Virgin Media Stream: How to buy new TV box, how much does it cost?
STREAM is a brand new way to access Virgin Media TV contract-free, which even offers an additional way to save money on your Netflix or Disney+ bill. If you're looking for more info on Stream then we've rounded-up everything you need to know including details on how to buy Stream and how much it costs.
Last month, Virgin Media lifted the lid on its long-rumoured Stream device which offers a "no fuss" way to access Virgin Media TV. Similar to Sky's NOW subscription service, Stream offers customers a way to tune in to Virgin Media TV without the need to sign up to a lengthy contract, a satellite dish or telly cable installed into their home, or even an engineer visit to set up the box. Virgin Media's nifty new Stream box can plug into any telly with an HDMI port and delivers live telly and on-demand content over your Wi-Fi connection.
Despite its simple plug and play set-up, Stream offers many of the features users of Virgin's TV 360 box (which is part of its traditional cable TV service) know and love. Find out how Virgin Media Stream compares to TV 360, Sky Q, and Sky Glass in our head-to-head comparison.
With Stream, you'll be able to pause live TV, start over programmes if you missed the start of the show, and add your favourite shows to a watchlist. Unfortunately, the Stream box doesn't come with a hard drive – so you won't be able to set up series links and record your favourite shows.
However, you will be able to access a wealth of on-demand content via your Stream box as it supports apps such as BBC iPlayer, Netflix and more. One of the great things about Stream is Virgin Media says it will offer customers 10 percent credit back for entertainment subscriptions they add to their Stream package.
This is a handy way to save on the cost of services like Netflix and Disney+ which all can be added to your Stream package, especially if you subscribe to a number of services each month for your boxset binges.
And Stream's contract-free nature means you can easily swap out what services you subscribe to each and every month, so you're never tied into paying for content longer than you require. Whether you're watching Sky Sports, Sky Cinema, Disney+, Netflix, or BT Sport... nothing available on Virgin Media Stream comes with more than a 30-day contract.
With Stream, you'll get access to a range of channels straight out of the box at no extra charge, and then you can add other channels like BT Sport, Sky Sports, Sky Cinema or the Essential Entertainment pack which includes channels like Dave, Syfy and Discovery.
To start your Stream order click here to head to the product's official page on the Virgin Media website.
But – before you go to place your order, there are a few important things we need to point out.
Stream is only available alongside a Virgin Media broadband package. So if you're signed up to BT, Sky or another broadband provider you won't be able to get Stream.
But if you were thinking of moving over to Virgin to get your broadband then you can get a Stream box. Stream is free to all Virgin Media broadband users but there's a £35 activation fee. If you're a Disney+ and Netflix subscriber though, and you take advantage of Virgin Media's 10 percent credit promotion you'll be able to make this money back over time.
For anyone wondering what's on offer with Stream then here's a full breakdown of the pricing...
Netflix • from £6.99 a month
Disney+ • £7.99 a month
Sky Sports HD + Cinema HD pack • £46.25 a month
INCLUDES: All 8 Sky Sports and all 11 Sky Cinema channels in HD
BT Sport pack • £18 a month
INCLUDES • All 4 BT Sport channels in HD, plus BT Sport Ultimate in Ultra HD
Essential Entertainment • £12 a month
INCLUDES • 25 channels in HD including Sky Showcase, Sky Max, Sky Sports Mix, Sky Witness, Sky Documentaries, Sky Comedy, MTV, Gold, Comedy Central, Discovery, Eurosport & Nat Geo
Kids pack • £4 a month
INCLUDES • Nick HD, Nick Jnr, Nick Jnr Too, NickToons, Cartoon Network HD, Cartoonito, Boomerang
Starzplay • £4.99 a month
INCLUDES • Top US drama series and blockbuster movies with original STARZ content