Freeview vs Virgin Media:Which is more popular?
In September 2026, Freeview had more branded searches than Virgin Media among TV providers in the United Kingdom. Freeview had about 110,000 branded searches, while Virgin Media had 17,100. Freeview made up 12.4% of all TV provider searches we track, and Virgin Media accounted for 1.9%. When we asked ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews about TV providers, Virgin Media appeared in all five answers and Freeview in two. Virgin Media was mentioned before Freeview in every answer.
Who do people search for more?
Freeview, about 6 searches for every 1 for Virgin Media
Who does AI mention more?
Virgin Media, mentioned in every answer we collected
Who does AI recommend more?
Virgin Media, named ahead of Freeview in every answer
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Top TV providers in ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews
In three ChatGPT questions and two Google AI Overviews, Virgin Media appeared in all five answers. Freeview was mentioned in two out of five: in one of the three ChatGPT answers and in one of the two Google AI Overviews. Virgin Media was listed before Freeview in every answer.
Most recommended by AI
Brands get a higher ranking if they are mentioned earlier in the answers.
Mentioned by AI
Each dot is one answer, filled in when that answer mentions the brand.
NOW5 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
Sky5 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
EE5 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers- Virgin Media5 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
BT4 of 5Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers- Freeview2 of 5Named in 1 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
Freely2 of 5Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
See every answer about TV providers
5 answers
Asked ChatGPT
“Which TV provider should I choose in the UK?”
Asked ChatGPT
“What are the best TV providers in the UK?”
Asked ChatGPT
“What's the best value TV and broadband package in the UK?”
Searched Google, AI Overview
“tv packages”
Searched Google, AI Overview
“broadband and tv”
Brands are shown in the order each answer named them. The survey took place in United Kingdom on October 22, 2026.
Is Freeview or Virgin Media more popular in search?
This chart shows how often people search Google for Freeview and Virgin Media by name. Each line represents a brand's share of searches for all seven TV providers we track, month by month, from searches in United Kingdom.
Share of searches by month for Freeview, Virgin Media. The figures are in the table below the chart.
View monthly share of searches table
| Month | NOW | Sky | Freeview | Freely | EE | Virgin Media | BT |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 2025 | 53.2% | 18.7% | 10.6% | 7.2% | 2.6% | 6.7% | 0.96% |
| Nov 2025 | 57.6% | 16.5% | 11.6% | 6.3% | 2.3% | 4.9% | 0.85% |
| Dec 2025 | 60.8% | 13.5% | 12.2% | 8.2% | 2% | 2.5% | 0.73% |
| Jan 2026 | 62.9% | 16.1% | 12.6% | 3.8% | 2.1% | 1.7% | 0.76% |
| Feb 2026 | 64.4% | 15.8% | 10.5% | 3.2% | 2.1% | 3.2% | 0.77% |
| Mar 2026 | 64.6% | 16.3% | 10.6% | 2.6% | 2.6% | 2.5% | 0.78% |
| Apr 2026 | 64.3% | 15.7% | 12.9% | 2.6% | 2.1% | 1.8% | 0.63% |
| May 2026 | 63.9% | 14.3% | 10.5% | 5.7% | 2.1% | 2.8% | 0.63% |
| Jun 2026 | 55.8% | 18.1% | 13.6% | 7.5% | 2.2% | 1.9% | 0.82% |
| Jul 2026 | 63.9% | 14.9% | 12.8% | 3.8% | 2.1% | 1.9% | 0.63% |
| Aug 2026 | 67.2% | 15.6% | 9% | 3.3% | 2.2% | 1.9% | 0.66% |
| Sep 2026 | 62.2% | 17.1% | 12.4% | 3.1% | 2.5% | 1.9% | 0.75% |
How has the Freeview and Virgin Media comparison changed over the last 12 months?
3 findings
- Freeview was ahead of Virgin Media in every measured month of the 12 months ending September 2026.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Freeview’s share of searches among TV providers in the United Kingdom moved from 10.6% to 12.4%, and its estimated monthly branded searches held steady at 110K.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Virgin Media’s share of searches among TV providers in the United Kingdom moved from 6.7% to 1.9%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 69.5K to 17.1K.
How did search popularity change for United Kingdom TV providers in September 2026?
2 changes
In September 2026, Freeview gained share of searches among TV providers in the United Kingdom, from 9% to 12.4%.
Estimated monthly branded searches for Virgin Media in the United Kingdom fell 75.4% over 12 measured months, from 69.5K to 17.1K in September 2026.
How are branded searches counted?
4 search terms
Brandwave collects information about searches that people make online using Freeview’s and Virgin Media’s names. When viewed over time, estimated search volumes for these branded terms can be used to understand whether interest in the brands is growing, holding steady, or fading.
Freeview
1 branded search term
- freeview
Virgin Media
3 branded search terms
- virgin media tv
- virgin media tv packages
- virgin tv
Other head-to-heads among TV providers
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