Compare the options
Compare the options
Look at the different ways to receive the extra BBC and other channels, and compare the costs, what you get and the equipment
you need.
| FREESAT | FREEVIEW | FREESAT FROM SKY | |
| COST FROM | £50/£120 | £17/£100 | £120 |
| COST DETAILS | One-off payment for a Freesat digital box (from £50), or a Freesat HD digital box (from £120). Installation of satellite dish (from £80) | One-off payment for a set-top box (from £17) or a Freeview Playback digital TV recorder (from £100) or a digital TV set (from £100) | One-off payment (£150) for equipment and installation |
| WHAT YOU GET | TV: over 90 channels, including some subscription-free HD programmes Interactive services via red button Radio: over 30 stations BBC channel line-up |
TV: over 40 channels Interactive services via red button Radio: over 20 stations BBC channel line-up |
TV: over 200 free-to-air channels Interactive services via red button Radio: over 80 stations BBC channel line-up |
| EQUIPMENT | Satellite dish and Freesat digital box Equipment installed for you |
Set-top box connected to your existing TV, or digital TV with built-in digital tuner | Satellite dish, set-top box and viewing card Equipment installed for you |
| OTHER | May be restrictions on satellite dishes where you live Subscription-free HD TV requires either a Freesat HD digital box connected to an HD-ready TV, or an HD-ready TV with a Freesat HD receiver built in (available soon) |
New TV aerial may be needed (extra cost) Top Up TV Anytime, Setanta and BT Vision available on subscription with their own set-top box |
May be restrictions on satellite dishes where you live Can upgrade to any Sky satellite subscription package |
| PROVIDER | Freesat | Freeview | Freesat from Sky |
| SKY | VIRGIN MEDIA | |
| COST FROM | £16 pcm | £11 pcm |
| COST DETAILS | Monthly payment from £16 plus one-off installation charge from £30 Free dish and box for new customers (standard plan) Sky+ digital TV recorder (£149). HD digital TV recorder (£249) |
Monthly payment from free when taken with £11 phone line rental, plus one-off installation charge from £30 Free equipment for new customers |
| WHAT YOU GET | TV: up to 164 digital TV channels and over 200 free-to-air TV channels Interactive services via red button Radio: over 80 stations 12 HD channels available Free Sky Broadband (subject to availability and BT line rental payable) and Sky Talk available exclusively for Sky TV customers BBC channel line-up |
TV: over 145 channels BBC iPlayer on TV Interactive services via red button Radio: over 40 stations Telephone and broadband services also available BBC channel line-up |
| EQUIPMENT | Satellite dish, set-top box and viewing card HD and Sky+ set-top boxes also available for an additional charge Equipment installed for you |
Cable connection and set-top box V+ set-top box (HD ready) also available for an additional charge Equipment installed for you |
| OTHER | Minimum subscription period of 12 months May be restrictions on satellite dishes where you live |
Minimum subscription period of 12 months Some TV packages are available without a phone line |
| PROVIDER | Sky | Virgin Media |
| TISCALI | BT VISION | |
| COST FROM | £15.99 pcm | £8.95 pcm |
| COST DETAILS | Includes broadband contract and optional phone contract Free equipment and £30 set-up fee Tiscali+ digital TV recorder (£50) |
Includes broadband contract Free equipment and £30 set-up fee |
| WHAT YOU GET | TV: over 80 channels Video on demand 'Catch-up' service Radio: over 20 stations Optional free line rental and phone calls Broadband internet BBC channel line-up |
TV: up to 50 channels Video on demand Radio: over 20 stations Interactive services via red button Wireless broadband BBC channel line-up |
| EQUIPMENT | Set-top box and wireless modem, connects to phone line and aerial Tiscali+ digital recorder also available for an additional charge |
Set-top box with built-in 80-hour digital television recorder BT Home Hub wireless router |
| OTHER | Minimum subscription period of 12 months Must have BT phone line |
Minimum subscription period of 12 months |
| PROVIDER | Tiscali | BT |
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