Which TV choice is best value

cardigan

I have been with Virgin for over 10 years (Sky before that) My current package is M250 + Maxit TV + Sports + Any time telephone. I am 'out of contract'.  The monthly bill keeps going up and this month is now at £95.  

I am happy to separate mix and match.  I can get get deals for BB and telephone.  My question is where do I get the best deal for TV and that poses the question - what do we watch / what TV do I want?  We don't watch movies, Sky Atlantic is my ideal choice of the type of stuff I like to watch and my wife likes watching golf. 

Suggestions welcome?  

jbrassy

First of all, scrap the Virgin package and buy things separately. 

You can easily get fast fibre broadband for around £25 per month. If you already have a mobile with unlimited minutes, you don't need a landline.

If you want to record TV, you can buy the following box: https://www.argos.co.uk/product/3100000

If you don't want to record TV, just buy a Google Chromecast: https://www.argos.co.uk/product/1184736

For Sky Atlantic, you can sign up to Now TV for £9.99 a month. Sky Sports is significantly more expensive at £29.99 a month for the golf.

So in total, you will pay £170 upfront for the freeview box (or £35 if you get the Chromecast instead), then around £65 a month for broadband and Now TV. 

cardigan

Thanks for the helpful reply - I will investigate

Rodders53

That linked Manhattan Freeview box suggestion assumes OP has a working uhf tv aerial and it only can manage two simultaneous recordings.  Other options may give more tuners (Humax Aura).  Better modern TVs may have a Freeview recording capability to an external hard disk drive, some even have twin tuners.

Some new TVs have the latest live TV streaming option called Freely so need no aerial or satellite dish.

Broadband from any other provider will need a new line installing and there may or may not be availability of a decent fast service.  Mobile data broadband may be an option, or not depending on location, too.

Cost the VM broadband only option?

cardigan

How does NOWTV work?  I see that I can choose a TV package and I can see that I can choose a BroadBand package and that BB is SKY (so I presume NOWTV is Sky?)  . .  is it a box and is it all over WiFI - do I get two boxes (one for the bedroom) can I also get my landline and calls with them?  I can't find a telephone number for them to call?

double_dutchy

cardigan said:

How does NOWTV work? 

If you just want TV packages then the simplest way to watch is via the Now TV app on a smart TV....but there are other options - see here:

Ways To Watch NOW (nowtv.com)

The standard packages allow only one person to watch at any one time (although you can use the app on different devices if you aren't watching simultaneously). If you want 2 or 3 people to be able to watch simultaneously then look at the Boost/Ultra Boost options 

Bigphil1474

Not sure about the advice on the VM package. We get M500 BB, TV package (2 boxes) plus Sky Movies, Sky Sports, standard Netflix, any time calls on the landline plus a free O2 sim we don't use, for £70 a month. It was £75 a month before renewal in February. Think it's the Volt Package. Only thing not in there is Sky Atlantic.

They are currently offering the Bigger Combo Bundle which includes M500 BB, Sky Sports and you get a free Xbox or £150 bill credit for £70 a month on an 18 month contract (works out at about £62 a month). Again no Sky Atlantic.

steven141

There is also some great deals with Sky as a nee customer but you have to check with them.