Trusted Reviews is supported by its audience. If you purchase through links on our site, we may earn a commission. Learn more.

First Impressions

Virgin Media’s Stream is a pocket-sized all-in-one streaming box that supports live channels, subscription streaming services, free video apps and music apps. Here are our first impressions of it.

Introduction

I got the opportunity to see the Virgin Media Stream in action at the brand’s launch event in April. Here are my initial thoughts on the flexible TV service.

One of the biggest draws about the Stream box is the 10% discount Virgin Media offers on any streaming services you choose to pay for through the company. It’s an interesting idea that effectively saves you money the longer you subscribe to certain over-the-top (OTT) streaming services.

Price and availability

The Stream requires Virgin Media broadband to use it. If you aren’t already a Virgin Media customer then you’ll need to switch broadband providers to get it, which may mean paying more or less, depending on your current broadband package. There’s also the £35 activation fee, so it is worth doing the maths before you switch.

Design 

  • Small in size
  • Few connections
  • Comes with standard remote

The Stream is a square in shape with rounded edges and a grey mesh fabric top. In terms of size it is not much larger than the palm of my hand. The rim of the streaming box lights up blue to let you its on. 

Virgin Media Stream box

On the front of the box is a the power switch and around the back is an HDMI port to hook the device up to a TV. I’m a fan of the compact design and think it’d look great if you’re not looking for anything too large or bulky to take up space on your TV stand.

Virgin Media Stream remote

The Stream comes with a remote, with a little microphone symbol indicating that the Stream’s interface can be fully controlled with your voice. There’s a home button, playback controls, navigation pad and number pad for entering channels. Everything you’d expect, then. 

Interface 

  • Voice control support
  • Access to Virgin Media store

One of the key selling-points of the Virgin Media Stream is that it turns any recently built TV (more specifically, any from the last 7 years) into a voice-activated smart TV. This means you can access many of the channels, apps and streaming services you love in one place and navigate them with your voice. 

I was given a tour of the interface during the demo, which appeared well-organised and easy to navigate. 

Virgin Media Stream home page
The home page is the top of the Apps section

Along the top of the screen is a list of categories, including Apps, Live TV, Catch Up and Box Sets & Movies, as well as icons for search and settings. 

Virgin Media Stream Apps
Apps

The Apps section is headlined with Top Picks from a variety of streaming services. Scroll down and you’ll find all your subscribed streaming services, video apps and music apps.

There’s a section for On Demand content you may want to continue watching and a handful of picks from each of the streaming services and apps you have installed. 

Virgin Media Stream Live TV
Live TV
Virgin Media Stream Guide
Guide

The Live TV section, as you can probably guess, is where you go to watch live ‘linear’ TV broadcasts. There’s also a EPG (Electronic Programme Guide) you can access with a list of channels and schedule so you can see what’s on now and later. 

Virgin Media Stream Catch Up
Virgin Media Stream Box Sets and Movies

The Catch Up tab has sub-sections like Discover, Channels and Categories, while Box Sets & Movies is full of movies available to rent and content you can pick up on where you left off. 

Overall, the interface seems to be well laid out and easy to use, though I’d want to try searching for content myself to give my final verdict on this.

Apps and channels 

  • Supports UK catch-up apps
  • A few apps missing
  • Only a few apps qualify for Stream Credits discount

With Stream, you can watch channels from the BBC, ITV, Channel 4, Sky and more, and access apps like Netflix, Disney Plus, Prime Video, YouTube and BBC Sounds. There are also a large number of catch up services available, including BBC iPlayer, ITV Hub and BritBox, to name a few. 

I was disappointed but not overly surprised to see that Apple TV+ and NOW didn’t appear to be on board, though I wish Spotify would have been there for music fans. I was happy to see that Disney Plus was not only available, but also qualified for the “Stream Credits” discount, because like Apple and Now, the streaming service isn’t found on every smart TV.

Virgin Media Stream Apps 2
Apps

Virgin Media also offers discounts on a handful of these apps – as long as you’re willing to subscribe to them through your Virgin Media account.

There are some major benefits to this. You’ll only need to keep track of one bill every month and it can regularly save you money on qualifying apps. The apps exist on a 30-day rolling contract, meaning you can add and drop them with no more commitment than a regular subscription, and there’s no underlying cost for the Stream box itself beyond the initial activation fee.

The 10% discount, or “Stream Credits”, work by calculating 10% of the amount you paid on streaming subscriptions the previous month. You can then apply those credits to the following month’s rolling contract. 

This means that – as long as you don’t catch yourself paying more for broadband through Virgin Media – you should be able to save yourself a good chunk of money each month on any streaming sites you’d be paying for anyway. 

Apps included in the deal include Netflix, Disney Plus, Sky Sports and Cinema packages, BT Sport, Starzplay and more extensive packages listed in full on Virgin’s website.

First impressions

After experiencing a demo of the Virgin Media Stream, I think the device would be a great choice if you want to make your TV smarter with voice controls and a simple interface that encompasses many of your favourite TV channels, on-demand services and streaming apps. However, if you primarily use Apple TV Plus or NOW, you’ll probably want to look elsewhere.

It’s also an interesting prospect for those juggling a handful of streaming subscriptions who want to collate them into a single flexible bill and save some cash while they’re at it. This makes Stream ideal for those already paying out for Netflix, Disney Plus, BT Sport or Sky Sports and Cinema packages.

Just make sure you’re not getting a worse deal by switching to Virgin Media broadband or the 10% discount might not be worth it for you.

Trusted Score

Sign up for the Trusted Reviews Newsletter

Virgin Media Stream specs

UK RRP
Manufacturer
Operating System
Release Date
Ports
Connectivity
Colours
Remote Control
Smart assistants
A 'hands on review' is our first impression of a product only - it is not a full test and verdict. Our writer must have spent some time with the product to describe an early sense of what it's like to use. We call these 'hands on reviews' to make them visible in search. However these are always unscored and don't give recommendations. Read more about our reviews policy.

Jargon buster

HDMI

HDMI stands for High Definition Multimedia Interface and is to transmit video/audio signals from a source to a receiver.

Why trust our journalism?

Founded in 2003, Trusted Reviews exists to give our readers thorough, unbiased and independent advice on what to buy.

Today, we have millions of users a month from around the world, and assess more than 1,000 products a year.

author icon

Editorial independence

Editorial independence means being able to give an unbiased verdict about a product or company, with the avoidance of conflicts of interest. To ensure this is possible, every member of the editorial staff follows a clear code of conduct.

author icon

Professional conduct

We also expect our journalists to follow clear ethical standards in their work. Our staff members must strive for honesty and accuracy in everything they do. We follow the IPSO Editors’ code of practice to underpin these standards.

Trusted Reviews Logo

Sign up and get the best deals straight to your phone

Skip the hunt - get the latest discounts delivered directly to WhatsApp by signing up to the Trusted deals Whatsapp Channel.

Get Access