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Which HD TV provider offers the best value?

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Our digital TV expert says...

Hi, David - thanks for your email. You’ll be pleased to know there’s never been a better time to embrace high-definition TV. All of the UK providers now offer some form of HD content, but it’s true that some give you more choice than others.

Opting for a subscription TV service, like the one you’ve been getting from Sky (www.sky.com|www.sky.com) - though you may want to consider Virgin Media (www.virginmedia.com) or BT Vision (www.btvision.bt.com|www.btvision.bt.com) - will provide you with a broader range of content. As well as the free-to-view channels and standard HD content, you can also get on-demand and catch-up services, much of which is also available in HD.

I suggest you read our complete guide to HD TV for everything you need to know about high-definition technology. Then read the guide below for additional guidance on which TV package to choose.

Which HD TV service should I choose?

So, David, you want to upgrade to HD but you’re not sure which provider offers the best deal for you? The best starting point is to think about the kinds of programmes you want to watch in high definition.

Most people would say that films, sporting events and nature shows benefit most from the sharper detail. As a former Sky Sports and Sky Movies subscriber, you should get plenty of enjoyment from the HD channels available on Sky, as well its main rival Virgin Media.

Since we’re talking about saving money, a cheaper option might be the subscription-free TV service Freeview HD, or its satellite equivalent Freesat HD. However, with these options, you will not get as wide a range of content as you have previously been receiving. You can check whether Freeview HD and Freesat HD are available in your area using our HD coverage checker.

When it comes to choosing one provider over another, it’s important you weigh up all the costs and select the one that not only suits your viewing needs but also your budget. Use the calculator at Digitalchoices.co.uk to compare TV packages and find the best deal for you.

Should I upgrade to HD with Sky?

Sticking with Sky for your HD TV service may well prove to be your best option. It currently offers the biggest line-up of HD entertainment from any UK provider. In addition to BBC HD, ITV1 HD and Channel 4HD, you could also be getting Sky Sports HD, Sky Movies HD and up to 50 other high-definition channels.

However, the number of channels you receive will depend on which viewing pack you decide to take. With Sky, there is a monthly cost of anything from around £25 to £60, though an HD subscription will increase the price you pay. You might also want to think about bundling your TV, phone and broadband with one provider.

It’s often a great way to save money. For example, with Sky, you could sign up for HD TV Extra, which includes Sky Movies HD and Sky Broadband - as well as free evening and weekend calls. You’d pay £35.25 for the first two months, then £51.25 a month thereafter, on a 12-month contract. You could add Sky Sports HD for a little extra each month.

Remember, while bundling your TV, phone and broadband services with one provider saves money, there may be other costs to consider. These include any installation and set-up fees, as well as monthly line rental - Sky’s line rental is £12.25 a month, however if you pay for 12 months upfront you can reduce this to the equivalent of £9.95 per month.

You may get a cheaper deal or a package that better suits your needs by switching provider.

Virgin Media HD channels

As Britain’s biggest cable TV provider, Virgin Media provides an excellent range of HD channels but it’s not yet available everywhere in the UK. Enter your postcode in the Digitalchoices.co.uk calculator to check that cable is an option in your area and compare different packages.

To get movies and sports in HD, you’ll need to take a Virgin Media XL subscription. This includes 175 channels such as ESPN HD, Eurosport HD and FilmFour HD and costs £27.50 a month with a 500GB Virgin Media TiVo box thrown in. Again, you’d need to be paying Virgin Media’s line rental of £13.90 a month - and may save money by taking Virgin Media broadband as well.

There’s even the option to add Sky Sports HD and Sky Movies HD on top of your Virgin Media package, but additional charges will apply.

BT Vision HD channels

Lots of households save money by bundling BT Vision with their BT landline and broadband. However, if it’s HD television you’re looking for the offering from BT is really quite limited. Unlike its main rivals Sky and Virgin Media, the telecoms giant doesn’t do live broadcasts in HD and currently has no HD channels of its own.

The only HD programmes available are selected shows in BT Vision’s on-demand line-up, as part of an online service delivered to BT broadband customers. The basic selection of BT Vision channels is essentially what you get with a Freeview set-top box, which could be a low-cost way to obtain just a few HD channels with no monthly cost.

Freeview HD and Freesat HD

Since you’re looking to save money, David, the subscription-free services available from Freeview and Freesat may be of particular interest. Either will give dozens of digital channels and an increasing range of HD programmes, with the likes of BBC HD, ITV1 HD and Channel 4HD already available.

All you need is an HD-ready TV and the appropriate HD set-top box, as well as a satellite dish if you want to receive Freesat HD. Before plumping for a non-subscription service, it’s worth using our HD postcode checker to ensure there’s a signal in your area.

With no monthly fee to pay and relatively low set-up costs, a subscription-free product is often the cheapest way to receive digital television in the long run. But there is one major downside - the absence of movies and sports channels. You may well be able to save money but, like we said before, it’s important to think about the types of telly you like to watch.

When you’ve been used to receiving premium Sky Sports and Sky Movies channels, there’s a lot you might miss when switching to subscription-free TV, especially since films and sport are what benefit from an HD picture the most.

How can I save money?

The trick when it comes to choosing a digital TV provider is taking time the time to weigh up all the costs and benefits before making your decision. Not only do you need to think about your viewing habits and the channels you want to receive, but also your budget.

Be careful to include any hidden costs, such as installation and set-up fees or any charges that apply if you leave the contract early. Remember, to upgrade to HD, you’ll also need the appropriate hardware which will certainly bump up the cost of your investment, if you don’t yet have an HD-ready TV, for example.

An easy way to save money is by bundling your TV, phone and broadband with one provider - but remember to ensure the cost of line rental is included in the overall price you’re quoted. It can be as much as £14 or £15 a month.

Use the Digitalchoices.co.uk calculator to compare TV packages and find the best value solution for your needs.

TV, broadband and phone packages

Company	Package Name	Channels	Broadband	Home Phone
	Sky Entertainment TV + HD + Sky Broadband Unlimited + Talk Freetime	Get channels like Sky 1, Sky Living, Sky Atlantic and more
	TV Essential + More Broadband and Calls	70 Freeview channels
	TV: L + Broadband: 30Mb + Phone: M	100 channels including Virgin 1, Sky1, Comedy Central, Bravo and many more

Ask us a question

If you have a general switching or provider query please email us at ourexpert@digitalchoices.co.uk