Virgin Media has unveiled a new plug-and-play box called Stream.
The box can be plugged into almost any TV with an HDMI port, and lets you keep all your streaming apps in one place under a single monthly rolling bill.
This means that customers can add or remove subscriptions for Disney+, Netflix and Amazon Prime every month, with no long-term contracts.
David Bouchier, Chief TV & Entertainment Officer at Virgin Media O2, said: ‘At a time of endless entertainment choice and a strain on household budgets, we’re putting viewers first.
‘Stream customers will only pay for the entertainment they choose and can pocket monthly savings on the content they add – it is a truly flexible and personal way to enjoy the entertainment that matters most, at great value.’
The launch comes hot on the heels of rival Sky’s latest offering, Sky Glass – a streaming TV with Sky’s services built-in.
The box can be plugged into almost any TV with an HDMI port, and lets you keep all your favourite streaming apps in one place under a single monthly rolling bill
Stream will be available from tomorrow, and combines free TV channels, free-to-watch apps and streaming subscriptions, including Disney+, Netflix and Amazon Prime Video as well as live TV subscriptions including Sky Sports and BT Sport.
All of these services are bundled together on a 30-day rolling contract, which users can add or remove services from as they choose via the My Virgin Media app.
The plug-and-play box can be plugged into almost any TV with an HDMI port, transforming it into a voice-activated smart TV.
‘Stream is more than just a new TV service, it’s whole new way to enjoy connected entertainment,’ Mr Bouchier added.
‘More than ever, content and connectivity go hand in hand and with Stream we’re delivering the best of both.’
Other key features include Voice Search and Control, Profiles and Watchlists.
From tomorrow, Stream will be available to both new and existing customers who take a Virgin Media broadband package.
The box is powered entirely by Virgin Media’s broadband, meaning there’s no need for a satellite dish.
Customers can add Stream for a one-off activation fee of £35, with no ongoing costs beyond the streaming services they choose.
Stream also includes ‘Stream Credit’, offering users a 10 per cent saving on their subscriptions when they add them via their Virgin Media bill.
For example, if you opted in for Netflix, which is usually £10.99/month for the Standard Package, you would pay £9.89 through Stream, while adding on Disney+, which usually costs £7.99/month, would be discounted to £7.19.
The launch comes just seven months after Sky rolled out Sky Glass, which costs £39/month, including Netflix.
The launch comes just seven months after Sky rolled out Sky Glass, which costs £39/month, excluding the cost of any subscription services
Ernest Doku, a telecoms expert at Uswitch.com, said: ‘Hot on the heels of Sky’s bid to revolutionise entertainment with a new TV in Glass, Virgin’s Stream frees consumers from the shackles of lengthy streaming services – all from a tiny device showcasing your favourite live and on-demand content in one place.
‘At a time when the cost-of-living crisis is really starting to squeeze households across the UK, Stream also allows its customers to keep track of and manage all of the entertainment services they use in one place.
‘This will be especially useful to people who struggle to juggle payments for different entertainment services.
‘With no monthly subscription fees, Stream allows you to dip in and out of each service, giving more flexibility to customers that may not want to stay subscribed to each of them throughout the year.’
