Virgin Media customers can watch Disney+ for the first time on their TV even if it is not a smart TV, the company announced today. The TV provider has launched a box that can be plugged into older TVs that turn them into smart TVs and gives access to streaming services including BBC iPlayer, Netflix and Disney+. It is the first time Disney's streaming service has been made available to customers.
Virgin says the new 'Stream' box allows its customers to plug in and set up monthly subscriptions to the world's biggest streaming TV services, and each contract is flexible and can be cancelled at any time. The full list of subscriptions includes Netflix, Prime Video, BBC iPlayer, ITV Hub, Starzplay, BritBox and YouTube as well as live TV subscriptions including Sky Sports and BT Sport.
Read more: Everything you need to know about Sky Stream puck - price, release date and how it works
Virgin Stream will cost £35 to install at launch to both new and existing customers who take a Virgin Media broadband only or broadband and home phone package. The box can be used with any television with a HDMI connection, meaning older non-smart TVs can be set up to stream TV, says Virgin.
It can be ordered from tomorrow (27 April) here.
The news follows a similar new product launch by rival Sky when it unveiled Sky Puck earlier this year. After launching its new smart TV Sky Glass, which does not need a Sky box to operate, it also launched the Sky Puck device.
Sky Puck allows owners to watch Sky TV without a satellite dish. Available as a standalone device, the puck will allow users to plug it into any TV and stream the full-blown Sky Glass experience over Wi-Fi, that includes live TV and on-demand apps.
The Stream and Puck devices are the next generation of smart TV devices after the likes of the Amazon Fire Stick have proved popular with people who stream using the various TV streaming services.
