a Roku stick/box or get a Google Chromecast that will let you cast via phone or tablet.

Tinkywinks108

iniltous wrote: »

It's probably the case, if you cancel the TV part of your TT package, you would save something (however much the TV part of the package costs) and chances are You-view box would still work ,Freeview/catchup services, and maybe even the PVR functions.
Any premium' channels included would stop ( Sky 1 etc ?)
I don't know how you pay for Netflicks, directly to Netflicks , or you pay TT and TT arrange access to it, so you pay TT for TV and part of that subscription goes to Netflicks, if that's the 2nd option you may may have to subscribe again to Netflicks if cancelling TTTV cancels Netflicks.
There are many ways to get Netficks, as an app on a PC , tablet or phone ( and connect that device to the TV or 'cast' from the device to the TV) or if you have a smart TV it may well have a Netficks app

I pay Netflix separately, £5.99 per month. The whole reason this came about is because I was reading about the latest broadband deals in the latest MSE newsletter. I am currently paying TT just over £30 a month for digital TV/broadband/phone, when I could be paying Plusnet £10.24 per month just for broadband/line only.

I have no idea if I have a smart TV but I doubt it.

Tinkywinks108

DCFC79 wrote: »

Yes the cheapest option is if your TV is smart enabled as you might be able to get the app on the tv.

The next option is a Roku stick/box or get a Google Chromecast that will let you cast via phone or tablet.

I highly doubt I have a smart TV (which was given to me by my dad). Silly question I know, but do you know how I could check? I'm guessing if I disconnect my youview box, then the Netflix app should still come up as an option?

[Deleted User]

Tinkywinks108 wrote: »

I highly doubt I have a smart TV (which was given to me by my dad). Silly question I know, but do you know how I could check? I'm guessing if I disconnect my youview box, then the Netflix app should still come up as an option?

Use your TV remote (not the TT Youview one) and have a look for a 'Home' (or similar) button, that should show you the installed apps if it's a smart TV. Alternatively just tell us what the TV is (make & model number, usually on a sticker on the back).

iniltous

Less than £11 a month for line rental and broadband is pretty good value, it probably will be regular ADSL2 ( not FTTC) broadband for that price, check that it's the same as the Talk Talk broadband you currently have, ( so the speed should be OK for streaming video on demand)
I recon the Netfilx app as well as many other functions on the TT Youview box should continue to work if you switch from TT to Plusnet
The TT box itself is yours to keep after the minimum 12/18 month term is up, and should work as a regular Youview box when connected to any broadband.