Compare TV and broadband deals
In this guide
- Our top broadband and TV deals for May 2021
- Why choose a broadband and TV package?
- What to look for with a TV and broadband deal
- Broadband and TV providers
- Pros and cons of a TV and broadband bundle
- Frequently asked questions
Despite the rise of streaming platforms like Netflix and Amazon Prime, digital TV still has an important place in many homes. Popular shows like ‘Succession’ and ‘Catherine the Great’ mean the demand for paid-subscription services like Sky remain high.
If you’re a fan of digital TV, combining your broadband and TV provision could save you some money, as well as offering the convenience of paying only one bill, and dealing with one company for two services.
Our top broadband and TV deals for May 2021
We’ve looked through all of our Broadband and TV deals to find the very best this month.
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Virgin Media Big Bundle
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Sky TV + Broadband Superfast
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BT Entertainment + Fibre 2
- 67Mb average speed
- 58 channels
- No phone line
£120 Reward Card
Why choose a broadband and TV package?
Paying for your TV and broadband separately could cost you more than bundling them together in a combined broadband and TV deal. Many people also find it easier and more convenient to deal with only one provider for the two services, with only one monthly bill to pay.
You can also add a phone bundle with discounted or unlimited calls to your broadband and TV packages. Take a look at our Broadband, TV and Phone deals if combining everything in one place sounds appealing.
Find a broadband and TV deal near you
What to look for with a TV and broadband deal
Choosing the right TV service to add to your broadband provision can be tricky, as there are so many on the market. Some providers offer little more than Freeview, while others have hundreds of channels to choose from.
Take a look at our comparison tables, and be sure to watch out for the following:
Broadband speed: Before choosing your TV package, you’ll want to get the basics of your broadband right, including the broadband speed that will best meet the needs of your household.
- ADSL/standard broadband is the least expensive and slowest option, with average speeds of 10-11Mbps. If you live alone, or in a smaller household where nobody is a heavy internet user, this should be sufficient.
- Fibre broadband is a better option If you live in a household of three or more people, or use the internet regularly for things like gaming or streaming film or TV.
For more advice, check out our broadband speed guide.
Channels: Opt for quality over quantity, as there’s little point in paying for hundreds of channels you’re unlikely to watch regularly. Look for or put together bundles that include content you’re interested in, whether that’s sports, films, or kids’ TV.
Contract length: With most broadband and TV bundles, you’ll need to sign a contract for at least 12 months. Some providers may offer better monthly rates in exchange for a longer contract, of either 18 or 24 months. This isn’t ideal, as if you need to end the contract early for any reason, you’re likely to be charged a hefty penalty. Learn more about contracts with our guide.
Customer support:Good customer support is important, especially if you need a constant internet connection to work from home, or keep the teenagers in your home entertained! EE, Plusnet, Virgin Media and Sky all scored highly in Ofcom’s customer satisfaction survey. Read our latest reviews to find out how the big UK providers stack up.
Price: Work out how much you can comfortably afford to spend on internet provision each month, and weigh up broadband and TV bundle options within this budget. You may have to make sacrifices, such as fewer channels, to keep costs as low as possible.
Equipment and installation: Some providers charge for installation and equipment like routers and set-top boxes (or delivery of this equipment) when you sign up for a new broadband and TV deal.
It’s possible to find deals without installation and equipment charges if you shop around, and this can save you a substantial amount of money. If you choose a bundle from Sky, you’ll need to have a satellite dish installed on the side of your home, which could cause a problem for some customers. If you rent your property, you’ll also need to get permission from your landlord.
Broadband and TV providers
Not all providers offer combined broadband and TV packages, and when you do find a provider and deal you’re happy with, you’ll need to check that it’s available in your area. Your choice is also likely to be affected by the channels you want to include, based on your household’s hobbies and interests.
Here’s a rundown of UK providers that offer combine broadband and TV deals:
BT: BT transmit their service via a fixed-line broadband connection known as Internet Protocol Television (IPTV). There are different TV boxes which allow you to choose the channels you want, with a top-end TV Max package that includes a 4K-capable box with a dedicated sports channel.
EE: With broadband speeds comparable with other providers, EE includes an Apple TV with their broadband and TV package, but is only available to existing EE customers.
NOW Broadband: Owned by Sky, NOW Broadband offers a range of broadband deals, all with no credit checks. The brand also has some excellent entertainment bundles from their NOW TV division, with over 300 box sets and all the latest TV shows included.
Plusnet: Known for their award-winning customer service, Plusnet’s broadband and TV includes a YouView box with over 70 FreeView channels and BT Sports Lite as standard. Their YouView+ box also comes with the ability to record, pause and rewind your favourite programmes.
Sky: Sky’s satellite TV offerings are already familiar to thousands of homes. As well as an enormous number of channels, the brand also has a solid broadband offering with fast speeds.
TalkTalk: TalkTalk TV, exclusive to TalkTalk broadband customers, is mostly Freeview. A couple of add-ons are available, however, including popular bundles like Sky Sports, Sky Cinema, BT Sport, or kids’ channels.
Virgin Media: A major player in the field of combined broadband and TV services, Virgin Media offers fast and reliable broadband with cable TV that supplies hundreds of channels - so you’ll never be without something to binge watch.
Vodafone: Vodafone’s TV bundle comes with an Apple TV plus a free year of Apple TV subscription service. If you’re already a fan of Apple and iTunes movies and TV shows, or other Apple devices, this is the right provider for you.
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Pros and cons of a TV and broadband bundle
Before signing a combined broadband and TV deal contract, it’s worth carefully weighing up your options to ensure you’re signing up for a deal that’s affordable, and suits your needs. For some people, purchasing the services separately may be a better fit.
Here are the pros and cons of choosing a broadband and TV bundle.
Pros
Price: If you’re already paying for a TV subscription service, combining this with broadband provision is likely to be a cheaper option than TV and broadband sold separately.
Convenience: You may find it easier to manage your finances if you’re paying one monthly bill, from one provider. The more separate subscriptions you have, the more bills you have to remember, and the more companies you’ll need to contact if you have questions, or if something goes wrong.
Syncing products: If you sign up for a broadband and TV bundle with 4K TV capabilities, you can be sure that it will include internet that’s fast enough to cope with this. Buying services separately can mean that products aren’t compatible, which can be a headache to sort out.
Cons
Switching can be difficult: If you’re not sure about your future living situations, for instance if you might need to move house in the near future, switching a combined broadband and TV deal to a new provider can be trickier than moving separate services. For this reason, it’s best to sign up for a combined deal only if you’re sure that you can ride out the contract in full. For advice about switching broadband providers, read our guide.
You may overpay: You may be tempted by a wide range of TV channels that you don’t end up watching in the long-term, meaning you pay over the odds for your combined broadband and TV.
You can’t have the best of both worlds: Combining the broadband you need with the TV service you want isn’t always smooth sailing. Virgin Media has the fastest broadband, for instance, while Sky has the best TV. So if you want very fast speeds with Sky Atlantic, you may have to make a sacrifice. If you want extremely fast speeds and Sky Atlantic, you’ll have to make a sacrifice.
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Frequently asked questions
Will my broadband and TV bundle need to be installed?
Satellite and cable services will require an engineer to install the dish or ensure the right cables are connected to your TV so you can watch their channels. When you sign up with a provider they will arrange a day and time for this to take place and all have strict Covid guidance in place to ensure your safety.
What's the cheapest internet and TV package?
This varies all the time, as different providers change their offers. If you’re in the market for a new bundle, keep an eye on our comparison tool to see what’s available right now. You’ll find that deals appear and disappear almost every week.
Are there upfront costs for broadband and TV bundles?
It depends on the provider and the deal. Upfront costs are quite common, and some of the best providers include them. If you’re set against paying them, though, you can use our search tool to filter them out.
Can I buy TV and broadband separately?
Yes. Virgin Media and Sky both offer TV packages without broadband. However, you will pay more by doing this rather than choosing a bundle.
Can I still stream services like Netflix, Disney + and Amazon Prime through my TV bundle?
Yes, Sky, Virgin Media, Freeview and BT make it easy for you to watch your favourite streaming services through the set top box or directly from the TV app.
Which broadband providers offer channels like Sky Sports and Sky Cinema?
Popular channels like Sky Sports and Sky Cinema can be added as extras to packages from Sky, Virgin Media, BT, and TalkTalk. If you have an Apple TV you could download Sky's NOW TV app and use it to subscribe to Sky Sports or Sky Cinema. This is a very roundabout way of doing things, though, and you'll pay more.
Like Sky, BT Sport can be added as an extra to packages from BT, Sky, Virgin Media, TalkTalk, and Plusnet. Generally, you'll find quite a bit of flexibility when adding channels to a package, but prices may vary.
The most exclusive channel out there is probably Sky Atlantic, available only on Sky packages. To watch Sky Atlantic content with a different provider, you'll have to sign up to NOW TV. You can do this on a rolling basis, with your contract renewing each month. This means it's a good option to watch one season of must-see TV, before cancelling the contract.
Can I get a broadband and TV deal without line rental?
No. Through Virgin Media, you can get a TV and broadband bundle without a landline. However, no matter which provider you choose, you'll always have to pay for line rental. This price will be included in your regular monthly fee, and is not itemised separately.