Virgin Media O2 (VM02) has been testing its new TV streaming product for a while now, with a long winded beta testing process. The new product called ‘Stream’ is a small set top box, which looks a similar size to the 3rd generation Apple TV. The box will be able to stream TV channels, on demand services and movies. It’ll be available on a on a 30-day rolling contract.
Stream is now available for customers to order, and can be purchased by ew and existing customers. They’ll be a one off activation fee of £35 and no ongoing monthly cost after that, only the streaming services you pick and choose. Customers will also be able to save 10% on those subscriptions if they add it to their Virgin Media bill.
The Stream Box has 1 HDMI port on the back and a Micro-USB port which is used to power the device as well as for a wired network, shame it isn’t USB-C here and that the box doesn’t have an ethernet port. It also supports dual-band 802.11ac WIFi, no 802.11ax here. VMO2 also say that the case of the box is made with up to 85% post-consumer recycled plastics.
Stream Box includes a lot of the major UK TV channels, such as BBC One HD, ITV 1 HD, CBBC HD, Dave and more. The popular apps are supported too, such as Netflix, YouTube, BBC iPlayer and more. Sports fans are catered for too, with Sky Sports and BT Sports supported.
One major omission is the Apple TV app, which gives users access to purchases iTunes movies and TV shows as well as Apple TV+ content. However, this could be added at a later date.
