Digital TV Guides

BT Vision channels

Updated: Friday 20 January, 2012

By Anthony Hill

BT Vision gives you all the free-to-view channels and on-demand TV programmes when you want them. Find out more about BT Vision packages and how to buy online…

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BT Vision is the television service provided by Britain’s best known telecoms firm. As well as all the Freeview channels, subscribers can watch a wide variety of films and programmes on-demand.

When you switch to BT Vision, the set-top box is connected to your rooftop aerial. This gives you all the free-to-view digital TV channels available in your area. Connect the box to BT broadband and you’ll also get a wide choice of on-demand movies and TV to watch whenever you like.

Choosing a BT Vision package

There are two main ways to enjoy BT Vision (www.btvision.bt.com). You can either choose the basic TV Essential package or pay slightly more each month for the TV Unlimited experience.

Both deals require you to sign a 12-month BT Vision contract. There is also an activation fee and you need a broadband connection to access online services.

BT Vision and catch-up TV

All BT Vision customers get a selection of Freeview channels as standard, providing up to 50 free TV stations of drama, comedy, documentaries and more.

Freeview isn’t available everywhere, so check the coverage in your area and make sure your rooftop aerial can receive a Freeview signal.

BT Vision also includes a catch-up TV service, so you can watch shows broadcast by the BBC, ITV, Channel 4 and Channel 5 in the last seven days.

On-demand TV and films

As well as Freeview channels and catch-up, BT Vision gives you on-demand TV and movies - just choose what you want to watch and hit the “play” button. There are thousands of programmes and films to enjoy, and how much you pay depends on which package you’ve signed up to:

TV Essential
Pay-per-view access to on-demand content from 50p per show.

TV Unlimited
Free access to five on-demand packs - Vision TV, Film Club, Kids, Sport and Music.

On top of the standard on-demand content are premium services, such as Vision Box Office, which gives you the latest blockbusters in standard-definition, HD or 3D from £2.50 a film.

You can also sign up for a viewing card to receive extra sports channels. Put your card in the Vision+ Box to watch ESPN or the Sky Sports channels. There is a one-off fee for the viewing card.

The Vision+ Box

Essentially, it’s a sleek black Freeview box and digital TV recorder rolled into one. The Vision + Box also lets you pause, rewind and store up to 80 hours of television.

It gives you access to all of BT Vision’s on-demand entertainment - at no extra cost with a TV Unlimited subscription - and Vision Box Office films in standard definition, HD and 3D.

How do I get BT Vision?

For BT Vision you need a TV aerial to receive the Freeview channels and BT broadband to access the online services and on-demand content.

If you’re looking for a good deal on digital TV, there are lots of options to consider. As well as BT Vision, you could look at Freeview, Freesat, Sky and Virgin Media.

Use the Digitalchoices.co.uk comparison service to find the best package for you.