BT vs Sky 2024: Which provider should I choose?
Dan Howdle • November 12th, 2024
Whether you’re looking for a modest broadband and TV package, Full Fibre broadband only, or the full monty with Sky Sports and Sky Cinema, both BT and Sky can accommodate your needs. So how do you choose? We’ve taken a look at everything the two providers offer, from TV channels to technology, to help you decide which one is right for you.
BT TV vs Sky TV
Who's got the most channels?
Sky TV
Only a few years ago, Sky would have easily been the winner when it comes to channel choice, but since BT has introduced NOW TV bundles as part of its TV offerings, the difference is less clear cut.
Sky Stream Entertainment is the current name for Sky’s core TV package and includes all the regular terrestrial channels, such as BBC, ITV and Channel 4, along with all the Sky Entertainment channels, including Sky Atlantic, Sky Max, Sky Showcase, Sky Crime, Sky Nature and Sky Documentaries. It also comes with over 40 other channels including the National Geographic, Discovery and Eurosport channels. You can read our full channel guide here.
On top of all that, customers also get a wide range of music, news, shopping and international channels at no extra cost. Altogether there are over 150 channels which may sound somewhat of a downgrade if you've previously had Sky Q (satellite TV, no longer offered), because that had over 100 more. However, the only channels you're losing are the standard definition ones (everything is now in HD), and the +1 timeshift versions. So no big deal.
All Sky Stream Entertainment customers also receive a free basic subscription to Netflix (which you can choose to upgrade) and unlimited access to over 500 Sky Box Sets, both of which were previously only offered as a chargeable add-on.
On top of this fairly impressive starter pack, Sky Stream customers can choose to bolt on various extra channel packs – namely, Sky Sports, Sky Cinema, TNT Sports and Sky Kids – for an extra monthly fee.
Sky Sports has 12 channels, covering football, cricket, golf and Formula 1 racing, as well as a dedicated channel for the Premier League. Sky Sports Action and Arena channels bring you international Rugby Union, Rugby League, boxing, darts, NFL, tennis and more; and the Main Event channel is dedicated to the biggest live events from across the company's other sports channels.
Sky Cinema comes with eleven channels and offers something for every taste, from sci-fi and horror to family favourites and big budget Hollywood blockbusters.
To enhance your viewing, you can also choose to pay for Sky Ultra HD & Dolby Atmos, which gives you access to Ultra HD content and Dolby Atmos sound where available, and you can also pay extra to not be subjected to the adverts. Well worth it in our opinion.
EE TV on BT
BT TV no longer exists. Instead, BT sells EE TV alongside its broadband packages and it is, with a few notable exceptions, pretty much the same service BT TV was before this rather confounding change was made.
EE's Entertainment package gives you the standard range of Freeview channels, plus an extra 16 channels included in the NOW Entertainment Membership (included as part of the package at no extra cost). The most popular Sky channels are all there, including Sky Atlantic, Sky Showcase and Sky Comedy, as well as MTV, Comedy Central, Gold and Alibi.
Customers wanting Sky Cinema can add it to their package or take out a package in which it's included. And EE TV caters very well for sports lovers provided you're willing to pay through the nose for it. BT TV used to offer BT Sport, but BT Sport doesn't exist anymore either – it's now TNT Sports and not owned by BT. So you can add Sky Sports and TNT Sports at significant additional cost, but without BT Sport, it's not as attractive to sports lovers as it once was.
Our verdict: Sky
With BT now offering the best of Sky channels in the form of NOW TV Memberships on EE TV (yes, we know this is confusing), but no longer offering BT Sport for free (because it no longer exists), it's an easy win for Sky here. For a comparable package with a comparable broadband speed, Sky currently works out cheaper than BT, and still offers a wider range of channels than BT.
BT broadband vs Sky broadband
Who's got the top speed?
BT offers three fibre broadband speeds, starting with its Fibre Essential, which comes with an average speed of 36Mbps. Its Fibre 1 offers an average speed of 50Mbps, and Fibre 2 offers an average of 67Mbps. In addition, BT now offers ultrafast speeds to those in areas that have been upgraded to full fibre by Openreach. Eligible customers can choose from four speeds: 150Mbps, 300Mbps, 500Mbps and 900Mbps. For households that are still unable to get any sort of fibre, BT will supply its basic broadband service, which averages 11Mbps.
In comparison, Sky advertises just one FTTC fibre speed, averaging 61Mbps, which it refers to simply as Broadband Superfast. Sky also offers full fibre connections in areas where Openreach has rolled out the upgraded network, with a choice of 75Mbps, 145Mbps, 500Mbps or 900Mbps. Sky will not supply ADSL anymore no even if it's all you can get.
Our verdict: BT
BT wins purely due to the fact that it offers a a greater choice of speeds.
BT calls vs Sky Talk
Who offers the best inclusive phone packages?
BT now offers packages either with a landline or without. Choosing a no-landline option means you will not be able to make calls. With a landline, BT offers two calling packages: pay-as-you-go, or a monthly call package for an additional fee.
BT’s call packages include ‘700 Minutes’ (700 minutes to UK landlines and mobiles for an extra £7 per month) and ‘Unlimited Minutes’ (unlimited calls to UK landlines and mobiles for £15 per month). You can also add international calling and features like Caller Display and Call Waiting for an additional charge. BT Call Protect is free with any BT landline package, allowing you to block unwanted calls.
BT’s Full Fibre broadband customers who want a landline can access BT Digital Voice, which offers the same call packages (700 or Unlimited minutes) as traditional landline services. BT Digital Voice customers will use a digital handset rather than a traditional phone line, though the functionality remains the same.
If you buy Sky broadband or fibre, you’ll get Sky’s Pay As You Talk plan as standard with your landline, allowing you to pay for calls as you go. Sky offers two call package add-ons: Evenings and Weekends Extra (unlimited calls to UK landlines and mobiles on evenings and weekends for £5 per month) and Anytime Extra (unlimited calls at any time for £12 per month). International call packages are also available. Additionally, Sky provides Caller Display and Sky 1571 (voicemail) at no extra cost.
For Sky ultrafast broadband customers, a landline is not included by default, as ultrafast broadband is delivered over full fibre with no copper line. However, you can add Sky Internet Calls, which works through the internet and provides the same call package options as Sky’s fibre service.
Our verdict: Sky
Although BT and Sky offer similar call package options, Sky edges ahead due to its lower-priced Anytime Extra package, which is £3 per month less than BT's Unlimited Minutes package. For customers who make frequent calls at any time of day, Sky offers a more budget-friendly option without sacrificing functionality.
Who's got the best router?
BT claims its Smart Hub 2 provides some of the best home-wide coverage available. It has seven antennas and dual wi-fi bands to minimise the risk of a poor or dropped connection. It automatically goes into power save mode when not in use, and constantly monitors your internet connection: if it spots a problem, it will quietly restart and make a fresh connection.
The Sky Broadband Hub is Sky's fastest ever router, and the company says it's the most reliable too. Like the BT router, it has dual-band technology, and the company's Smart Signal Technology optimises your wi-fi to get the best connection possible. It has four Ethernet ports, eight antennas, and, like the BT Smart Hub 2, drops into low power mode automatically when not in use. Sky also offers an upgraded router – the Sky Max Hub, but you'll have to subscribe to the Sky Wi-Fi Max add-on to get it.
Our verdict: Draw
There's very little to choose between these two routers, with both of them among the best of what is available across the broadband market in terms of free routers. Both have the capability to support ultrafast speeds and numerous devices at once.
BT vs Sky
Who’s got the best set-top box?
BT’s TV service, now offered as EE TV, includes two main device options: the EE TV Box Pro and the Apple TV 4K. The EE TV Box Pro offers 4K HDR support, Dolby Atmos sound, and features like pause, rewind, and record. With up to 600 hours of storage, you can keep plenty of shows, and it connects seamlessly over broadband without requiring an aerial. The Apple TV 4K, meanwhile, brings access to the same apps but with Apple’s signature interface and exclusive Apple services. Both options come with popular apps like BBC iPlayer, Netflix, and ITV Hub.
Sky now offers its TV service solely through the Sky Stream Puck. The Sky Stream device is quick to set up, doesn’t need a satellite dish, and provides a sleek way to watch Sky’s full range of content through any broadband connection. The Stream Puck gives you access to live Sky channels, on-demand content, and streaming apps like Netflix and Disney+. You can also bundle Sky’s various entertainment packages and add extras like Sky Cinema and Sky Sports. Although there’s no recording feature, you can pause and rewind live TV. For flexibility, Sky Stream offers a rolling monthly contract option, allowing you to cancel anytime with 31 days’ notice.
Our verdict: Sky
Sky’s Sky Stream Puck is a clear winner if you want flexibility and ease of use. With no dish required, the ability to add or drop services monthly, and a full array of content options, Sky Stream provides a more modern and versatile setup. EE TV still offers solid features, especially if you prefer the Apple ecosystem, but lacks the seamless content integration and flexibility that comes with Sky Stream.
Customer service
One key issue when choosing between Sky and BT will be the standards of customer service and satisfaction. According to Ofcom's report, BT had 49 complaints about its broadband services per 100,000 customers, while Sky, meanwhile, had only 21.
When it comes to overall satisfaction with services, BT comes out top with 88 per cent of customers satisfied against 84 per cent of Sky customers. Only 16 per cent of Sky customers had a reason to complain, against 18 per cent of BT customers, with the sector average of 20 per cent. However, fractionally more BT customers were happy with the way their complaint was dealt with, at 55 per cent against 54 per cent of Sky customers. Both are better than the sector average of 50 per cent, however.
Our verdict: Sky wins
The winner has to be Sky. This is largely down to its superior choice of TV services, since both providers offer the full range of broadband speeds. However, in many areas, there's little to choose between one service and the other. BT does now include NOW TV Entertainment via EE TV, meaning you can now get Sky Atlantic on BT effectively, but if you want a superior choice of channels it has to be Sky.
Both providers offer an excellent array of broadband and TV services and are fairly well matched on customer service too, so your ultimate decision is likely to come down to cost. And Sky is almost always cheaper.
