Your guide to Sky TV packages
Dan Howdle | October 22nd, 2024
There are many reasons to choose Sky for your TV services over other providers. Here is a breakdown of additional offerings by Sky that set them apart from the competition.
Build your own Sky TV package
Sky TV's most basic package, Sky Stream Entertainment, includes 150+ channels, including 100+ premium channels and more than 500 'Sky Box Sets' on demand, meaning you can watch – and rewatch – all your favourite series, including Mare of Easttown, Chernobyl, The Midwich Cuckoos, Succession, Game of Thrones, House of the Dragon, Euphoria and many, many more.
But Sky has wisely decided it no longer wants to give its packages jazzy names, instead everything starts with Sky Stream Entertainment (Sky Q – satellite TV – is no longer available to new customers). We have to say we're very glad Sky is no longer naming its packages beyond the basic Sky Stream Entertainment deal. Every time a company like Sky gives a complex bundle a name, it immediately begs the questions: What's in it? And what does that mean exactly?
So now, instead, you start choosing a Sky TV deal or Sky Broadband and TV bundle by deciding what type of Sky TV to go for: And with Sky Q (satellite) no longer available, that's Sky Stream or Sky Glass. Most of you should be choosing Sky Stream – it's convenient, fully featured and doesn't require a satellite dish like Sky Q used to. And if you don't have a TV to watch it on, you could consider Sky Glass, which is a TV with Sky Stream built into it.
Sky TV packages and bundles are now given names which show exactly what's in them. So you have names like 'Sky Stream + Entertainment + Cinema + Netflix + Superfast' or 'Sky Stream + Entertainment + Sports + Netflix + Ultrafast'. Sure, they're not as catchy as the old way of doing things, but they sure do a better job of understanding what it is you're getting.
Plus, if you don't see exactly what you want, you can click on any deal on this page and select the 'build your own' option on Sky's website. That will allow you to start from scratch and put together any package or bundle option you desire. Props to Sky for doing things this way – it's a lot more logical and easy to understand.
"The best thing about Sky TV these days is the way you can customise your package to include or exclude whatever you like. Everything starts with Sky Stream Entertainment (think of that like the bread in the sandwich), and then you can simply add whatever filling you desire. If you don't see the exact combination of services you want listed on this page, just click any deal here and you'll be able to customise it however you want it."
Dan Howdle, Broadband and mobile expert
Sky TV features
Next, let's take a look at the features offered by Sky TV that are either exclusive to Sky, or that Sky is simply the best way to get that feature.
Sky Atlantic
Sky Atlantic is well-known for its world-class television, exploring new worlds, digging deep into characters and for its compelling and fantastic stories. One of Sky’s most popular offerings, Sky Atlantic is primarily dedicated to imported programmes from the United States, and holds the exclusive rights to HBO and Showtime dramas. It also broadcasts many of its own original Sky productions, which are very popular in their own right.
Sky Sports
Sky Sports doesn’t come as standard but sports fans can add it to any Sky package for an extra monthly fee. Sky Sports offers 12 dedicated sports channels, most of them covering a specific sport or league (football, cricket, F1 Racing, etc.). On top of Premier League games, NBA, boxing, cricket, NFL and more, you’ll also get Sky Sports News with this popular add-on.
TNT Sports
You're also able to add TNT Sports, the group of channels previously known as 'BT Sport'. BT Sport was sold to TNT a couple of years ago, but remains pretty similar to this day. If you do add TNT Sports you'll be able to access TNT Sports 1, 2, 3 and 4, along with TNT Sports Ultimate and the TNT Sports red button channels. So you'll be able to view UEFA Champions League and Europa League matches and exclusive Premier League games – plus loads of other top sports events including Premiership Rugby, MotoGP, Boxing, UFC and even WWE.
Sky Cinema
Sky Cinema is brilliant for film fanatics, offering an extra 11 channels dedicated to all sorts of films, for an extra monthly fee. Sky Cinema offers the latest cinema blockbusters, BAFTA and Oscar winners from all around the world, and now includes Paramount+ with popular entertainment from across the pond.
Sky Witness
Sky Showcase and Sky Witness (previously known as Sky One and Sky Living respectively) come as standard, though you would need to pay extra for these with competing providers like Virgin Media. This means you get access to series such as Blue Bloods, Chicago Fire, The Good Doctor, Grey's Anatomy and more.
Kids’ TV
Sky TV offers a Kids add-on to your basic package for an additional monthly fee, offering eight dedicated, family-friendly channels, including Nickelodeon, Nick Jr, Pop, Milkshake!, TinyPop and more to keep your little ones entertained.
Sky Go
Once you’ve registered as a Sky TV customer, download the free ‘Sky Go’ mobile application which will allow your whole family to watch your Sky TV subscription content around your home. Sky Go lets you register up to six devices including your phone, tablet, laptop or computer, or Apple TV device.
Netflix is thrown in
Sky TV includes a free basic (with ads) Netflix subscription. You can upgrade to Netflix premium subscriptions in order to watch in 4K or on multiple devices for an additional fee. Disney+ is also available on the Sky platform, and can be added as an extra when you sign up. Amazon Prime customers can download the Amazon app and watch it through their Sky Stream Puck, but it isn’t possible to buy it as part of a bundle with Sky TV, like Netflix and Disney+.
Discounts on other Sky products
By bundling your TV and broadband with Sky, you get access to top-notch entertainment for everyone in your household, fast and reliable broadband, and you save a bit of money each month by consolidating your services.
Sky offers mobile phone services via Sky Mobile, but there aren’t currently any discounts if you bundle mobile with TV and/or broadband services.
You can use the postcode checker at the top of this page to see which products and broadband speeds are available in your area.
Sky Stream and Sky Glass
Sky Stream is the new boy in town, and it's sowing merry hell in the TV world on account of the insane amount of content it delivers for very little money, and the sheer convenience of not having to have a satellite dish. Sky Q (Sky's satellite TV sevice) will continue to serve existing customers for the next few years, but you can no longer get it as a new customer).
Sky Stream
As of summer 2023, Sky seem to have made the decision to nudge new customers towards TV streamed via the internet. It's something they've offered for a while now via their Sky Go service, and arguably via NOW TV, which they own. But these days it really means a Sky Stream 'Puck'. You won't need a satellite dish and the Puck itself is pretty much plug and play. You don't have to source your broadband from Sky either – any broadband connection will do – but Sky does offer some well-priced bundles which include a Sky Broadband connection, and a landline if you need one.
Sky Glass
This is a 4K TV with Sky Stream technology built in. There is no need for a separate set-top box and all your Sky content is delivered via your Wi-Fi, so there is no need for a satellite dish with Sky Glass either. Sky Glass is more expensive than Sky Stream however, because you're purchasing a new TV and paying it off in instalments alongside paying for Sky Stream.
Installing Sky Stream
Sky Stream (or Sky Glass) is remarkably easy to get installed these days thanks to Sky Stream. They'll post you the box, you plug it in, and you're done! And you can have Sky Stream the day after signing up, as Sky will post you your Puck immediately so you get it next day.
Sky customer service and additional options
You can do most things online at Sky.com, with Sky’s help centre guides and their virtual chat service. There’s a community forum as well. You'll find handy guides that deal with all kinds of issues and queries on their website. Sky says over 90% of its customers who use its online guides get the help they need before even having to get in touch. That being said, Sky is known for its excellent customer service should you need it, and you can get in touch with Sky by phone if you need help with something not covered in its guides.
Sky VIP rewards
Sky VIP is a loyalty programme for Sky customers. This tiered reward system depends on how long you have been a Sky customer, with exciting rewards on offer that vary from year to year. Every new customer that signs up gets to choose a free movie from the Sky Store as a welcome gift. You need to opt in to Sky VIP, and won’t automatically get it if you sign up for Sky TV. It’s free to join, and you can start by clicking on the Sky VIP icon when you log in to your account on the My Sky mobile app.
Sky Protect
Easily Sky's most bizarre product, Sky Protect is full home and contents insurance, including particular cover for your Sky products, and some smart home devices that'll lower your premiums thrown in. It tries to make it look like it offers something unique but in reality it's just basic home and contents insurance delivered via a partner underwriter.
