Virgin Media is a different proposition to Sky, because television usually arrives bundled with broadband. That bundle is the whole comparison — you are not really weighing TV against TV, you are weighing a package against separate parts.
The short answer
Virgin Media bundles TV with broadband, which can look excellent during a promotional period and considerably less so afterwards. IPTV is bought separately and works over whatever broadband you already have, including Eir, Vodafone or Sky. If Virgin cable does not reach your address, that decides it.
Worth knowing
- Compare the post-promotional bundle price, not the introductory one — that is what you pay for most of the contract.
- Virgin TV needs Virgin cable at your address. IPTV works on any provider's broadband.
- Splitting broadband and TV gives you the freedom to change one without touching the other.
The comparison that matters
| Consideration | IPTV | Virgin Media TV |
|---|---|---|
| Bought as | TV only, separately | Usually bundled with broadband |
| Availability | Anywhere with decent broadband | Where Virgin cable reaches |
| Price stability | Fixed for the term you buy | Rises after the promotional period |
| Contract | Ends on its own | Typically 12 months or more |
| Equipment | Devices you already own | Supplied set-top box |
| Switching broadband | Doesn't affect your TV | Usually means losing the TV too |
Run the bundle maths properly
Work out the full contract cost, not the headline. Take the promotional monthly price for the months it lasts, add the standard price for the remaining months, then divide by the contract length. Compare that against your broadband alone plus IPTV — €55.99 for a year of Basic works out at €4.67 a month.
The comparison very often turns on the post-promotional rate, which is exactly the number that gets least attention when people sign up.
The coverage question
Virgin's television service depends on its cable network reaching your address, which rules it out for a great many homes outside the larger urban areas. IPTV has no such constraint — it needs sufficient broadband, from any provider. Our broadband guide sets out the speeds each plan actually needs.
Questions people ask
Can I keep Virgin broadband and use IPTV for television?
Yes, and many people do. IPTV is indifferent to who supplies your broadband, so long as the connection is fast and stable enough.
Which works out cheaper over a full contract?
Usually IPTV plus standalone broadband, once the promotional period ends. Do the arithmetic on the full term rather than the first-year price.
Do I need a Virgin box for IPTV?
No. IPTV runs on your Smart TV, a streaming stick, a phone or a laptop. No supplied hardware is involved.
Related guides
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