Side by side
| IPTV | Cable / satellite | |
|---|---|---|
| Installation | Install an app | Dish or cable line, often an engineer visit |
| Contract | Fixed term, no auto-renewal (GoStream 4K) | Usually 18 to 24 months |
| Extra rooms | Any device, same login | Extra box and monthly fee |
| Devices | TV, stick, phone, tablet, computer | Mainly the set-top box |
| Picture | HD and 4K, depends on broadband | HD and 4K, steady signal |
| Moving home | Take it with you | Reinstall, sometimes fees |
Cost
Cable and satellite bundles in the UK commonly run on 18- to 24-month contracts with price rises during the term. With GoStream 4K you pay once: from $29.99 for 3 months, or $99.99 for 12 months, which works out at about $8.33 a month. See the full price list.
Reliability and picture quality
Satellite and cable have one real advantage: their signal does not depend on your broadband. IPTV is only as good as your connection. With 25 Mbps or more and a wired or 5 GHz Wi-Fi link, most homes get a steady 4K picture. If yours stutters, start with our buffering fixes.
Flexibility
IPTV wins clearly on flexibility. The same plan works on the living-room TV, the bedroom Firestick and your phone on the train, and you can take it with you when you move. Cable and satellite tie you to a box and an address.
Which should you choose?
- Choose IPTV if you have decent broadband, want several screens, rent or move often, or want to avoid long contracts.
- Stay with satellite or cable if your broadband is slow or unreliable, or your contract still has a long time left.
Questions
Is IPTV cheaper than Sky or Virgin Media?
For most households, yes, because there is no box rental, installation or long contract. Compare the real total over a year.
Does IPTV use a lot of data?
Roughly 1 to 3 GB per hour in HD and 7 GB or more per hour in 4K. Most UK home broadband is unlimited.
Can I keep Freeview and add IPTV?
Yes. They work side by side on the same TV.