Virgin Media launch new Flex TV service

Virgin Media Stream TV is now known as Flex, and comes with a new £5 monthly charge, despite Stream previously being free to use.

While existing customers will see the name change, a Virgin spokesperson has confirmed they won't be affected in any way, including by the new fee.

Virgin Media have also withdrawn the Big Bundle for new customers, replacing it with the M125 Fibre Broadband + Flex bundle instead.

Credit: Virginmedia.com

What's changed?

Virgin Media have announced on their community forum that Stream is being renamed Flex for both new and existing customers.

They've told existing subscribers that there, "is nothing to worry about" and that, "this won't affect your service in any way". We've also further confirmed with Virgin Media directly that existing Stream subscribers won't be subject to the new £5 monthly fee.

However, for new customers taking Flex TV, they'll now have to pay a £5 monthly fee to use the Stream box service.

Other terms and conditions of the TV add-on seem to be the same, with a 30-day cancellation period on both the main Flex service, and any additional channel packs taken.

Activation is now priced at just £10 for new customers, reduced from the previous upfront fee of £35. Social broadband customers can also still take Flex with Essential broadband plus, with a £10 activation fee, although there is no longer any discount on the service.

The Stream box itself, will also remain with the same name of the 'Stream box'.

Other changes to Virgin Media's broadband and TV line-up includes the removal of their budget Big Bundle, which has now been replaced by a packaged called 'M125 Fibre Broadband + Flex', providing customers with a Stream box instead of a TV 360 box, which is now reserved for the more expensive Bigger Combo Bundle and above plans.

More TV content

Virgin Media have been busy adding additional free content to their Stream platform over the past year, and now advertise Flex TV with over 150 channels, including Freeview.

Some of the channels now included on Flex at no extra cost include Sky Mix HD, PBS America HD, CNN HD, Pluto TV and a range of themed Free Ad-Supported TV channels like History Hunters, CSI: New York, Fear Factor, Great British Menu and Homes Under the Hammer.

Stream boxes have also benefited from additional content via new support for on-demand apps, including most recently, Rakuten which offers free access to over 8,000 titles on-demand plus 150 live streaming channels.

Virgin Stream boxes also now support Disney+, Paramount+, Apple TV+, and Sky Sports Ultra HD, helping them to better rival Sky TV.

So, it's not entirely surprising Virgin Media are now looking to charge for this service, as it stands to compete well against a similar service from TalkTalk TV, which also costs £5 per month.

It's also the case that, in new full fibre network areas, Virgin Media's coaxial cable TV 360 service is not available, with full fibre customers only able to sign up to a TV service provided by the Stream box in any case.

While it makes sense for Virgin Media to replace their budget Big Bundle with their budget Stream TV service, like Sky's move to focus on Sky Stream, this could also signal a first step towards moving their focus to a stream-based TV platform more entirely.