How to get Sky TV with Virgin Media broadband

Dan Howdle • November 4th, 2025

So you’re wondering whether you can pair Sky TV with Virgin Media broadband — the answer is yes… but it takes a bit of planning. Either you keep your Sky TV deal and plug it into Virgin Media broadband, or you take some other tack.

Before you dive into offers or cancel contracts though, it’s worth getting clear on the practical steps, the possible extra costs, and where the limitations kick in. We’ll walk through how it’s done, when it’s worth doing, and when you might be better off going the simpler route and opting for Virgin TV.

The key thing to understand is that unlike Virgin TV, EE TV and so on, Sky Stream doesn’t require you get your broadband from the same provider as your TV. If you’re already on Virgin Media broadband and just want to add Sky TV, there’s no issue at all. If you’re on Virgin TV and thinking of switching that part out for Sky Stream, you can do that too, though depending on where you are in your contract, that's where things can get a little tricky.

What you need to get started

You won’t find a joint deal that bundles the two together – they’re direct competitors – but setting it up yourself is straightforward for most. Virgin’s broadband is just your internet connection, and Sky Stream is the entertainment part. They don’t depend on each other to work, which means you can mix and match to get the best of both worlds, or opt for Virgin TV if you're not fussed about Sky Atlantic and a few other notable omissions from what Virgin offers.

The simplest way – add Sky Stream

The easiest route is just to add Sky Stream. It runs entirely over the internet – no satellite dish, no engineer visit, and if you order in the morning, you'll be up and running the following day! Once received, just plug the small Sky Stream Puck into your TV, connect it to your Virgin Media Wi-Fi (or LAN cable if you're near your Virgin Hub router), sign in, and that’s it. Bosh! You're done. You’ll get all your Sky channels, Netflix, iPlayer, YouTube and so on in one little box and through a single remote.

Using Virgin broadband as your internet connection

Sky recommends at least 25Mbps for HD streaming and 50Mbps for 4K. That means that even Virgin Media's 'slowest' package (arguably no Virgin broadband package is 'slow') comfortably exceeds that, so speed definitely won’t be an issue. The only thing to watch for is Wi-Fi coverage – if your router’s rather far from the TV or beyond thick walls, you might want to use Virgin’s Wi-Fi Pods or a mesh router setup to keep everything running smoothly. Sky Stream boxes work over Wi-Fi or via a cable, so use whichever suits.

What you’ll need to make it work

You’ll need a Sky Stream Puck (which comes with your Sky subscription), a Virgin Media broadband deal with a stable connection, and a TV with an HDMI port. There’s no special configuration or tech know-how required – plug it in, follow the on-screen prompts to connect it to your Wi-Fi, and start watching. You can also add extra Sky Stream Pucks in other rooms, though there are one-off charges for each additional Puck you add, so bear that in mind.

Already have Virgin Media TV?

Here’s where things get a bit more complicated. If you’re already on a Virgin Media broadband and Virgin TV bundle, they are going to be under one contract – so you can’t just drop the TV side and keep the broadband in many cases. Virgin Media ties its deals together to provide value on the one hand, but also knowing full well your services become 'stickier' as a result – that you're going to find it harder to quit one or both services than if you only had Virgin broadband.

Can you cancel just your Virgin TV package?

Yes, but only if you’re out of contract or close to your renewal date. If you’re still within your minimum term, Virgin Media will charge early cancellation fees for the TV part of your bundle, which can be hefty depending on how long’s left. The safest route is to check your 'My Virgin Media' account on their website to confirm your end date. Virgin’s also known for auto-renewing contracts when you make small changes or accept discounts. Which again, without being too cynical because this does tend to add value, is a crafty tactic that creates more friction when trying to drop a service.

If you are out of contract, you can drop TV completely and instantly (with 30 days notice) and keep Virgin broadband on its own, though you’ll need to call to make the change. You can't do it on Virgin's website and will have to face a call centre agent whose sole purpose in life is to convince you to stay. If you've decided you're dropping Virgin TV and taking out Sky Stream, be prepared to stand your ground.

Switching to broadband-only with Virgin Media

Virgin Media does of course offer broadband-only deals, and in most cases you can move to one once your TV contract ends. The process is simple enough: you call, tell them you want to keep broadband but cancel TV, and they’ll quote you a new price for broadband-only. Be prepared for the cost per month to go up slightly – bundles tend to be discounted, and splitting them can remove that bundle discount.

Virgin Media (we told you they were crafty) may also in some cases quote you a ludicrously high price to keep your broadband on its own. We have personal experience of this, and it's designed to put you off downgrading your package or dropping services like TV. If they can't match your current price or offer something reasonable, just tell them you're leaving and be prepared to end the call. They will usually call you back the same day to make you a better offer.

It sounds like a lot of fuss, doesn't it, but worth it if you prefer Sky’s TV platform, especially Sky Stream, which gives you more channels – including Sky Atlantic – and more flexibility. Once you’ve made the switch, Virgin will simply keep your broadband running and shut off the TV service, while Sky takes over on the entertainment front..

What happens to your existing contract?

If you cancel Virgin TV while still under contract, you’ll owe early termination fees for the remainder of that part of the bundle – typically calculated on the TV portion of your monthly cost. If you’re out of contract, there’s no penalty, but you still need to give 30 days’ notice. When your TV service ends, your broadband contract may stay exactly as is, or it might roll into a new 18-month broadband-only deal depending on what Virgin offers you. Always ask before confirming, so you don’t accidentally reset your term.

If you’re close to the end of your bundle, the best time to make the switch is during your renewal window – around 30 days before the contract ends. That way, you can ditch the TV side cleanly, avoid fees, and start Sky Stream the same week.

Sky Stream vs Virgin Media TV – which is better?

While both services are strong in their own right, they take slightly different approaches. Virgin Media TV now has its cable-fed TV 360 box, and its Flex streaming box on offer, while Sky now only offers Sky Stream. Very similar boxes on the face of it. So it's less about the actual hardware. Here's what it really comes down to:

• Channels and content – Sky Stream gives you all the big Sky channels – Sky Atlantic, (Sky Cinema, Sky Sports as add-ons) – plus built-in apps like Netflix, Disney+ and Apple TV+. Virgin TV offers a huge range too, with flexible channel packs and on-demand options through its TV 360 and Stream platforms. But if you want all of Sky’s original shows and exclusives, you’ll only get them with Sky Stream
• Price and flexibility – Sky Stream’s monthly rolling contract option still has the edge. You can take it on 30-day contract or a slightly cheaper 18-month one. Virgin’s Stream box and bundles are also customisable, but if you’re only after broadband and Sky TV, Sky Stream keeps things simpler and avoids paying for extras you don’t need
• Hardware and setup – Sky Stream is as plug-and-play as it gets: a small puck that connects over Wi-Fi, no dish or engineer visit required. Virgin TV’s hardware is more traditional, with the TV 360 box and remote, though its newer Flex device is similar to Sky’s in that it’s app-based and runs over your broadband
• Performance and reliability – Sky Stream relies entirely on your broadband, so pairing it with Virgin Media broadband is actually pretty ideal. If you’re looking for Sky’s complete service without switching your broadband, Sky Stream is a better option than Virgin TV in whichever form
• Who each option is best for – Go for Sky Stream if you want access to all of Sky’s exclusive shows. Stick with Virgin TV if your priority is to keep everything on one bill and don't care too much about missing Sky Atlantic as well as other channels and features

The bottom line

Pairing Virgin Media broadband with Sky TV isn’t just possible — it’s actually a smart decision if you’re willing to do a little extra admin. Virgin Media provides some of the fastest broadband in the country, and Sky Stream is still the best way to get top-tier TV without being tied to a specific broadband provider. You’ll get Sky’s exclusive channels, great apps, and full 4K, streaming all running on your existing Virgin broadband connection.

The main catch? Contracts. If you’re still tied into a Virgin Media bundle, you’ll need to wait out your term or risk early exit fees before you can drop the TV side. Once you’re out though, it’s smooth sailing all the way. Just order Sky Stream, plug it in and you’re done.