Last checked: 14 August 2026
EE TV is much better than the old “BT TV” image suggests
EE TV sits somewhere between traditional pay TV and the newer generation of streaming platforms.
It can give you a conventional TV guide, premium channels, streaming memberships and — with the EE TV Box Pro — a proper 1TB recording drive. But it can also run without a rooftop aerial and lets eligible customers change their TV package during the contract.
That combination makes EE TV genuinely interesting, particularly for households that are not ready to abandon recording and live television for a pure streaming product.
EE is currently advertising EE TV with Full Fibre 100 from £27.99 a month for the first three months, then £48.99, on a 24-month contract with a £30 activation fee. EE also lists scheduled annual price changes, so check the full contract summary before ordering.
EE TV pros and cons
What EE TV gets right
- Excellent Box Pro with proper local recording
- 1TB recording capacity
- Can work without a rooftop aerial
- Traditional programme guide alongside streaming apps
- NOW, Netflix, HBO Max and major sports options
- Flexible TV package changes
- Choice of three different TV devices
- 4K HDR and Dolby Atmos support on EE's current boxes
- Additional-room Box Edge option
- Good middle ground between streaming and traditional pay TV
Where EE TV falls short
- EE TV is closely tied to EE Broadband
- Internet mode does not provide every Freeview channel
- Box Edge cannot record live TV
- Apple TV 4K is less suited to traditional recording users
- Some streaming memberships use ad-supported tiers
- Package names are initially confusing
- Switching TV modes can be more involved than expected
- The best-value package depends heavily on what you actually watch
Our assessment of EE TV
Rather than inventing a decimal score for a service whose value varies dramatically by household, we think it is more useful to show where EE TV is genuinely strong and where it is merely adequate.
Box Pro is one of EE TV's biggest strengths because it combines internet TV with a genuine recording drive.
A proper TV guide, pause and rewind functions and optional aerial support make EE feel more like conventional television than many streaming products.
NOW, Netflix, HBO Max, TNT Sports and major third-party apps give EE a broad streaming proposition.
The Box Pro's 1TB drive gives EE an advantage for households that still want to keep programmes locally.
Being able to move between eligible TV packages during the contract is genuinely useful rather than a cosmetic feature.
EE TV is powered by EE Broadband. That integrated approach has benefits, but it means your TV and broadband decisions become closely linked.
How does EE TV work?
EE TV combines a broadband connection, a TV device and a package of channels or streaming memberships.
EE currently offers three hardware choices: the EE TV Box Pro, EE TV Box Edge and Apple TV 4K.
Depending on the package you choose, the service can combine free-to-air channels with NOW Entertainment & HBO Max, Netflix, NOW Cinema, TNT Sports and Sky Sports through NOW.
The important part is that EE TV is not merely a collection of streaming-app subscriptions.
With EE's own boxes you still get a recognisable television experience: a programme guide, live channels, search, pause and rewind, with the Box Pro adding proper recording.
This is why EE TV occupies an interesting position in the market. It is more flexible and internet-focused than an old-style satellite or cable service but retains much of the functionality people lose when moving completely to streaming.
EE TV Box Pro vs Box Edge vs Apple TV 4K
EE TV Box Pro
This is the device we think gives EE TV its strongest identity.
- 1TB hard drive
- Up to 600 hours of recording capacity
- Up to four simultaneous recordings in aerial mode
- Up to two simultaneous recordings in internet mode
- 4K HDR
- Dolby Atmos
- Pause and rewind live TV for up to two hours
- Internet or aerial TV modes
- 15-day programme guide
- Remote recording through the EE TV app
Best for: people replacing Sky Q, Virgin TV or another traditional recording service.
EE TV Box Edge
Box Edge is smaller and removes the Pro's hard drive and aerial connection.
- No live-TV recording
- Internet connection required for TV channels
- 4K HDR
- Dolby Atmos
- Pause and rewind live TV for up to two hours
- Seven-day scroll-back catch-up
- Universal search
- Bluetooth remote
Best for: people who mainly stream and use catch-up rather than building a library of recordings.
Apple TV 4K
EE also provides an integrated EE TV experience through Apple TV 4K.
- 4K Dolby Vision
- HDR10+
- Dolby Atmos
- Spatial Audio
- Apple TV apps and services
- EE TV live channels
- EE Smart Search
- Wi-Fi or Ethernet connectivity
Best for: households heavily invested in Apple's ecosystem and streaming apps rather than conventional recordings.
EE TV recording is a bigger deal than it sounds
Streaming services have made recording less important, but they have not made it redundant.
Programmes can disappear from catch-up libraries. Sports events can have different replay rights. Some content may only remain available for a limited period. Local recording gives the viewer more control.
The EE TV Box Pro has a 1TB drive which EE says can hold up to around 600 hours of television.
With a rooftop aerial connected, it can record up to four channels simultaneously. In internet mode, it can record up to two.
You can also schedule recordings remotely through the EE TV app, which makes the recording system substantially more useful than simply having a hard drive inside the box.
This is exactly why we prefer the Box Pro for people who care about recording: you retain the option of using a conventional aerial rather than being entirely dependent on streaming rights.
Internet mode vs aerial mode
The Box Pro can operate in two fundamentally different ways, and this is something buyers should understand before ordering.
Internet Mode
Live television is delivered through your broadband connection.
- No rooftop aerial required
- Available on Box Pro and Box Edge
- Up to two recordings at once on Box Pro
- Popular free-to-air channels included
- Picture quality depends on broadband performance
Aerial Mode
The Box Pro uses a conventional TV aerial for the free-to-air channels.
- Box Pro only
- Up to four recordings at once
- Access to the full Freeview selection available at your address
- Picture quality depends on aerial signal
- EE recommends this route for broadband speeds below 22Mbps
Is internet mode as good as using an aerial?
Not in every respect.
The convenience is excellent: you can put the TV box somewhere without having an aerial socket nearby and receive major free-to-air channels through broadband.
But EE itself says that Internet Mode does not carry the complete Freeview line-up. Some +1 channels, radio/music channels and other services can be absent, although programmes may still be accessible through their respective apps.
There is another unusual limitation: EE currently says viewers using Internet Mode cannot fast-forward through adverts in live or recorded ITV programmes, reflecting the ITVX-style delivery method.
That does not make Internet Mode bad, but it means “no aerial required” should not be interpreted as “identical to having an aerial”.
What EE TV packages are available?
EE currently has five principal flexible TV packages:
| Package | Main content | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Entertainment | NOW Entertainment & HBO Max, Netflix and general entertainment | Most non-sports households |
| Big Entertainment | Entertainment content plus NOW Cinema | Film fans |
| Sport | TNT Sports | Viewers primarily interested in TNT's rights |
| Big Sport | TNT Sports plus NOW Sports and all 12 Sky Sports channels | Serious sports viewers |
| Full Works | Entertainment, Cinema, TNT Sports and Sky Sports | Households that genuinely watch everything |
We have a separate EE TV Packages 2026 guide comparing the five options in much greater depth.
The important point for this review is that EE has built packages around different viewer types instead of simply offering increasingly large channel bundles.
Streaming apps and content
EE TV now blends conventional channels with major streaming services.
Depending on your package and any Extras you add, the service can include or provide access to Netflix, NOW, HBO Max, TNT Sports and Apple TV alongside apps such as Prime Video, YouTube and Disney+.
NOW and Sky channels
NOW is particularly important because this is how EE distributes much of the premium Sky content.
NOW Entertainment provides Sky entertainment channels, including Sky Atlantic, while NOW Sports provides the Sky Sports line-up on eligible packages.
HBO Max
HBO Max launched in the UK in March 2026 and EE's entertainment proposition has subsequently become NOW Entertainment & HBO Max.
EE currently includes HBO Max Basic with Ads through eligible Entertainment, Big Entertainment and Full Works propositions.
Netflix
Netflix is included on selected packages, although the exact membership tier matters.
Entertainment and Big Entertainment currently use Netflix Standard with Ads, while EE's current package information provides a higher Netflix tier with Full Works.
How flexible is EE TV really?
This is one of the strongest parts of the proposition.
EE lets eligible customers move to another TV package during their contract rather than forcing them to keep the original content bundle for the full term.
At the time of this review, EE says upgrades can be made during the contract except within the final three months, while downgrades can normally be made once every 30 days except in the first month and final three months.
Changes typically take up to 24 hours.
TV Extras are even more flexible because EE says they can be added or removed without the same long-term commitment.
Why this matters
Imagine that you mainly watch entertainment for most of the year but want Sky Sports and TNT Sports during a particular part of the football season.
With a rigid bundle you may end up paying for those sports channels throughout the entire contract.
EE's structure gives you more scope to align the package with what you are actually watching.
That is a meaningful advantage, provided you remember the timing restrictions and check whether a particular change has any effect on your linked contract.
What is EE TV like in multiple rooms?
EE supports additional-room viewing by supplying extra Box Edge devices.
EE currently advertises an additional Box Edge for £10 a month and says one or two extra boxes can be added, depending on the order and account.
The important distinction is that additional boxes are Edge units, not additional Box Pros.
So a sensible household setup might be:
- Box Pro in the main living room for recordings
- Box Edge in the main bedroom
- A second Edge in another eligible room
Because the Edge does not need an aerial, installation in another room can be relatively straightforward as long as the broadband connection is good enough.
The biggest downside: EE TV is tied to EE Broadband
This is the most important limitation to understand before choosing EE TV.
EE describes the TV service as being powered by EE Broadband, and its setup information says you need an EE TV box and an EE Broadband Hub with working broadband.
That integration has advantages. The company controls both parts of the connection, the service can deliver live channels over broadband and you have one provider responsible for the TV and internet bundle.
But it also makes the buying decision larger.
You are not simply asking:
“Do I like this TV box?”
You are effectively asking:
“Do I want my broadband and television relationship centred around EE?”
That matters if another broadband provider offers a significantly better price, speed or service at your address.
Is EE TV good for people without an aerial?
Yes — and this is one of its strongest practical uses.
Both Box Pro and Box Edge can receive supported free-to-air channels through the broadband connection.
That means someone moving into a house with no usable rooftop aerial does not necessarily need to arrange an aerial installation before using the service.
It also gives people much more freedom over where the box is positioned.
The trade-off, as discussed earlier, is that Internet Mode does not replicate every channel and behaviour of conventional Freeview.
EE TV vs Sky: which approach is better?
EE TV and Sky increasingly compete for the same type of customer, but they approach television differently.
| Feature | EE TV | Sky Stream |
|---|---|---|
| Broadband provider | Built around EE Broadband | Can use compatible broadband from other providers |
| Traditional recording | Yes with Box Pro | No conventional local hard-drive recording |
| Aerial required | No, although Box Pro can use one | No |
| Streaming-first experience | Yes, but with traditional TV features retained | Yes |
| Sky channels | Delivered largely through NOW memberships | Native Sky platform |
| Package flexibility | Packages can be flexed under current rules | Depends on the Sky contract and package |
| Best fit | Streaming + recording hybrid | Simple Sky-centric streaming |
For somebody who wants Sky content but does not care about local recording, Sky Stream is extremely compelling because the TV service does not require you to move your broadband to EE.
But Box Pro gives EE a major counterargument.
If you still want to press record, build a library of programmes and use a conventional aerial when useful, EE offers something Sky Stream deliberately moved away from.
This is why we do not think EE TV is simply a cheaper Sky alternative. It is a slightly different type of product.
Our dedicated EE TV vs Sky Stream comparison is coming later in this sprint.
What about Sky Q?
For households replacing Sky Q rather than Sky Stream, the comparison becomes more interesting.
Sky Q remains based around the traditional idea of a central recording box and satellite television.
The EE TV Box Pro offers much of the functionality that traditional-TV customers care about — recording, programme guide, live channels and additional-room options — while also being able to deliver television over broadband.
That makes Box Pro potentially less disruptive for somebody who likes the way Sky Q works but wants to move away from satellite.
Who should buy EE TV?
You already want EE Broadband
If EE is already competitive for broadband at your address, adding the TV proposition becomes much easier to justify.
Good fitYou still record programmes
The Box Pro is one of the clearest reasons to choose EE over a purely streaming-led TV system.
Very good fitYou don't have a rooftop aerial
EE's internet-delivered live channels mean an aerial is not essential for the main experience.
Good fitYour viewing changes during the year
The ability to flex eligible packages can make sense for seasonal sports and entertainment viewing.
Good fitYou want to keep another broadband provider
EE TV's dependence on EE Broadband makes it much less attractive when you have no reason to move your internet service.
Probably skipYou only use Netflix and free streaming apps
A full pay-TV service is difficult to justify if you rarely watch premium live channels, sport or Sky content.
Probably skipIs EE TV expensive?
There is no useful single answer because EE TV is normally sold alongside broadband and the total depends on the broadband speed, package, device, Extras, introductory offer and whether you are an existing EE customer.
That is also why we would be cautious about comparing EE TV using only the headline introductory price.
Look at the total contractual cost.
For example, EE's current advertising for TV with Full Fibre 100 shows a discounted opening period followed by a higher normal monthly price and scheduled increases later in the contract.
The right comparison therefore is:
EE broadband + EE TV + any Extras over the full minimum term
versus:
your preferred standalone broadband + the TV/streaming services you would otherwise buy.
That produces a much more meaningful answer than comparing two headline monthly prices.
See the EE TV bundles available at your address
Broadband speed and current promotional pricing depend on your address, so check EE's postcode-specific offers before deciding.
Check EE TV availabilityEE TV review verdict: is it worth it?
Yes — for the right broadband customer, EE TV is one of the more interesting TV services in the UK
EE TV's biggest strength is that it does not force you completely into either the old or new way of watching television.
You can stream Netflix, NOW, HBO Max and sport. You can watch live television over broadband without installing an aerial. You can change eligible content packages when your viewing habits change.
But choose the Box Pro and you can still record programmes onto a 1TB drive, use a conventional aerial and browse a familiar programme guide.
That is a compelling combination.
We would particularly consider EE TV for somebody leaving Sky Q who likes recording but wants a more internet-focused system.
The Box Edge is good hardware too, but once you remove recording the comparison against Sky Stream, Apple TV, Fire TV and other streaming platforms becomes considerably more competitive.
The main reason not to choose EE TV is not actually the television service itself.
It is the broadband requirement.
EE TV makes the most sense when you would be happy choosing EE for broadband anyway. If another provider is clearly better for your internet connection, we would not move broadband solely to gain access to EE TV without comparing the full bundle cost carefully.
For the right household, though, EE has built a very credible modern replacement for traditional pay TV without throwing away the features that made traditional television useful in the first place.
EE TV review FAQs
Is EE TV any good?
Yes. EE TV is particularly strong for households that want a mixture of streaming and traditional television features. The Box Pro's recording capability, internet TV mode and flexible packages are its main advantages.
Is EE TV worth it?
EE TV can be worth it when you are already happy to use EE Broadband and regularly use the premium channels or streaming memberships included with your package. It is less compelling if you only watch free streaming apps or want to keep another broadband provider.
Do you need EE Broadband for EE TV?
EE's current TV service is powered by EE Broadband. EE's setup guidance says the service requires an EE TV box and an EE Broadband Hub with working broadband.
Does EE TV need an aerial?
No. Both Box Pro and Box Edge can receive supported free-to-air channels over an EE Broadband connection. Box Pro can also use a rooftop aerial.
Can you record on EE TV?
Yes, provided you choose the EE TV Box Pro. It has a 1TB hard drive and can record up to four channels simultaneously in aerial mode or two in internet mode.
How much can EE TV Box Pro record?
EE states that the Box Pro can store up to around 600 hours of television on its 1TB drive. Actual recording capacity varies with the content being stored.
Can EE TV Box Edge record?
No. Box Edge cannot record live television. It does support pause and rewind for live TV for up to two hours, plus catch-up features.
What is the best EE TV box?
We think Box Pro is the strongest all-round option because it combines streaming, live television and a 1TB recording drive. Box Edge is better suited to viewers who rely mainly on streaming and catch-up, while Apple TV 4K suits households already invested in Apple's ecosystem.
Does EE TV have Netflix?
Netflix is included with selected EE TV packages and can also be available through Extras. Check the specific Netflix membership tier because some packages include an ad-supported plan.
Does EE TV have HBO Max?
Yes. Following HBO Max's UK launch in March 2026, eligible EE TV customers can receive HBO Max Basic with Ads through the NOW Entertainment & HBO Max membership.
Does EE TV include Sky Sports?
Big Sport and Full Works currently include NOW Sports, which provides access to all 12 Sky Sports channels. NOW Sports can also be added to other eligible packages as an Extra.
Does EE TV include TNT Sports?
Sport, Big Sport and Full Works currently include TNT Sports. It can also be added to eligible entertainment packages as an Extra.
Can you change EE TV packages?
Yes. EE currently allows eligible customers to upgrade or downgrade flexible TV packages during their contract, subject to timing restrictions. Downgrades are normally available once every 30 days but not during the first month or final three months.
Can I have EE TV in another room?
Yes. EE currently offers additional Box Edge devices for multiroom viewing. EE currently advertises an extra Box Edge at £10 a month.
Is EE TV better than Sky Stream?
Neither is universally better. EE TV Box Pro is much stronger for viewers who want conventional recording, while Sky Stream has the advantage of not requiring EE Broadband and provides a more directly Sky-centred experience.
Is EE TV good for replacing Sky Q?
It can be. EE TV Box Pro retains many features a Sky Q user may value, including recording, live channels, a programme guide and multiroom options, while allowing television to be delivered over broadband.
How Switchking reviewed EE TV
This review is research-based rather than a claim that we have conducted a long-term laboratory test of every EE TV device.
We assessed EE TV using current EE product documentation and compared the parts of the service that most affect a buying decision, including:
- EE TV Box Pro
- EE TV Box Edge
- Apple TV 4K
- Recording and storage
- Internet and aerial TV modes
- Programme guide and catch-up
- Streaming-app integration
- NOW Entertainment & HBO Max
- Netflix
- NOW Sports
- TNT Sports
- EE's flexible TV packages
- TV Extras
- Multiroom options
- EE Broadband requirements
- Current promotional and contractual pricing
- How the proposition differs from Sky Stream and traditional recording TV
TV packages, streaming memberships, sports rights, hardware and promotional pricing can change. Check the final package summary and contractual price before ordering.
