Understanding BT TV: Your Complete Guide

By Ben Fick

Essential Information

  1. BT TV requires an active BT broadband subscription along with a BT landline connection.
  2. The service delivers over 70 Freeview channels, on-demand content libraries, and a provided set-top box that enables recording, pausing, and rewinding live broadcasts.
  3. The Essential tier starts at £5 monthly, with optional channel add-ons available for customization.
  4. The Entertainment package includes 18 premium channels plus options for ESPN and Sky Sports subscriptions.
  5. Both subscription tiers feature BT Sport channels, broadcasting 38 live Premier League matches per season.
  6. Installation is straightforward—connect your set-top box to both your television and home hub without professional assistance.
  7. Bundling BT TV with your broadband and phone service often provides better value since broadband is already required.

What BT TV Offers

BT TV represents a comprehensive digital television subscription service designed exclusively for BT broadband subscribers.

The service provides:

  • Access to 70 Freeview television and radio channels, including high-definition broadcasts
  • An extensive library of over 5,500 on-demand programmes available for viewing at your convenience, featuring 3D movie content
  • Catch-up television through YouView integration and popular streaming platforms like BBC iPlayer
  • A set-top box capable of recording and storing programmes from the TV guide, along with live TV pause and rewind functionality
Modern television streaming setup

Prerequisites for BT TV

An active BT broadband subscription is mandatory for accessing BT TV, as the service relies on their telephone infrastructure and requires a BT Home Hub. Your connection must maintain a minimum speed of 2Mb.

Additionally, you'll need a working TV aerial, and available channels depend on your local area's digital reception capabilities.

For HD or 3D programming, your television must support these formats—check for HD or 3D certification logos on your device.

Core Features

Here's what you can expect from your BT TV subscription:

Freeview Access

While 70 channels are available through Freeview, regional availability varies. Verify your local coverage using the online coverage checker.

Available channels encompass all BBC and ITV networks, Channel 4's family of channels including E4, More 4, and Film 4, plus comedy network Dave, various news outlets, shopping channels, and dedicated children's programming.

Catch-Up Television

YouView enables access to programmes broadcast within the previous seven days across BBC, ITV, Channel 4, and Channel 5. BBC iPlayer extends this further with comprehensive programme archives and complete series availability.

BT Sport Coverage

Even the Essential package includes BT Sport access. Watch 38 live Premier League fixtures, plus FA Cup matches, Europa League action, and top-tier Scottish and Italian football. Rugby Union enthusiasts can enjoy Aviva Premiership coverage alongside other sporting events.

BT Player Packages

Three on-demand content packages are available as optional add-ons:

Film and TV Collections

Features premium drama, comedy, reality programming, and documentaries, allowing binge-watching of complete series like physical box sets. Includes a rotating selection of films spanning classics to contemporary releases.

BT Kids

Curated children's content from Disney, Cartoon Network, and Nickelodeon.

BT Music

Current music videos, classic tracks from four decades, live concert recordings, karaoke options, and custom-curated playlists.

Each package can be added to your service for an additional monthly fee.

The Humax DTR-T1000 Box

Your included set-top box lets you browse the TV guide, select programmes for recording, and never miss your favourite shows. Set up series recordings to automatically capture every episode without manual intervention.

The pause and rewind functions work perfectly when unexpected interruptions occur during live viewing.

Recorded content can be paused, rewound, and fast-forwarded, letting you skip advertisements and jump to key moments.

YouView scrollback covers seven days of programming from major terrestrial broadcasters. The mobile YouView app even enables remote recording when you're away from home.

Selecting Your Package

BT offers multiple TV and broadband combinations. BT Infinity subscribers can choose between Essential and Entertainment packages, while standard broadband customers receive the Essential package.

Package Comparison

Feature Essential Entertainment
Set Top Box Included Included
Freeview Included Included
BT Sport 1+2 Included Included
ESPN Not Available Included
Sky Sports Not Available One Channel £15, Two Channels £20
Extra Channels Not Available 18 additional channels including Eurosport, Discovery, Fox, and Sport

Bundle Packages

Since BT TV requires BT broadband, you're already receiving multiple services from BT—likely including phone service as well.

Depending on your usage patterns, bundling all three services together often yields significant savings. Explore available BT bundle options to find the best value.

Getting Started

Installation is simple enough to handle yourself by following this instructional video. Alternatively, you can arrange for a BT engineer to complete the installation for a fee.

Additional Resources

Updated: December 2, 2013

9 Reader Comments

a burton
a burton
February 27, 2014
Can I access Eurosport through BT TV sport packages?
D.R.Carree
D.R.Carree
February 17, 2014
I currently have a YouView box but no BT Sports access. They offered their updated box which would provide BT Sport, but switching meant losing HD channels. I decided to keep my year-old YouView box instead.
Peter Watkinson
Peter Watkinson
October 11, 2013
BT doesn't clearly communicate that catch-up services don't include all programmes from the past seven days—only selected content is available.
P.Richard
P.Richard
October 8, 2013
My Sky box failed four times, so I gave up. Been with BT for a year now—had one issue that was resolved within 24 hours. Excellent service.
Frank Vaughan
Frank Vaughan
June 16, 2013
Nearly three months after ordering, I'm still waiting for my original order to be fulfilled—despite an engineer visiting three times (costing me three days off work). Not impressed.
kelly
kelly
February 11, 2013
I signed up with BT but decided to stay with TalkTalk instead—they offer a superior TV package.
marbles
marbles
November 16, 2012
My Vision box failed catastrophically, damaging my TV, broadband, home hub, and disrupting phone service. The home hub was replaced and broadband/phone restored, but I had to purchase a new TV. The Vision Box issue remains unresolved—still no contact from the "safety" department they promised would reach out.
Peter Groocock
Peter Groocock
October 6, 2012
Sky Sports 1 and 2 can be added, but what about Sky Sports 3 and the two Eurosport channels?

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