Sky Essential TV: A new, more affordable way to get Sky TV

Dan Howdle • December 4th, 2024

Ever since the introduction of Sky Stream (and Sky Glass), Sky has absolutely crushed it when it comes to offering the best subscription TV in the most convenient and cost-effective way. Well, sit down and hold onto something, because Sky has just introduced a new entry-level tier for Sky Stream that's even cheaper. How is this even possible? What's been cut? We take a look.

Sky introduces Sky Essential TV

What Sky has done here is effectively split its current base Sky TV package (formerly named Sky Stream Entertainment), into two separate packages, now called Sky Essential TV and Sky Ultimate TV. Those paying attention may remember that naming convention from Sky's previous generation Sky Q satellite TV system, which is still out there, but no longer available to new customers.

So it's a return to an older naming structure, but this it's completely trailblazing when it comes to cost of entry. You can get Sky Essential TV for an absolutely extraordinary £15 per month. Surely, you might be thinking, Sky must have stripped out some of the headliner features at that price? But no. You'll still get Sky Atlantic, a Netflix subscription, and a discovery+ subscription (that doesn't include TNT Sports).

It does, by any measure, live up to its name. It offers everything you need, though we must be careful here. There are obviously going to be concessions and cutbacks, which we'll cover a bit further down.

Sky Essential TV vs Sky Ultimate TV – what's the difference?

So there are now essentially two 'base' versions of Sky Stream. Sky Essential TV and Sky Ultimate TV. The best way to get a flavour of how these compare in terms of channels, pricing, and just about everything else is to have a glance at them side by side.

The main difference then – what Sky has 'cut' in order to offer a lower-priced on-ramp in the form of Sky Essential TV – is most of its own Sky channels. Whether you can make use of the saving you'll make for opting for Sky Essential TV over Sky Ultimate TV then will come down to how much you value those extra Sky channels. Let's take a look at those in more detail.

What you don't get with Sky Essential TV

As per usual, Sky is not currently publishing a complete list of the channels available with Sky Essential TV, but from what we know at this stage there are some notable omissions when compared to Sky Ultimate TV. These include some of Sky's flagship channels like Sky Max, Sky Witness, Sky Comedy, and Sky Documentaries. Also absent are favourites like Sky Crime and Sky Showcase, which bring together highlights from across Sky's broader channel line-up.

Sky Essential TV also drops the range of music channels and dedicated nature channels available with Sky Ultimate TV. While it retains a lot of the must-haves, it’s clear that this package is streamlined for those who are happy with 'the essentials' – as the name suggests!

Who is Sky Essential TV for?

Sky Essential TV is clearly aimed at those who want access to premium content at an entry-level price point. It’s perfect for people who love drama and documentaries, with Sky Atlantic, Netflix, and discovery+ covering a lot of ground in terms of the best TV around. If you’re more interested in catching up on shows like House of the Dragon, Squid Game, or the best factual content, this package delivers big for a very small price.

On the other hand, if you’re someone who loves Sky’s broader selection of entertainment, music, and nature programming, the additional £7 per month for Sky Ultimate TV might be a better fit. And really, as a side-point, the ease with which Sky can upgrade you to higher-tier TV packages once it's got a Puck installed underneath your telly certainly played no small part in Sky's decision to create this budget TV tier.

Can you still customise your Sky TV package?

Absolutely. Both Sky Essential TV and Sky Ultimate TV work as base packages, but you can customise your subscription to include additional packs for Sky Sports, Sky Cinema, Sky Kids, or the UHD and Dolby Atmos, or ad-free add-ons.

Sky Glass and Sky Stream compatibility

Sky Essential TV and Sky Ultimate TV are available on both Sky Stream and Sky Glass, so you can pick the setup that suits you best. Whether you’re looking for a simple streaming solution to use with your current TV or you’re after the all-in-one Sky Glass experience, you’re covered. There’s no need for a satellite dish, and both platforms come with handy features like voice control and personal playlists, making it super easy to find and enjoy your favourite shows and channels.

What we think

Sky Essential TV is an excellent addition to Sky’s line-up, making it more accessible than ever. For £15 per month, it’s outstanding value, delivering a decent mix of must-watch channels as well as streaming services like Netflix and discovery+. For those of you who don’t mind missing out on some of Sky’s additional entertainment channels, it offers everything you need to get started.

The extra £7 you'll pay for Sky Ultimate TV, at £22 per month however, provides a clear upgrade path if you want want access to the whole enchilada. We think this move is a smart one by Sky, because it will allow more people to experience 'essential' Sky TV while giving those who want more the option to upgrade easily.

If you’ve been on the fence about Sky TV due to cost, Sky Essential TV is a new opportunity to jump in for less. It’s a low-risk way to get started and experience what Sky has to offer, and you can even get it without a contract for an extra £3 a month. Essentially, whether you choose the Essential or Ultimate package ultimately will come down to what you need and what you want to pay. And yes, we did just write that sentence. Call it an Easter Egg.