Virgin Media Stream gives you up to 108 channels on a monthly rolling contract. You’ll also get 10% cashback on streaming subscriptions like Netflix and Disney+.

In the UK, Virgin Media Stream is a new internet-connected television service, giving you both live television and on-demand entertainment through a set-top box. It’s available exclusively to Virgin Media broadband customers.

In this article, we’ll review Virgin Media Stream, looking at how it works and how you’re able to get it. We’ll also look at the television channels available on Stream, the apps available and the 10% Stream Credits subscription offer.

Price: £35 activation fee on M50, M100 & M200
No activation fee on M350, M500 & Gig1
Requirements: Requires Virgin Media broadband (M50 and above)
(e.g. get M100 broadband for £24 per month)
Virgin Media Stream Channels: Up to 108 channels (package dependent)
Virgin Media Stream Subscriptions: Essential Entertainment
Sky Sports HD
Sky Cinema HD
BT Sport
Kids
Netflix
Disney+
Starzplay
Virgin Media Stream Apps: 20+ apps including iPlayer & Netflix
Stream Credits: Get 10% cashback on subscriptions like Netflix & Disney+

What is Virgin Media Stream?

In the UK, Stream is Virgin Media’s new streaming TV service. With Stream, you’ll get a small box that plugs in to the back of your existing TV, much like a Chromecast or an Apple TV. It transforms your existing television into a smart TV, giving you access to both live TV channels and on-demand streaming in one combined interface. You’ll also get a remote control with voice-activated navigation and search.

If you’re a Virgin Media broadband customer with M50 Fibre or above, you can get a Stream set-top box for a one-off fee of £35 (free when you choose M350 Fibre and above). Once you’ve got it, there are no monthly fees to use the Stream service if you’re only watching free-to-air channels and using free applications (BBC iPlayer, ITV Hub, YouTube, etc). For extra channels and content, you can add a Stream Subscription on a flexible 30-day rolling plan and with 10% back in Stream Credits.

If you’re not currently a Virgin Media customer, you’ll need to get Virgin Media broadband before you’re able to get a Stream box. We currently recommend Virgin's M100 broadband at £24 per month:

ServiceBroadbandTelevisionMonthly Price
(may rise during contract)
Virgin Media
M125 fibre broadband only

132Mbps
average download

No TV
£24/month
24 month contract
Virgin Media
Volt M250 fibre broadband + phone + O2 SIM

264Mbps
average download

No TV
£31.99/month
18 month contract
Virgin Media
Volt M350 fibre broadband + phone + O2 SIM

362Mbps
average download

No TV
£37.99/month
18 month contract
Virgin Media
M500 fibre broadband only

516Mbps
average download

No TV
£42/month
24 month contract
Virgin Media
Gig1 fibre broadband only

1130Mbps
average download

No TV
£48/month
24 month contract

Virgin Media Stream VS Virgin TV 360

Alongside their Stream service, Virgin Media also continues to offer their traditional cable TV service on the Virgin TV 360 box.

With Virgin TV 360, you’ll get a lot more channels (up to 230 channels, depending on your subscription). You’ll also get a more powerful box that’s able to pause, rewind & record live television. The disadvantage is you’ll need to commit to a longer 18-month contract so you won’t get the same flexibility offered on Virgin Media Stream.

It’s currently possible to get Virgin TV 360 on the following broadband & TV bundles from £31/month:

ServiceBroadbandTelevisionMobileMonthly Price
(may rise during contract)
Virgin Media
Big bundle

132Mbps
average download
100+ channels

Mixit TV

No SIM
£31/month
18 month contract
Virgin Media
Big Volt bundle

362Mbps
average download
100+ channels

Mixit TV
O2 SIM card
10GB Data
mobile SIM card
£36.99/month
18 month contract
Virgin Media
Bigger Combo Bundle

264Mbps
average download
Sky Showcase
190+ channels

Mega TV

No SIM
£49/month
18 month contract
Virgin Media
Bigger Combo Volt Bundle

516Mbps
average download
Sky Showcase
190+ channels

Mega TV
O2 SIM card
10GB Data
mobile SIM card
£49.99/month
18 month contract
Virgin Media
Bigger Sports Combo Bundle

264Mbps
average download
Sky ShowcaseSky Sports
195+ channels

Mega TV + Sky Sports

No SIM
£65/month
18 month contract
Virgin Media
Bigger Movies Combo Bundle

264Mbps
average download
Sky ShowcaseSky Cinema
200+ channels

Mega TV + Sky Cinema

No SIM
£68/month
18 month contract
Virgin Media
Bigger Sports Combo Volt Bundle

362Mbps
average download
Sky ShowcaseSky Sports
195+ channels

Mega TV + Sky Sports
O2 SIM card
10GB Data
mobile SIM card
£75/month
18 month contract
Virgin Media
Bigger Movies Combo Volt Bundle

362Mbps
average download
Sky ShowcaseSky Cinema
200+ channels

Mega TV + Sky Cinema
O2 SIM card
10GB Data
mobile SIM card
£78/month
18 month contract
Virgin Media
Biggest Combo Bundle

132Mbps
average download
Sky ShowcaseSky SportsSky Cinema
210+ channels

Mega TV + Sky Sports + Sky Cinema

No SIM
£79/month
18 month contract
Virgin Media
Mega Volt Bundle

516Mbps
average download
Sky ShowcaseSky SportsSky CinemaNetflix
230+ channels

Mega TV + Sky Sports + Sky Cinema + Kids Pick + Netflix
O2 SIM card
Unlimited Data
mobile SIM card
£85/month
18 month contract

Depending on the channels you require, it’ll often work out cheaper to get a Virgin TV 360 package.

For instance, customers on Virgin Media Stream will need to pay £76.25 per month for Essential Entertainment, Sky Sports, Sky Cinema and BT Sport. On top of that, you’ll need to add the cost of your broadband (available from £24 per month). That means your total bill will be more than £100 per month.

In contrast, you can get an a Virgin TV 360 package with all of these channels and more for £85 per month. This also includes the cost of your broadband and a Netflix Standard subscription (worth £10.99 per month).

Virgin Media Stream TV Channels

On Virgin Media Stream, you’re currently able to get up to 108 channels, depending on the subscriptions you have. All of the channels will be delivered to you using your Virgin Media broadband connection.

You can watch the following 52 free-to-air channels with no monthly fee:

Entertainment:

  • BBC ONE HD
  • BBC TWO HD
  • ITV 1 HD
  • Channel 4
  • Channel 4 HD
  • S4C HD
  • Channel 5 HD
  • ITV 2 HD
  • BBC FOUR HD
  • ITV 3 HD
  • Pick
  • QUEST HD
  • E4 HD
  • Film4 HD
  • Really
  • More 4 HD
  • BBC Alba HD
  • Dave
  • Drama
  • W HD
  • BBC Three HD
  • DMAX
  • 5 USA
  • ITV 4 HD
  • Yesterday
  • ITVBe HD
  • 4Music
  • 5STAR
  • 5Action HD
  • Quest Red
  • Challenge
  • 4seven HD
  • 5SELECT
  • Blaze
  • FreeSports HD
  • CBS Reality
  • Tiny Pop
  • Great! Movies
  • BBC Scotland HD
  • Pop
  • Sky Arts
  • TG4
  • RTE One
  • RTE Two
  • Sky Sports Racing HD
  • plus more…

News:

  • BBC News HD
  • BBC Parliament HD
  • Sky News
  • GB News HD

Childrens:

  • Cbeebies HD
  • CBBC HD
  • CITV

Meanwhile, there are an additional 56 paid-for channels available on Virgin Media Stream. You’ll be able to add them by taking out the relevant entertainment subscription as follows:

Essential Entertainment Pack (£12 per month):

  • Sky Comedy
  • Sky Crime
  • Sky Documentaries
  • Sky History
  • Sky Max
  • Sky Nature
  • Sky Replay
  • Sky Showcase
  • Sky Sports Mix
  • Sky Witness
  • Alibi
  • Comedy Central
  • E!
  • Gold
  • MTV
  • SYFY
  • Discovery
  • TLC
  • Eurosport 1
  • Eurosport 2
  • National Geographic
  • Virgin Media UHD Channel

Sky Sports HD Pack (£38.75 per month):

  • Sky Sports Main Event
  • Sky Sports Premier League
  • Sky Sports Football
  • Sky Sports Cricket
  • Sky Sports Golf
  • Sky Sports F1
  • Sky Sports Action
  • Sky Sports Arena

Sky Cinema HD Pack (£14.99 per month):

  • Sky Premiere
  • Sky Select
  • Sky Hits
  • Sky Greats
  • Sky Animation
  • Sky Family
  • Sky Action
  • Sky Comedy
  • Sky Thriller
  • Sky Drama Room
  • Sky SciFi Horror

BT Sport Pack (£18 per month):

  • BT Sport 1
  • BT Sport 2
  • BT Sport 3
  • BT Sport ESPN
  • BT Sport Ultimate

Kids Pack (£4 per month):

  • Nick HD
  • Nick Jr
  • Nick Jr Too
  • NickToons
  • Cartoon Network HD
  • Cartoonito
  • Boomerang

If you’re taking multiple packs, consider getting a broadband & TV bundle as this will often work out to be cheaper option overall.

Virgin Media Stream Apps

Your Virgin Media Stream box will also allow you to use more than 20 apps including all of the following:

Entertainment Apps:

  • Netflix
  • Disney+
  • Prime Video
  • YouTube
  • YouTube Kids
  • Vimeo

Broadcast Catch-Up Apps:

  • BBC iPlayer
  • ITV Hub
  • All4
  • STV Player
  • Britbox
  • My5

Music Apps:

  • Vevo
  • BBC Sounds
  • BaebleMusic
  • Dance TV
  • RadioLine

News Apps:

  • Al Jazeera
  • CNN
  • France24

Some applications like Netflix, Prime Video, Disney+ and BritBox require you to have a subscription to the relevant service. Other apps like YouTube and BBC iPlayer can be used free of charge without the need for a subscription.

Virgin Media Stream Subscriptions & Credits

On Virgin Media Stream, you can pay for selected subscriptions through your Virgin Media bill. When you do this, you’ll receive 10% cashback in the form of ‘Stream credits’ which will be applied as a discount to your monthly bill.

You can pay for the following subscriptions on your Virgin Media bill and will get a 10% credit:

  • Disney+ (£7.99 per month)
  • Netflix (from £6.99 per month)
  • Essential Entertainment (£12 per month)
  • Sky Sports HD (£38.75 per month)
  • Sky Cinema HD (£14.99 per month)
  • Sky Sports & Cinema HD (£46.25 per month)
  • BT Sport (£18 per month)
  • Kids Pick (£4 per month)
  • STARZPLAY (£4.99 per month)

To give an example, if you subscribe to both Disney+ and Netflix through your Virgin Media bill, you’ll get a £1.50 credit every month (this is based on the combined subscription fee of £14.98 per month for the two services).

You can also access other streaming services like Prime Video and BritBox through apps on the box. However, you won’t be able to pay for them through your Virgin Media bill and you therefore won’t receive a 10% credit.

Virgin Media Stream Box

With Virgin Media Stream, you’ll get a small box that you can plug into your TV using a HDMI cable. The box connects to your Virgin Media broadband connection using Wi-Fi, delivering all of your live TV channels and on-demand entertainment. The box supports Ultra HD (4K) video at 60 frames per second and with HDR.

The following table shows the full technical specifications of the Virgin Media Stream box:

Virgin Media Stream
Price: £35 one-off cost
(additional subscriptions costs may apply)
Requirements: Virgin Media broadband (M50+)
Channels: Up to 108 channels
Features
Picture Quality: Ultra HD 4K 60fps with HDR10 & HLG
Sound Quality: Supports Dolby Surround
Supports Wi-Fi: Yes
Apps: Yes
Recording: No
Technology
Ports: 1x HDMI v2.0b port
1x Micro-USB (power & wired network pass-through)
Power Consumption: <5W
Dimensions: 8.0 x 8.0 x 1.6 cm
Availability: 53% of UK homes
Check availability →

More Information

For more information about Virgin Media stream, please see the official Virgin Media website.

Your Comments 1 so far

We'd love to hear your thoughts and any questions you may have. So far, we've received 1 comment from readers. You can add your own comment here.

  • Linda Bradley said:

    Got the stream box, everything fine until today and although it shows all the channels it won’t let me access any of them! No error codes at all, have rebooted everything and checked all cables, any ideas? Or a total waste of my money?

Leave a Reply