Tessa Quinn
Spending time in the hospital can be a lonely and stressful experience for patients and their families. To address this, hospitals have implemented patient entertainment platforms, such as Hospedia, which provide bedside television, phone, and internet services. While some hospitals offer free morning TV, 24-hour radio, and limited free television channels, full access to television services often requires payment. This has led to criticism due to the cost of watching TV. However, SPARK TSL has acquired Hospedia and is working towards making hospital TV packages free, recognizing the importance of entertainment in reducing feelings of isolation and providing a distraction for patients during their stay.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Channels | 1-5 are free every day from 6am to 12pm or 8am to midday |
| Radio | Free 24 hours a day |
| Telephony | Free unlimited phone calls to any UK landline number (starting with 01, 02 or 03) as part of your bundle |
| Internet | Free NHS Wi-Fi available across hospitals |
| On-demand content | Available for payment |
| Payment methods | Paycard with cash from the vending machine, credit or debit card |
| Provider | Hospedia, SPARK TSL |
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What You'll Learn
Some hospitals offer free morning TV
SPARK TSL, which acquired Hospedia in 2021, has a vision to make hospital TV packages free. They currently offer free morning TV, 24-hour radio, telephony, and hospital information. SPARK TSL also provides a Bring-Your-Own-Device platform called SPARK Media®, which offers free entertainment and NHS resources.
In addition to Hospedia and SPARK TSL, there are other providers of bedside entertainment units in hospitals. For example, Hampshire Hospitals offers free television for 30 minutes upon registering your name, and free radio 24 hours a day. Similarly, Epsom and St Helier University Hospitals provide free radio and phone services, with the option to purchase TV bundles.
While most hospitals require payment for TV outside of the free morning period, there are exceptions. For instance, channels are free all day on children's wards in some hospitals, such as Wessex Ward and the Countess of Brecknock Hospice.
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Channels 1-5 are often free from 6am/8am-12pm
If you're looking to watch some television during your hospital stay, you may be in luck—many hospitals offer free morning television on Channels 1–5 from 6 am or 8 am until 12 pm. These channels are typically accessible without any registration or payment required. After the free period ends at noon, you can usually purchase additional TV services, including on-demand content, movies, sports, and more. These paid packages are provided by companies like Hospedia, SPARK TSL, and Patientline.
While the specific channels available may vary, you can often find a mix of news, movies, and entertainment programming on Channels 1–5 during the free morning period. This can provide a welcome distraction for patients waiting for surgery or consultations and help combat feelings of isolation and loneliness during hospital stays.
It's important to note that the availability of free TV channels may differ between hospitals and their entertainment providers. For example, SPARK TSL, which has acquired over 50,000 Hospedia bedside units, offers free morning TV as part of its patient entertainment platform. Their T2 remote control and T3 touch screen bedside units aim to enhance the patient experience.
To access free TV in a hospital setting, simply turn on the bedside unit or screen provided in your room. If Channels 1–5 are not automatically free, look for information within the hospital or on the TV interface itself to see if there are specific free channels or time slots for complimentary viewing. Some hospitals may also offer alternative entertainment options, such as free radio or on-demand content through your own device via platforms like SPARK Media®.
Remember to check the specific details of the hospital's TV services, as they may vary in terms of channels, packages, and pricing structures. By taking advantage of the free morning TV on Channels 1–5, you can stay informed, entertained, and connected to the outside world during your hospital stay.
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Children's wards often have free TV
Children's wards in hospitals often provide free TV access to patients. For example, the Children's Hospital Pittsburgh offers informational channels, on-demand movies, and other channels on TVs throughout the hospital. Similarly, the University Hospital Downtown provides free TV channels for children from 6 am to 12 pm daily, with no registration required. After this time, additional TV services are available for purchase.
SPARK TSL, which acquired Hospedia, offers free morning TV from 6 am to 12 pm for adults and 7 am to 9 pm for children, along with 24-hour radio, telephony, and hospital information. They aim to improve the patient experience by providing free hospital TV packages, reducing feelings of isolation and providing a distraction during their stay.
WiFi SPARK, which acquired Hospedia in 2021, has installed thousands of bedside units in hospitals, funded by patient payments for TV entertainment. The cost of TV covers the maintenance of the units, including support, health and safety checks, and repairs.
While specific details may vary, children's wards often provide free TV access as part of their patient entertainment services, recognising the importance of keeping young patients engaged and comfortable during their hospital stay.
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Radio is usually free 24 hours a day
The first hospital radio in the United Kingdom was installed at York County Hospital, England, in 1925. Headphones were provided beside 200 beds, and 70 loudspeakers were installed, allowing patients to listen to sports commentaries and church services. Throughout the 1930s, radio stations began operating in a handful of other hospitals, with live music supplementing the speech-based programmes.
In the 1950s, there was rapid growth in the number of hospital radio stations in the UK, with similar stations opening in Japan, the Netherlands, and the United States. Hospital radio stations peaked in number in the 1980s, with up to 300 stations thought to have been broadcasting daily. Today, higher-quality bedside entertainment systems supplied by third-party companies such as Hospedia, Premier Bedside, and HTS carry many radio stations in the UK.
While some hospitals may have free morning TV, radio, and other services, TV packages are often available for purchase. This is because the cost of TV goes towards the maintenance of the units, which includes 24/7 support, health and safety checks, replacement parts, and engineers for repairs.
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You can pre-register and buy TV bundles before arrival
If you know you're going to be staying in hospital, you can pre-register and buy TV bundles before your arrival. This can be done from the comfort and privacy of your own home. Friends and family can also call the customer care team to top up your service.
When you arrive at the hospital, you can pick up the phone and press the operator button. The customer care team will then activate your TV and phone, giving you access to your personal number and credit. Every TV has instructions to show you how to get started, and if you need assistance, you can call the Hospedia Customer Care Team, which is available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
Hospedia bedside units provide free morning TV from 6 am to 12 pm, 24-hour radio, telephony, and hospital information. After 12 pm, you can purchase additional TV services, including on-demand content, movies, sports, and more. These services are provided by SPARK TSL, which acquired Hospedia in 2021. The cost of TV goes towards the maintenance of the units, covering support, health and safety checks, replacement parts, and engineer repairs.
Watching TV in the hospital can help patients feel less isolated and lonely, especially when waiting for surgery or consultations. It can also help patients stay in touch with the outside world, boosting morale and optimism about leaving the hospital.
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Frequently asked questions
Hospedia is a bedside TV, phone, and internet service provided in many hospitals. Channels 1-5 are free to watch every day from 6 am to 12 pm, and radio is free 24 hours a day. Additionally, free morning TV is available on SPARK TSL's patient entertainment platform.
You can access Hospedia by registering your details on the bedside terminal. You will receive your own phone number to give to friends and family, and they can call you directly at your bedside.
You can purchase a paycard with cash from a vending machine in the hospital or use your credit/debit card by calling the operator from your bedside unit or through the terminal. Pre-registration and payment are also available by calling Hospedia's customer care team.
Yes, SPARK TSL's patient entertainment platform, which offers free morning TV, 24-hour radio, telephony, and hospital information, is available on over 50,000 bedside units.
