Youview :- End of contract question

[DiscoDaveuk]

OK my youview is now at end of contract after 3 years or So. I understand that I can keep the box, but unsure if it will still work if I end my contract, as it is now running the latest BT software.

The reasons why we don't need it is that we have never signed up to any BT channels and only use the freeview side.

Thanks for the help

[MadRob]

Why were you on a contract if you never signed up to BTTV? 3 years seems an awful long time to be held to a contract! Most contracts are 12 months, or 18 months at best.

Your box belongs to you and will always work on the Freeview channels. You will be able to record the Freeview channels and use the catch up apps. This was always the case as you can buy these boxes retail and simply use as a Freeview pvr.

[JohnC2 · Accepted solution]

Hi @DiscoDaveuk Welcome to the forum and thanks for posting.

You will find all the information you require on Will my YouView or BT Vision+ box from BT work if I decide to leave BT

Cheers

John

[DiscoDaveuk]

I have read the link and understand, but the post was written sometime ago and Youview has had a major software upgrade recently which seems that the firmware/software is now more BT focused.

So I am now wondering if BT youview software has the ability to only allow youview functionality if you are in contract.

Sorry I am a software engineer and above is easily implemented...lol

[JohnC2]

Hi @DiscoDaveuk The software upgrade has made no changes to the functionality of the box if you cancel your subscription and the information in that post remains accurate.

Cheers

John

[DiscoDaveuk]

Thank you for the info 🙂

[ljcommforum]

I am thinking of changing provider from BT and contacted BT to ask if my YouView box would continue to work. I was rang back by one of their "dedicated team" dealing with potential leavers.  I was told first that the box would not work at all; then, when I specifically pressed about Freeview channels, that it would work on these but no other features would work.  I pressed again about on-demand players like BBC iPlayer and was told these would not work; this was confirmed by the agent's supervisor.  This information is directly contradicted by posts on this forum, like the preceding one on this thread, including a post by BTCare's Community Manager SeanD. I wish I had found these before my conversation. It seems that BT is deliberately misleading potential leavers.

[Ana4]

I am not renewing my one year contract. When I called to cancel I was also told that I would not be able to use the record function. If this thread is correct then it does seem BT are trying to mislead their customers.

[MadRob]

@ljcommforum. @Ana4

You have been lied to over the phone.  The information provided on this thread is correct. The only functions you would lose would be anything related to any BTTV subscription services you had. Your box becomes a retail box which will give you access to Freeview, the ability to record those channels, and access to the iplayer etc.

[ljcommforum]

Yes, thanks MadRob.  I took my complaint further (as advised elsewhere) by emailing the CEO of BT, and got an email and then a phone call from an "executive-level complaints handler". This person was much more professional. He gave me the correct information in an email (ie that the YouView box was my property and would continue to function after leaving BT as a provider, as you say).  He attributed the giving of wrong information to defective training and/or incorrect training materials, and said he would follow up on this. I am sceptical whether any rapid change will result, having seen similar complaints on this and other forums dating back years.