Will BT Youview box still work with new broadband provider

[Gornam]

Hi

I am looking to cancel BT and change broadband provider. Will my Youview box still work ok as I only use it for recordings and catch up apps?

I live out in the sticks and still on copper, however Airband have now installed fibre cables and have offered excellent deals. 

[TimCurtis · Accepted solution]

@Gornam 

Yes it will still work regardless of who provides your broadband but only as a Freeview recorder with no access to BT TV subscription channels. The remote recording app will still work as well.

Be aware that if you received the box via BT with a BT TV contract and that date was after 13/12/2019 the box was only supplied on loan and has to be returned or you'll be charged.

[Gornam]

Hi

Many thanks for the quick reply, much appreciated.

[Gornam]

Sorry to raise this issue again but I contacted BT regarding keeping the box and was told that as I received a new box in December 2020 then it would have to be returned. 
When I pointed out that this was because the previous box was faulty I was told that anything supplied after 13/12/19 should be returned regardless. 
is this correct?

[TimCurtis]

@Gornam 

Yes unfortunately they are correct BUT if you decide not to return the unit you will be charged an amount which you may think is acceptable.

Youview units can be picked up relatively cheaply on eBay (rarely new though) but you may have existing recordings you wish to keep or haven't watched yet. It's a balancing act really. Obviously any subscription channel recordings will be lost.

[Peteman]

I the same positon, about to cancel Broadband and BT TV contracts. Can I ask if you went ahead and kept the BT youview box and does it still work OK for Freeview channels and recording?

[TimCurtis]

@Peteman 

It will still definitely work for Freeview recording & viewing but you will probably have to pay for it as explained previously.

I still use 2 that I've had before the T&Cs were revised.

[Starman]

For reference here are the current prices charged for non-returned equipment as of 19/10/22 -

Quoted from https://www.bt.com/help/tv/how-to-return-and-recycle-your-bt-broadband-hub-and-bt-tv-box-fo

[robbiegee123]

HI Tim,

Will "internet mode" still work as well?

Thanks!

[rbz5416]

@robbiegee123 

No, you need both BT broadband & an active subscription for that. I also believe that any recordings made in IP mode will be inaccessible when reverting to aerial.