Compare the best TV and broadband deals
In this guide
- The best broadband and TV deals in December 2020
- Broadband and TV packages
- What to look for in a TV and broadband deal
- Broadband and TV providers
- Pros and cons of a TV and broadband bundle
- Frequently asked questions
A bundle that combines TV and broadband offers convenience and savings. Just make sure you choose the right package.
The best broadband and TV deals in December 2020
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Virgin Media Big Bundle
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Sky TV + Broadband Superfast
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BT Entertainment + Fibre 2
Broadband and TV packages
If you're already paying separately for broadband and TV, you could be wasting money. It's usually significantly cheaper to sign up for the two together as part of a bundle. This bundle generally comes with a landline number, although it's possible to find one without.
Your bundle will offer home broadband internet, as well as a TV subscription service. This is where things can get tricky. With a huge number of different TV services out there, sometimes it can be hard to know which one to choose. Some providers offer little more than Freeview, while others having literally hundreds of channels available.
What to look for in a TV and broadband deal
Take a look at our comparison tables, and be sure to watch out for the following:
- Broadband speed — One rule of thumb is to allow 10Mbps for every internet-using member of the household. Double that for gamers and streaming addicts. For more advice, check out our broadband speed guide.
- Channels — Go for quality over quantity; there's no point paying for hundreds of channels you're never going to watch. Look for the ones that are important for you, whether that's sports, films, or kids' TV.
- Contract length — Most broadband and TV bundles will require you to sign up for at least a year. Some might offer better prices in exchange for a longer contract, but this isn't always the best idea. Try to get out early, and you'll wind up paying a hefty penalty fee. Learn more about contracts with our guide.
- Price — Think about your budget and stick to it. You may have to weigh up more channels against lower costs to choose the bundle that's right for you.
- Type of TV — If you choose a bundle from Sky, you'll need a satellite dish on the side of your home. Some customers or building guidelines may not like that idea. Virgin Media offers cable TV, while the other providers use your internet connection.
- Type of broadband — ADSL, or standard broadband, is the least expensive and slowest. If you live alone, or nobody in your household is a big internet user, it'll be fine - but for higher speeds, you'll need to look for fibre broadband. Extremely high speeds are only widely available from Virgin's cable broadband packages.
Broadband and TV providers
There are not many providers of broadband and TV bundles in the UK. Your choice will probably come down to a few factors, including the channels you want and what’s available in your area.
- Virgin Media: A major player in this area, Virgin Media offers fast and reliable broadband in the country. Its TV service has hundreds of channels to choose from so you’ll have plenty to binge watch.
- Sky: Sky's TV offerings are already familiar to thousands of homes. As well as its enormous number of channels, Sky has a solid broadband offering, with fast speeds.
- NOW Broadband: Owned by Sky, NOW Broadband offers excellent deals with no credit check and excellent entertainment bundles from their NOW TV. It comes with over 300 box sets and the latest TV shows.
- BT: BT has different TV boxes, allowing you to choose the channels you want. The top-end TV Max package includes a 4K-capable box with a dedicated 4K sports channel. BT broadband is fast enough for you to watch in 4K without problems, too.
- TalkTalk: Broadband is fine, on a par with most other UK providers. TalkTalk TV, exclusive to TalkTalk broadband customers, is mostly Freeview. However, there are a number of add-ons, including popular bundles like Sky Sports, Sky Cinema, BT Sport, or kids' channels.
- EE: Again, the broadband is similar to most other providers. EE includes an Apple TV with their broadband and TV package, but it’s only available to existing EE customers.
- 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 comes with that plus the ability to record, pause and rewind your favourite programmes.
- 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 then you might find this offer appealing.
Pros and cons of a TV and broadband bundle
Before signing any kind of deal, it’s always worth considering your options. In the case of a broadband and TV bundle, there’s plenty to recommend it – but it may not be right for everyone. Here are the advantages and disadvantages:
Reasons to choose a bundle
- It's cheap — If you're already paying for a TV subscription service, it makes a lot of sense. It’s unlikely that you’ll find a cheaper option with TV and broadband sold separately.
- It's convenient — You might find it easier to manage your finances when you have just one bill coming out instead of two. The more subscriptions you have, the more bills you have to remember. A bundle simplifies things.
- The products can sync together — For example, if you buy a bundle with 4K TV capabilities, it’ll also include internet that's fast enough. If you buy things separately, the products aren’t always compatible.
The downsides of a bundle
- It's harder to switch — You might find it tricky if your circumstances change and you need to adapt. For that reason, it's usually not a good idea to subscribe to a bundle if your future living situation is uncertain.
- You may overpay — Think carefully before signing up to any TV bundle. A huge number of channels may sound attractive, but how many will you actually watch? Don't pay for a service you're not going to use.
- You can't have the best of both worlds — Virgin Media has the fastest broadband, while Sky has the best TV. If you want extremely fast speeds and Sky Atlantic, you'll have to make a sacrifice.
Compare TV and broadband deals
Frequently asked questions
How does my broadband and TV contract work?
It's a bit more complicated to switch when you have a bundle. The technical side of things isn't important - that's for the engineers to sort out. However, there are a few factors to think about. You'll probably have to return your set-top box, and you'll have a satellite dish or TV cable to sort out, too. If you have content saved on your set-top box, you'll lose it as part of the switching process.
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.
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.