Can I Keep My TV Package When Switching Broadband Providers?
Most providers require you to keep TV and broadband together if they're sold as a bundle, though you may be able to unbundle them by signing a new TV-only contract at a higher price. Whether you can keep your TV package depends on your current provider, whether your services are bundled, and whether you're switching within the same network. This guide explains your options for keeping, switching, or cancelling TV when you move to a new broadband provider in 2026.
Can I Keep My TV Package When Switching Broadband Providers?
Check your contract terms and conditions to confirm whether TV and broadband are sold as a single bundle or as separate services. If they're bundled, you typically cannot keep one without the other, though some providers allow you to convert to a TV-only contract at a higher monthly price.
BT Broadband review and EE broadband review offer flexibility: you can keep BT/EE TV as a standalone service if you cancel broadband, though the monthly cost increases significantly. Sky Broadband review operates similarly—you can keep Sky TV without Sky broadband, but you'll pay more per month and may need to sign a new contract. Virgin Media review bundles are tightly integrated, as Virgin operates its own cable network, so keeping Virgin TV without Virgin broadband is difficult and often not cost-effective.
If you're mid-contract, cancelling the bundle to switch broadband will trigger an early exit fee. This fee is typically your remaining monthly cost multiplied by the months left on your contract. For bundled services, the exit fee applies to the entire package, which can add up to hundreds of pounds if you have several months remaining. Virgin Media review exit fees are particularly high for bundles that include TV, as the monthly cost is significantly higher than broadband-only plans.
The cleanest option is to wait until your current contract ends before switching. Ofcom rules require providers to notify you 10 to 40 days before your contract expires, giving you time to compare deals and decide whether to keep TV, switch both services, or cancel TV entirely.
What Are the Benefits of Having a Broadband and TV Bundle?
Bundling broadband and TV is often cheaper than buying both services separately. Providers offer discounts to encourage customers to take multiple services, typically saving £5 to £15 per month compared to buying broadband and TV from different companies.
Bundles are also more convenient. You only deal with one provider for billing, customer service, and technical support, which simplifies account management. If you experience issues with either service, you only need to contact one company rather than coordinating between two separate providers.
Sky Broadband review offers bundles starting from £35 per month for 150Mbps broadband plus Sky Stream (streaming-based TV with 100+ channels including Sky Atlantic and Sky Max). Virgin Media review Bigger Bundle offers 362Mbps broadband plus 195+ channels (including Sky Sports) from £45 per month. BT Broadband review Big Entertainment includes 150Mbps broadband, TNT Sports, and Netflix Standard for £50 per month. All of these bundles are cheaper than buying broadband and TV separately from different providers.
Many bundles also include premium content that would cost more to buy independently. Virgin Media review includes Sky Atlantic and Sky Sports channels. BT Broadband review includes TNT Sports (formerly BT Sport), which broadcasts Champions League football and Premiership Rugby. Sky Broadband review includes Netflix Standard with Sky Stream bundles, saving £10.99 per month.
What Are the Downsides of Having a Broadband and TV Bundle?
Bundles reduce flexibility. If you want to switch broadband to get faster speeds or a better price, you may be forced to cancel your TV package as well, even if you're happy with it. This is particularly problematic if you're mid-contract, as you'll face an early exit fee for the entire bundle.
You may also pay for channels or features you don't use. Many bundles include sports, movies, or entertainment channels that add £10 to £30 per month to the package. If you only watch streaming services such as Netflix, Disney+, or BBC iPlayer, a broadband-only plan plus separate streaming subscriptions is often cheaper and more flexible.
Bundles typically require longer contracts. Most broadband-only contracts last 12 to 24 months, but bundles with TV often require 18 to 24 months, and some Sky Broadband review packages with Sky Glass (the all-in-one TV) require a 48-month commitment for the TV element. Longer contracts lock you into pricing that may become uncompetitive over time, particularly if your provider implements mid-contract price rises.
Finally, bundled pricing is often promotional for the first 12 to 18 months, then increases sharply. Virgin Media review Bigger Bundle costs £45 per month in year one, then increases to around £90 per month in year two. BT Broadband review Big Entertainment costs £48.99 per month in year one, then increases to £54.99 in year two (plus an April price rise of £4 per month). Always factor in the full cost over the contract term, not just the initial promotional price.
How to Switch Broadband and TV Together
If you decide to switch both broadband and TV, the first step is to compare best broadband deals UK and TV bundles available in your area. Use the broadband availability checker to confirm which providers operate at your address, as not all providers offer TV services or operate nationwide.
Sky Broadband review, BT Broadband review, Virgin Media review, and TalkTalk review all offer broadband and TV bundles. EE broadband review offers broadband with an Apple TV 4K box included, giving you access to streaming apps such as Netflix, Disney+, and Apple TV+, though this isn't a traditional TV package with live channels.
Once you've chosen a new provider, sign up for the bundle and let them handle the switch. Under One Touch Switch rules (introduced in September 2024), your new provider manages the entire process, including cancelling your old broadband service. However, TV services are not always covered by One Touch Switch, so check whether you need to cancel your old TV package manually.
If you're mid-contract, you'll need to pay an early exit fee to your current provider. Some new providers offer exit fee credit to offset this cost. EE broadband review offers up to £300, Sky Broadband review offers up to £200 with a TV bundle, and BT Broadband review occasionally offers similar deals. You must pay your current provider first, then submit proof (such as a final bill) to your new provider to claim the credit.
Installation times vary depending on the type of broadband connection. If you're switching to Full Fibre FTTP broadband, an engineer visit is usually required unless an ONT is already installed. A "1 stage install" (engineer fits ONT) takes 9 to 18 working days on average. FTTC switches are faster, typically completing within 10 to 14 working days. TV equipment (such as a set-top box or streaming puck) is usually posted in advance or installed by the engineer during the visit.
Can I Keep My TV Without Broadband?
Some providers allow you to keep TV as a standalone service if you cancel broadband, but the monthly cost increases significantly and you may need to sign a new contract.
Sky Broadband review allows you to keep Sky TV without Sky broadband. Sky Stream (the streaming-based service) requires a broadband connection from any provider, so you can switch broadband to a cheaper competitor such as TalkTalk review, Plusnet review, or Vodafone broadband review and continue using Sky Stream. However, the bundled discount disappears, so you'll pay more per month. Sky TV-only contracts typically cost £26 per month for the basic package, compared to £35 per month for broadband and TV together.
BT Broadband review and EE broadband review also allow you to keep BT/EE TV without broadband, though the pricing is less competitive. BT/EE TV is delivered over the internet, so you'll need a broadband connection from another provider. Expect to pay around £30 to £40 per month for TV-only, compared to £48 to £50 per month for broadband and TV bundled.
Virgin Media review is the most restrictive. Virgin operates its own cable network, so Virgin TV is tightly integrated with Virgin broadband. Keeping Virgin TV without Virgin broadband is technically possible but rarely offered, and the pricing is uncompetitive. If you want to leave Virgin broadband but keep similar TV channels, consider switching both services to Sky Broadband review or BT Broadband review, both of which offer comparable channel lineups.
What Happens to My TV Equipment When I Switch?
TV equipment such as set-top boxes, streaming pucks, and routers must usually be returned to your old provider when you cancel, or you'll be charged a non-return fee.
Virgin Media review charges up to £50 per box for unreturned equipment. Sky Broadband review requires you to return Sky Stream pucks or Sky Q boxes within 14 days of cancellation, or you'll be charged £40 to £80 per device. BT Broadband review charges around £50 for unreturned equipment. Your provider will send a returns bag or instructions after you cancel—follow these carefully to avoid unnecessary charges.
Your new provider will supply new equipment as part of the installation. Sky Broadband review includes a Sky Stream puck for streaming-based TV. Virgin Media review includes a Virgin TV 360 box. BT Broadband review includes a BT TV box or YouView box depending on the package. EE broadband review includes an Apple TV 4K box with Full Works packages.
Should You Switch Broadband and TV Separately or Together?
Switching both together is usually cheaper and simpler, particularly if you're out of contract or close to your contract end date. Bundles save £5 to £15 per month compared to buying broadband and TV separately, and you only deal with one provider for installation, billing, and support.
However, switching separately may be better if you're mid-contract and only unhappy with one service. For example, if your broadband speed has dropped but you're satisfied with your TV package, check whether your broadband speed falls below the guaranteed minimum stated in your contract. If it does, you can cancel broadband penalty-free while keeping TV, though you'll lose the bundled discount and pay more per month for TV-only.
If you only watch streaming services such as Netflix, Disney+, or BBC iPlayer, consider cancelling TV entirely and switching to a broadband-only plan. Full Fibre FTTP broadband is now available to nearly 90% of UK premises, with prices starting from £25 to £30 per month for 150Mbps to 500Mbps speeds. Adding Netflix (£10.99 per month) and Disney+ (£7.99 per month) costs around £45 to £50 per month total, which is often cheaper than a full broadband and TV bundle and gives you more flexibility to cancel or change subscriptions.
Is It Worth Keeping TV in 2026?
Traditional TV packages are declining as more households switch to streaming-only setups. However, TV bundles still offer value if you watch live sports, premium movies, or channels not available on streaming platforms.
BT Broadband review is the best option for football fans, as TNT Sports broadcasts Champions League and selected Premier League matches. Virgin Media review is best for Sky Sports fans, as the Bigger Bundle includes all Sky Sports channels. Sky Broadband review is best for HBO content (via Sky Atlantic) and Sky original programming such as House of the Dragon and The Last of Us.
If you don't watch live sports or premium channels, streaming-only is usually cheaper. A broadband-only plan from TalkTalk review, Plusnet review, or NOW Broadband review costs £25 to £30 per month, and adding Netflix, Disney+, and Amazon Prime costs around £25 per month total, giving you more content for less money and no long-term contract for TV services.