EE launches home TV service
EE TV will stream live, recorded and on-demand content to up to four devices.
EE has launched its new TV service for its mobile and broadband customers.
Dubbed 'EE TV' it works through a set-top box that can stream live, recorded or on-demand programmes to a home TV and up to three other devices.
It means EE now rivals other broadband providers that offer TV such as BT, Talk Talk, Virgin Media and Sky, as well as online streaming devices like Google Chromecast and the Roku Streaming Stick.
But it also means the network will offer a ‘quad play’ service like Virgin Media and Talk Talk with customers able to get mobile, broadband, home phone and TV from one provider.
Compare TV, broadband and phone deals at Broadband Choices
EE TV
EE TV works through a set-top box compatible with all UK digital TVs.
It allows households to watch over 70 Freeview channels, including BBC One, ITV, Channel 4 and Channel 5 live, with the option to pause, rewind or record.
There’s also an option to replay content broadcast over the past 24 hours even if you did not schedule it to record on the planner.
In addition, users will be able to access catch-up and on-demand content through apps like YouTube, BBC iPlayer and Wuaki.tv.
None of EE’s content is unique and it’s lacking apps like Netflix and Spotify, but the company says its service is competitive as it allows a truly flexible multi-screen viewing experience.
EE TV will allow households to stream up to four different live, recorded, catch-up or on-demand programmes on their home TV as well as on up to three smartphone or tablet devices at the same time.
The set-top box comes with four HD tuners to enable this as well as a one terabyte hard drive that can store up to 600 hours of standard TV or 300 hours of HD content.
At launch EE TV will only be available for use at home on multiple screens but there are plans to use EE’s 4G network for EE TV content on the go later on.
The cost
The EE TV smart set-top box, worth £300, will come free with EE’s broadband and home phone service from £9.95 a month.
Below are the plans available.
EE plan |
Contract length |
Speed |
Usage |
Calls |
Monthly price |
Total first year cost |
18 months |
17MB |
Unlimited |
Weekend |
£9.95 (+£15.75 line rental) |
£308.40 |
|
18 months |
38MB |
Unlimited |
Weekend |
£19.95 (+£15.75 line rental) |
£428.40 |
|
18 months |
76MB |
Unlimited |
Weekend |
£29.95 (+£15.75 line rental) |
£548.40 |
Existing EE mobile customers that sign up for EE TV and broadband from £9.95 will get a boost to their 4G data allowance, with it increasing to 10GB or 20GB depending on their plan.
Compare TV, broadband and phone deals at Broadband Choices
How it compares
Here's how EE’s TV, broadband and home phone bundle compares to a selection of deals from other providers.
Plan |
Contract length |
Channels |
Speed |
Data |
Calls |
Upfront cost |
Monthly cost |
Total first year cost |
18 months |
63 |
17Mb |
Truly unlimited |
Evening & weekend |
£5 |
£4.25 (+16.70 line rental) |
£256.40 (£75 Love2Shop voucher when bought via broadbandchoices.com) |
|
18 months |
70 |
17MB |
Unlimited |
Weekend |
None |
£9.95 (+£15.75 line rental) |
£308.40 |
|
12 months |
307 |
17MB |
2GB |
Weekend |
£16.95 |
£16.13 (+£16.40 line rental) |
£357.31 (Includes £50 credit when bought via broadbandchoices.com) |
|
18 months |
85 |
17Mb |
10GB |
Weekend |
£41.95 |
£5 per month first six months, £15 per month thereafter (+£16.99 line rental) |
£365.83 (£25 voucher for Sainsbury's when bought via broadbandchoices.com) |
|
Virgin Big Easy | 18 months | 67 | Up to 50Mb | Unlimited | Weekend | Free | £15 (+ £15.99 line rental) |
£371.88 (includes six months of Netflix for free) |
Compare TV, broadband and phone deals at broadbandchoices.co.uk
This article has been updated
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