Households can save nearly £60 a year by bundling broadband, television and streaming subscriptions together, though they may lose some flexibility, experts say. Customers could cut their total bills by roughly 10% compared with buying services separately, according to Broadband Genie.
For example, Vodafone's Full Fibre 500 broadband with TV Essential, which includes Netflix and HBO Max, costs £49.98 per month. Buying the services individually would total £54.96, meaning customers who choose the bundle save £4.98 monthly. Over a year, that adds up to £59.76, Broadband Genie noted. A single monthly bill may also simplify household budgeting and subscription management, the company added.
Not just about the bill
However, consumers should look beyond the headline price before committing. Some bundled packages require a 24-month contract, potentially locking customers into the same provider and entertainment services for two years.
Alex Tofts, broadband expert at Cambridge-based Broadband Genie, said: "Our analysis shows customers can save up to 10%, or £60 a year, if you bundle your broadband and TV service together. It also gives the benefit of having the bills and services in one place."
He added: "But you lose flexibility on two fronts. You're limited to a handful of providers, typically the big household names such as Virgin Media, Sky, EE and now Vodafone."
Do comparisons
Tofts suggested entering a postcode into an Ofcom-accredited comparison platform to find available broadband suppliers, deals and connection speeds. Households should then weigh the bundle's full price against the cost of buying broadband and only the television or streaming platforms they actually watch.
They should also examine set-up costs, yearly or mid-contract price rises, early termination charges and the amount charged once any promotional discount expires. Comparing total expenditure across the full contract gives a more realistic assessment than focusing on the introductory monthly rate alone.
Assess your needs
Consumers should also consider whether they need every streaming platform all year round. Cancelling and resuming subscriptions as specific programmes become available can sometimes be cheaper than paying continuously as part of a fixed package.
Alex added: "Really think if you need the service for a whole two years. You may be financially better off opting to jump between streaming services and live TV passes."
