@Ed.B. One of your points refers to the fact that Virgin stream does start from beginning only through BBCi player - so does Sky stream. BBC doesn't permit cloud recording which would be required not to use BBC iPlayer on either Virgin stream or Sky stream.
Secondly - you state that the picture quality is inferior on Virgin steam v Sky stream, I find the opposite - if the Virgin box is set in HD it does a better job of upscalling than sky stream on my LG OLED. I am thinking you may have a faulty virgin stream box or HDMI or poor tv panel.
Virgin stream is a free service for those that have Virgin media broadband. - there is no requirement to have a base pack of £27 to £30 extra that there is on sky stream. It also has the advantage that it allows the FF and RW on some programming without paying extra for it, as some programmes can be accessed via Virgin on demand rather than the broadcasters on demand application
Virgin stream also includes many more channels than sky stream - premier sports, that's tv, talking pictures, now music 80s etc and the majority of + 1 channels.
There are some clear disadvantages of Virgin stream - exclusive to VM broadband, only one box permitted and having to deal with VM who are awful. VM stream pricing has also recently increased (a lot) sky sports is now £24.60 and Sky cinema has increased to £11.40 or £36 for both, up until last week sky sports was £18.75 or both sports and cinema for £28.75.
For customers that don't want to have all the base channels and only want sports or cinema on a month to month basis without having to return the box (as per Sky stream) it's perfect. I would be interested to hear from others have VM stream in respect of picture quality - as contrary to the OP - I find it Perfect. Vm stream FF AND RW also work perfectly unlike sky stream. My thoughts. J
