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What's the point in Classic TV package?

drht — Sat, 26 Jul 2025 12:37:08 GMT

Hi,

I help out an older relative with their technology including BT Broadband, phone & TV package. I noted that there is a television series I thought they might like to watch that accoridng to some sourcs is available on BT so I tohught I'd check what channels they could get.

With their permission I logged on their MyBT and, after more clicks than sohuld have been needed I found that they are on the "Classic TV" package, with an apparently helpful pop-up listing the channels included which listed "", i.e. none.

So, what's the poin in the Classic TV package? Is only rental of the box?

Re: What's the point in Classic TV package?

zulu17 — Sat, 26 Jul 2025 14:37:23 GMT

Hi @drht

There have been a couple of historic packages Classic and I think Classic Entertainment. Typically these will be packages that predated the flexible TV package range which BT launched when they partnered with NOW. Overtime the channels included with those classic packs were withdrawn. leaving them only the Free channels. If still paying a subscription for those obsolete packs then you are probably getting little for it other than the ondemand access and the EETV store content.

The only exception is if BT bundled anything else in with the pack for free or at a significantly reduced priced . Only BT sport (now TNT sport or didcovery+ springs to mind.

Suggest you check the monthly bill to see what the charge is for the curremt TV pack and if anything else is shown eg Sport as a charge or included.

As for the TV box if supplied before 13 December 2019 it would now be "owned" by your relative and if the TV package were cancelled could be retained and continue to view and record Freeview channels . Also any apps supported on the that box model could continue to be used. If the box was supplied or replaced after that date it would be regarded as a loan from BT and would need returning if the TV package was cancelled.

Re: What's the point in Classic TV package?

iniltous — Sat, 26 Jul 2025 14:46:57 GMT

For a very short period a few years ago , my TV package was so reduced by channels , VOD removal etc it was in effect just Freeview with PVR functionality , pause live TV , recording etc but the ‘fee’ was only £1 a month ( at the time Sky charged £10 to keep the same functionality on a Sky HD box ) , I don’t have BT/EE TV via a set top box anymore, but do have Discovery + via an app , I can’t recall if I also had this access when paying £1 effectively to rent the BTTV box , when I quit the BTTV service BT said I could keep the set top box , but as they sent a returns bag I returned it anyway so as to avoid any confusion.

Re: What's the point in Classic TV package?

DarrenDev — Sun, 27 Jul 2025 05:43:15 GMT

It also provides access to the EE TV service - i.e. the ability to rent or buy content in the store (and view the trailers before they do), change the subscription on the TV box, add other TV services, etc. It also enables access to the IP streams when content is made available for free - e.g. major sporting events.
If they're not interested in any of the above, they would be better switching to a newer package or cancelling the service.