Here’s the short answer: EE TV gives you the full Freeview line-up (over 80 TV channels and around 30 radio stations) at no extra cost, plus optional paid add-on packs for sports, entertainment, kids, and cinema content. Streaming apps like Netflix and Amazon Prime Video are built right into the interface too. Everything below is designed to help you figure out whether EE TV actually fits your viewing habits before you commit. For more help choosing a package, check out our broadband guides.
What Is EE TV and How Does It Work?
EE TV launched in December 2023 as the replacement for BT TV. It’s offered exclusively to EE broadband customers and runs on the EE TV Box Pro, which uses the YouView platform (the same one BT TV used). Got an Apple TV already? You can use that instead of the Box Pro. The key thing to understand is that EE TV isn’t a standalone product. You need an active EE broadband subscription to access it.
Aerial Mode vs Internet Mode
The EE TV Box Pro operates in two modes, and this trips people up more than it should. Aerial mode pulls in Freeview channels through a rooftop aerial. It’s recommended for homes with broadband speeds below approximately 22 Mbps. Internet mode streams everything over your EE broadband connection: Freeview channels, on-demand content, and premium paid channels.
You get the full Freeview line-up in both modes. Internet mode simply unlocks on-demand apps and premium channels on top. Aerial mode does require a working digital TV aerial, and not every home has one. According to EE’s official channel guide (last updated 31 January 2026), aerial mode is the recommended option for slower connections.
Wondering if your current broadband speed is fast enough for EE TV’s internet mode? Read our guide to broadband speed for streaming.
Do I Need EE Broadband to Get EE TV?
Yes. No way around it. EE TV is only available bundled with an EE broadband package, the same model Sky, BT, and Virgin Media use for their TV services. If you’re not already on EE, you’d need to switch. Not sure if EE broadband is available at your address? Check what’s available at your address using our postcode checker, or you can learn how to switch broadband provider. You can also compare EE TV deals to see what’s currently on offer.
Free Freeview Channels on EE TV
EE TV’s base channel offering is the full UK Freeview line-up: over 80 TV channels and approximately 30 radio stations, according to Freeview’s platform data. These are included at no extra cost beyond your EE broadband subscription. As a regulated UK TV platform, EE is required by Ofcom to carry all public service broadcasting channels.
BBC Channels
You get BBC One, BBC Two, BBC Three, BBC Four, BBC News Channel, BBC Parliament, CBBC, and CBeebies, along with HD variants where available. Scottish viewers also receive BBC Scotland, and BBC Two carries local versions in Wales and Northern Ireland. BBC iPlayer is built into the EE TV interface for on-demand access.
ITV, Channel 4, and Channel 5
The full set: ITV1 (with local regional versions), ITV2, ITV3, ITV4, ITVBe, Channel 4, E4, More4, Film4, Channel 5, 5Star, 5USA, plus their +1 variants. HD versions of ITV and Channel 4 are available via internet mode. Regional variants apply: STV for Scotland, UTV for Northern Ireland. Catch-up apps ITVX, All 4, and My5 are all built in.
Other Notable Freeview Channels
Beyond the big five broadcasters, you’ve got Dave, Quest, Really, Drama, Sky News, Pick, Yesterday, alibi, and Gold. Sky News being free catches people off guard (no Sky subscription needed). For kids, free channels include CBBC, CBeebies, and CITV.
Regional and Local Channels
This is something most competitor guides barely touch. In Wales, S4C replaces Channel 4 (Channel 4 is available separately via internet mode), and BBC Two carries a Welsh variant. In Scotland, you get BBC ALBA (Scottish Gaelic), STV instead of ITV1, and BBC Scotland. In Northern Ireland, UTV replaces ITV1 and BBC Two has a regional variant. Local TV channels like London Live and Notts TV are available on appropriate regional feeds, just as they are on standard Freeview.
EE TV Entertainment Channels — What’s in the Paid Packs?
Beyond the Freeview base, EE TV offers optional paid channel packs built primarily around Sky/Now content. These are extras on top of your EE broadband subscription. Pack contents and pricing can change, so always verify on EE’s TV Packages page before ordering.
EE TV Entertainment Pack
This is EE TV’s flagship paid add-on, delivering Sky’s entertainment channels via the Now platform. You get Sky Atlantic, Sky Max (formerly Sky One), Sky Witness, Sky Comedy, Sky Crime, Sky Documentaries, Sky History, Sky Nature, and Sky Arts. Indicative pricing sits at approximately £19.99/month, though this is subject to change. A common point of confusion: Netflix is not included in the Entertainment pack. You’ll need a separate Netflix subscription, though the app is built into the EE TV interface for easy access.
Movies and Cinema
The Sky Cinema add-on gives you Sky Cinema Premiere, Action, Comedy, Drama, Sci-Fi & Horror, Family, Select, Greats, Thriller, and Animation. It mirrors the Now Cinema membership and includes new-release films alongside the full library. If you’d rather not pay, Film4 is available free on the Freeview base.
Sports Channels on EE TV
Sports is a big draw here, especially for ex-BT TV customers. The important rebrand to know about: BT Sport became TNT Sports in July 2023, and those are now the sports channels available through EE TV’s Sports add-on.
TNT Sports — What’s Included?
You get four channels: TNT Sports 1, 2, 3, and 4. Content covers UEFA Champions League and Europa League football, Premier League matches (shared rights), Premiership Rugby, WWE, UFC, and other major events. TNT Sports 4K may also be available for select live events via internet mode. The Sports pack is approximately £14.99/month under promotional pricing, but verify on EE’s website as prices change.
Eurosport and Additional Sports Content
Eurosport 1 and 2 are available via Now Sports or Discovery+ add-ons, covering cycling, tennis, winter sports, and the Olympics. Now here’s the thing that catches people out: Sky Sports channels are not included in EE TV’s standard sports pack. Not at all. EE TV uses TNT Sports/Now for its sports offer, not Sky Sports. If you’re switching from Sky and rely on Sky Sports Main Event, Sky Sports Premier League, and so on, they won’t be available here unless accessed via a separate Now Sports membership.
Kids and Family Channels on EE TV
For families weighing up EE TV, there’s a decent spread of children’s content across both free and paid tiers.
Free Kids Channels
Included with Freeview: CBBC, CBeebies, CITV, Tiny Pop, and Pop. BBC iPlayer and ITVX both offer extensive free children’s on-demand content through the EE TV interface too.
Kids Add-On Pack
The Kids add-on (via Now Kids membership) brings in Nickelodeon, Nick Jr., Nicktoons, Sky Kids, and additional children’s content. One gap to be aware of: Disney+ is not part of EE TV’s built-in app suite. Families wanting Disney content will need a separate device or should check whether their EE broadband bundle includes a Disney+ discount. Pack contents can change, so check EE’s Packages page for what’s current.
News, Documentaries, and Lifestyle Channels
News Channels
Free via Freeview: BBC News (24-hour), Sky News, and BBC Parliament. Sky News being free is a common source of confusion given that other Sky content requires a paid pack. For international news, channels like Al Jazeera English may be available via internet mode (check EE’s channel guide).
Documentary and Factual Channels
Through the Entertainment add-on, you get Sky Documentaries, Sky Nature, Sky History, and Sky Crime. Free factual content is also available via Freeview channels like Quest, Yesterday, and Really.
Lifestyle and Entertainment
Sky Arts is available free on Freeview (it went free-to-air in 2020). The Entertainment pack may include channels like Food Network and HGTV. Exact lifestyle channel inclusions should be verified against EE’s current channel guide.
Music and Radio on EE TV
Radio Stations Available
Like standard Freeview, EE TV carries a range of digital radio stations through the TV interface. Handy if you use your TV as a radio hub. You get BBC Radio 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 Live, 6 Music, Radio 4 Extra, talkSPORT, Classic FM, Absolute Radio, Magic Radio, Heart, Smooth, Capital, and other Freeview-carried stations. Music video channels may also appear on the EPG.
HD, 4K, and On-Demand on EE TV
HD and 4K Channels
HD versions of key channels are available via internet mode: BBC One HD, BBC Two HD, ITV HD, Channel 4 HD, Channel 5 HD, plus premium channels like TNT Sports HD and Sky Atlantic HD. 4K content is available for select live events (particularly TNT Sports) and some on-demand content, provided you’ve got a 4K TV and sufficient broadband speed. Aerial mode doesn’t support 4K.
On-Demand and Catch-Up Apps
EE TV includes built-in access to BBC iPlayer, ITVX, All 4, and My5. Netflix and Amazon Prime Video apps are available too, but both require separate paid subscriptions. As of 2024, approximately 70% of UK broadband households subscribed to at least one streaming service, according to Ofcom’s Communications Market Report, so having these apps built in genuinely matters. The YouView platform also offers a rolling 7-day catch-up function in the EPG, letting you scroll back and watch recently aired PSB programmes without opening a separate app.
EE TV Package Summary — What Do You Actually Pay?
| Package | What’s Included | Approx. Monthly Cost (on top of broadband) |
|---|---|---|
| EE Broadband (base) | Full Freeview line-up, BBC iPlayer, ITVX, All 4, My5, Netflix app (subscription required), Prime app (subscription required) | Included with EE broadband deal |
| Entertainment Add-On | Sky Atlantic, Sky Max, Sky Witness, Sky Comedy, Sky Crime, Sky History, Sky Documentaries, Sky Nature, Sky Arts + more | ~£19.99/month\* |
| Sports Add-On | TNT Sports 1–4, Eurosport 1 & 2 (via Now) | ~£14.99/month\* |
| Cinema Add-On | Full Sky Cinema suite (10+ movie channels) | Check EE TV Packages page\* |
| Kids Add-On | Nickelodeon, Nick Jr., Nicktoons, Sky Kids | Check EE TV Packages page\* |
\*Prices shown are indicative and subject to change. Always check EE’s official TV Packages page for current pricing and pack contents before ordering.
EE often runs promotional pricing for new customers, so the figures above may not match what you actually see. Ready to compare? Compare EE TV deals on Switchity to see what’s currently available.
“EE TV is one of the more flexible TV options for UK broadband customers. You get the full Freeview line-up as standard, and you only pay for the premium channels you actually want. That said, make sure you know what’s included and what costs extra before you sign up, particularly if you’re a sports fan or switching from Sky. At Switchity, we always recommend comparing the total package cost, broadband plus any TV add-ons, before committing to a new deal.”
Claudia Constantin— The Switchity Team
How Does EE TV Compare to Sky and Virgin Media?
If you’re weighing up your options, here’s how EE TV stacks up against the two biggest competitors. You can also compare broadband providers on Switchity for a broader view.
On channel count, all three platforms start from a similar Freeview base of 80+ channels. Sky Glass and Sky Q layer their own content on top as standard, while Virgin Media tends to bundle in a larger total channel count, including Sky Sports as a more accessible add-on.
Sports is where the differences really bite. EE TV centres on TNT Sports (4 channels). Sky includes Sky Sports in many bundles (7+ dedicated sports channels). Virgin Media offers both Sky Sports and TNT Sports as add-ons. If sport is your priority, Sky or Virgin Media gives you a more complete package, and it’s not particularly close.
On price, EE TV’s add-on approach means casual viewers pay only for the Freeview base. That can be genuinely cost-effective if you mainly watch free-to-air content. Sky and Virgin bundle premium content into core packages, which can work out better value for heavy TV consumers.
For streaming integration, EE TV, Sky Glass, and Virgin all offer Netflix and Amazon Prime app integration. EE TV’s YouView platform is functional but feels a step behind Sky Glass’s more modern interface. For users considering Sky specifically, explore Sky broadband and TV options on Switchity.
Compare EE TV Deals on Switchity
Ready to add EE TV to your broadband package? Use Switchity to compare EE TV deals available at your address and see how they stack up against Sky, Virgin Media, and other providers. It takes a couple of minutes, and you might be surprised what’s available.