Finding it very hard to compare media offers - any advice please?

Charlton_King

I've looked at MSE's comparison tool and can't make head or tail of it.

I'm a BT customer with landline, broadband (both 'unlimited') and TV with all the catch-up players. Am I right in thinking that this combination is hard to find from any other single source?

I don't 'download'... at all... ever.

Sorry if this is a naive question. Obviously I'd like to save some money if possible but maybe I'd have to start dealing with multiple sources and I find this prospect distinctly offputting.

Marcio45

You can look at suppliers like Sky, Virgin Media, EE as they all offer packages with all the services you require.
If you dont want to pay for a full TV subscription you can get a device like Now TV stick or Fire TV stick that works through the internet and offer catch up players.

Charlton_King

Marcio45 wrote: »

You can look at suppliers like Sky, Virgin Media, EE as they all offer packages with all the services you require.
If you dont want to pay for a full TV subscription you can get a device like Now TV stick or Fire TV stick that works through the internet and offer catch up players.

That's interesting. Do they have any drawbacks/limitations or known bad features?

Marcio45

Hi King,

Sky offers their Sky Q tv box, but only part of a subscription, minimum £20. Thats on top of any broadband package.

Virgin Media has their Virgin V6 box, which is a decent piece of kit. You can also access Catch up TV. last time i checked there were packages with Virgin including broadband, phone line and TV for £32 a month.

EE offers a similar service to BT, and i guess with a Youview box.

Other option and maybee cheaper is to have just broadband using phone line services like BT, Sky, Talk talk, EE. You can choose a package that is adequate for your internet needs and can also go for fibre if available in your area.
Or, as alternative, Virgin Media, which have their own cables and offer broadband without phone line.
Then get an Amazon Fire TV stick, connect to the internet and install the catch up apps.

It will very much depends on what services you really want. Do you want particular TV channels or just access to catch up TV?

Marcio45

Sorry just to say that there is no charge for accessing catch up TV with a fire tv stick

Cornucopia

The easiest way to approach this is to identify what you mean by "TV" i.e. what pay channels/services do you presently use, and what do you want to use in future.

All the main broadband ISP now have a TV offer of some sort, but they vary in terms of the services provided, so if you have a particular set of requirements, not all of them may suit.

Then you need to work out what equipment they will supply for TV, or if they don't supply, what you will need based on the capabilities of what you have.

If you are looking for maximum value for money, then you will probably be buying services from more than one company. (You will get Broadband from a BB company, and a streaming TV service from a TV provider). Probably the maximum VFM overall will be broadband from Now TV or Vodafone and TV from Now TV, Netflix or Amazon. I pay £20pm for Now TV Fibre BB, and the equivalent of £4pm for Now TV entertainment, and £4pm for Movies, based on an offer from Black Friday.

If you don't want pay TV at all, then that's a whole other question, since you may need to buy streaming and/or recording equipment yourself rather than have it bundled. Streaming equipment starts from around £15, but recorders are usually over £100.

Charlton_King

Ok, thanks for the answers so far. Much appreciated. I suppose, to answer your questions, I'd be happy with:

1. Landline with most calls unlimited

2. Broadband, generally for the simple purpose of internet surfing.

3. TV with all terrestrial channels plus the standard catch up services - iPlayer, All4 etc


Beyond that, nothing really wanted by way of pay per view etc.

Cornucopia

That seems pretty straightforward.

The issue is that if you do not buy a bundled TV package you will not get TV equipment.

If you already have a Freeview/Freesat equipped TV, then that shouldn't be a problem, and maybe you could buy a cheaper streaming stick/box just to get free access to catch-up?

To use the MSE Broadband checker to see relevant offers, tick Broadband and Phone Line, but leave TV unticked.

For my postcode, this shows the cheapest deal that fits your requirements as Now TV at £18pm with free anytime calls. This is a 12 month contract, and has an upfront cost of £9.99.

You can buy a Now TV box from Argos for £14.99 and it comes bundled with a choice of 1 month Movies, 2 months Entertainment or 3 months Kids, but there is no obligation to continue with these after the trial period. The box can be used for free catch-up indefinitely.

[Deleted User]

Charlton_King wrote: »

Ok, thanks for the answers so far. Much appreciated. I suppose, to answer your questions, I'd be happy with:

1. Landline with most calls unlimited

2. Broadband, generally for the simple purpose of internet surfing.

3. TV with all terrestrial channels plus the standard catch up services - iPlayer, All4 etc


Beyond that, nothing really wanted by way of pay per view etc.

1 & 2. Depending on your "standard" broadband speed either NowTV ADSL with Anytime calls @ £18.00 or if you're a long way from the exchange then NowTV Fab Fibre @ £25.00. Both also incur a £9.99 charge for router delivery. If you are in a poor area for broadband speed then the fibre option would help when using the catch-up apps.

3. Freeview or Freesat TV (dependant on whether you've got an aerial or a satellite feed) Hopefully your TV is a Smart TV with all catch-up apps already installed and still working (some TV's such as Panasonics have recently lost the ALL4 catch-up app for instance) If you don't have a Smart TV with all necessary apps then the previously mentioned NowTV box would be a solid choice.