Digital TV Guides

Best digital TV package for films

Updated: Tuesday 18 January, 2011

By Becca Talbot - becca@consumerchoices.co.uk

If your household watches a lot of films but doesn’t want to spend loads buying or renting DVDs, then you’ll want a digital TV package that offers the latest Hollywood hits, cult classics and family favourites.

All of the big digital TV providers offer options for film enthusiasts - even Freeview, which broadcasts Film4. So choosing a package that best suits you may seem a little confusing.

We’ve taken the stress out of finding the perfect TV and film deal for your household though, in our handy guide. Read on to discover what each of the providers is offering, then sign-up for a package that offers the films that you really want to watch at an affordable price…

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Films on Virgin Media

Virgin Media (www.virginmedia.com) offers a range of options for those who want to watch films.

Those on the M TV package get the free-to-air channels, as well as a few extras, so customers will only get Film4 - the same as Freeview customers. The M TV package is free when you take a Virgin Media phone line for £12.24 a month.

For those wanting more, there are pay-TV services from Virgin Media. These are:

• M+ TV - You’ll get access to Film4, Film4 HD and Movies 24
• L TV - You’ll get access to Film4, Film4+1, Film4 HD, Movies 24, Movies 24+, True Movies 1 and TCM
• XL TV - You’ll get access to Film4, Film4+1, Film4 HD, Movies 24, Movies 24+, True Movies 1 and TCM.

Customers on any of these packages can add Sky Movies to their package for an additional cost. To add Sky Movies 1 - which includes Sky Comedy, Family, Classics and Modern Greats - or Sky Movies 2 - which includes Sky Action/Thriller, Sci-Fi/Horror, Indie and Drama - customers must pay an additional £14.50 a month.

To add the Sky Movies Collection - which offers the Sky Movies 1 and 2 packages as well as Sky Movies Premiere, customers must pay an additional £21.50 a month.

Virgin Media digital TV packages can be taken without a cable phone line, though cost more each month. Take a look at the packages on offer below to find out more:

Virgin Media TV packages

Company	Package Name	Channels	Broadband	Home Phone
	TV: M+	65 channels including Virgin 1, Sky1, LIVING and many more
	TV: L	100 channels including Virgin 1, Sky1, Comedy Central, Bravo and many more
	TV: XL	160 channels including Virgin 1, Sky1, ESPN, Disney Channel and many more
	TV: L + Broadband: L + Phone: M	100 channels including Virgin 1, Sky1, Comedy Central, Bravo and many more

Films on Sky

For the digital TV package with the most movies and the best price, check out Sky (www.Sky.com). Choose just the basic package from Sky, with one “viewing pack”, or choose all six packs and get the ultimate TV Package.

The viewing packs you can choose from are:

• Variety
• Knowledge
• Kids
• Style and Culture
• Music
• News and Events.

Sky packages start from just £19.50 a month for one viewing pack, going up by £1 for each additional pack you add. To add Sky Movies, you simply pay an extra £16 on top of your standard Sky subscription. Take a look at the packages on offer below to find out more:

Sky TV only		Sky TV + Broadband + Calls
More info	More info	More info	More info
from £20 a month + Sky+ box + £25 M&S voucher	from £30.25 a month + Sky+ box + £25 M&S voucher	from £20 a month + Sky+ Box + £25 M&S voucher	from £23.75 a month* + Sky Box + £25 M&S voucher
Online exclusive Sky TV - Sky Entertainment pack	Online exclusive Sky TV - Sky Entertainment pack Add Sky HD pack for £10.25 per month	Online exclusive Sky TV - Sky Entertainment pack Up to 20Mb speed 2GB monthly usage Inclusive UK evening and weekend calls	Online exclusive 1/2 price broadband for 12 months Sky Entertainment pack Up to 20Mb speed Unlimited downloads Inclusive UK evening and weekend calls
More info	More info	More info	More info
Visit Sky.com or call 08442 410582	Visit Sky.com or call 08442 410582	Visit Sky.com or call 08442 410582	Visit Sky.com or call 08442 410582

* All this for £23.75 for 2 months £39.75 for the following 4 months £43.50 thereafter + £12.25 line rental

Films on BT Vision

Phone and broadband giant BT runs its own TV service, called BT Vision (www.btvision.bt.com). BT’s philospohy is that “if you only watch one film this year, you should only pay for one film this year.”

This means BT Vision is great for people who only want to watch the occasional movie, without having to pay for a host of films and channels they’ll never watch.

BT Vision customers get, as standard, the Freeview channels that are available in their area, and a Vision+ set-top box. The Vision+ box lets you rewind and pause “live” TV, and record Freeview channels.

You can then watch pay-per-view programming including an extensive range of films, available to rent from £2.50. Its film library covers:

• Comedy
• Drama
• Action/adventure
• Romance
• Family
• Horror
• Sci-fi
• Thriller.

In addition to the movies and TV rentals available via pay-per-view, you can sign-up to BT’s on-demand service, choosing the “viewing packs” that suit you. Choose from Kids, Music, Vision Sport and Vision Film Club. These subscriptions have no minimum term so you can sign-up for as few or as many months as you like, and you can save by signing up to all four.

Unfortunately BT Vision is only available to homes that have a subscription BT Total Broadband, so if you haven’t already got BT broadband, you’ll need to sign-up for it. Visit Broadbandchoices.co.uk to find out more, and take a look at the packages below to see what’s on offer:

BT Vision

Company	Package Name	TV Package Info	Broadband	Monthly Cost
	TV Essential + Broadband and Anytime Calls	70 Freeview channels	Up to 20Mb speeds + wireless BT Home Hub	From £20 a month

Choosing the best provider for you

Before you sign-up to your chosen digital TV provider, why not check out the best packages for sports or kids or do a postcode search to see what’s available in your area.

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