EE TV review 2024: Is it any good and should you buy it?

Dan Howdle | October 7th, 2024

It's BT TV rebranded, but there are some differences. And since you're going to be getting EE TV whether you get a BT Broadband bundle or an EE TV bundle, it's well worth a revisit. In this in-depth review we'll cover channels, hardware, add-ons, packages and bundles, and more.

Is EE TV any good?

Key features

Here’s a quick look at what you can expect to find in an EE TV package:

Features	EE TV Pro Box	Apple TV UK
Prices from	£49.99 per month	£49.99 per month
Number of channels	110+	110+
Audio	Dolby Digital, Dolby Atmos	Dolby Digital, Dolby Atmos
Video	Up to 4K HDR	Up to 4K HDR
Simultaneous recording	Up to 4 channels	None
Voice control	No	Yes
Storage	1 TB	Apps only
Parental controls	Yes	Yes
Technology	Broadband and aerial	Broadband
Packages	TV and broadband	TV and broadband

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Channels and highlights

EE TV Entertainment is the basic TV package that all bundles start with. Other bundle options involve adding things like movies and sport. The line-up is somewhat more confusing than it needs to be, because EE TV used to be BT TV and as such, now, EE TV is available with both BT Broadband and EE Broadband, but not available on its own.

The second layer of complexity lies in how the channels and content are delivered, opting to incorporate NOW TV passes into their packages rather than simply a raft of channels delivered via cable, satellite or simply over the internet, as with Sky TV or Virgin TV. And, if you want to watch your content in HD, you'll need the HD add-on (called NOW TV Boost when taken out with NOW TV, but just 'HD' here). Anyhow, in the Entertainment package you'll find a mixture of around 70 Freeview channels, and Sky Channels including Sky Atlantic, Sky Documentaries, as well as Netflix, Discovery+ and at the time of writing, six months of free access to Apple TV+.

Highlights

Sky Atlantic – Sky Atlantic, as well as showing plenty of Sky exclusive content, is also the primary way to watch HBO shows as they air in the UK. That includes the latest episodes of House Of The Dragon, The Last Of Us and many more. And the shows that aren't airing currently can mostly be watched on catch-up. So if you want to watch all seasons of Succession, for example, now that the show has finished, you can find all seasons available to watch on catch-up (called Sky Box Sets).

Sky Box Sets – Is a repository of all of Sky, HBO and Discovery's best shows, available to watch as and when you please. It comprises around 500 shows at any given time, with popular shows disappearing and reappearing at various times of the year. Since it's included with NOW TV, it's also included in EE TV, since EE TV is formed in major part by the NOW TV Entertainment, and (optional) Sports and Cinema Passes. You won't find Sky Sports or Sky Movies in Sky Box Sets, though.

Netflix – EE TV now includes a Netflix subscription with all of its TV and broadband packages, massively expanding the amount of on-demand content available. However, before you get too excited it should be noted that with most packages this is 'Netflix Standard with adverts' which does not offer 4K streaming and incorporates ad breaks into the programming. You can upgrade this when you're building your package but it will add to the overall package price.

Freeview – Another oddity of EE TV is that the 70+ Freeview channels you can watch on the service can only be watched if you connect a TV aerial, and then only in standard definition on the EE TV Box Pro. But of course, you can opt for an Apple TV 4K instead, and on that device Freeview channels will be spotty. You can use iPlayer for BBC, ITVx for ITV channels and so one and so forth, but integration of all these channels into a single channel-flipping guide isn't quite there with EE TV in the same way it is for Sky Stream or Virgin TV.

Exclusive EE TV channels – There are no channels or series on EE TV that cannot be received from other services. Back when it was BT TV, in the early days, BT had exclusive rights to some AMC content like The Terror (great series). Great for BT, but a pain for everyone else since these series had a lengthy exclusivity period and couldn't be watched elsewhere. We're glad BT/EE have stopped trying to compete with Sky in this front – no more locked shows.

Apple TV+ – At the time of writing, EE TV offers six months free access to Apple TV+ (the streaming service, Apple TV 4K is the actual box). It's a nice throw-in, especially since heavy viewers will be able to demolish most of best series (For All Mankind, The Morning Show, Blackbird, Lisey's Story, Severance and more) in that time, then decide if they want to continue on with it at extra cost.

Set-top boxes

EE TV Box Pro and EE TV Box Mini

The EE TV Box Pro is packed with features, including 4K HDR support and Dolby Atmos sound. It lets you record up to four channels at once while watching a fifth, which is handy if everyone in your household wants to watch different things at the same time. With space for up to 600 hours of recordings, you'll have plenty of room for all your favourite shows. Plus, it has built-in access to popular apps like Netflix, Prime Video, and BBC iPlayer, so everything’s in one place, if a little more fractured than Sky Stream or Virgin TV.

The EE TV Box Mini is a more compact unit, designed for a second room. It doesn’t have the recording capabilities of the Pro version but still supports 4K HDR viewing. You can pause and rewind live TV for up to two hours though, which is great if you need to take a break but don't want to miss out.

Both boxes connect directly to EE or BT's broadband service, meaning you can stream without needing a satellite dish or aerial, though you will need an aerial to watch Freeview content in SD. The option to add one EE TV Box Mini at no extra cost is both welcome and unique to EE TV.

Apple TV 4K with EE TV

Choosing the Apple TV 4K as your set-top box with EE TV brings some benefits and some downsides. There's no recording of live TV with the Apple TV 4K, and things aren't as joined up, meaning you'll have to do more app switching to get to the stuff you want to watch. But it's much smaller – enough to fit discreetly next to or behind your TV and keep your living room clutter-free. It connects directly to your TV via an HDMI cable and can run entirely over Wi-Fi, so there’s no need for any unsightly cables with a bit of forethought about where you're going to put it.

The Apple TV 4K supports ultra-high-resolution 4K video, HDR10, and Dolby Vision, and delivers a crisp and vibrant viewing experience (more so than the EE TV Box Pro). It also offers Dolby Atmos audio, which creates an immersive soundscape for films and TV shows that support it, provided you have the equipment to take advantage (99%+ of homes do not). But, you get these features out of the box with EE TV, with no additional fees or an 'HD pack' to unlock the best quality viewing experience. If you don't need to record TV shows for later viewing, this is the best option.

Apple TV 4K specifications

Here’s a quick rundown of the key features you get with the Apple TV 4K when you choose to get it through EE TV:

• 4K HDR and Dolby Vision – Stunning picture quality with support for high dynamic range and ultra-high definition content
• Dolby Atmos support – Enjoy rich, cinematic audio that surrounds you with multidimensional sound, provided you have Dolby Atmos compatible equipment (almost no one does)
• Wi-Fi or Ethernet – Seamless connection options to fit your home network setup, whether wired or wireless
• Apple ecosystem integration – Effortlessly sync with other Apple devices, allowing you to use Siri for voice commands and control your experience hands-free
• Compact design – Measuring just 9.8cm x 9.8cm x 3.5cm, it’s small enough to fit neatly anywhere in your entertainment setup
• Access to a wide range of apps – Stream content from all the major services including Netflix, Disney+, NOW, and Apple TV+
• Free Apple TV+ trial – Get a 3-month free subscription to Apple TV+ included, with access to exclusive Apple Originals

Add-ons

Sky Cinema (via NOW Pass)

Sky Cinema, including all of its channels and all of its current library of movies accessible on catch-up is provided at additional cost with EE TV. You can either opt for a bundle where it's included or select the basic Entertainment bundle and add it on during sign-up.

Sky Sports

Football galore, F1, Golf, Cricket and a lot more. We don't need to tell you what Sky Sports is. Just that you can get it added on here in the same way as Sky Cinema. Sky Sports is expensive no matter how you choose to add it on, but here it's added on via the NOW Sports Pass, which is, happily, one of the cheaper ways to get it. It shares its football coverage with TNT Sports.

TNT Sports (formerly BT Sport)

If you get an Entertainment plus Sport package from EE TV, it'll include TNT Sports. It's a shame, but if you want to watch or have access to all of the football, you'll need both Sky Sports and TNT Sports, and even catch the odd match of DAZN. Like the other add-ons, there are bundles that include it, or you can add it on during sign-up.

Sky Kids

Because you'll be getting the NOW TV Entertainment pass in your basic EE TV package, Sky Kids (eight kids channels for a wide range of ages), is included by default. This is one of the very few advantages you have with EE TV over a Sky Stream subscription. Sky Stream will charge you an extra £7 per month for the kids channels and here it's included by default.

EE TV multiroom

If you select the EE TV Box Pro as your set-top box, you can get up to two EE TV Box Minis included in your package at no extra cost. Up to three rooms free, basically. If you need additional boxes you will need to pay extra, though, and there's no multiroom option if you elect to have the Apple TV 4K box instead short of buying additional devices.

Packages and bundles

Bundles with broadband

EE TV offers a range of flexible packages that come bundled with its broadband service. These bundles combine high-speed EE or BT broadband with a choice of TV packages tailored to different viewing preferences, including options for sports enthusiasts, movie lovers, and families who enjoy a mix of entertainment and kids shows.

All EE TV packages include access to popular streaming services like Netflix and discovery+, along with live channels via NOW, such as Sky Sports, Sky Cinema, and Sky Entertainment channels. The packages also come with the benefit of switching plans at any time, giving you the freedom to adapt your bundle based on your current needs.

TV on its own

Sadly, you can't get TV-only with EE TV. Unlike Sky, EE TV requires a broadband connection from EE or BT to access its TV services. While it doesn’t offer standalone TV packages, the flexibility within its bundles means you can customise your entertainment options by adding or removing sports, movies, or premium content as needed. This allows you to build a package that fits your viewing habits without being locked into a fixed setup.

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Our verdict: Very good

EE TV has had a decent stab at offering a comprehensive TV service, similar to Sky in as many ways as it can muster. The problem, however, is that it isn't Sky. It isn't as integrated, or as easy to use or to understand as Sky Stream. And what's more, you can get BT Broadband or EE Broadband and add Sky Stream, because Sky won't force you to take out its own broadband in order to get it.

On its own merits, sure. There's a lot to like, and we particularly like the free multiroom, and the option to have an Apple TV 4K in place of a somewhat now old-fashioned TV recording box. But, Sky Stream looms in the background. It's more integrated, easier to use, offers more content, is cheaper in many ways, and you don't need Sky Broadband to get it. And EE/BT are still yet to fully grapple with that threat.

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