TalkTalk might be best known for its broadband service, but the company has expanded to tackle the likes of Sky and Virgin Media with the launch of its new set-top box, which lets you watch live television and stream boxsets. The Internet Service Provider (ISP) is offering its full-fibre broadband customers the chance to take delivery of a device, known as TalkTalk TV 4K box, that beats its rivals when it comes to price.
The newly-launched TalkTalk TV 4K box starts from just £4 a month and includes a swathe of content and over 70 live channels from services such as Freeview, Filmzie, Plex, W4 Free. As the name suggests, it’s also fully compatible with 4K picture quality and can pause and rewind live telly – so you’ll never miss anything (or have to sit through an ad break!).
As well as live terrestrial channels from Freeview, there’s also support for over 35 streaming services, catch-up and on-demand apps that offer a seamless way to binge on shows, sports and movies from platforms such as Netflix, Amazon Prime, Hayu and BT Sport.
Another nice feature is built-in voice search which is actually powered by Amazon’s chatty Alexa assistant. That means once paired with your Alexa account you can use any Amazon Echo device to control your TV.
The box is also fully Wi-Fi connected which allows it to be installed anywhere in a home without any fuss. It all sounds pretty impressive for that low monthly fee but before you sign up there are a few downsides to this new service.
Firstly, there’s no access to any of the most talked-about channels from Sky, including Sky Atlantic (home of exclusive US boxsets like Game Of Thrones, The Wire, Big Little Lies, The White Lotus, Mare Of Easttown, Euphoria, and more) Sky Sports, or Sky Cinema. BT TV, a similar set-top box from another broadband firm, packs support for Sky’s NOW streaming service in order to unlock access to these channels ….so it’s a shame that TalkTalk hasn’t followed in its footsteps.
Next up, you can’t physically record any shows onto TalkTalk TV 4K box as there’s no physical hard-drive inside the set-top box. While there is a “My TalkTalk TV” section in the menu that stores your favourite upcoming series, boxsets, and sporting fixtures… anything you decide to watch is streamed via on-demand players such as BBC iPlayer.
The box does feature a USB port that offers limited recordings (32GB) from some Freeview channels, but this option can’t match the massive 500GB storage offered by services like Sky Q.
Another thing to be aware of is that it’s only available to customers who sign up for TalkTalk’s more expensive full-fibre broadband service. If you don’t have that technology in your street then you won’t be able to add it to your plan.
Here are all the best offers on TalkTalk 4K and broadband…
TalkTalk Fibre 150 with the 4K TV streaming box • £36 per month
Includes an Eero router and 150Mbps downloads
TalkTalk Fibre 500 with the 4K TV streaming box • £44 per month
Includes an Eero router and 500Mbps downloads
TalkTalk Fibre 1Gb with the 4K TV streaming box • £54 per month
Includes an Eero router and 500Mbps downloads