Sky latterly unveiledSky Stream , a plug - and - play streaming gimmick that allows you to reach the same UI and content available on Sky Glass on any TV .
The Stream concept directly draws comparisons to theVirgin Media Stream – both in its name and the functionality of the equipment .
But , which is good ? record on to discover how the Sky Stream and the Virgin Media Stream compare when it come to price , plan , UI and substance .
Price and availability
The Virgin Media Stream launched in May 2022 and there ’s no subscription fee to use it . There is , however , a one - meter activation fee of £ 35 to get coiffure up and you must be a Virgin Media broadband customer to use the Stream , which currently starts at £ 26 / month .
Those streaming service also be on a trilled 30 - day contract bridge , so you could add or remove them from your Virgin Media account as needed .
So , what about the Sky Stream ?
The rival streaming twist also necessitate a one - time stage set - up fee , though this one vary from £ 20 to £ 39.95 depend on the eccentric of plan you opt for .
However , as with Sky Glass , you do n’t take to be a Sky broadband customer to get to the service , intend you may be able-bodied to save money by flummox with a cheaper broadband supplier ( so long as they offer a minimal speed of 10Mbps ) .
As far as subject matter goes , combined channel software program set off at £ 26 / month on an 18 - calendar month declaration or £ 29 / month on a 31 - solar day rolling design , which is more comparable to Virgin ’s own rolling 30 - day service .
The Sky Stream will be uncommitted from October 18 .
Which streaming gimmick is chintzy will depend on the package you prefer for or the streaming services you add to your architectural plan . However , if you want the Sky Stream , you ’ll have to expect a few weeks to get your deal on it .
Design
In terms of innovation , the Virgin Media Stream and the Sky Stream are very interchangeable .
The Virgin Media Stream is a small and square gimmick , with shiny pliant boundary and a mesh textile finish on top , giving it a New flavour that does n’t need a immense amount of attention in your living elbow room .
There ’s an HDMI port to plug it into your telly and the Stream comes with a small remote control with basic playback control condition , a number pad and a microphone button , allowing you to control the streaming gimmick with your voice .
The Sky Stream is likewise lowly and substantial - wrought . or else of a mesh covering , the Sky Stream has a mat conclusion all over , with the only contingent being the shiny black Sky logo across the top of the gadget .
Like the Virgin Media Stream , the Sky Stream features an HDMI port , as well as a small remote with the same control and voice assistant button . However , the remote has more rounded bound and the release are round rather than square .
Interface
The idea behind the Virgin Media Stream is to easily transform any late idiot box into a voice - activated smart television set . The same drop dead for the Sky Stream , which aims to advance your TV with the Sky Glass UI .
The Virgin Media Stream includes tabs for Apps , Live telly , Catch Up advertising Box Sets & Movies . We shared ourfirst impressionsof the streaming gimmick and found the user interface to be well - organised and easy to voyage , whether that be by using these lozenge or the articulation bid .
The Sky Stream is power by the Sky Glass UI which , like the Virgin Media user interface , is project to bring all your channels , shows and apps together in one place . In Sky ’s typesetter’s case , this includes Sky content and content from other providers .
Sky Glass feature the same rail system as Sky Q for navigation , with access to recently used apps , remark and ‘ top picks ’ in the top rail and TV Shows , Movies , Sport , Kids , International , Audio and Music , News and Fitness in the one below it .
There ’s also the Playlists feature , which allows you to save capacity from a variety of apps and TV channel .
Despite this , he detect the breadth of content uncommitted to be impressive and found it was bestow together in a coherent and wanton - to - decipher way .
Apps and content
When it comes to apps and channels , the Sky Stream includes reenforcement for a extensive range of democratic streaming service , whereas the Virgin Media Stream offers good flexibleness in building your plan .
The Virgin Media Stream include communication channel from the BBC , ITV , Channel 4 and Sky , and a long tilt of apps , include Netflix , Amazon Prime Video , Disney Plus , YouTube and BBC Sounds . There are also catchup services like BBC iPlayer , ITV Hub and BritBox .
However , there ’s no reinforcement for Apple TV Plus , NOW , Spotify , Peacock or Paramount Plus .
One of the Virgin Media Stream ’s biggest selling point is its “ Stream Credits ” organization , which allows you to relieve money on stream apps and Sky packages by subscribing to them through your Virgin Media invoice . It works like a rebate , taking 10 % of your current peak off the next month ’s bill in a rolled system , meaning the more apps you ratify up to , the bigger the numeral you ’ll see purloin off your bill .
This also simplify your monthly payments by collating them all into one light - to - digest bill .
Likewise , the Sky Stream allows you to carry through some hard currency by subscribing to cyclosis services through streaming packages and pay through your Sky history .
Apps available on Sky Stream admit Apple TV Plus , Amazon Prime Video , Disney Plus , BBC iPlayer , ITV Hub , All4 , YouTube , Discovery Plus , Peacock , Fiit and more , meaning you could get at some apps that are n’t available on the Virgin Media Stream .
Early verdict
The Virgin Media Stream and the Sky Stream are two streaming boxful with similar designs , similar prices and user interfaces that drive to upgrade your existing TV by wreak all your content together under one voice command - supported roof .
The biggest difference put in the content offered . The Sky Stream back up more popular cyclosis services , like Apple TV Plus and Peacock , while the Virgin Media Stream offer greater flexibility when it comes to build up your plan .
However , the Virgin Media box is more uptight about what broadband you may employ , as it involve you to be on one of the ship’s company ’s own plan . The Sky Stream , meanwhile , only requires you to have a minimal velocity of 10Mbps regardless of which provider you ’re with .
You ’ll have to wait for our followup of the Sky Stream for our terminal finding of fact .
