Bush UT24SB (50UT24SB)

How to get a lot for not a lot

It's been more than a decade since a Bush TV found its way onto our test benches - which could make us wonder if the brand had perhaps bitten the dust since then. Bush, though, has been tootling merrily along in that time with a succession of TVs targeted very much at the budget end of the market; it just hasn't really done anything to catch our eye.

That has changed, though, with the new Bush 50UT24SB, thanks to not one but two unexpected innovations. First, this TV is the first model launched in the UK to carry the new smart TV system from long-running independent media platform TiVo. Second, it's also one of the first TVs to carry the UK's new Freely platform, allowing you to live-stream all BBC, ITV, Channel 4 and Channel 5 channels through the internet rather than having to watch them via an aerial or satellite dish.

Remarkably, the Bush 50UT24SB costs just £270. It's not completely unique at that price; Roku's influence on the TV world has given birth to similarly affordable sets from TCL and Hisense. But, if Bush can find a solid performance to go with its eye-catching features, the 50UT24SB could be a serious bargain. The range also includes 65, 58, 55 and 43in screen sizes, at £380, £320, £300 and £230 respectively.

Slick smart TV experience

The Bush 50UT24SB's screen is mounted within a pretty plain-Jane black frame that isn't slim enough to stand out by today's standards and still looks a little cheap and plasticky. It is also lightweight, confirming its build quality is basic at best.

"The set's decent vibrancy and quite natural core tones mean colours look more authentic and balanced than you would expect at the price"