Combining broadband, television and streaming subscriptions could save households almost £60 a year, but may require sacrificing flexibility, according to Broadband Genie. The comparison site said customers could cut their overall bills by around 10% compared with purchasing the services separately.
Example savings from bundling
As an example, Vodafone’s Full Fibre 500 broadband with TV Essential, which includes Netflix and HBO Max, costs £49.98 a month. Buying the services individually would cost £54.96, meaning customers taking the bundle save £4.98 a month. Over a year, that adds up to £59.76, Broadband Genie said.
Receiving one monthly bill may also make it easier for households to monitor their spending and manage subscriptions, it added.
Check more than the bill
However, consumers should examine more than the headline price before signing up. Some bundled packages require customers to enter a 24-month contract, potentially tying them to 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.
“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.”
Use comparison services
Alex recommended entering your address into an Ofcom-accredited comparison service to find the broadband providers, packages and connection speeds available in your area. Households should then compare the bundle’s full price with the cost of purchasing broadband and only the television or streaming services they genuinely use.
They should also check for set-up charges, annual or mid-contract price increases, early exit fees and the amount they will pay when any introductory discount ends. Comparing the total cost across the entire contract gives a more accurate picture than concentrating on the initial monthly price.
Consider your requirements
Consumers should also consider whether they need every streaming service throughout the year. Cancelling and restarting subscriptions as particular programmes become available can sometimes cost less than paying continuously as part of a fixed bundle.
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.”
