Verdict: IPTV offers significantly more content at a fraction of Virgin Media's cost.
Virgin Media bundles broadband and TV — which can seem like good value. But the TV package alone costs £30–£50/month extra, and you're locked into an 18-month Sky contract.
Feature Comparison
| Feature | Virgin Media | ApolloGroupTV |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly Cost | £50–£100+/month | ✓ From £14.99/month |
| Contract | 18-month minimum | ✓ No contract |
| Channels | 200–300 channels | ✓ 50,000+ channels |
| 4K Content | Limited (V6 box) | ✓ Full 4K UHD |
| Sports Coverage | Sky Sports via add-on | ✓ All sports included |
| VOD Library | Virgin Movies (paid) | ✓ 99,000+ VOD free |
| Installation | Engineer visit required | ✓ No installation needed |
| Device Support | Virgin TV box only | ✓ Any device |
| Cancel Anytime | No — exit fees apply | ✓ Yes — no fees |
| Broadband Bundled | Yes (often required) | Use any broadband |
The Real Cost of Virgin Media TV
Virgin Media bills themselves as affordable — but the full TV package adds up quickly:
Virgin Media (TV + Broadband)
- Broadband (M500)£38/mo
- TV (Big Bundle)£30/mo
- Sky Sports add-on£22/mo
- Total£90/mo
- Per year£1,080/yr
ApolloGroupTV + Any Broadband
- Budget broadband (100 Mbps)~£20/mo
- ApolloGroupTV£14.99/mo
- Sports, VOD, 4KIncluded
- Total~£35/mo
- Per year~£420/yr
Potential saving: £660+/year by switching from Virgin Media to ApolloGroupTV + budget broadband.
Try Before You Cancel Virgin Media
Start your free 24-hour trial before making any changes to your Virgin Media contract.
In the US or Canada? US alternative: Vivimate