Complete Breakdown: Pricing, Features, 24-Month Contracts & Hidden Costs Revealed

After reviewing Sky TV and receiving hundreds of comments from frustrated subscribers sick of price increases and rigid contracts, one question kept coming up: “What about EE TV? Can it replace Sky or Virgin?”

This is the honest answer—complete with pricing breakdowns, feature comparisons, contract details, and everything the sales pages don’t tell you clearly.

Spoiler alert: EE TV offers some unique advantages (recording functionality that Sky Stream removed, Apple TV integration), but it’s locked behind the same 24-month contract trap, costs roughly the same as Sky (~£60/month), and the pricing structure is frustratingly unclear.

Let’s break down everything you need to know before making a decision.

QUICK VERDICT: IS EE TV WORTH IT?

TL;DR Summary:

• Pricing: ~£60/month (similar to Sky when everything’s added)
• Contract: 24 months (rigid, like Sky)
• Recording: YES (up to 600 hours on Pro box – Sky Stream doesn’t have this)
• Apple TV Integration: 6 months free, then £9.99/month
• Quality: SD/Standard with ads (need to pay more for HD/4K)
• Broadband: Pushed heavily (may not be required but unclear)
• Clarity: Poor (pricing and requirements very vague)

Major Pros:
✓ Recording functionality (600 hours on Pro box)
✓ Three box options (flexibility)
✓ Apple TV app integration (if you have Apple TV 4K)
✓ No price increase until April 2027 (claimed)

Major Cons:
✗ 24-month contract (locked in)
✗ ~£60/month (same as Sky)
✗ SD/Standard with ads by default (upgrades cost extra)
✗ Very unclear pricing structure
✗ Broadband heavily pushed (may be required)

VERDICT: 6.5/10 – EE TV offers recording that Sky Stream doesn’t, but it’s essentially the same cost, same contract length, and same frustrations. If you want recording functionality and don’t mind 24-month contracts, it’s viable. Otherwise, stick with smart TV apps or Now TV.

THE REVIEW CONTEXT: WHY THIS MATTERS

The Sky TV Backlash

Following our Sky TV review, the response was overwhelming:

“My god, I’m not going back to Sky. I’m not paying that subscription. It’s going to go up mid-term.”

Hundreds of comments echoed this sentiment: people are tired of:
✗ Subscription price increases mid-contract
✗ Being locked into rigid contracts
✗ Paying for SD quality by default
✗ Unclear pricing structures
✗ Being upsold constantly

The Big Question:
Can EE TV provide an alternative? Or is it just Sky with a different logo?

The Review Challenge

Full transparency: This isn’t a hands-on review with the actual hardware.

Why?
“I reached out. EE came back to me. They looked at the channel and said ‘oh my god how many reviews and views you’re getting on TV and streaming services’ and then they said ‘we’re happy we can send it out to you… 24-month contract.'”

The Response:
“No, no, I don’t want a 24-month contract. I just want to review it. I want to let the people know this could be a good thing. Why do you not want me to review this for you?”

The Implication:
Even for review purposes, EE requires 24-month contracts. That tells you everything about their business model.

WHAT IS EE TV? THE BASICS

The Overview

EE TV is essentially the evolution of the old BT TV service (BT and EE are now one company). It combines:

• Live TV streaming
• On-demand content
• Recording functionality (on Pro box)
• Integration with Now TV, Netflix, Apple TV, Discovery+
• TNT Sports (formerly BT Sport, now moving to HBO Max)

Three Box Options:

1. Apple TV 4K app (software only, if you own Apple TV)
2. EE TV Pro Box (recording, 600 hours storage)
3. EE TV Edge Box (pause/rewind, no recording)

The Marketing Promise:
“Combine a flexible entertainment package with the UK’s best broadband technology for just £26.99.”

The Reality:
£26.99 is the starting point. The real cost is ~£60/month once everything’s added.

THE THREE BOX OPTIONS EXPLAINED

Option 1: Apple TV 4K App

What You Get:

• EE TV app on your existing Apple TV 4K
• Access to live TV channels (Alibi, Gold, etc.)
• Interface integrated into Apple TV

Requirements:

• You must own Apple TV 4K device
• EE TV subscription
• Possibly EE broadband (unclear)

Pros:
✓ No additional hardware needed (if you have Apple TV)
✓ Clean, integrated Apple TV experience
✓ Minimalist setup

Cons:
✗ Must already own Apple TV 4K (~£150+ device)
✗ Functionality unclear (does it integrate or just launch apps?)
✗ May not include full recording features

The Uncertainty:
“I believe once you have the app, you’ll just get the Apple TV so you can see your BBC’s, your ITVs, Channel 4s, UK Golds… but then I think if you want to watch the Sky TV, I’m guessing it’s going to be a little bit like the TV launcher… you just click and it opens up the Now TV app.”

Translation: The Apple TV app may just launch other apps rather than providing integrated experience.

Option 2: EE TV Pro Box (The Recording Option)

What You Get:

• Physical set-top box
• Up to 600 hours of recording storage
• Live TV, on-demand, streaming
• 4K, Dolby Atmos support
• Pause, rewind, record functionality

Specifications:

• UK’s only streaming box that records live TV (claimed)
• Larger box (sits under TV)
• Ethernet connection recommended (Wi-Fi available)
• Aerial input supported

Why This Matters:
“For those of you that like to record your shows and watch those shows, there you go. If you’re devastated that there is no more recording functionality [on Sky Stream], maybe EE is giving you the answer.”

The Recording Advantage:
Sky Stream removed recording functionality entirely. EE TV Pro brings it back with 600 hours of storage.

Setup Recommendation:
“They do advise you to put it very close to where your router is and they do tell you to kind of hardwire it. It does work wirelessly, but… you’re going to get a much better throughput if you stuck an Ethernet cable directly from the router into the box.”

Pros:
✓ Recording functionality (600 hours)
✓ Set-and-forget scheduling
✓ 4K and Dolby Atmos support
✓ Pause and rewind live TV
✓ Most complete feature set

Cons:
✗ Larger physical footprint
✗ Requires good placement near router
✗ Wired connection recommended for best performance
✗ Most expensive option (pricing unclear)

Option 3: EE TV Edge Box (The Stream Box)

What You Get:

• Physical set-top box
• Smaller than Pro box
• Pause and rewind live TV
• No recording functionality
• Streaming from cloud servers

Purpose:
“For those of you… maybe you don’t want to record your shows. Maybe you just want to pause and rewind and just watch the TV from the servers from the cloud that they keep stored.”

Comparison:
“This is probably your Sky Stream addition to the EE theater.”

The Cloud Approach:
“Everything you might have missed on a live show, you can watch on one of the servers whenever you really want. Kind of why recording’s kind of going away.”

Pros:
✓ Smaller footprint than Pro box
✓ Pause and rewind functionality
✓ Access to cloud catch-up services
✓ Cheaper than Pro box (presumably)

Cons:
✗ No recording functionality
✗ Dependent on cloud availability
✗ Less flexible than Pro box
✗ Similar limitations to Sky Stream

THE PRICING BREAKDOWN: HIDDEN COSTS REVEALED

The Advertised Price

What You See:
“£26.99 combined a flexible entertainment package with the UK’s best broadband technology.”

The Promise:
“No price increase until April 2027.”

What This Actually Means:
£26.99 is NOT the real cost. It’s the starting point before all the additions.

The Real Cost Calculation

Let’s break down what you actually pay:

Base Entertainment: £9.99/month
(Includes Sky originals, Sky Atlantic, 300+ box sets via Now TV, Netflix Standard with ads, Discovery Plus)

TNT Sports: £29.99/month
(Premier League, sports content – formerly BT Sport, now moving to HBO Max)

Apple TV+: £9.99/month
(Free for 6 months, then £9.99 automatically)

Netflix Upgrade: £5.99/month
(Standard with ads is included; upgrade to remove ads)

Discovery Plus: £3.99/month
(Required account – may be included or separate, unclear)

Total Monthly Cost:
£9.99 + £29.99 + £9.99 + £5.99 + £3.99 = £59.95/month

“You’re kind of up there with the Sky TV package.”

The Same Cost as Sky:
After all the additions, you’re paying ~£60/month—the same as Sky TV with similar packages.

The Quality Scandal: SD by Default

Here’s the shocking part:

Netflix Standard Included:
“Includes Netflix standard with adverts plan… watch unlimited movies and TV shows on one screen at a time in SD format.”

The Reaction:
“Who wants to watch in SD format? Like I said in my previous video, you go out, you buy your top of the range TV with your amazing soundbar, surround sound, and they’re just going to give you this package for SD.”

“I mean, I know things are tight, and maybe they’re countering for the people that want to have this, don’t really have the money. [sighs] Come on, guys. You’re a multi-billion pound company. You can’t include that. Come on.”

To Get HD/4K:
You must pay extra to upgrade Netflix to Standard or Premium plans (additional £5-10/month).

The Broadband Question: Required or Not?

The Confusion:
“Do you have to have EE Broadband? So, for me, where I live, if I had the EE Broadband, I’m only going to get 33 meg. However, I’m with B Fiber and I get 1,000 meg up and down. So I wouldn’t want to go with EE Broadband.”

The Question:
“Does that then limit me to get the package? I don’t think it should.”

The Reality:
EE heavily pushes broadband packages with TV, but whether it’s strictly required remains unclear. The website and terms don’t provide clear answers.

The Marketing:
“Entertainment with full fiber. Maybe you don’t want full fiber, but I’m guessing they’re going to try and sell you the bundle with this package.”

Likely Scenario:

• You can probably get EE TV without EE broadband
• But pricing may be different
• And they’ll aggressively upsell broadband
• The package structure assumes you have both

THE 24-MONTH CONTRACT TRAP

The Commitment Required

Contract Length: 24 months (rigid)

“When you sign up with EE TV, just as they said to me when I tried to get the package, you’re going to look at a 24-month term.”

What This Means:
✗ Locked in for 2 full years
✗ Cannot change packages for first 3 months
✗ Can renew from month 21 onward
✗ Cancellation likely involves early termination fees

The Terms (Vague):
“H again, they’re tying you into 24-month term with the EE TV. However, it does appear that you can cancel the Apple TV… I don’t know if you’re in a contract for that. Again, it doesn’t say. It says their terms of use. It doesn’t really say.”

The Frustration:
Even the terms and conditions don’t clearly explain what you’re committed to and what you can cancel.

The Apple TV Catch

The Offer:
“Apple TV membership is free for 6 months.”

What Happens After 6 Months:
“After the 6 months then you’re automatically renewed. You’ll be charged £9.99.”

The Fine Print:
“If you remove from your account during the first 6 months you’ll be unable to get the add-on again free of charge.”

Translation:
Cancel during the free period, and you lose the promotional offer permanently. After 6 months, you’re automatically charged £9.99/month unless you actively cancel.

No Changes Allowed (First 3 Months):
“No changes are allowed within the first 3 months.”

You’re locked into whatever package you choose for at least 90 days.

The “No Price Increase Until April 2027” Promise

The Claim:
“No price increase until April 2027.”

The Skepticism:
“You know what they promise you… You’re going to get that price increase at some stage, right? You’re going to get it.”

The Reality:
This promise means:
✓ Prices locked until April 2027 (presumably)
✗ After April 2027, expect increases
✗ You’re still locked in 24-month contract
✗ If you signed in late 2025, increases hit while you’re still contracted

The Pattern:
Sky, Virgin, EE—they all promise price stability, then increase prices once you’re locked in.

WHAT EE TV INCLUDES: THE CONTENT BREAKDOWN

Now TV Entertainment

What You Get:

• Sky originals
• Sky Atlantic access
• 300+ box sets on demand
• Delivered through Now TV app

Cost: £9.99/month (included in base package)

The Integration Question:
“I think if you want to watch the Sky TV, I’m guessing it’s going to be a little bit like the TV launcher… you just click and it opens up the Now TV app. I don’t think it’s going to let you watch it through the EE TV app.”

Likely Scenario:
EE TV app launches Now TV as separate app rather than integrating content seamlessly.

Netflix Standard (With Ads)

What’s Included:

• Netflix Standard with Ads plan
• Single screen at a time
• SD quality (not HD or 4K)
• Ad-supported content

Cost: Included in base package

To Upgrade:

• £5.99/month for Standard without ads (HD, 2 screens)
• £10.99/month for Premium (4K, 4 screens, no ads)

The Disappointment:
In 2025, SD quality with ads is unacceptable for a £60/month package.

TNT Sports (HBO Max)

What You Get:

• Premier League football
• UEFA Champions League
• Rugby, cricket, UFC, boxing
• Formerly BT Sport
• Currently TNT Sports
• Moving to HBO Max platform

Cost: £29.99/month

Availability:
“You can only access TNT Sports in the UK.”

No international access or VPN workarounds supported.

Discovery Plus

What You Get:

• Discovery Channel content
• Reality TV, documentaries
• Nature and science programming

Cost: £3.99/month (account required)

Unclear if included or separate charge.

Apple TV+

What You Get:

• Apple original series and films
• Award-winning content
• 4K HDR quality

Cost: Free for 6 months, then £9.99/month

The Bundling Benefit:
If you’re already an Apple TV+ subscriber:
“You’re still eligible if you’re already receiving Apple TV… you’ll get it free for another 6 months.”

EE TV Store

What It Is:

• Buy or rent films
• Digital movie purchases
• Latest releases

Cost: £13.99 to buy or rent (per film)

The Reality:
“You have to purchase or rent these films.”

This isn’t included—it’s an additional store where you spend more money.

ADDITIONAL ROOMS & MULTI-ROOM

Watch EE TV in Another Room

Cost: £5/month per additional room

The Confusion:
“Is that just £5 a month or is that just £5 one-off fee? I’m guessing it’s going to be a month.”

Likely Reality: £5/month ongoing charge

For comparison:

• Sky Q: Multi-room costs vary
• Virgin: Similar additional box fees

If you want TV in multiple rooms, factor in £5/month per room.

EE ONE PACKAGE: THE BUNDLE DISCOUNT

What It Is:
If you have EE mobile, kids’ mobile, broadband, and TV all with EE, you can get the “EE One” package.

The Benefit:
“I think they kind of combine the lot and give you something like a 10 or 15% discount on the overall package.”

Similar To:

• Virgin Media bundles
• Sky combined packages

The Qualifier:
Only makes sense if:
✓ You want all services from one provider
✓ EE offers competitive pricing on each service
✓ The bundle discount actually saves money

For most people, mixing providers (best broadband here, best mobile there) saves more than single-provider bundles.

EE TV VS SKY: THE DIRECT COMPARISON

Pricing

EE TV: ~£60/month
Sky TV: ~£60/month

Winner: Tie (both expensive)

Contract Length

EE TV: 24 months
Sky: 18-24 months

Winner: Tie (both lock you in)

Recording Functionality

EE TV Pro Box: 600 hours
Sky Stream: None (removed)
Sky Q (old system): Yes

Winner: EE TV (if you want recording)

This is EE TV’s biggest advantage over Sky Stream.

Content Quality

EE TV: SD/Standard with ads by default
Sky: HD available, varies by package

Winner: Sky (slightly better default quality)

Though both require upgrades for true HD/4K.

Apple TV Integration

EE TV: Native app option (if you own Apple TV 4K)
Sky: No native Apple TV app

Winner: EE TV (if you have Apple TV hardware)

Price Increases

EE TV: Promised none until April 2027
Sky: History of mid-contract increases

Winner: EE TV (maybe, if promise holds)

Clarity & Transparency

EE TV: Very unclear pricing and requirements
Sky: Clearer pricing structure (though still complex)

Winner: Sky (marginally more transparent)

The Verdict:
“You’re kind of up there with the Sky TV package.”

They’re essentially the same cost and same frustrations.

EE TV VS VIRGIN MEDIA

Comparison Coming:
“I’m pushing for more. I’m hoping to get on to the Virgin because I’ve made a call to them. They’re looking at the videos. They’re interested. So maybe I will get that.”

Expected Similarities:

• 24-month contracts
• Bundle broadband + TV heavily
• Similar pricing (~£60/month)
• Complex pricing structures

Virgin’s Advantage:
Mature cable infrastructure and established reputation

Virgin’s Disadvantage:
Customer service reputation, price increases

THE SMART TV APP ALTERNATIVE

The Minimalist Approach

What You Need:

• Smart TV with app support
• Good internet connection (any provider)
• Individual app subscriptions

Apps to Install:
✓ BBC iPlayer (free)
✓ ITV X (free)
✓ Channel 4 (free)
✓ Now TV (£9.99/month for entertainment)
✓ Netflix (£10.99/month for Standard)
✓ Apple TV+ (£9.99/month)
✓ Disney+ (£7.99/month)
✓ Amazon Prime Video (£8.99/month or £95/year)

Total Monthly Cost (Selective):
Pick what you actually watch:

• Now TV: £9.99
• Netflix: £10.99
  Total: £20.98/month

Or go all-in:
All apps above: ~£50-55/month

Advantages:
✓ No contracts (cancel anytime)
✓ No box clutter
✓ Only pay for what you watch
✓ Flexibility to change monthly

Disadvantages:
✗ No centralized guide
✗ No recording functionality
✗ Multiple apps to navigate
✗ No live TV guide

The Reviewer’s Choice:
“For me, I’m going to stick with the EE TV and I’m going to stick with my Google TV because I just don’t get why now you want to sign to a 24-month contract.”

The Philosophy:
“If you’ve got a smart TV that’s got the apps and you’re signed into those apps… there are places where you can get those apps as part of your package.”

BUNDLED BENEFITS: GETTING APPS FREE

Through Mobile Contracts

Example:
“Like what I do with my EE phone bill. I get my Apple TV free and I also get my music, Apple Music streaming free.”

How It Works:
Some mobile phone contracts include:

• Apple TV+ subscription
• Apple Music subscription
• Spotify Premium
• Other entertainment bundles

Check Your Mobile Provider:
You might already have free subscriptions you’re not using.

Through Other Services

Examples:

• Netflix included with Sky packages
• Apple TV+ free with Apple device purchases
• Amazon Prime Video with Amazon Prime membership
• Disney+ bundles with certain providers

The Strategy:
“There are packages that will give you other things for free, like you’ll get your Netflix built in with your TV or something like that you can do.”

The Smart Approach:
Audit what you already have before signing up for additional subscriptions.

WHO SHOULD CHOOSE EE TV?

EE TV Makes Sense If:

✓ You want recording functionality (Pro box)
✓ You’re already an EE customer (mobile, broadband)
✓ You own Apple TV 4K hardware (app integration)
✓ You don’t mind 24-month contracts
✓ You want all-in-one bill simplicity
✓ Recording 600 hours is important to you
✓ You’re okay with ~£60/month cost

EE TV Doesn’t Make Sense If:

✗ You hate long contracts (24 months)
✗ You want flexibility to change providers
✗ You’re cost-conscious (~£60/month is too much)
✗ You don’t need recording functionality
✗ You prefer app-based approach
✗ You want clear, transparent pricing
✗ EE broadband isn’t good in your area

The Honest Take:
“I just don’t get why now you want to sign to a 24-month contract. That to me is… they want to guarantee their future income. They need to put on the books that we’ve got that amount of money coming in for the next 24 months.”

The Business Model:
It’s designed for EE’s benefit (guaranteed revenue), not yours (flexibility).

THE FUTURE OF TV: WHERE IS THIS GOING?

The Shift Away from Boxes

The Trend:
“Recording’s kind of going away.”

Why?

• Cloud catch-up services
• On-demand availability
• Streaming replaces live TV
• Younger generations don’t record

The Question:
“Are you just going to stick with the apps and just a smart TV and not have any box at all for that minimalistic?”

The Reality:
Traditional TV boxes are becoming less relevant as:
✓ Smart TVs improve
✓ Internet speeds increase
✓ Streaming becomes default
✓ Cloud storage replaces local recording

The Holdouts: Who Still Needs Boxes?

People Who:

• Want to record specific shows
• Have poor internet connectivity
• Prefer traditional TV guide experience
• Are older and prefer familiar systems
• Want all content in one interface

The Generational Divide:
Younger users: Apps, streaming, no boxes
Older users: Prefer traditional box systems

The Industry Response

What Companies Are Doing:

• Sky: Removed recording from Sky Stream (pushing cloud)
• EE: Keeping recording option (Pro box advantage)
• Virgin: Still offering traditional boxes
• All: Pushing contracts and bundles

The Contradiction:
Companies talk about “flexibility” while locking customers into rigid 24-month contracts.

Where This Ends

Predicted Future (5-10 years):

1. Traditional boxes mostly disappear
2. Everything becomes app-based
3. Smart TVs integrate all services
4. Pick-and-choose subscriptions become norm
5. Contracts shorten or disappear
6. Pricing becomes more transparent

Or…
Companies double down on contracts and bundles to protect revenue, slowing the transition.

FINAL VERDICT: CAN EE TV REPLACE SKY OR VIRGIN?

The Honest Answer: Sort Of, But Why Bother?

What EE TV Does Well:
✓ Recording functionality (Pro box – 600 hours)
✓ Apple TV app integration (if you have the hardware)
✓ TNT Sports inclusion (good for sports fans)
✓ Three box options (flexibility in features)
✓ No price increase until April 2027 (claimed)

What EE TV Does Poorly:
✗ Costs the same as Sky (~£60/month)
✗ 24-month contract (just as restrictive)
✗ Very unclear pricing and requirements
✗ SD/Standard with ads by default (need upgrades)
✗ Broadband bundle pushed aggressively
✗ Vague terms and conditions

Can It Replace Sky?

Technically: Yes

• Similar content (Now TV for Sky originals)
• Similar pricing
• Recording option (which Sky Stream lacks)

Practically: Not Really

• Same cost
• Same contract length
• Same frustrations

The Real Question:
“What are you content with?”

Can It Replace Virgin?

Functionally: Yes (assuming similar content)
Financially: Likely similar costs
Contractually: Same 24-month trap

The Difference:
Virgin has cable infrastructure; EE relies on internet streaming.

The Recording Advantage

EE TV’s Killer Feature:
If recording is essential to you and you hate Sky removing it from Sky Stream, EE TV Pro box offers 600 hours of recording.

This is the ONLY compelling reason to choose EE TV over alternatives.

If recording doesn’t matter, this advantage disappears.

Rating: 6.5/10

Breakdown:

• Value for Money: 5/10 (same cost as Sky)
• Features: 8/10 (recording is excellent)
• Flexibility: 4/10 (24-month contract)
• Clarity: 3/10 (very unclear pricing)
• Content: 7/10 (good range via Now TV, Netflix, etc.)

Overall: 6.5/10

It’s decent but not compelling enough to switch unless recording is your priority.

OUR RECOMMENDATION: THE SMART APPROACH

The Best Strategy for Most People

1. Use Your Smart TV Apps
   • No box needed
   • No contracts
   • Only pay for what you watch
   • Cancel anytime
2. Subscribe Selectively
   • Now TV: £9.99/month (Sky content)
   • Netflix: £10.99/month (Standard plan)
   • Total: ~£21/month
3. Rotate Subscriptions
   • Watch Apple TV+ for a month, cancel
   • Switch to Disney+ next month
   • Rotate to keep costs down

Total Cost: £20-30/month (vs £60 with EE TV or Sky)

Flexibility: Complete (cancel anytime)

For Sports Fans:

If you must have live sports:

• TNT Sports: £29.99/month (through Discovery+)
• Now TV Sports: £34.99/month
• Combine with entertainment: ~£40-50/month

Still cheaper and more flexible than EE TV with 24-month contract.

For Recording Enthusiasts:

If recording is non-negotiable:

• EE TV Pro Box is your best option
• Costs ~£60/month with all additions
• 24-month contract required
• But you get 600 hours recording

Alternative:
Some smart TVs and streaming devices offer pause/rewind on cloud catch-up services, reducing recording need.

For Simplicity Seekers:

If you want one bill, one interface:

• EE TV might work (if you’re already EE customer)
• But consider if simplicity is worth £60/month + 24-month lock-in

Reality Check:
Most “simple” packages become complex once you start reading terms and conditions.

QUESTIONS TO ASK YOURSELF

Before Choosing EE TV (or Any TV Package):

1. Do I actually need live TV?
   Most content is available on-demand. Do you really watch live broadcasts?
2. Is recording essential?
   Or can you use catch-up services available for most shows?
3. Can I commit to 24 months?
   Will your situation change? Will better deals emerge?
4. Am I comfortable with ~£60/month?
   That’s £720/year, £1,440 over the contract.
5. Do I already pay for some of these services?
   Audit current subscriptions before signing up for bundles.
6. Is EE broadband good in my area?
   If broadband is required or pushed, is it competitive?
7. Do I own Apple TV 4K?
   If yes, the app option might be interesting.
8. What happens after April 2027?
   When the price-freeze promise ends, expect increases.

The Honest Reality:
“There’s nothing exciting me there. There’s nothing exciting you guys clearly.”

COMMUNITY QUESTIONS & ANSWERS

FINAL THOUGHTS: THE BIG PICTURE

The Industry Problem

All these providers (Sky, EE, Virgin) operate similarly:

• Long contracts (18-24 months)
• Complex pricing (advertised vs actual costs differ)
• Aggressive upselling (bundles, upgrades, add-ons)
• Mid-contract price increases
• Poor transparency

EE TV doesn’t fix these industry problems. It just replicates them with different branding.

The Consumer Frustration

From the community response:
“So many of you said in the comments… you’re going to get that price increase at some stage, right? You’re going to get it.”

People are tired of:
✗ Being locked in
✗ Price increases
✗ Unclear terms
✗ Paying for features they don’t use
✗ SD quality by default

The Alternative Path

“For me, I’m going to stick with… my Google TV because I just don’t get why now you want to sign to a 24-month contract.”

The Philosophy:

• Use smart TV apps
• Subscribe to what you actually watch
• Cancel when you’re not using something
• Avoid contracts
• Maintain flexibility

The Cost Difference:
Smart TV apps: £20-30/month, no contracts
EE TV/Sky/Virgin: £60/month, 24-month contracts

Savings: £30-40/month = £360-480/year = £720-960 over 24 months

The Future Question

“Where do you see yourself? What is your future looking like when it comes to TV?”

Options:
A. Traditional box with contracts (Sky, EE, Virgin)
B. Smart TV apps, no box, no contracts
C. Hybrid (apps + occasional subscriptions)

The Trend:
Increasingly, people choose option B or C.

The Invitation

“I’d love to know more… Are you someone that would look at going with Apple TV and just having the apps? Are you someone that’s really seriously sticking with Sky because it’s just easier?”

Share your thoughts in the comments. The community learns from each other’s experiences.

CONCLUSION: THE VERDICT

Can EE TV Replace Sky or Virgin?

Answer: Yes, technically. But should it?

Reasons to Consider EE TV:
✓ Recording functionality (600 hours on Pro box)
✓ If you’re already all-in with EE services
✓ Apple TV app integration (if you own the hardware)
✓ TNT Sports inclusion (for sports fans)

Reasons to Avoid EE TV:
✗ Costs the same as Sky (~£60/month)
✗ 24-month contract lock-in
✗ Very unclear pricing structure
✗ SD/Standard with ads by default
✗ Broadband bundle pushed aggressively

The Recommendation:
For most people, stick with smart TV apps and selective subscriptions. You’ll save money, maintain flexibility, and avoid contract headaches.

For the small minority who absolutely must have 600 hours of recording, EE TV Pro box is your option.

Rating: 6.5/10

It works, but it’s not exciting, not innovative, and not better value than alternatives.

Final Word:
“Interesting times. What’s your comments in the box?”

The conversation continues in the comments.