TV is one of those household bills that creeps up quietly. A base package becomes a base package plus sport, plus a film add-on, plus a second box upstairs, plus two or three streaming memberships that nobody remembers signing up for. Then the annual price rise lands.
The good news is that TV is also one of the easiest bills to cut, because most households pay for more than they watch. This guide walks through nine ways to bring the cost down, starting with the free ones.
Step one: work out what you really pay
Before you cut anything, add up the true monthly cost. Most people underestimate it.
Gather the last month's statements and list:
- your pay TV package, including every add-on and multiroom charge
- any equipment or box rental fees
- every streaming membership, including ones billed through an app store
- film rentals and pay-per-view events
- the TV Licence, if you pay it monthly
Then multiply the total by twelve. Seeing the yearly figure in one place is often the moment people decide to act.
Step two: list what your household actually watches
For one week, keep a simple note of what each person watches and where it comes from. You will usually find three things:
- a few channels or apps do most of the work
- some add-ons are barely used
- the same programme is sometimes available on two services you pay for
This list is the most useful tool you have. It tells you what you must keep and what you can drop.
9 ways to cut the cost of TV
1. Drop the add-ons you do not use
Sport and film packs are the most expensive parts of most pay TV bills. If your week-long list shows the sport pack is used for one fixture a month, it is probably costing you more per match than you think. Remove it, and add it back for the months that matter if your provider allows short-term changes.
2. Haggle when your contract ends
The lowest prices from the big pay TV and broadband providers are usually for new customers. When your minimum term is ending, contact your provider, tell them what you have been offered elsewhere, and ask what they can do. Ofcom requires providers to send end-of-contract notifications that tell you when your deal ends and what you will pay afterwards, so watch for that message.
3. Know the rules on price rises
Since 17 January 2025, Ofcom rules mean that new phone, broadband and pay TV contracts must state any mid-contract price rises in pounds and pence at the start, rather than linking them to inflation. Check your contract for the rise you agreed to, and factor it into your yearly total. If a provider tries to raise your price in a way your contract does not allow, you may have the right to leave without penalty.
4. Rotate your streaming memberships
Most streaming apps run month to month. Instead of keeping four at once, keep one or two and switch when you finish a series. Many households find they watch one service heavily for a few weeks, then barely touch it for months.
5. Make the most of free TV
Freeview, Freely and the broadcasters' own apps (BBC iPlayer, ITVX, Channel 4 and 5's apps) give you a lot of TV for the cost of a TV Licence. If your week-long list is mostly free-to-air channels, you may not need a paid package at all. Our comparison of King of Stream and Freeview shows what each option includes.
6. Stop paying for boxes in every room
Multiroom charges and extra boxes add up. If you want TV in more than one room, check whether a cheaper streaming stick on each TV could do the same job. Our guide to multiroom IPTV explains how one subscription can cover several rooms.
7. Check for a broadband social tariff
If someone in your home receives Universal Credit or certain other benefits, you may qualify for a broadband social tariff: a cheaper broadband deal offered by many UK providers. Ofcom publishes a list of social tariffs (opens in a new tab) and who is eligible. Good broadband is what IPTV and streaming apps run on, so this can lower the base cost of all your TV.
8. Check whether you qualify for a free TV Licence
If you are 75 or over and you, or a partner living with you, receive Pension Credit (opens in a new tab), you can apply for a free TV Licence (opens in a new tab). It is not automatic, so you need to apply through TV Licensing. Blind and severely sight-impaired people can also get 50% off.
9. Switch to a cheaper way of getting the channels you watch
Once you know what you watch, compare the yearly cost of getting it a different way. For many households, an IPTV subscription covers live TV, films and box sets for less than a pay TV package. A King of Stream plan costs £59.99 for 12 months on one screen, paid once, with no contract and no add-on packs. See our side-by-side comparisons with Sky and Virgin Media, or every price on our plans page.
A worked example
Imagine a household paying for:
- a pay TV base package
- a sport pack
- a multiroom box
- two streaming memberships
After a week of noting what they watch, they find the sport pack is used most weekends, the multiroom box is rarely on, one streaming app has not been opened in a month, and most other viewing is free-to-air.
They could keep the sport and drop everything else, or move everything to a single subscription that covers sport, films and box sets on two screens. Either way, the saving comes from the same place: paying only for what is watched. Put real prices from your own bills into the same exercise and you will see your own figure.
Costs people forget when switching
Saving money is only real if the new setup does not bring hidden costs. Before you switch, check:
Early termination charges
Leaving a contract before the minimum term ends usually means a charge. Compare it with what you would save over the remaining months. Sometimes waiting a few months is cheaper.
Equipment you need to buy
A TV that cannot run apps may need a streaming stick. It is a one-off cost, but include it. Our device comparison covers the options.
Your broadband
Streaming services and IPTV need steady broadband. If your connection is slow, factor in an upgrade, or the cheaper TV will come with a frustrating picture. Our broadband speed guide helps you check.
Bundles that change price
If your TV and broadband come from the same company, dropping the TV can change the broadband price. Ask before you give notice. Our guide to switching from Sky or Virgin Media covers this in detail.
How to switch without paying twice
Overlap costs money, but going without TV for a week is not much fun either. The usual approach:
- Start the new service before you cancel the old one, so you can test it at your busiest viewing times.
- Note your current contract's notice period and end date.
- Give notice once you are happy, timed so the old service ends soon after.
King of Stream plans include a 7-day money-back guarantee from activation, so if a short test shows it does not suit your home, you can get your money back.
Watch out for false economies
Some ways of cutting TV costs end up costing more. Be wary of:
- "Fully loaded" boxes and very cheap IPTV deals. A service offering every premium channel for a few pounds is very unlikely to hold the rights to them, can disappear without warning, and puts your payment details at risk. Our guide on spotting an IPTV scam lists the warning signs.
- Lifetime deals. Long up-front payments to unknown sellers are a common scam pattern.
- Watching live TV without a TV Licence. The fine is far more than the licence.
Frequently asked questions
What is the cheapest way to watch TV legally in the UK?
Free-to-air TV through Freeview, Freely or the broadcasters' apps, with a TV Licence. If you want more channels, films and box sets, compare the yearly cost of a pay TV package with an IPTV subscription from a provider you can check.
Can I get out of my TV contract early?
Usually only by paying an early termination charge, unless your provider breaks the contract terms, for example with a price rise the contract does not allow. Check your contract and contact your provider.
Is it worth haggling with my TV provider?
Often, yes, especially at the end of a minimum term. Have a real alternative price ready so you know what a good offer looks like.
How much can I save by switching to IPTV?
It depends on what you pay now. Add up your yearly TV costs from your statements and compare them with the IPTV price for the screens you need. Our Why King of Stream page sets the main UK services side by side.
