Introduction

Having a fast broadband service allows you to use services that “stream” directly over your broadband connection to watch TV shows and films. What’s more, a gigabit connection (such as offered by B4RN) can easily stream movies and TV at very high picture quality and allow you and your family to watch different content at the same time (not on the same device, obviously!)

Streaming services allow you to watch content not only on your TV but also on your computer, laptop, tablet and mobile phone - and you get to choose what to watch and when you want to watch it, otherwise known as “video on demand”. Some services allow you to download content onto your device to watch later so you can, for example, download a movie to your tablet from Netflix to watch on a flight where streaming services are unavailable. The other advantage of streaming is as long as you do not watch a TV programme as it is being broadcast, or stream BBC iPlayer, you do not need a TV licence. This can be a substantial saving if you do not watch BBC and you’re not keen on sport.

This page contains a list of popular streaming services, what they offer, their typical price and brief descriptions of how you can access them. As you’ll see, even if you subscribed to several services, you could still end up paying far less than you would for a satellite TV subscription, yet end up with more choice! For example, a Sky TV package that includes the Sky Cinema and Sky Sports channels will cost you in excess of £60 per month and you are tied in to an 18-month contract. In comparison, you could subscribe to Netflix, Amazon, Disney+ and BT Sport and still only pay around £48 per month and not be tied into any contract.

There are also many free services available. All the terrestrial TV catch up Channels except iPlayer, which includes.

·         My5

·         All4

·         ITVX

·         UK TV Player

·         Freevee

·         Pluto TV

The paid streaming services market is currently (Autumn 2020) undergoing a great deal of turmoil as media companies compete for a larger share of the market. Sadly, this means more complication and expense for the viewer as more services are set up and content moves from one service to another. Fortunately, few of these services require a contract longer than monthly, making changing quite straightforward, although you may find yourself having to subscribe to 2 or 3 of them.

Here is a list of some of the more popular streaming services available. (July 2023). 

There are hundreds of others, and most Smart TVs and the devices suggested lower down can access any of them by accessing a directory of available services and add the ones you want to watch to a “favourites” list;

Netflix

Amazon Prime Video

Disney+

Apple TV

Now TV

Devices to Use to Stream

Most TVs sold today are Smart TVs they have access to all streaming services. However, some TVs aren’t Smart and older smart TVs might need a streaming device which you plug in to the TV via an HDMI cable – the type of cable you use to plug in a DVD player.

They are all very user friendly and easy to use. Price ranges from about £30.00 for a Now TV, Roku or Fire TV stick on ebay up to about £170.00 for an Apple TV box.

You do need to be wary because Amazon Fire TV boxes and sticks require an Amazon account. NOW TV boxes don’t need an active subscription, but you need an active subscription to activate the box.

Here is a list of some of the more popular streaming services available. (July 2023).