BT

The BT TV service provides free-to-air digital TV channels, along with a wide selection of on demand content and the option of some other subscription-only premium channels.  There are different packages to choose from, and the set-top box lets you pause, rewind and record live TV.   BT TV lets you access BBC’s popular iPlayer from your TV, along with similar catch-up services from the other major free-to-air channels ITV, Channel 4 and Channel 5.

BT also provides a broadband and calls service, and in order to get BT TV, you will need a BT Broadband or BT Superfast Fibre connection in your home with a minimum term agreement.  You will also need the BT Home Hub, but this is included when you get BT TV, and you will need the YouView+ box, as well as an operational rooftop aerial.

There are various broadband packages available for BT’s web connection service, and each one is combined with a calls package.  If you simply wanted home phone with BT then you can get a calls package without any other services in place.

You can order BT TV online and choose your ideal subscription from the selection of viewing packages.

With BT TV you can get the Freeview and digital radio stations, so this includes BBC One, BBC Two, ITV1, Channel 4 and Channel 5. You will also get the popular sister stations like BBC Three, BBC Four, ITV2, E4 and Film4, all with the added picture quality of digital.

Whilst BT TV offers the free-to-air channels, it is very different from Freeview; you can access on demand and catch-up content through your set-top box and broadband connection.  The BT TV service lets you download from a library of content, and this is stored on the YouView box.  You can pause, rewind and record live TV, so you can control the Freeview channels whilst you are watching them.  If you need to record something whilst you are out, or want to watch a good bit again, you can use the remote for these useful functions.

Each package gives you the Freeview channels, but they can differ in terms of the inclusive on demand content.  You need to have a BT Broadband or Infinity connection to get BT TV, and you can choose from two packages.

BT customers can choose from 3 tiers of BT TV packages. Starter TV gets you 20 premium channels as well as up to 80 freeview channels (including 21 in HD). You'll also be able to access catch-up TV services including BBC iPlayer and All 4. US channel AMC is also included free in all BT TV packages.

The Entertainment package gets you 29 premium channels such as Gold, SyFy, History and Comedy Central, as well as the standard 80 Freeview channels. Entertainement package subscribers can also record up to 300 hours of TV that you can watch back whenever you want.

The Max TV package gets you 60 premium channels as well as 9 kids channels like Disney, Cartoon Network and Nickleodeon. You'll also be able to watch select content in Ultra HD (provided you have a 4K TV), such as Premier League matches on BT Sport. The Max TV package also allows you to record up to 600 hours of TV.

Customers can combine these TV packages with BT Superfast Fibre for fibre-optic broadband at home, or take BT Unlimited Broadband for the provider's cheaper ADSL service.

Free YouView+ Box

• Pause, rewind and record live TV

• Record whole TV series

• 7-day scroll back feature

• Search for shows

• Simple, easy set-up

The YouView from BT box lets you pause, rewind and record live TV, and you can record a whole series automatically. You can access the Freeview channels available in your area, and search for specific shows. It’s easy to set up, and with the 7-day scroll back feature you can catch-up on the latest shows.

Free BT Vision+ Box

• HD-ready

• 3D-ready

• Pause, rewind and record

• Store 250 hours of standard TV

• Freeview catch-up

• On demand

• Record whole series

• On-screen guide

• Freeview channels

The Vision + digibox is a Freeview and digital TV recorder rolled into one. This allows BT customers to pause, rewind, record and store up to 250 hours of your favourite films and TV. It also gives you access to all of BT TV's on-demand entertainment service and comes HD- and 3D-ready enabling you to watch programmes in stunning high definition or eye-popping 3D. The Vision + digibox comes at no additional cost when you order an Essential or Unlimited TV package with BT.