Multiroom is an add on to your TV subscription that lets you watch the shows in your package in different rooms throughout your house.
Why get multiroom?
Constantly fighting over the remote? Sick of watching football when you really want to see what the Kardashians have been up to? Sounds like it might be time for you to consider multiroom.
With multiroom you can watch a film while you’re curled up in bed, see breaking news stories in the kitchen, or keep the kids entertained with cartoons in their bedroom.
Get multiroom with Sky TV
If you want to watch the channels in your Sky TV package on different TVs, you’ll need to add Sky Multiscreen to your subscription.
Sky Multiscreen (formally Sky Q Experience and Sky Multiroom) enables you to watch the channels in your main Sky TV subscription on up to 4 different TVs, via Sky Q Mini box(es). You will need a Sky Q Mini box for each extra TV.
These Mini boxes connect to your main Sky Q box, and because they are wireless, they can easily be set up around the home without the need for drilling.
With Sky Q Multiscreen you can have up to four Sky Q Mini boxes connected and watch on 2 Sky Q Mini boxes simultaneously with a Sky Q 2TB box and on one Sky Q Mini with a Sky Q 1TB box.
For £15 per month and a setup fee of £20.00, you will receive one Sky Q Mini box. Additional Sky Q Mini boxes can be ordered after joining for another one-off fee (currently £50), but the monthly cost remains the same.
Sky Q Mini boxes and your main Sky Q box remain the property of Sky and are loaned to you – you'll need to give them back if you leave Sky.
Sky Multiscreen also comes with Sky Go Extra (premium version of Sky Go), so you can download shows to watch on up to 4 devices anywhere, without 3G, 4G, 5G or WiFi.
Get multiroom with Virgin Media TV
With TV 360 Mini boxes the whole family can simultaneously watch different programmes – including live TV, On Demand shows and any recordings all at the same time – even in mesmerising Ultra HD. Shared pause points across all screens also let you hop between rooms, from set-top box to app, without missing a moment.
These new Mini boxes work entirely on your home WiFi network, allowing you to watch without the need for wires.
You can have up to two Mini boxes on your package, the first box is £10 extra a month, and a second Mini box is £5 more a month.
One additional box can be added when joining online. If you want to order a second Mini box, you will need to contact Virgin Media's customer service team.
Get multiroom with BT TV
BT's multiroom feature is called Extra Box. You can add one extra box, and the service is only available to those with BT fibre broadband with speeds of 23Mb or more.
The extra box costs just £5 per month on a 12 month subscription and you can add it to your order as you sign up to BT TV. Whilst this is cheaper than both Sky and Virgin Media, there are certain factors to consider.
Firstly, you may need a separate aerial connection for your second box. BT can help you with this, for an additional fee of course. If you have Sky Sports and Sky Cinema as part of your package, you will be unable to take an extra box. In addition, recordings and purchases, such as films from the Film Store are only viewable on the box on which they were recorded/purchased. Finally, you are limited to one extra box.
What are the alternatives to multiroom?
There are a few other ways to watch in other rooms without a multiroom subscription. Whilst not really "true" multiroom, these are great options, especially if you are happy to watch on your devices instead of TVs.
Netflix
You can watch Netflix through any internet connected device that offers the Netflix app, including smart TVs, game consoles, streaming media players, set-top boxes, smartphones, and tablets. You can also watch Netflix on your computer using an internet browser. A Basic Netflix subscription only allows you to watch shows on one device at a time, its Standard membership option allows you to stream shows to two different devices at the same time, and the Premium option lets you watch on up to four screens simultaneously.
Amazon Prime Video
Amazon Prime Video offers you thousands of movies and TV shows to stream, anywhere, anytime. Watch from your phone, tablet, games console, Smart TV or from the Web. Amazon Prime Video is available either as a standalone service, or a component of Amazon Prime. You can stream up to three videos at the same time, however, the same video can only be streamed to two devices at a time.
NOW TV
NOW TV offers a flexible streaming service, without being tied into a contract. NOW TV comes in the form of TV Passes which you can cancel at any time. Passes include the Entertainment pass, Sky Cinema, Sky Sports, Kids and Hayu.
With NOW TV, you can register up to six devices on your account but you can only watch TV on one at the same time. If you want to watch on more then you can add their 'Boost' add-on for £5 per month. This enables you to stream on 3 devices at the same time.
Sky Go App
Sky Q customers can stream live and catch up TV on one additional screen with the Sky Go app, which can be used on laptops, tablets and smartphones - not on other TVs.
The Sky Go app is free with all Sky TV packages and allows two registered devices, the Sky Go Extra app is £5 a month allows four devices. Both options only allow concurrent streaming on two devices.
BT TV App Extra
Like Sky, BT customers automatically have access to an app within their pack - the BT TV app. This allows you to watch some of your subscription channels and on demand content via your smartphone, tablet or computer. The downside is Freeview content isn't available on the app, nor is Sky Sports or Sky Cinema.
For an additional £5 a month, customers can upgrade to the BT TV App Extra. The BT TV App Extra can be registered on four devices and watched in two other rooms while someone watches on your main BT TV box.
With BT TV App Extra, you can download catch-up content to watch later, saving your data for when you need it. The main benefit however is it can be watched on a big screen TV with various smart apps or casting such as Chromecast without the need for extra TV boxes.
Virgin Media TV Go App
The Virgin TV Go app is available free to all Virgin TV customers to watch in the home or out and about anywhere in the UK where there is WiFi, 3G or 4G. Register up to 5 compatible devices, and watch on two devices at the same time. Enjoy live channels, Catch Up and On Demand content.
Unfortunately, the Virgin Media TV Anywhere app does not support casting so you won't be able to watch on a TV.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need multiroom?
This really depends on your household and how you like to watch. Some people are just as happy watching on their devices in other rooms, so the providers apps, like Sky Go, will probably be sufficient. If you only want to watch on TV screens, then streaming services like Netflix, Amazon or NOW TV could be an affordable way to access great content, even if it doesn’t include the channels in your main TV package.
Will my second box be the same as my main box?
This depends on which provider you go with. Some providers like Sky give you a different box (Sky Q Mini box) whilst Virgin gives you another full size box. It's important to check what you're signing up for, as different boxes have different functions and storage capacities.
How can I get a better deal on multiroom?
Providers regularly have special offers available to new and existing customers so be sure to keep your eye out for these. If your contract is up and you are happy to stay with that provider, try to negotiate a better deal. Most providers will give you a deal to avoid losing you as a customer - it's always worth a try.
Once you have decided which provider is right for you, you can check out the available deals by clicking the button below.