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Digital Choices

Need Digital TV? Ready to switch over?
Get fair, unbiased advice in a language you understand
so you make the right choice.
 

Subscription digital TV

For people who want to get the most variety from their digital TV service, a pay-monthly subscription is a great choice. You can choose from relatively cheap, basic packages to more expensive ones covering movies, sport and entertainment and everything in between.

You also have more choice than ever before when it comes to choosing your provider. As well as the two major players, Sky (www.Sky.com) and Virgin Media (www.VirginMedia.com), you can now get a subscription from Tiscali TV, add-ons with your BT Vision (www.BTVision.bt.com) service or add-on subscriptions from Setanta Sports (www.Setanta.com) and Top Up TV (www.TopUp.tv).

What is subscription digital TV?

Normal subscription packages from Sky, Tiscali TV, Top Up TV, Virgin Media and Setanta involve signing a contract with your provider and paying a set monthly rate for the digital TV package that you want. It works a little differently with BT Vision; although you have to sign a 12 month contract for your broadband (which you must have to use the service) BT Vision itself is a free service, with opt-in subscriptions on a month-by-month basis.

Why should I get it?

The cost of subscription packages are falling all the time so if you and your family spend a lot of time watching TV and you think you’d like a wider selection than the Freeview channels offer, then you should consider getting a subscription package. In doing so you’ll get a free receiver, so won’t have to buy a Freeview box, digital recorder or integrated TV to watch digital TV. An engineer will also come out to install your receiver so you won’t have any technical problems to deal with, and you get a great selection of programmes.

You could also save money by getting your broadband and home phone from your new digital TV provider.

Click here to read more about Bundling your Digital TV.

What do I need?

You will need to sign up with a provider, who will supply all the hardware that you need and connect you too.

Where you live could determine the provider you choose; you have to live in a cable area to get Virgin Media and be a BT Total Broadband customer to get BT Vision.

Think carefully before choosing who you want to go with so that you get a package to suit your needs. Whether you’re a Movie Buff, a Sports Fanatic or want Kid’s programming, we can recommend the best package to cater to your needs.

How much does it cost?

Costs depend on the package that you choose. Add-on packages on BT Vision cost from £4 a month, Setanta Sport costs from £9.99 a month, Sky costs £16 a month for one mix, going up by £1 for each additional mix you add, Tiscali starts at £14.99 a month and Virgin Media’s Size:M package costs £11 a month and includes a phone line too, which you have to take.

Which provider is right for me?

Read more about each provider with our Provider Guide or use our Price Comparison Calculator to see what’s available in your area.

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