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Last summer I decided I was paying too much for a TV and Broadband package from Virgin Media. Another 10% price increase meant I was due to pay €88 a month.

I couldn't change broadband provider at this time but I could ditch the TV package and get a combination of an aerial for Saorview (Irish DTT) and the UK's FreeSat via a dish.

Based on reviews I went with Satellite.ie as the installer, for a one-off payment of €278 you get the aerial and dish installed and a combo receiver box.

My apartment has a flat roof that I have exclusive use of, so there were no issues over access. Before I moved in someone had a wireless broadband aerial setup, so the installer just reused this pole and cable, which made for a neat job with no drilling.

Compared to Virgin Media's offering overall I'm happy:

Pros
- UTV is back, so this includes some matches that don't get shown on Virgin Media One.
- Things like the Tour de France on ITV4 are no longer blacked out. Their coverage is a lot better than TG4's offering.
- The box can easily record programs to a USB key.
- The receiver box is tiny so uses a lot less space than the Virgin Horizon box, also less noise and electricity used.

Cons
- EPG was better on the Horizon box.
- Virgin Media One does not broadcast in HD on Saorview because they won't pay the extra cost. Only really an issue for some Ireland rugby games.
- Better EPG on the web as well.

↑ Supplied receiver Amiko Mini Combo 3.

So how much did I save? It's hard to say because Virgin Media gives bundle deals, but probably it was about €30 a month for the TV package alone. This means the aerial and satellite pays for itself in only 10 months.

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Replacing Virgin Media with FreeSat and Saorview 08-Feb-24 Last summer I decided I was paying too much for a TV and Broadband package from Virgin Media. Another 10% price increase meant I was due to pay €88 a month. I couldn't change broadband provider at this time but I could ditch the TV package and get a combination of an aerial for Saorview (Irish DTT) and the UK's FreeSat via a dish. Based on reviews I went with Satellite.ie as the installer, for a one-off payment of €278 you get the aerial and dish installed and a combo receiver box. My apartment has a flat roof that I have exclusive use of, so there were no issues over access. Before I moved in someone had a wireless broadband aerial setup, so the installer just reused this pole and cable, which made for a neat job with no drilling. Compared to Virgin Media's offering overall I'm happy: Pros - UTV is back, so this includes some matches that don't get shown on Virgin Media One. - Things like the Tour de France on ITV4 are no longer blacked out. Their coverage is a lot better than TG4's offering. - The box can easily record programs to a USB key. - The receiver box is tiny so uses a lot less space than the Virgin Horizon box, also less noise and electricity used. Cons - EPG was better on the Horizon box. - Virgin Media One does not broadcast in HD on Saorview because they won't pay the extra cost. Only really an issue for some Ireland rugby games. - Better EPG on the web as well. ↑ Supplied receiver Amiko Mini Combo 3. So how much did I save? It's hard to say because Virgin Media gives bundle deals, but probably it was about €30 a month for the TV package alone. This means the aerial and satellite pays for itself in only 10 months.