LED, LCD and plasma TV: Free TV and pay TV services Digital TV options
Freeview and Freesat TV services
If you want only basic channels and don’t want to pay a subscription fee, Freeview or Freesat services are ideal. The digital equipment is sold by many manufacturers, so you have a much wider choice than with other TV services.
See the Which? Freeview and Freesat set-top boxes review for test results on the latest models.
Freeview offers more than 40 TV channels for a one-off fee
Freeview shows around 50 digital TV channels from BBC, ITV, Channel 4, Five, Sky and Virgin. Freesat broadcasts around 70 channels, but this doesn’t necessarily mean it has a better channel line-up. Some Freeview channels like Dave, Sky News and Sky Sports News are not available on Freesat. Alternative channels like True Movies and Zone Reality are available with the digital satellite TV provider.
If you don’t mind paying a monthly fee for a bit of sporting action, you might want to consider getting ESPN on Freeview – you’ll need to get either a Freeview set-top box or digital TV equipped with a viewing card slot, but you’ll only be tied in for one month at a time.
Freesat gives you HD TV content from BBC and ITV without paying a subscription fee. Freeview HD offers BBC, ITV and Channel 4's HD channels, although the service will not have nationwide coverage until 2012. You can check if your area is covered by entering your postcode on the Freeview site.
Check out the Which? guide to HD TV explained for more information on HD TV equipment and services.
Sky's Freesat offers all of the free-to-air TV channels included as standard in its subscription packages for a one-off fee. With over 240 channels, this sounds value for money but make sure you’re interested in the channels included. Unlike Freeview and Freesat, you can’t get recordable or HD equipment on Sky’s Freesat service.
With Freesat services you'll need a satellite dish attached to the outside of your property.
For more detailed information on Freeview, Freesat and Freesat from Sky, see the Which? guide to Freeview and Freesat digital TV.
Pay TV and TV bundles
If you like the sound of more channels, you might prefer to go for a pay digital TV service from Sky or Virgin Media.
You may find bundling TV with broadband and/or phone services can save you money on your overall monthly bills and get you more of the TV channels you want for your money – BT, Virgin and Sky all offer TV bundles. All services on this page offer premium sports and film content at additional monthly costs.
You can get some Sky Movies and Sky Sports channels with Tiscali TV
BT broadband TV packages
BT's TV services are available only bundled with one of its broadband packages, but they could work out cheaper if you don’t mind switching providers. BT Vision offers basic Freeview TV with extra on-demand content covering TV shows and series, sport, film, music and kids’ programmes, as well as ESPN and Picture Box.
TV addicts won’t be disappointed, with plenty of extra standard and on-demand channels available at additional cost, including the likes or G.O.L.D., Discovery, Nickelodeon, Sky Sports, Sky Movies, ESPN and Picture Box.
Find out how satisfied BT customers are compared to other providers in the Which? broadband review.
Sky has more than 30 HD TV channels
Sky and Virgin pay TV services
If you love your TV, Sky and Virgin Media have by far the greatest number of channels available. If you are interested in specific extra channels or are keen on bundling phone or broadband services with a TV package you may also be attracted.
Sky and Virgin have the most content available in HD. Sky leads the way with more than 50 dedicated HD channels, but Virgin now offers more than 20 HD broadcast services. If you want an HD service from Sky or Virgin, extra monthly fees may apply, and you’ll only get the high-definition channels that correspond to the standard ones in your package. For example, your standard package must include FX if you want FX HD.
Virgin Media TV is available only as a bundle with its cable broadband or phone services. Make sure you’re happy with the other services before signing up. If you live outside Virgin’s cable area (around half of UK households), you won’t be able to get a Virgin TV package.
As with Freesat services, you'll need a satellite dish attached to the outside of your property if you want Sky.
See the Which? phone, internet and TV package review to see how Virgin and Sky’s bundles compare in our exclusive survey.
Top Up TV Anytime
Top Up TV Anytime’s service offers a middle way between free TV and subscription TV services. It may appeal if you’d like more than the channels available on Freeview and Freesat, but don’t fancy being tied into a long-term contract or another service. You get access to all Freeview channels and a Thomson PVR so you can pause, rewind and record live TV.
You have to choose at least one monthly subscription service, but these are on rolling one-month contracts, so you can cancel with one month’s notice. You can choose any combination from Top Up TV’s, Picture Box, ESPN and TV Favourites packages. TV Favourites and Picture Box give you on-demand access to pre-recorded popular TV programmes and films.
