Ofcom says triple play switchers could save around £100 a year
Ofcom has run the numbers on broadband, landline and TV bundles, and the result is exactly the kind of thing suppliers hope you never check. Out of contract triple play customers paid an average of £78 a month, against £69 for those still in their initial term. That gap works out at roughly £108 a year for doing nothing more than staying put.
The figures come from Ofcom’s Pricing Trends report, published February 2026. A broadband contract check takes about five minutes. Given the maths above, it’s probably the best paid five minutes of your week.
What counts as a triple play bundle anyway?
A triple play bundle simply means broadband, a landline and pay TV from a single provider on one bill. Virgin Media, Sky, BT and TalkTalk all sell versions of it, usually with a discount for taking all three together rather than separately.
That discount is real when you first sign up. The trouble, as Ofcom’s figures show, is what happens once the discount period ends and nobody goes back to check whether it’s still a good deal.
Are you in or out of contract?
Check your latest bill or your online account. Most providers show your contract end date clearly once you know where to look, usually in the billing or account section. If you can’t find it, a quick call or webchat will get you the date in under a minute.
One in three triple play customers were out of contract in the year covered by Ofcom’s report, which means a lot of households are quietly paying the higher rate without realising it.
Why out of contract bundles cost more
Once your minimum term ends, most providers roll you onto a standard rate rather than automatically finding you a new deal. Nobody rings to warn you. It isn’t hidden exactly, just easy to miss, which is precisely why so many households end up there.
Your supplier isn’t doing anything dishonest by moving you to the standard rate. They’re simply betting you won’t check often enough to notice, and for a lot of people that bet pays off. Our piece on the broadband loyalty penalty covers how much that costs across the market.
How do you actually switch a bundle package?
Once you know your contract status, switching a triple play bundle works much like switching broadband on its own. One Touch Switch lets your new provider handle the move, including cancelling the old contract, so there’s no need to contact your existing supplier yourself.
The whole process typically takes a couple of weeks from placing your order to going live, though timings vary by provider and by what work is needed at the property. Our guide to broadband contract length is worth a read if you’re weighing how long to commit to next time.
Ofcom reported that 3.43 million people had started a One Touch Switch by 3 September 2026, nearly two years after it launched. That’s a lot of households who’ve already done this check and decided the switch was worth it.
What to check before you switch
Work out what you’d actually lose. If sport or a cinema package matters to you, compare like for like rather than switching to a cheaper deal that quietly drops the channels you watch. Our piece on whether a broadband TV bundle is worth it covers that trade off in more depth.
Check for any early exit fee if part of your existing package is still in contract even though another part has ended. Bundles don’t always end all three services on the same date, so a contract check sometimes turns up a landline or TV element still tied in after the broadband itself is free to move.
And if you’d rather drop the TV part entirely, our guide to out of contract broadband covers going broadband only, which is often the simplest way to cut the bill if streaming apps already cover your viewing. Before you switch away, it can also be worth asking your current provider what they will do to keep you: our retention deal guide covers how that conversation usually goes.
Key takeaways
- Out of contract triple play customers pay around £78 a month on average, against £69 in contract, per Ofcom.
- That is a gap of roughly £108 a year, which Ofcom describes as over £100.
- One in three triple play customers were out of contract in the year covered.
- 3.43 million people had started a One Touch Switch by 3 September 2026.
- Compare channels like for like before dropping a TV tier you actually watch.
Frequently asked questions about a broadband contract check
- How do I find my broadband contract end date?
- Check your online account or a recent bill, both usually show it. If you can’t see it, your provider’s webchat or phone team can confirm it quickly.
- Will switching affect my TV box or landline number?
- Your landline number normally transfers automatically. TV hardware may need returning to your old provider, so check their terms on returns before you switch.
- Does One Touch Switch work for triple play bundles?
- Yes, it covers broadband and landline switches, including bundled packages. Your new provider manages the handover and cancels the old contract for you.
- What if I’m out of contract on broadband but not TV?
- You can often still switch, though an early exit fee may apply to the part still in its term. Check your specific contract before committing.
- Is it worth doing this check every year?
- Given the £9 a month gap Ofcom found between in contract and out of contract bundle pricing, an annual check is a sensible habit even if you don’t end up switching.
None of this requires haggling skills or a spare afternoon. Do the check, see where you actually stand, and decide from there whether switching is worth it for your household.
Sources
- Ofcom, Around 3.5 million Brits hit switch amidst cost of living concerns, 12 September 2026. The 3.43 million One Touch Switch figure as at 3 September 2026, the £78 and £69 monthly averages from Ofcom’s Pricing Trends report, and the one in three out of contract figure.
Checked 25 September 2026.
