TV, films & streaming
People in this category want their viewing to work reliably and their bills to make sense. Nobody wants to be stuck with a dead connection or a charge they never agreed to.
Companies in TV, films & streaming
12 companies
About TV, films & streaming
TV, films & streaming covers the services that deliver television channels, on-demand films and series to homes across the United Kingdom. It spans pay TV packages, subscription video platforms and the bundles that combine them with broadband and phone lines. Some of these services arrive through a satellite dish, a cable network or a fibre connection, while others are delivered over the internet to a smart TV, a set-top box or a phone.
The companies in this area range from large telecoms operators that bundle television with their broadband and mobile contracts to specialist streaming businesses that sell directly to viewers through apps and websites. Many also rely on retail partners, device manufacturers and sports or film rights holders, which shape what is on offer and at what price. Free-to-air broadcasters such as the BBC and commercial public service channels sit alongside these paid services, and the TV licence funds the BBC.
Ofcom is the independent regulator for communications and broadcasting in the United Kingdom, and it sets the rules for telecoms providers and for the television and on-demand services it licenses. The Advertising Standards Authority oversees the marketing claims these companies make, and the Telecommunications Ombudsman, Ombudsman Services and Ofcom's complaint processes handle disputes that cannot be settled directly. The Direct Marketing Association and the Information Commissioner's Office also shape how providers contact and handle the data of their customers.
Questions about TV, films & streaming
How do I choose a TV, film or streaming provider in the UK?
Start by listing the content you actually watch, such as live sport, box sets or films on release, and check which services carry it. Then compare the monthly cost, contract length and whether the service works on the devices you already own.
What should I compare between streaming services?
Compare the catalogue for the programmes and sport you care about, the number of screens allowed at once, and the video quality on offer. Check whether the service has a download option, offline viewing limits and whether adverts are included on the cheaper tier.
Do I need a contract for a TV package?
Many pay TV and broadband bundles run on a minimum term of 12 or 24 months, and the contract details must be shown clearly before you agree. Rolling monthly plans are offered by many streaming services, and these can be cancelled at the end of any billing period.
What information must a provider give me before I sign up?
The Consumer Contracts Regulations 2013 require the provider to give clear pre-contract information, including the total price, the contract length and how to cancel. Under the Consumer Rights Act 2015 the service must be provided with reasonable care and skill and the information given must be accurate.
How do I cancel a TV or streaming subscription?
Check the terms for the notice period and the method of cancellation, as some providers require a phone call while others allow cancellation online. Keep a record of the date you cancelled and any reference number, since you may need it if the provider continues to bill you.
Can I cancel within the cooling-off period?
Where a contract was agreed online, by phone or at a distance, you have 14 days to cancel under the Consumer Contracts Regulations 2013. The 14 days start from the day the contract was formed or, for some services, the day you received confirmation in writing.
Do I have to pay an early exit fee?
Early termination charges must be stated in the contract and must reflect a genuine pre-estimate of the provider's loss, under the unfair terms rules in the Consumer Rights Act 2015. Ofcom rules also require providers to tell you about any exit fees before you commit to a fixed term.
What happens if my TV or broadband service is faulty?
You can ask the provider to repair or fix the fault within a reasonable time, and it must do so at no extra cost to you. If the fault is not resolved, you may be entitled to a price reduction or to end the contract under the Consumer Rights Act 2015.
How do I make a complaint to a TV or broadband provider?
Raise the complaint directly with the provider in writing and give it a reasonable chance to respond, as Ofcom requires providers to have a complaints process. If you are still unhappy after eight weeks or receive a final response, you can refer the matter to an alternative dispute resolution scheme.
Which scheme handles unresolved complaints about TV and telecoms?
Ofcom requires providers of pay TV and broadband to be members of an approved alternative dispute resolution scheme, which for communications services is the Communications and Internet Services Adjudication Scheme. The Ombudsman Services scheme also covers some pay TV providers, and the scheme decides whether the provider must put things right.
Who regulates TV and streaming services in the UK?
Ofcom regulates broadcasting and telecoms, including pay TV, broadband and phone services, and sets rules on contracts and complaints. The Competition and Markets Authority enforces consumer protection law for subscription services, and the Information Commissioner's Office oversees how personal data is used.
What should I look for in reviews of TV and streaming companies?
Look for reviews that describe specific experiences such as installation, billing, cancellation and fault repair rather than general opinions about the service. Check whether reviews are recent, whether they mention the same problems repeatedly, and whether the company has responded to complaints.
Latest reviews in TV, films & streaming
Got my first contract
Got my first contract with them last month and the sign up on the app was dead simple, ID check done in a minute. The SIM came out the next…
Quick signup and working
Signed up on the site on my phone in the queue for the bus, took about five minutes. Set it up on my Apple TV after and it all works for…
Not quite as quick as the VPN
Compared with the VPN my son suggested, this is a little less fiddly to set up on the house router, though I did find the speed slightly…
better value than the big networks
Having used one of the larger networks for many years, I was surprised at how much less I was paying with this provider for what is…
Engineer came but late
The first thing I noticed was how quick it was to book the broadband install on the site, took maybe five minutes. The engineer did turn up…
The subtitles helped
I bought a few ad credits to promote a video about my late wife's recipes for our local church group, and the subtitles were what I needed…