Need Digital TV? Ready to switch over?
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Free-to-view digital TV
The Digital Switchover doesn’t have to cost the earth; going for free-to-view digital means that you won’t have to commit to a contract or have to pay monthly subscription fees. At the same time, you don’t have to be restricted to digital terrestrial just because you don’t want to pay a monthly subscription.
Depending on the provider that you go with, you can have anything from the 40+ digital terrestrial channels available from Freeview, up to the 200 channels available from freesat.
You could also have access to on-demand services such as movies and replays or interactive services such as email, depending on your provider and hardware.
Why should I get it?
Since everyone will have to switch to digital when their area’s analogue signal is turned off, you’ll have to pay out something, and go digital if you want to carry on watching TV, going for free-to-view is the cheapest option.
To find out when your area switches over, click here.
Free-to-view digital TV lets you carry on watching your favourite channels in sharper clarity, with access to an ever-growing selection of digital only channels and radio stations.
What do I need?
This depends on who you go with. If you want the basics then go for Freeview. To receive the Freeview channels you just need to buy a set-top box, which start from as little as £20 and which you can easily install yourself. You can also receive Freeview direct to any digital integrated TV, but these are costly so only consider one if you’re already in need of a new TV.
BT Vision offers BT Total Broadband customers the standard Freeview channels via their broadband connection, plus the option of adding on packages on a month-by-month basis, or movies and programmes on-demand. An engineer will fit your new V-Box.
If you want more selection and already have a home phone, you could opt for Virgin Media’s “free” digital TV bundle which offers home phone users a free Virgin Media branded set-top box and access to the Freeview channels, plus some extras such as Virgin Central. An engineer will fit your Virgin Media hardware, installing your phone and digital TV at the same time.
Freesat from Sky offers the ultimate free-to-view experience with up to 200 channels and the option of upgrading to a subscription at any time without any more hardware having to be installed. An engineer will fit your Sky dish and set-top box so you won’t have to do anything except sit back and relax.
How much does it cost?
Again, this depends on how you choose to watch your free digital TV. If you go for Freeview, then the only cost you’ll incur will be that of the set-top box you buy. These start at £20 for a standard box, but for a bit more you can get a built-in digital TV recorder that will allow you to pause, rewind and record “live” TV at the touch of a button.
You have to be a BT Total Broadband customer to use BT Vision and this starts from £8.95 a month. If you’re a new customer or willing to re-contract you can get your V-Box for free, otherwise this will set you back £199. Also, if you’re a new customer to BT broadband, you need to get a Home Hub. This is free for customers signing up to their Total Broadband options 2 or 3, but is £30 otherwise.
Connection costs £30 and you might have to pay for installation, but once your BT Vision service is up and running you’ll only pay for what you use, with access to all the Freeview channels as standard.
To get Virgin Media’s “free” digital TV you need to take their home phone, which costs £11 a month. Installation costs £25.
If you want to get freesat then you’ll have to make a one off payment of £150 to cover installation, connection and hardware.
