The digital revolution has changed the way we watch TV. Pay-as-you-view TV packages allow consumers to have access to a vast array of channels and on-demand services.
The four most dominant packages are provided by the same companies that dominate UK broadband - see our ethical shopping guide for broadband:
- Virgin
- Sky
- TalkTalk
- BT
All four services offer various bundles.
You can only get BT TV or TalkTalk TV if you get their broadband too. Virgin Media TV is available in the 70% of the UK which is covered by its cable network, while Sky TV uses satellites.
However, with the growing popularity of simple streaming from the likes of Netflix, and new offers such as Apple TV+ and Disney+, its unclear how much longer these packaged services can last. Streaming services are provided directly over the Internet with no need for additional equipment, while subscription TV requires you to have a branded set-top box, or satellite (for Sky) which can receive and translate the providers’ encrypted signals. According to Ofcom, streaming subscriptions exceeded pay-TV subscriptions in the first quarter of 2019.
Table highlights
Tax avoidance
Disappointingly all but one company (TalkTalk) score a worst rating for the likely use of tax avoidance strategies.
Environmental reporting
None of the companies score a best rating for their environmental reporting.
Virgin Media and BT score a middle rating while TalkTalk and Sky receive a worst rating.
Supply chain
No companies score a best on supply chain management. BT gets a middle rating. The rest score a worst rating.
Conflict minerals
Companies were also rated on their policies regarding minerals used in their equipment. BT scored a middle rating.
TalkTalk, Virgin Media and Sky all scored a worst rating.
