Digital TV Guides

Cable TV

Updated: Monday 9 May, 2011

By Becca Talbot - becca@consumerchoices.co.uk

Cable TV from Virgin Media offers more channels than the free-to-view digital TV service Freeview, but is cable TV the right option for you? Read our guide and find out more about cable TV.

If you currently have a Freeview or Freesat TV service in your home, you could benefit from more channels and improved reception by opting for a cable TV package from Virgin Media. You could even save money too, as Virgin Media offers free TV to all of it's broadband customers which also take a Virgin Media cable phone line.

But what exactly is cable TV, and how does it differ from the services already on offer from Sky, Freeview and Freesat? We explain more below...

What is cable TV?

Cable TV is a type of digital television service. Different from Freeview, which requires a roof-top aerial, cable TV is delivered to via a fibre optic cable underground.

The digital signal is unscrambled by a cable set-top box, allowing you to watch all the Freeview channels, as well as all the channels within your subscription package, and a host of free and pay-per-view on-demand TV programmes and films.

Cable TV also offers loads of digital-only radio stations and interactive services, such as game show voting and TV competitions.

Cable TV coverage

Unfortunately cable TV is currently only available to around 51% of the UK. To find out if you’re in an area that can receive cable, enter your postcode in our online checker - this will list the digital TV services you can receive at your address.

If you can't get cable TV, consider getting a satellite or internet TV service. Read our digital TV providers overview for more information about all of the options available.

Cable TV providers

Virgin Media (www.virginmedia.com), is the UK's largest and leading cable TV provider.

Virgin Media bought ntl:Telewest in 2006 and now offers digital TV, broadband, home phone and mobile phone packages. You can also add mobile broadband to your subscription, which will give you internet access anywhere in the UK.

Virgin Media TV-only deals

Virgin Media’s TV packages are available with or without taking a Virgin Media cable phone line. To get the best deal though, it is recommended that you bundle your landline and TV together, as TV-only packages are more expensive.

If you’d rather just subscribe for Virgin Media TV without a phone line, check out the table below for some of the current deals:

Virgin Media TV, phone and broadband packages

As well as TV, you can also get Virgin Media broadband and home phone through your cable connection. These services are offered as money-saving bundles that are tailor-made to suit your family.

Some of the packages that are currently on offer are listed in the table below:

Any drawbacks to cable TV?

Because it’s delivered via cables that run underground into your home, you need to live in a cable area. Check with Virgin Media first to find out if you can receive its services.

And, to get Virgin Media TV, a technician will have to visit your home to install the equipment. There could be a charge for this - again, ask Virgin Media first.

It’s also important to bear in mind that if you do switch to cable but then decide to switch back to BT, BT will charge you a £130 reconnection fee.

Is cable TV right for me?

If you think that a cable connection would suit you, do a search using our calculator to see what options are available, for a detailed breakdown of all the costs, or to sign-up online.