Netflix bundled with broadband and TV: Does it save you money?

Dan Howdle • December 11th, 2025

It's actually getting harder and harder to get a broadband and TV (or even just broadband) deal without getting a basic Netflix subscription thrown in. Virgin Media sometimes includes Netflix even with just broadband-only, Sky rolls it into all Sky Stream and Sky Glass packages, and both BT and EE offer it whenever you take broadband and TV.

But the fact is most of us either have a Netflix subscription already, or we're not too bothered if we don't have one. If a basic Netflix subscription is going to be foisted on us anyway, where's the real benefit? Does it actually save any money if we're already subscribed? What if we don't want Netflix at all? These are the questions we intend to answer.

Which providers bundle Netflix?

Not every broadband and TV provider bundles Netflix, and even among the ones that do, the inclusion rules aren’t the same. Virgin Media throws it in liberally, sometimes even with broadband only, Sky bakes it into any Sky Stream or Sky Glass package, including broadband and TV bundles, while BT and EE only include it (via EE TV) when broadband and TV are taken together. TalkTalk, meanwhile, doesn’t bundle it at all.

Here's a quick overview:

Note that although 'Standard with ads' – Netflix's most basic and inexpensive tier – is the norm when it comes to bundling it in for free, in most cases you can upgrade that. So if you need Netflix Premium, in most cases you'll be able to get it, with the cost of Standard with ads deducted. It means everyone can benefit, whether you have Netflix already or need something with more pizazz than entry-level.

Case in point: Netflix bundled with Sky

Let’s take a real example to show how bundling Netflix can save money even when you already subscribe to Netflix at a higher tier than Standard with ads. In this case, we're looking at the Sky Full Fibre 300 with Stream Ultimate TV.

• You’re already paying for Netflix Premium – £18.99/month separately
• You switch to Sky – Netflix Standard with ads is included in the bundle price
• To keep Premium – You only pay the upgrade difference instead of the full subscription cost
• Sky effectively covers £5.99/month – (The value of Standard with ads), so Premium becomes £13 extra instead of £18.99
• Outcome – Bundling saves you £5.99/month if you're upgrading to Premium, and the base tier becomes free if you're happy just to have that

If you're already a Netflix subscriber, this is where bundling pays off anyway. Instead of continuing a standalone subscription at £18.99/month, Sky absorbs the Standard with ads tier and you just pay to upgrade. It's a small monthly saving, sure, but across a two-year deal it'll save £143.76. That's nothing to be sniffed at!

And, if you're happy with the included Standard with ads subscription, it’s even better. You can cancel simply link your existing Netflix account and pay nothing for it for the next two years.

Pricing: Netflix standalone versus bundled

Because most bundles include Netflix Standard with ads by default, the real question is 'is Netflix free and if not how much will I actually pay?'. There is only one package currently that offers anything beyond Standard with ads bundled in (BT/EE Full Works). Nonetheless, nothing makes clearer what you'll actually be paying than laying it all out in black and white.

If you already have Netflix – linking your account

Actually transferring your existing Netflix subscription is seamless with all providers, and pretty painless and simple, but we'll go over the finer details anyway.

Here’s how it works, depending on who you’re with:

• Virgin Media – You’ll be prompted to sign in to Netflix through your My Virgin Media account or your TV box. Existing billing stops directly through Netflix, and Virgin Media takes over your payments automatically
• Sky (Stream/Glass) – Log into Netflix through the Sky website when setting up your TV service. Your Netflix subscription transfers to Sky billing, and any upgrades (e.g. Premium) can be added through Sky instead of through Netflix
• BT & EE (via EE TV) – Netflix linking happens through your BT/EE online account when activating your TV. Existing accounts convert to the included tier, and you can upgrade through BT/EE if you want a higher tier subscription
• TalkTalk – Netflix isn’t bundled, but you can still log into the app via the TV Hub and continue paying Netflix separately as normal

Remember, in all cases you do not need to cancel your Netflix subscription first. Once you activate your new service, whether broadband on its own, TV on its own or broadband and TV, you simply need to 'link' your Netflix account. If you’re already on Premium or Standard without ads, you’ll either keep that tier (with the discount applied), or be given the option to downgrade to the included level and pay nothing.

When is it not worth bundling Netflix?

Technically speaking, the short answer is never. If Netflix comes bundled with your broadband or TV, you aren’t paying anything for it, and you can’t remove it to get a cheaper price. Think of it as a perk baked into the deal rather than an optional extra. If you don’t want Netflix, the only real workaround is simply not to watch anything on it once you have it, or refuse to set up a Netflix account when your services are up and running.

You're not losing money by having Netflix included, but you’re also not gaining anything unless you actually use it. Simple really.

The bottom line

Bundled Netflix is no longer a particularly flashy freebie, or a reason to choose a particular package in and of itself – at least for most of us. But it will save money if you're going to watch stuff on it. If you already subscribe to Netflix, moving onto a package that includes it free means you’ll either stop paying for it entirely (if you're happy with Standard with ads) or you'll only pay the upgrade difference. Over a 24 month contract, that can shave off a meaningful chunk of cash.

If you don't use Netflix, nothing changes of course. You won't save anything, but you won’t lose anything either. But for anyone who already pays for it already or wants it anew, bundles from Virgin Media, Sky, BT or EE offer a small win, especially if you're planning to take out a new broadband and TV deal anyway.