Compare Sky and Virgin Media

Sky vs Virgin Media

In this guide

1. Best Sky and Virgin Media deals
2. What the difference between Sky and Virgin?
3. How do I compare Virgin Media and Sky packages?
4. Why choose Virgin Media or Sky?
5. Pros and cons
6. Which provider is right for me?
7. What will I need?

Best Sky and Virgin Media deals

Compare all deals

What the difference between Sky and Virgin?

How do I compare Virgin Media and Sky packages?

Virgin Media and Sky are big names in the world of broadband, TV and home phone. They have dozens of deals that you can look through above. For more info on how to compare and which deal may be best for you, keep reading.

Compare bundles from all the providers

Our comparison pages are easy to use. We list all the Virgin Media and Sky packages in order of price, with the cheapest ones right at the top. Click the ‘More Info’ button to find out more about any of the deals above. Clicking will show you all sorts of extra info, from channel lists and HD options to a detailed price breakdown. Navigate to the right of the package and click the ‘Get Deal’ button once you’ve picked a deal.

Availability

Sky and Virgin Media both have excellent coverage across the UK, but they aren’t available everywhere. Enter your postcode in our checker at the top of the page to see if they’re available where you are.

Check the small print

Small print often hides a devilish amount of detail, from installation and delivery fees to charges for receiving paper bills. There are several details to look out for when picking a deal.

Make sure you’re getting exactly what you want

Make a list of what you’re looking for before you start comparing. Decide on the channels you want, the broadband speed you’re after, and if you want to add on a call plan. Call plans differ depending on where and when you’ll be calling, so be sure to find a call plan that suits your needs. Once you’ve made your list, click the ‘More Info’ button to see if the deal you are looking at contains everything that you’re after.

Check for installation fees

Some of the packages and deals may have installation fees. Where available, we’ve listed them on the deal itself. Some installation charges, such as new line installation fees or connection charges, are not listed. These installation charges can be expensive, sometimes running into hundreds of pounds. Be sure to factor them into your finances when deciding on a deal.

Look for other hidden fees

Delivery charges are common with TV and broadband packages, but are generally less than £10. If you want to receive paper bills you’ll have to pay more. The same applies if you want to pay for services without relying on direct debit payments.

Why choose Virgin Media or Sky?

Everyone’s heard of Virgin Media and Sky, but why would you want to join them in the first place? Here are a couple of great reasons.

Virgin Media has the fastest commercially available broadband

Slow download speeds can be frustrating. Virgin Media solves this problem by offering average download speeds of up to 1130Mbps with their Gig1 Fibre Broadband. This level of speed is ideal for a heavy internet user who spends a lot of time online – streaming videos, running a business, playing online games, and downloading files well into the night.

Sky has the widest selection of TV channels

If TV is more your thing, you may prefer to join Sky. The provider has the widest selection of TV channels in the UK, with over 600 channels available in the top-tier packages. This includes a large selection of HD and catch-up +1 channels – along with the exclusive Sky Atlantic.

Bundle broadband with TV and phone

Virgin Media and Sky let you bundle their services, which involves taking more than one telecoms service from a single provider. This is often a cheaper alternative to splitting services between multiple providers.

Pros & cons

Which provider is right for me?

Both providers have their good and bad points. The one you choose will depend on what matters most to you. For instance…

Sky is great for telly addicts

With hundreds of channels – both HD and SD – and the hi-tech Sky Q box for multiple recordings, Sky presents a great option for TV lovers. It even has the much-touted Sky Atlantic for all the latest shows from across the pond. Its broadband service is truly unlimited and it has several low-priced phone options.

Virgin Media is the ideal choice for heavy downloaders

With download speeds of up to 1103Mbps, streaming HD video and music is no problem for customers with Virgin Media broadband. Virgin Media’s TV service isn’t to be sniffed at either, with hundreds of channels and a wide variety of content (though not as much as Sky). The V6 box comes with Virgin Media TV packages, and lets you record six shows while watching something you've recorded earlier, and with Series Link+ you can save shows from live TV, Box Sets, Catch Up and Netflix.

What will I need?

There are a couple of things you’ll need to take into consideration before you switch to either Virgin Media or Sky.

You need to be in a Virgin Media area to join Virgin

Virgin Media relies on its own broadband and cable network. While this means the provider is in full control of its own network, it also means that availability is different from that of other providers. Use our availability checker at the top of the page to see if you can get it in your area.

A satellite dish must be installed to join Sky

To join Sky TV, you need to have a south-facing satellite dish installed on your property. If you’re renting, you’ll need permission from your landlord. If you’re in a listed building, you may have to get written permission from the local council. Sky broadband is widely available, but its fibre optic service has more limited availability. Again, our availability checker can tell you exactly what you can get.

How do I switch?

You’ve looked through our compare page. You’ve picked your deal. You’re all ready to go ahead, but one question remains – how do you switch?

Choose the right deal

Once you’ve chosen your perfect deal, simply click on the ‘Get Deal’ button to the right of the package. This will take you to the provider’s website. Here, you can fill in your information and purchase the package included in the deal. You can even add extra bits and pieces, such as Sky Sports or Sky Cinema. Once you’ve finalised your deal and purchased your new package, it’s on to the next section.

You may need to contact your old provider to cancel

If you’re switching to or from a Virgin Media service, you will need to contact your current provider to cancel your existing services. If you’re switching to Sky from a non-Virgin Media service, such as BT or TalkTalk, there’s no need to contact your old provider; Sky will handle that for you.

Watch out for termination fees

You need to be wary of one little snag. If you’re still within contract with your previous provider, you’ll have to pay termination fees to cancel. This can be quite expensive, especially if you’re only a couple of months into your contract. If this is the case, it may be wise to hold on until your contract expires. It might be an irritation, but it’ll save you from being hit with a big bill.

Cable.co.uk recommends

Fast download speeds are ideal for frequent downloaders and movie streamers. But if that’s not you, then you could be better off settling for a slower, standard broadband package, which is fast enough for most households. The same goes for TV. Hundreds of channels are lovely, and present a great range of choice for those long nights at home in front of the fire. But do you really need so many? Comparing what you realistically need against what’s available will save you from paying for services you’re not using.

Frequently Asked Questions

How does Virgin broadband compare to Sky?

Virgin has the fastest broadband available in the UK by far, offering up to an average of 1103Mbps with their high-end package, though Sky’s service offers a respectable average speed of up to 500Mbps. Both offer reliable fast services, depending on your needs.

Is Sky cheaper than Virgin Media?

Virgin Media’s broadband deals are much faster than Sky's, and they often work out cheaper too. That being said, Sky’s TV offering is second to none, but they've only recently started to compete in ultrafast broadband. Conversely, Virgin Media's packages go all the way up to 1GB speeds. If you are looking for speed, Virgin Media can offer quicker broadband for less, but if you’re keen on getting more TV channels, Sky might be able to offer you more for your money. Use the postcode checker on this page to find out what offers are available in your area.

Will Sky cancel my Virgin Media contract?

If you’re leaving or joining Virgin Media, you'll need to contact Sky to let them know, as they operate on different networks.

If you’re joining Virgin and leaving Sky, make sure you tell Sky that you are leaving and to cancel your services – Virgin won't do it for you. To avoid any loss of service, make sure you arrange to disconnect with Sky on the same day or just after your Virgin Media connection starts.

If you’re joining Sky and leaving Virgin, you’ll need to contact Virgin to cancel your services.

Is Virgin Media better than Sky?

If you want the fastest broadband available, then Virgin Media is probably best for you; if you're after the widest choice of TV entertainment options (or sports channels) then Sky will likely be the better bet. Both have comparable customer service, and it’s worth checking what each provider can offer in your area, or if there are other providers that can offer better deals. You can find the best deals in your area by using the postcode checker on this page.

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