Ask our Expert

Virgin TV or BT Vision: which is best?

Our digital TV expert says...

Getting a new TV package is a great idea Tim, and when it comes to choosing one, there are a lot of options.

Upgrading from a free-to-view service, like Freeview, to a subscription TV service such as BT Vision (www.btvision.bt.com) or Virgin Media (www.virginmedia.com), will get you loads of extra channels, as well as catch-up and on-demand programmes. But which TV service should you choose?

This really depends on the amount of TV you watch, what programmes you like watching, and how much you are willing to pay for your package. If you haven’t already, read our article Which digital TV service should I choose? In addition, I’ve pulled together some handy information to help you decide…

Virgin TV vs BT Vision - channels and programmes

The best service for you will depend on how much TV your household watches, the kind of programmes you like and the channels you want.

When it comes to channels, Virgin Media offers a larger selection than BT Vision - even if you opt for its smallest M+ TV package, which has 65+ channels. If you’re looking for a little more, the L TV package has 100+ channels and the XL TV package has 165+ channels. These channels include:

• BBC HD
• Discovery
• Sky1
• Sky Living
• E4
• National Geographic

Virgin Media TV subscribers can also add on premium channels to their package, such as Sky Movies channels, Sky Sports and ESPN.

BT Vision works in a slightly different way to Virgin Media; all the channels you receive will be the basic Freeview channels. These will reflect the Freeview channels that are available in your area, so if Dave and Quest are available you’ll get these, but if they’re not then you won’t.

BT Vision also offers additional on-demand content and channels in packs. Customers can choose either two, three or all four packs. The packs for BT Vision are:

• Vision Film Club - Gives customers 75 great films for all the family every month
• Vision Sport - Shows re-runs of Barclays Premier League matches, Moto GP, TNA Wrestling and sporting classics like the 1966 World Cup official film
• Music - A range of new and old music videos, festivals, documentaries and concerts, as well as Vision Music Karaoke
• Kids - Over 100 kids’ TV series from some of the best known channels, including BBC, Milkshake and Nat Geo Junior.

BT Vision customers can also access pay-per-view content, including sporting fixtures and films. ESPN is available to BT Vision customers for free, after paying a one-off fee of £9.99 for a viewing card. Sky Sports channels are also available to BT Vision customers from just £12.30 a month.

BT Vision or Virgin TV - hardware and set-up

One of the main differences between the services from BT Vision and Virgin Media is the set-up and the hardware each provider uses. While Virgin Media is a cable TV provider, BT Vision offers TV through broadband (IPTV), through your BT phone line. Each service has different requirements:

BT Vision requires:

1. You to live in an area that can receive BT Vision - If you are unsure whether or not your house can receive BT Vision, use our free postcode checker to see if it’s available at your address
2. A rooftop aerial - If you don’t have an aerial you’ll be unable to receive the Freeview service
3. An active BT phone line - If you don’t have a phone line you will not be able to receive BT Vision
4. A BT Total Broadband subscription - If your internet is provided by another supplier you will not be able to receive BT Vision.

Virgin TV requires:

1. You to live in an area that can receive Virgin Media cable services - If you are unsure if your house can receive Virgin Media, use our postcode checker to see if it’s available at your address
2. A cable connection fitted inside your house - If you live in a flat, rented accommodation or a listed building, this may not be possible.

The two suppliers’ services also come with different types of hardware. Virgin Media offers various set-top boxes. It’s V+ and V+HD boxes allow customers to record, pause and rewind “live” TV, while its V HD box offers access to the many high definition channels that Virgin Media broadcasts. For more information, read our guide on the Virgin V+HD Box.

BT Vision uses a similar box, called Vision+. As well as serving as a Freeview set-top box, it offers customers the option to record and store up to 80 hours of Freeview TV with a 160GB hard drive. The HD version of the box also lets you watch your favourite on-demand programmes in high-definition picture and sound, though BT Vision doesn’t offer any specific HD channels.

Virgin TV vs BT Vision - cost

Cost is a major factor when choosing a service. The table below shows the cost for the basic packages from BT Vision and Virgin Media:

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: 30Mb + Phone: M	100 channels including Virgin 1, Sky1, Comedy Central, Bravo and many more

Both providers often discount their packages for the first few months, so look out for special introductory offers, and make sure you know how much you’ll be paying after that. Clicking the links on the table above will take you through to the providers’ websites, which will give you full pricing details.

It’s important to remember that for BT Vision you’ll also have to pay for your BT Total Broadband subscription, and line rental, each month.

Installation and hardware prices do vary with the suppliers, depending on what you choose. Please refer to the suppliers websites directly for these costs:

• BT Vision (www.btvision.bt.com)
• Virgin Media (www.virginmedia.com)

Choosing a digital TV service

Your choice of TV service will depend on all of the factors mentioned above, so it’s important you read all the information and sign-up for a package that’s going to suit your household.

If all you’re really looking for is the basic Freeview channels with a few extras, BT Vision may be the cheapest option for you - but remember this is only available if you have BT Total Broadband.

If you think Virgin Media might suit you better, read our guide to find out More information about Virgin TV, and to sign-up for your new service.

Other digital TV providers, such as Sky and Freesat, offer alternatives to BT Vision and Virgin Media, so take a look at what’s on offer from each supplier before entering a contract.

I hope this helps you decide between BT Vision and Virgin Media, Tim. If you want more information on what the providers offer, you should definitely check out our provider guides for each.

Ask us a question

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