What is a Smart TV and do you need one in 2025?

A smart TV is a television that can connect to the internet and run different apps, similar to a smartphone or a computer. It comes with built-in WiFi, allowing you to stream videos from browse the internet and even play games directly from your TV screen.

This WiFi connectivity opens up a whole new world of entertainment. Think streaming apps like Netflix, BBC iPlayer, or Disney+, or even browsing the web directly from your TV screen. Some smart TVs can even connect to other smart devices in your home, like lights or speakers, allowing you to control everything from one place.

Smart TVs are popular because they give you more control over what you watch and make it easier to enjoy content from different platforms without needing extra gadgets. They usually have a home screen or menu where you can choose what to watch or do and come with remote controls that sometimes have voice commands, so you can say things like, “Play a funny movie,” and the TV will search for options for you.  

A smart TV works by connecting to the internet. When you turn it on, the TV’s software loads a menu where you can choose what you want to do, such as watching a movie, opening an app, or browsing the internet. It comes with built-in apps like Netflix, YouTube, and Amazon Prime Video, and you can download more apps depending on what you like to watch.

When you select a show or movie from a streaming app, the smart TV sends a request over the internet to that app’s servers. The server then sends the video back to your TV in small pieces (called data packets). The TV puts these pieces together and plays them as a smooth video. This is called streaming. If your internet connection is strong and fast, the video will play without stopping. But if the connection is weak, the video might pause or take longer to load.

Smart TVs also have special features like voice control and screen mirroring. With voice control, you can speak into the remote to search for shows or adjust the volume, and screen mirroring lets you show what’s on your phone or computer screen directly on the TV. Some smart TVs even have built-in artificial intelligence (AI) that learns what you like to watch and suggests new shows or movies based on your viewing habits.

The main benefit of owning a smart TV is that it gives you easy access to a wide variety of content in one place. Unlike regular TVs, a smart TV connects to the internet and allows you to stream movies, TV shows, music, and more directly from your TV. This means you can watch what you want, when you want, without needing extra devices like a streaming stick or a laptop.

Some of the other key features you can benefit from include:

One of the best features of today’s smart TVs are the built-in apps. Straight out of the box you will be able get some of the very latest TV and film content, without any extra wires or messing about.

Smart TVs in the UK come with a wide variety of apps that cover streaming, music, gaming, and more. The apps available can vary depending on the brand and model of the smart TV, but most popular services are included as standard.

Some of the most popular apps available on Smart TVs include:

1. Amazon Prime Video

Amazon's video library offers a huge range of content, including a selection of Premier League football matches. Amazon’s original content includes hit shows like Vikings, The Marvellous Mrs Maisel and The Boys.

2. Disney+

Disney+ arrived in the UK in March 2020 and has huge libraries in the entertainment world including Marvel, Star Wars, Pixar and Disney films that span across several generations.

3. Netflix

The original king of streaming, Netflix still has a huge on-demand library which consists of 100,000 original programmes alongside some of the best TV shows and movies. Find out more about getting Netflix with your Virgin Media TV.

4. BBC iPlayer

iPlayer allows you to watch live and on-demand BBC content, including TV shows, news, and documentaries. It's a go-to app for accessing BBC's extensive programming.

5. ITVX

ITVX is ITV's streaming service, offering a wide range of content from ITV channels. It provides access to live TV, catch-up services, and exclusive series. ITVX is available on various platforms, including smart TVs, and offers a diverse selection of shows and movies.

To enjoy uninterrupted streaming and smooth app performance, a fast and reliable internet connection is a must. But how fast does your broadband need to be for a Smart TV?

Here are our recommended speeds for a single device:

• For SD streaming: 3-5 Mbps

• For HD streaming: 5-10 Mbps

• For 4K UHD streaming: 25 Mbps+

These speeds are only for a single device. If you have several devices or multiple people using the internet at home, the actual speed you will need will be much higher.

Virgin Media’s ultrafast broadband is perfect for smart TVs, offering speeds of up to 1Gbps - so whether you’re watching a blockbuster in 4K or streaming live sports, you’ll never have to worry about buffering. Test out your broadband speed ahead of buying your new smart TV to make sure you buy a TV that’s right for you.

It always pays to do a little bit of research on your next tech purchase, like a new smart TV. There are some great brands out there that will cater for your individual needs. Before you crack on, it helps to set a budget and also measure out your living room (or other room if needed) to find out the optimal size TV panel for your viewing pleasure.

There are guides available for the ideal viewing distances, but a general rule of thumb: go large, especially as bigger flat screen TVs are no longer prohibitively expensive.

With more and more filmed content going straight to home viewing platforms, you’re unlikely to regret having more spacious screen real estate for the likes of Tom Cruise, Sabrina Carpenter, or Kylian Mbappé to strut their stuff on.

Here are some of leading Smart TV brands you can get in 2025:

You’ll need a superfast broadband connection to make the most of your smart TV. From streaming to downloading to gaming, everything is easier when your internet is as fast as it should be.

With Virgin Media’s ultrafast broadband, you’ll enjoy all the features smart TVs offer without a hitch. We’ve got a range of broadband and TV deals to suit every home, so you’ll always have something to watch and the internet speed to stop any buffering.

Unsure what you can get? Use our helpful postcode checker to compare all of the deals we’ve got in your area.