What’s the best and cheapest way to get the likes of Nickelodeon, Disney+ and Cartoon Network? And what children’s channels can you get on Sky, Virgin Media, BT and TalkTalk? Moneysupermarket takes a look.
Can I get children's TV package deals?
You can. All the household-name broadband providers offer children’s TV add-ons or as part of TV bundles that typically also include sport, movies and lifestyle shows.
Which providers offer children’s TV packages?
BT, TalkTalk, Virgin Media and Sky all sell broadband and TV bundles that include children’s channels, as do the likes of Plusnet, Vodafone and EE.
We’ll have a closer look at exactly what you can get from the biggest providers below.
The big change when it comes to children's TV in the last few years, though, is the advent of Disney’s own Disney+ streaming service.
This means that you can no longer get Disney channels as part of TV bundles.
The move means that while Disney films will still be shown on movie-streaming services, such as Now TV, you won’t be able to watch Disney’s trove of TV shows unless you subscribe to Disney+.
What children’s TV can I watch on Sky?
Sky TV customers can sign up for a keenly priced Kids TV add-on that includes eight kids channels for £5 per month.
These include Cartoon Network, Nickelodeon and Baby TV, which broadcast the likes of Spongebob Squarepants, Labuntina, Peppa Pig and Teen Titans.
Sky customers can also add Disney+ on a rolling-contract basis, with the price included on their monthly bill.
Sky’s children’s TV offering also includes:
- Dedicated Kids App. Includes 5,000 episodes to watch on demand and games
- Educational content. Features three key curriculum stages to help with home-schooling
- Freeview kids TV as standard. Includes CBeebies and Pop, etc
What children’s TV can I watch on Virgin Media?
Kids TV channels available on Virgin Media include Cartoon Network, Nickelodeon’s suite of channels, Boomerang and Cartoonito.
At the time of writing, any paid-for kids channels require you to sign up for an Ultimate Volt package, which also gives you premium sports and movies.
Virgin Media’s set top box does not currently support Disney+.
That won’t stop you getting the service if you’ve got a games console, secondary set top box, or smart TV that’s compatible with the Disney+ app.
But you won’t be able to watch Disney+ on your Virgin Media set top box.
Virgin Media’s children’s TV offering also includes:
- Freeview kids TV on all packages. Includes Pop family of channels, as well as CBeebies and Citv
- Dedicated Kids App. Pairs on-demand TV with books and games
What children’s TV can you watch on BT?
Sign up for BT TV’s Kids rolling-contract add-on or its Entertainment Ultra HD package and you’ll get Nickelodeon channels, as well as Boomerang, Cartoon Network and Cartoonito.
Alternatively, you can add a smattering of the same channels by signing up to a Now TV Kids Pass.
If you choose not to add any of the above, you’ll still get a selection of Freeview channels, such as CBeebies and Citv.
As with Virgin Media and TalkTalk, the Disney+ app is not compatible with BT’s set top box.
You’ll still be able to sign up, but you’ll have to watch it on a compatible games console, smart TV or smartphone.
Key 'sells' of BT children's TV include:
- Flexible kids TV add-ons. Lets you cancel whenever you like with 30 days’ notice
- Dedicated kids section of BT TV app. Keeps kids away from unsuitable content
What children’s TV can you watch on TalkTalk TV?
With TalkTalk, you’ll be able to add a Now TV Kids Pass to your package, which includes the likes of SpongeBob SquarePants, Dora the Explorer and Peppa Pig.
Popular live children’s channels like Cartoon Network and Nickelodeon are also included.
Until further notice, Disney+ is not available to watch on TalkTalk’s YouView set top boxes.
But you can still sign up watch it if you have a compatible smart TV, games console or smartphone and casting equipment.
Other key selling points of TalkTalk children’s TV include:
- Kids TV remote. Easy to use and lets you create playlists
- Kids Pass. Flexible, so you add during school holidays and remove during term-time
Sources and methodology
*Based on average monthly bill of £32.69 from nationally representative sample (1000) vs cheapest monthly cost for superfast broadband (>55Mbs), Vodafone £22/m. Annual saving £128.28.
What’s children’s TV can you watch on Freeview and Freesat?
CBBC, CBeebies, CITV, Pop, Tiny Pop, CBBC HD, and CBeebies HD are all available to watch on Freeview and Freesat.
What channels do I get with a Now TV Kids Month Pass?
Priced less than £5 per month, the Now TV Kids Month Pass features live TV channels, such as Nickelodeon, Nick Jr and Cartoon Network, as well as 1,000s of episodes available to watch on demand.
