What Does the Virgin TV Package Include? 7 Things You Need to Know Before You Subscribe
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| Discover everything included in the Virgin TV package — channels, Netflix, the Virgin TV Go app, Volt perks. |
Honestly, the first time I sat down to compare TV packages for a friend who had just moved into a new flat, I was completely overwhelmed. She wanted something that covered sport, kids' channels, and on-demand streaming — all in one bill. After spending two evenings deep in comparison sites and live chat windows, the answer kept coming back to the same name: virgin streaming TV.
From my experience reviewing broadband and TV bundles, Virgin Media stands out not just for its channel count, but for the sheer number of features bundled into each tier — features that customers often don't know they're already paying for.
In this guide, I'll walk you through exactly what each Virgin TV package includes, what the Virgin TV Go app can do, and where the real value lies — so you can make an informed decision without wasting hours researching.
📋 What We'll Cover in This Guide
- The Virgin TV Package Tiers — What's Different?
- What Channels Come Standard With Virgin TV?
- Netflix, Sky Sports & Premium Add-Ons
- The Virgin TV Go App — Is It Any Good?
- Virgin TV vs. Sky TV: Honest Comparison
- Volt Bundles & O2 Perks
- Frequently Asked Questions
1. The Virgin TV Package Tiers — What's the Actual Difference?
One thing I've noticed is that people often assume all TV packages are basically the same, just priced differently. With Virgin, that's not quite true — the channel count and included extras shift meaningfully as you move up the tiers.
As of 2026, Virgin Media offers five core TV package tiers, all refreshed in late 2025 to include faster minimum broadband speeds and Netflix as standard across the range.
The Big Bundle — Entry-Level Virgin TV
This is Virgin's most affordable starting point. It includes over 110 channels, largely free-to-air Freeview content alongside some entertainment picks. Broadband at M250 speeds (average 264Mbps download) is bundled in as standard — a meaningful upgrade from older entry plans.
- • 110+ channels including BBC, ITV, Channel 4, Channel 5
- • M250 broadband as standard (up from M125 in previous packages)
- • Access to the Virgin TV Go app on up to 5 devices
- • Netflix Standard with Ads included
- • Weekend phone calls available as an optional add-on
The Bigger Bundle — Entertainment Step-Up
Jump to the Bigger Bundle and you get over 190 channels, adding lifestyle, documentary, and drama channels not included in the Big Bundle. This is the sweet spot for households that want variety without necessarily paying for sport.
- • 190+ channels including full entertainment and lifestyle line-up
- • M250 broadband as standard
- • Netflix Standard included
- • Virgin TV Go app included
Biggest Combo Bundle — The Full Package
At the top end, the Biggest Combo Bundle brings together Sky Sports HD, Sky Cinema HD, and Netflix Standard — making it one of the most complete entertainment packages available from any UK provider without needing multiple subscriptions.
2. What Channels Come Standard With Every Virgin TV Package?
Regardless of which tier you pick, every Virgin TV package includes a strong base of free-to-air and essential channels. I've tested this myself — what surprised me is how complete the basics feel even on the lower-tier plans.
- • All major BBC channels (BBC One, BBC Two, BBC Four, BBC News, CBBC, CBeebies)
- • ITV channels (ITV1, ITV2, ITV3, ITV4, CITV)
- • Channel 4, E4, More4, Film4
- • Channel 5 and 5Star
- • Dave, Really, Yesterday, and other UKTV channels
- • Sky News and other news channels
- • A range of shopping and music channels
How HD and Ultra HD Work on Virgin TV
One detail that often gets overlooked: all Sky premium channels — including Sky Sports and Sky Cinema — now come in HD as standard following Virgin's 2025 bundle refresh. You no longer need to specifically request or pay extra for HD on these channels.
The Virgin TV 360 box is also 4K and HDR-ready as standard, meaning when Ultra HD content is available — such as TNT Sports Ultimate in 4K — you can watch it without upgrading your hardware.
3. Netflix, Sky Sports & Premium Add-Ons — What's Included vs. Extra?
This is the section most people search for — and it's also where the most confusion lives. Let me break it down clearly.
Is Netflix Included in Virgin TV Packages?
Yes — and this is a big recent change. Following Virgin Media's enhanced partnership with Netflix, Netflix Standard with Ads is now included as standard across all TV bundles. For broadband-only customers, M500 and above packages also include it at no extra charge.
Sky Sports and Sky Cinema — Add-On or Included?
Sky Sports and Sky Cinema are premium add-ons on most Virgin packages — but they come fully included in the Biggest Combo Bundle. If sport is central to your household (Premier League, F1, cricket, golf), the Biggest Combo is almost certainly the better value choice compared to adding them separately.
Comparison Table: What's Included at Each Tier
| Feature | Big Bundle | Bigger Bundle | Biggest Combo |
|---|---|---|---|
| Channels | 110+ | 190+ | 230+ |
| Netflix Standard | ✅ Included | ✅ Included | ✅ Included |
| Sky Sports HD | Add-on | Add-on | ✅ Included |
| Sky Cinema HD | Add-on | Add-on | ✅ Included |
| Min. Broadband Speed | M250 | M250 | M250+ |
| 4K HDR Box | ✅ TV 360 | ✅ TV 360 | ✅ TV 360 |
| Virgin TV Go App | ✅ 5 devices | ✅ 5 devices | ✅ 5 devices |
| TNT Sports Ultimate 4K | Add-on | Add-on | Add-on |
4. The Virgin TV Go App — Can You Really Watch Anywhere?
I was genuinely impressed by how capable the Virgin TV Go app has become. From my experience using it across different devices, it's no longer just a backup viewing option — it's a proper companion to the main set-top box.
What the Virgin TV Go App Actually Does
- • Watch live TV on up to 5 registered devices simultaneously
- • Pause a programme on your set-top box and carry on watching on a tablet or phone
- • Stream on the go — anywhere with an internet connection in the UK
- • Use your phone as a remote control to browse the TV guide, change channels, and manage recordings
- • Access on-demand content from your subscribed channels
Which Devices Support the Virgin TV App?
The app works across iOS, Android, Amazon Fire tablets, and certain smart TVs. It comes included with every Virgin TV package at no extra cost — which represents real value given that standalone streaming apps typically charge separately for multi-device features.
5. Virgin TV vs. Sky TV: Which Actually Gives You More?
This is the comparison I get asked about most. Honestly, it depends more on your priorities than on which service is objectively "better."
Where Virgin TV Has the Edge
- • TNT Sports (formerly BT Sport) — Virgin is one of the cheapest ways to watch TNT Sports and includes it in HD as standard
- • Broadband bundling — Virgin uses its own full-fibre network rather than Openreach, meaning no separate phone line required
- • Netflix integration — now included as standard across all TV bundles, without needing a separate subscription
- • Network reliability — Virgin reported 99.86% average network uptime across July–December 2025
Where Sky TV Has the Edge
- • Sky Atlantic — exclusively available with Sky TV or NOW TV; not available on Virgin Media
- • On-demand app support — Sky Glass and Sky Stream support a slightly broader range of on-demand apps
- • Wider availability — Sky uses the Openreach network, reaching more UK postcodes than Virgin's own network (around 15 million homes)
6. Volt Bundles and O2 Perks — The Feature Most People Miss
Here's something I rarely see discussed prominently: if you're already an O2 mobile customer, or if someone in your household is, there's a layer of benefits called Volt that transforms the value proposition of Virgin TV entirely.
What Do Volt Benefits Include?
- Broadband speed boost — your broadband tier jumps to the next speed level at no extra cost (up to 1Gbps)
- Double mobile data — every O2 SIM on the account gets double its standard data allowance
- Free weekend calls — landline calls to UK numbers included on weekends
- O2 Priority access — exclusive access to concert tickets, restaurant offers, and experiences worth over £339 per year according to Virgin Media's own estimates
- Extra O2 SIM — bundles include a 30GB O2 SIM with unlimited minutes
Is Volt Worth It for Existing Customers?
From my experience helping people reassess their plans: if you're already paying for both Virgin broadband and an O2 mobile contract separately, switching to a Volt bundle almost always results in better value — sometimes significantly so. The broadband speed boost alone is often worth the minor commitment of a 24-month term.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
Yes — following Virgin Media's bundle refresh in late 2025, Netflix Standard with Ads is included as standard across all TV bundle tiers. There's no separate subscription required; it appears on your Virgin Media bill. If you want an ad-free or higher-quality Netflix plan, you can upgrade separately.
Yes. Every Virgin TV package includes the Virgin TV Go app at no additional cost. It works on iOS and Android devices and supports up to five registered devices. You can watch live TV, on-demand content, and even continue watching where you left off on your set-top box.
No — Sky Atlantic is exclusively available through Sky TV or NOW TV. Virgin Media doesn't carry it as part of any TV package. If Sky Atlantic content matters to you, a NOW TV Entertainment subscription is currently the most cost-effective way to access it alongside a Virgin package.
Following the 2025 refresh, M250 (average 264Mbps download) is now the minimum broadband speed included with all Virgin TV bundles. This replaced the older M125 entry tier and ensures a smooth streaming experience for multiple devices simultaneously.
No — Virgin Media operates on its own cable network rather than the national Openreach infrastructure. The network currently reaches around 15 million UK homes. You'll need to check your postcode on the Virgin Media website before signing up, as availability varies significantly by area.
Final Thoughts — Is Virgin TV Worth It in 2026?
From my experience reviewing streaming and TV options across providers, the updated Virgin TV package range genuinely delivers strong value — especially for households that want broadband and entertainment on a single bill, with Netflix included and the flexibility of the Virgin TV Go app for watching on any device.
The key question isn't whether Virgin streaming TV is good — it clearly is. The real question is whether your postcode is covered, and whether your viewing habits align better with the Big Bundle entry tier or whether sport and cinema content justify the step up to the Biggest Combo.
If you're already an O2 mobile customer, the Volt benefits make the decision even easier. And if you're not sure which tier to choose, a quick call to Virgin's sales team can often result in a better deal than the advertised price — especially if you're re-contracting.
Have you used Virgin TV recently? Share your experience in the comments below — I'd love to hear which tier you're on and whether you'd recommend it to others.