Buying broadband and TV together can save money and leaves you with one bill, one box and one company to call. It also ties both services into the same contract, and a sports or film pack can easily double what you pay for broadband alone. The best bundle is the one that matches what your household actually watches, not the one with the longest channel list.
Our simple pick for most homes is a Sky Stream bundle on full fibre. Sky Full Fibre Gigafast with Essential TV and Netflix gives you gigabit broadband, Sky’s channel line up and a Netflix subscription for less than many rivals charge for slower broadband with TV. Sky Stream works through your broadband, so there’s no satellite dish. If you want the lowest price with plenty of free channels, Virgin Media M125 with Flex TV is the cheapest bundle on this page.
TV providers compared
| Provider | How you watch | Worth knowing |
|---|---|---|
| Sky | Sky Stream box, connected through your broadband | The widest range of channels and the main home of Sky Sports and Sky Cinema |
| Virgin Media | TV 360 box on standard bundles, or a Stream box with Flex TV | Flex TV starts with free channels and lets you add or drop paid packs month by month |
| BT and EE | BT TV with the Entertainment pack | Netflix included on many bundles, with extra sport and film packs available |
| Vodafone | An Android TV box | Live channels with Netflix and HBO Max included in TV Essential, see Vodafone TV |
| TalkTalk | A TV add-on to broadband | No fixed contract on the TV part |
| Community Fibre | A TV add-on with its own box | Available to London customers, see Community Fibre TV |
| NOW Broadband | NOW memberships for entertainment, films and sport | Monthly passes you can stop at any time |
TV without a long contract
| Option | How it works | Monthly price |
|---|---|---|
| TalkTalk TV add-on | Added to TalkTalk broadband, with no fixed contract | £5.00 |
| Community Fibre TV | Added to a 24 month Community Fibre contract | £12.00 |
| Virgin Media Flex TV add-ons | Paid channel packs on 30 day terms, added to a Flex TV bundle | Varies by pack |
| NOW memberships | Entertainment, Cinema or Sport passes, cancel when you like | Varies by pass |
If you only watch a couple of streaming services, you may not need a TV bundle at all. Most smart TVs and streaming sticks run Netflix, Disney+, Prime Video and the free catch up apps directly, and live channels are available free through an aerial or online services such as Freely. Pair a broadband only deal from our best broadband picks with the subscriptions you actually watch, and you can cancel each one when you lose interest.
Things to check before you sign
- The TV contract length. On most bundles, the TV runs for the same 24 months as the broadband, so dropping a sports pack early can cost an exit fee.
- Yearly rises. Bundles usually rise by more than broadband alone. BT and EE add a larger amount to broadband and TV packages each spring, and Sky sets its rises each year, which include TV.
- What the Netflix part includes. Bundled Netflix is often the standard plan with adverts. Upgrading to an ad free or 4K plan costs extra.
- HD and 4K. Some packs charge more for HD or 4K picture quality. Check if you have a 4K TV.
- Your broadband speed. Each 4K stream needs a steady connection, and several at once add up. Our guide to what broadband speed you need explains how much to allow.
- The box and Wi-Fi. Streaming boxes work best with a wired connection or strong Wi-Fi. If your TV is far from the router, see our guide to Wi-Fi boosters, extenders and mesh.
Sport and films
Sky Sports and Sky Cinema are available from Sky directly, from Virgin Media’s Sport and Cinema packs, and as NOW memberships. TNT Sports is sold as an extra with several providers. Sport packs are by far the most expensive part of most bundles, so check whether a monthly pass for the season would cost less than adding sport to a 24 month contract.
FAQs
What is the cheapest broadband and TV deal?
Virgin Media M125 with Flex TV is the cheapest bundle on this page, with more than 150 channels included. Sky Stream bundles on full fibre also offer strong value if you want Sky’s channels.
Do I need a satellite dish for Sky TV?
No. Sky Stream delivers Sky’s channels through your broadband connection, so no dish is needed.
Can I get TV without a long contract?
Yes. TalkTalk’s TV add-on has no fixed contract, Virgin Media’s Flex TV lets you add or drop paid packs month by month, and NOW memberships can be cancelled at any time.
Is Netflix included in broadband and TV bundles?
Many bundles from Sky, BT, EE, Virgin Media and Vodafone include Netflix, usually the standard plan with adverts. Check the plan before you order if you want ad free or 4K viewing.
Is it cheaper to buy broadband and TV together?
Often, yes, compared with buying the same services separately from one provider. But if you only watch a few streaming services, broadband on its own plus monthly subscriptions can work out cheaper and more flexible.
What broadband speed do I need for TV streaming?
Each 4K stream needs at least 15Mb, according to Netflix. A home with two or three 4K TVs in use at once is comfortable on 150Mb or faster.