Week 5 - Television Packages

Television packages can be very confusing. I think it all depends on what you are wanting to watch and when.

The main players in this market are Freeview, Sky, Virgin Media, BT. There are also a lot of deals out there so it can be confusing as to what is good and what is not.
The key here is to haggle, haggle, haggle! Effective haggling will be covered in the coming weeks, but for new customers you can make considerable savings to the standard rates.

Also to add into the mix, many providers now bundle up other services such as Broadband, telephone and mobile phone packages. Broadband and telephone is going to be covered in the next few weeks
https://www.cable.co.uk/guides/digital-tv/

This is a package that offers digital channels over the air through your existing TV aerial. Many televisions include the tuners in them and so you do not need any extra equipment to view.
Pros: Free and no subscription costs.
Cons: Limited channels, may need an extra box to get the channels,

https://www.cable.co.uk/guides/is-sky-tv-worth-it/
Sky is probably the biggest and meanest of all the options. They are a premium brand offering a choice of packages.
Pros: You can tailor your package to suit your needs, most channel options, has on demand services, some sky exclusive content
Cons: Can be expensive, may have channels that you do not need included in packages, you need a dish on the side of your house.

https://www.cable.co.uk/guides/is-virgin-media-tv-any-good/
Virgin is a big player offering packaged solutions depending on what you want to watch.
Pros: Has both BT and Sky Sports package options, has on demand services
Cons: Can be expensive, may have channels that you do not need included in packages,

New player in the market and has started to buy up various sporting events taking them from Sky.
Pros: Sports channels available for free if you take their broadband,
Cons: Can be expensive, may have channels that you do not need included in packages,
Online services

This is an online package which streams television for a monthly subscription
Pros: Free time available, netflix exclusive content available, can be viewed anywhere you login, view when you want
Cons: for viewing on your main tele you will need a smart box attached, subject to your internet speed/data allowances, limited content

This is an online package which streams television for a monthly subscription
Pros: Free time available, Amazon exclusive content available, can be viewed anywhere you login, view when you want
Cons: for viewing on your main tele you will need a smart box attached, subject to your internet speed/data allowances, limited content

Boxes and technology:
All of the packages are available with a box that allows you to record, rewind and get 'smart' with your viewing.

Sky offers their Sky Plus box, Virgin have Tivo, and the rest tend to use YouView. They all do roughly the same thing and can be included as part of the packages you get.
There are some other smart boxes that can be used such as Now TV (owned by Sky), Chromecast (Google), Apple TV, Roku Streaming Player, WD play to name a few.


I think that the main point is to research what you actually need, what you actually will watch and get a package that is right for your needs. Also ask friends and family for their thoughts.

There may be deals available from referring friends as well so always keep an eye out for the elusive deal!