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IPTV vs Cable TV (Sky Ireland / Virgin Media)

Side-by-side. Sky TV Ireland, Virgin Media, IPTV Ireland Subscription. Three options; if you're reading this, you probably want to switch.

Feature IPTV Ireland Subscription cable tv
Channels 20,000+ 100–200
VOD 60,000+ titles Catch-up only
Cheapest monthly €5/mo €56–€84/month
Contract None 12–18 months
4K streams All major sports Sports-tier only
Install 15 min, DIY Engineer visit
Trial 7 days × 2 Sometimes 7 days
Hidden fees None Multi-room, engineer, premium support

What Sky TV and Virgin Media offer

Sky TV Ireland gives you ~150 channels. The Sports tier adds Sky Sports 1–8 and BT Sports 1–4. The Movies tier adds Sky Cinema Premier + 8 sub-channels. Total monthly bill: €84 minimum for Sky TV + Sky Sports + Sky Cinema. Sky HD is included. Sky Glass is the new 4K TV + Sky integrated package.

Virgin Media Ireland bundles TV with broadband. ~150 channels on the standard TV package. ~250 channels on the larger bundle. Includes Virgin Media Player for catch-up. Total cost: €56/mo for TV + 250 Mbps broadband.

What IPTV Ireland Subscription offers

20,000+ live channels from Ireland, UK, Europe, North America, Asia. 60,000+ VOD titles. Every Irish & UK sports channel. Every Sky Cinema movie. Costs €5/mo on the 12-month plan; €9.99 one-month. No contract.

Side-by-side

Sky/Virgin match IPTV only on the largest 100–200 channels. They don't match IPTV's international selection, VOD depth, or price. The cases where Sky/Virgin win: integrated TV + broadband billing convenience, ability to bundle other Sky products (Sky Mobile, Sky Cinema), and a familiar EPG if you grew up with Sky.

Switching from Sky/Virgin to IPTV

Switching is straightforward: cancel Sky/Virgin at the end of your contract, register your Xtream Codes credentials with us, plug in an HDMI device, install IPTV Smarters Pro. Most households complete the switch in an afternoon.

The bottom line

You can use cable tv with IPTV Ireland Subscription. We support it through Xtream Codes login.

Start with our 7-day free trial. You'll get credentials in 30 seconds. Plug them into any IPTV player that supports Xtream Codes. Watch every channel for a week, decide if we earn the renewal.

The 2-trial guarantee

Two free trials. One full week each.

You get a standard 7-day free trial the moment you sign up. Claim a SECOND 7-day trial by referring a friend — on any email, any device. No credit card, no auto-renewal, no catch.

Refer a friend for trial #2
  • No credit card needed
  • Cancel anytime
  • Works on every device
  • Full channel library during trial

Trial #1

7 days

Sign up, you get this instantly.

Trial #2

7 days

Refer a friend → claim yours.

Total free trial

14 days

Spread across two devices or both on one — your call.

Frequently Asked Questions

Should I switch from Sky to IPTV?
Most Irish households save €1,000+/year. If Sky's EPG and Sky Sports UI matter to you, stay. If cost savings and channel selection matter, switch.
Does IPTV have the same EPG as Sky?
IPTV apps like TiviMate and IPTV Smarters Pro have rich 7-day EPGs with catch-up. They look different from Sky's UI but offer the same functionality.
Can I keep my Sky Q box?
No. Sky Q is closed-loop hardware. You can return it to Sky when you cancel. Replace with a Fire Stick 4K Max or NVIDIA Shield.
What about Sky Glass?
Sky Glass is a smart TV with Sky inside. If you bought Sky Glass within the last 24 months, check the early-termination fees — they can be €500+. Otherwise, sell the TV second-hand or return it.