Both Sky and Virgin Media released their own streaming devices, making their paid TV plans available without a long-term contract. Both Stream devices are similar in a lot of ways, offering Freeview channels without the need for an aerial or dish, as well as premium channels and 3rd party streaming apps all in one place. But, there are also some differences to be aware of. We take a look at the key differences between Sky Stream and Virgin Stream before you take the plunge.
Sky Stream vs Virgin Stream: Content and apps
Both streaming devices offer a mix of premium channel packs (like Sky Sports and Sky Cinema), big streaming services (like Netflix and Amazon Prime Video), public broadcaster’s apps (BBC iPlayer, ITV Hub, etc.) and Freeview channels.
Neither Sky Stream or Virgin Stream are a direct replacement for the ‘traditional’ TV products from each provider in terms of the channels received. You may find some of the channel numbers being be different to what you’re used to, as well some channels missing altogether.
You can expect around 150 channels on Sky Stream compared to 300 on Sky Q. Most of the missing channels are quite niche though, so if you tend to stick to the more popular channels then you should be fine. Sky do have a published list of all the channels available on Sky Stream, and those that are missing here. They have already added some of the channels that were originally missing when Stream first launched, so we would expect the list of missing channels to keep being revised as new channels are added.
Sky Stream’s basic subscription includes Sky Entertainment and Netflix (basic plan). It has channels like Sky Atlantic, Sky Max and Sky Showcase, as well as Comedy Central and National Geographic. Sky Stream also comes in HD as standard. Which is part of the reason it has less channels than Sky Q, as there is no need to separate out the SD and HD versions.
Virgin Media Stream comes with over 40 free channels, much less than Virgin TV 360. You do have the option to add on their Essential Entertainment plan which give you an additional 25 channels in HD, including Sky Max, Sky Showcase, Virgin TV Ultra, Discovery, National Geographic, and Comedy Central. Virgin Media Stream doesn’t come with a Netflix plan included like Sky Stream, you will have to add this on as a paid subscription. Oh, and there is no Sky Atlantic, not even as a paid add on - this remains exclusive to Sky Stream.
The list of supported apps between Virgin Media’s Stream and Sky Stream is pretty similar – both having the big names like Netflix, Disney+ and Amazon’s Prime Video. Sky Steam does have a few more apps than Virgin Media’s Stream, the notable ones being Apple TV+, Peacock and Discovery Plus.
Apps available on Sky Stream are: All4, Amazon Music, Apple TV+, BBC iPlayer, BBC Sounds, Discovery+, Disney+, Fiit, GlobalPlayer, GolfPass, Highbrow, ITVX, Lionsgate+, My5, Netflix, Paramount+, Peacock, Peloton, PlayWorks, Prime Video, RadioPlayer, Redbull TV, Sky Kids Games, Sky News, Spotify, STV, Tastemade, Vevo, XITE, YouTube and YouTube Kids.
Apps available on Virgin Media Stream are: Al Jazeera, All 4, A-maze-ing Mac, BBC iPlayer, BBC Sounds, BritBox, Disney+, Fireplace, France 24, Hangman, ITVX, My5, Netflix, Prime Video, Radioline, Solitaire, Space Moodies, STV Player, Tetris, UKTV Play, Vevo, Vimeo, Virgin Media Store, World Tour Poker, YouTube and YouTube Kids.
You can also view the full list on the Virgin Media website here
Sky Stream vs Virgin Stream: Design
Visually, the Sky Stream and Virgin Media Stream are very similar. Both are small, square devices that fit into the palm of your hand.
Sky Stream
The Sky Stream puck measures 108mm x 108 mm x 18mm and comes in Anthracite black with the Sky Logo across the top of the device.
Virgin Media Stream
The Virgin Media Stream box is slightly smaller, measuring just 80mm x 80mm x 16 mm, with a mesh fabric finish on top.
Both devices have 1 HDMI port to plug it into your TV.
Sky Stream vs Virgin Stream: Features and interface
The Sky Stream interface is the same as the one on Sky Glass, and works quite differently to Sky Q. With Sky Stream you can’t record or download content onto the device itself to keep forever. Instead, content is streamed on-demand from the various apps and channels. You add the content you want to watch to your Playlist, a feature which creates a sort of shortcut. When you then come to watch the program later, you will be taken to the relevant on demand app - not a recording saved on your box - so you’re taken to All4, Netflix, BBC iPlayer and so on.
Virgin Media Stream works in a very similar way, using what they call Watchlists to save your content - again, nothing is stored on the device. The main disadvantage of these Playlists and Watchlists, is that you are reliant on the 3rd party apps having the show available at the time you want to watch it - If they remove it from their library, then you can’t watch it anymore.
The devices try to focus on personalisation and recommendations, suggesting content you might like based on what you watch. Virgin Media Stream does allow you to create up to 6 profiles, something Sky is yet to introduce. These different profiles means each family member gets their own personalised watchlist and recommendations.
Both Virgin Media Stream and Sky Stream have voice search, which lets you perform various functions using the voice button on the remote. Sky Stream's voice search seems a little more advanced, letting you search for content across the different apps - so if you can’t remember which service a show is on, just say ‘Better Call Saul’ into your remote and Sky Stream will find it for you. Virgin Media’s voice remote doesn’t seem to search for content as seamlessly as Sky, but will let you perform basic actions such as opening Netflix by just saying ‘Netflix’.
Sky Stream vs Virgin Stream: Availability
Sky certainly comes out on top for availability. Sky Stream is available to any customer, regardless of if you have Sky broadband or not. As long as you have a WiFi connection, you can get Sky Stream.
Virgin Stream on the otherhand is only available to Virgin Media Broadband customers, so if you are with a different broadband provider then you won’t be able to get Virgin Stream. If you are a Virgin Media broadband customer and later decide to leave, then your Stream box will no longer work.
Sky Stream vs Virgin Stream: Cost
The pricing structure is different between the two providers, and so the cost you pay can very significantly depending on the content you want to watch.
Virgin Media Stream has an upfront cost of £35 to buy the device. This then gives you access to the 40+ Freeview channels that you can stream for free. If you are happy with the Freeview channels, then there will be no extra to pay beyond the initial £35 and the cost of your Virgin Media broadband package (don’t forget your TV licence).
There is no contract attached to the streaming box itself - just the caveat that you can only take Virgin Stream with their broadband, which does come with a contract - usually 18 months.
Sky Stream has a monthly cost plus the upfront cost of the device. Currently, the device costs £39.95, but this is usually waived so it’s worth checking with Sky their current offers. The monthly cost is £29 for a 31-day rolling contract, or £26 for an 18 month contract. For this monthly fee you get Sky Entertainment and a basic Netflix plan.
Virgin Media Stream certainly looks cheaper at first glance, but you do get more channels from Sky Stream and Netflix is also included. For Virgin Stream to be more comparable with Sky Stream, you will need to add their Essential Entertainment (£12 per month) and Netflix (£6.99 per month) add-ons.
A small caveat for Sky is that if you do unsubscribe from Sky Stream at any point - the device will stop working completely and even the Freeview channels and 3rd party apps will no longer work. With Virgin Media, as long as you keep your broadband package, then you will have access to the Freeview channels, and any streaming services that you subscribe to.
If you do want more content from either device, then you will be charged for any streaming services or channel packs you choose to add on. These additional services are usually on monthly rolling contracts, giving you the flexibility to chop and change your subscriptions when you want to. Sky do give you the option for 18 month contracts on some of the TV packs for a lower monthly fee.
So how much do these additional services cost with each device? Well, at time of writing the costs are:
Sky Sports - £27 per month on Sky Stream compared to £18.75 with Virgin Media Stream. Virgin Media list the price for Sky Sports as usually £38.75 though so this offer could end any day.
Sky Cinema - £13 per month on Sky Stream compared to £10 with Virgin Media Stream (usually £14.99, so as with Sky sports this could change)
BT Sport- £30 per month on Sky Stream compared to £10 with Virgin Media Stream (usually £18)
Kids - £6 per month on Sky Stream compared to £4 with Virgin Media Stream. The Virgin Media pack doesn’t include the Sky Kids channel or Baby TV channel though, so you do get slightly less for this cheaper price.
Other 3rd party apps are available, but the cost for these is usually the same. For example, Disney+ is £7.99 whether you sign up through Sky, Virgin Media or directly with Disney+.
A great selling point for Virgin Stream is their ‘Stream Credits’. This allows you to save 10% on your subscriptions when you pay for them through your Virgin Media bill. Current subscriptions you already have cannot be transferred over though, so you may need to cancel and then resubscribe via Virgin, but this is worth it for an extra discount. You also have the added benefit of them all being rolling into one easy bill.
As we’ve mentioned above, Virgin Stream is only available to Virgin Media Broadband customers, so the price of this needs to be factored into your overall decision.
In the interest of just comparing Sky and Virgin Media, at time of writing, Sky’s Superfast package was very similar in price to Virgin Media’s M125, despite Sky’s slower speeds - making the Virgin Media package very attractive. Sky Superfast was £27, whilst Virgin Media was £26.50.
However, there are cheaper broadband packages on the market from other providers, which you are free to take advantage of with Sky Stream. One thing to bear in mind though is that, given both devices use your WiFi connection, you do need a package with decent speeds. Sky Stream recommend a minimum speed of 25Mbps, increasing to 30Mbps if you want to stream in UHD. This does rule out some of the cheaper packages that might not give you the speeds you need. Virgin Media don’t offer any packages with speeds below 50Mbps so this isn’t really a concern for them.
Battle of the Streams Winner…
The Virgin Media Stream and Sky Stream have similar designs and similar features. Both give Freeview channels without the need for an aerial, and bring most of your favourite content together into one place.
Sky Stream does have more content and, in our opinion, a better interface - but it is more expensive. Then there is the issue of Virgin Media forcing you to take their broadband.
The decision ultimately comes down to you and the content you watch the most - and whether you live in a Virgin Media area or not!