What is the point of a stream box?

You can fast forward through the adverts with the stream box and if you add programs to your watchlist you can watch them as soon as they are available.  I used to have a Sky Q box but I prefer the stream box.

I believe you get VM specific items on the Stream box. Other than that I guess it’s just like any other streaming box.

I think you get a 10% discount on steaming services. Generally I agree that it seems a pretty thin offer over TV apps. 

The Stream box is vastly superior to other streaming devices as it gives you access to whatever 313 TV channels and 45 radio stations that you have subscribed to - plus On Demand, Catch-Up and 37 apps. The box is also used as the additional ones in multi-room and can play back 360 recordings.

This is Pay TV and if you don't want it or can't afford it then there are multiple suitable alternatives.

It really a question of what you watch. The Stream box has most of the linear channels, not all of which have apps. If you want to watch channels within the subscription tier, such as many of the Sky and U& channels then it is an easy way to do that. It is also as good as any way to watch the Sky Sports channels. It allows easy switching between channels, not possible if you are just using different apps, and connects the main channels to their apps, which may be an advantage to some people. The versions of the apps from the four public service providers is in my view as good as any other streaming box or TV, and some of the basic channels are in higher quality than on Freeview and Freesat.

On the other hand, if you don't watch linear TV, or are happy with the Freeview / Freesat channels plus apps, then it isn't for you. In particular some of the pay apps on Virgin Media can be had in higher quality elsewhere, not all are on Stream, and you are also not paying for Virgin Media's TV in addition to the app price.