Satellite, cable or broadband?

With a monthly subscription, you can get digital TV via satellite, cable or broadband. You can also get extra pay-TV services via satellite, cable or an aerial.

Satellite

Sky

• What you get: more than 200 TV channels - some free, others on subscription - plus interactive features via the red button and radio stations, all transmitted via a satellite dish at your property.
• What you need: a satellite dish, set-top box and viewing card - all installed for you.
• Cost and conditions: monthly subscription from around £16 for a minimum of 12 months plus one-off installation charge from £30. Free dish and box for new customers.
• Check: there may be restrictions on satellite dishes where you live.
• More information: go to Sky, phone 0844 241 4243, or visit your local retailer.

Cable

Virgin Media, Wightcable and Smallworld

• What you get: from 39 to over 100 TV channels plus interactive features via the red button and radio stations, all transmitted via a cable connection. You must be in an area wired for cable.
• What you need: a cable connection to your property, set-top box and viewing card - all installed for you.
• Cost and conditions: monthly subscription from £11 for a minimum of 12 months (18 months for WightCable); some contracts require you to take a phone service.
• Extras: subscriptions can be combined with phone, mobile and broadband internet services.
• Check coverage: use the Can you receive digital? postcode checker (right).

More information

Contact the cable company that covers your area

Virgin Media 0800 052 1950

Wightcable (Isle of Wight) 0800 785 1000

Smallworld (parts of the west of Scotland and north-west England) 08000 706050

Broadband

BT Vision

• What you get: all the digital terrestrial channels, plus an extensive library of on-demand content. BT Vision's set-top box can also store up to 80 hours of programmes and allows you to pause and rewind live TV.
• What you need: broadband and a set-top box which you install yourself.
• Cost and conditions: to get a free set-top box customers need to sign up to or renew a broadband contract and take any TV package (from £6 pcm); otherwise, it costs from £60. You need the BT Home Hub, supplied without charge with BT Total Broadband options 2 and 3. One-off connection charge £30.
• More information: go to BT Vision or phone 0800 678 1964.

Tiscali

• What you get: over 60 digital TV and radio channels, plus an extensive library of on-demand content. You can also choose subscription packages at an additional cost.
• What you need: broadband and a set-top box - installed for you.
• Cost and conditions: broadband, TV and telephone subscription from £15.99 a month for a minimum of 12 months. Free set-top box and wireless router. One-off connection charge £30.
• More information: go to Tiscali or phone 0800 2800 775.

Extra pay-TV services

Top Up TV Anytime

• What you get: selected programming from 19 channels downloaded to a set-top box via your normal TV aerial, plus all the Freeview channels; ability to pause, rewind and record live TV.
• What you need: Top Up TV Anytime set-top box and viewing card.
• Cost and conditions: set-top box (from £75 for existing customers, £209.99 for box and start-up pack for new customers) and monthly subscription of £9.99. No minimum contract.
• What's on and more information: visit Top Up TV Anytime or phone 08700 543210.

Setanta Sports

• What you get: package of nine channels via satellite or cable; or one channel via an aerial and set-top box.
• What you need: existing satellite or cable service; or set-top box (digital terrestrial or Top Up TV Anytime) with viewing card slot, and viewing card.
• Cost and conditions: £15 per month for satellite or cable package; or £10.99 via aerial and set-top box. No minimum contract.
• What's on and more information: visit Setanta Sports or Top Up TV Anytime.

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