geeandtee

Gee, things are sure complicated now.

I want Broadband, phone, TV, preferably in a package.

Apparently, Freeview will not be available in Aldbourne until 2012
Virgin doesn't provide phone or service there.

I'm thinking, Phone and Broadband courtesy of BT, and TV via Sky.

It works out cheaper than the BT package for all three.

Does anyone have any other suggestions?

*is confused*

Bevm

That's what I have, and it works out okay. I would have gone with Sky for all of it, but for some reason they couldn't give me a decent phone deal in Whitby.

I like Sky because it runs some shows I like at about the same time they run in North America. As I'm still in touch with a lot of people there, it's frustrating if they're watching it and I can't. Though there are some programmes that don't make it over.

And some of the shows I used to watch without ads in Canada are from stations who have ads over here. I just record and zip through them.

Bev

confusedenglishrose

Think that is probably the best recommendation. Also I found the Internet is easy enough to watch most missed programs. Even with the infernal blocking by the main providers you usually google and find the episodes posted for free. I watch the current season of Survivor Nicaragua. (yes I have to own up to watching it) this way, through I think it is blink.

john5655

it's all about bandwidth

i'm in the not so wilds of Devon, but cannot receive BT or Virgin's TV services which come through the telephone wiring

I also cannot receive Sky's telephone or broadband service

you can check these things out by visiting the respective websites and inputting your postcode (or prospective one)

so, hobson's choice, I have BT's landline and broadband, the latter being a 2MB connection but works real fast, but then again I don't download or stream much video content

BT have a wonderful add on, International Freedom, gives you more-or-less unlimited overseas phone calls to most of the major countries (USA, Canada, Oz, SA, NZ, etc) for £5 a month

I also have the full Sky package (which includes free telephone and broadband which I cannot receive), and this includes all the Freeview Channels

Freeview is available anywhere if using a satellite dish, which is how Sky broadcasts, fantastic pictures in HD and a wonderful range of programmes

dunroving

Get Freesat, it's free. We can't get Freeview here (in a valley), but a Freesat receiver costs about £50 for bog standard, and dish installation packages are pretty cheap.

Check: http://www.freesat.co.uk/

I wouldn't pay for Sky even if it were free.

john5655

if I had no interest in geographical documentaries, history, sports, movies, etc, I would subscribe to Sky either

but no Sky = no live cricket, limited live football, and limited other types of programming

check it out before deciding...

dunroving

No it's a principle thing, greedy, conniving, manipulating, monopolizing bar-stewards.

Just one example: it really hacks me off that a lot of mainstream sport events can only be viewed by paying through the nose for a boatload of other cr*p you don't need or want.

Case in point: I can watch Wales, Ireland and Scotland play rugby on mainstream TV over the next month, but to watch England, I have to pay for Sky. Ferking R-soles ... mind you, luckily I'd rather watch Wales anyway, but it's the principle of the thing.

izzi81

I've had Sky for a few years now, and never had any problems. BT on the other hand..... aaaaaaaaaargggghhhhhhh

The worst customer service experience I've ever had.. even reduced me to tears a couple of times. I now have nothing provided by BT, not even phone line, and don't plan to go back! Granted my dad has BT and is OK with it, but I wouldn't recommend them to anyone. Ever.

Thydney

We have had Sky and Virgin Sky were pathetic customer service sucks like a dyson Virgin have been brilliant. Would never have sky again

geeandtee

thanks everyone.

We live in a bit of a black hole where modern technology is concerned. Virgin don't have lines anywhere nearby and Sky can't offer a decent broadband service there. BT package includes Freeview, which won't be available in the boonies until 2012

I am suffering from Spongebob withdrawal, so I'm going with BT for broadband and telephone and Sky for satellite, it works out cheaper than any of the 'bundles'. It does stick in my craw a bit to put more money into Murdoch's pockets, but in the interests of household peace, that 1 quid a month kids pack will buy me a lot of peace and quiet and writing time. I am not getting Sky Sports, talk about daylight robbery Husband will be too knackered to watch football anyway, he starts work at 5.00am, gets to come home from midday to 4.00 then it's back up to the stables until 5,30ish.

He reckons he won't even have time or the energy to go to the pub. I''ll believe that when I see it.

dontheturner

Before finally getting a package, - BT have terrible service reviews! Why not www.compare.com before signing on the dotted line? my friends in UK, say ''TalkTalk'', is the cheapest, package deal right now. Don

roaringmouse

I'd be quite happy for almost all sports to be moved to pay tv, or at the very least a dedicated free sports channel. Either way, it doesn't need to be on the "main" tv channels.

dontheturner

I totally agree, always wondered, why they don't have dedicated sports only channels, Don

dunroving

Yes, I don't object for paying for TV per se, just the inconsistency of having to pay for some but not others (especially the Wales/Scotland/Ireland rugby free vs England rugby pay for Sky - what the heck is that all about?), and the fact you have to pay for all kinds of other stuff just to be able to buy a sports package. Imagine going into Tesco's and being told if you want to buy some pasta you have to pay 10 quid for the "pasta plus floor polish plus pet food" option. It's crazy.

TBH, I think the Beeb/TV license regulators should somehow be able to block mainstream sport being "pay only" (or at least make it not extortionate), as it's just not fair on people who are on pensions, low wages, etc. Mainstream sport should not be a luxury that only a few can afford.

geeandtee

I couldn't agree more. I can't believe how much Sky are charging for the sports channels. It's disgraceful.