Dan Howdle December 10th, 2024
Sky Stream is rapidly taking ground in the UK TV subscription space, both from other TV providers, and indeed from Sky's existing Sky Q satellite service, which still runs but is no longer available to new customers. It's easy to see why. Sky Stream delivers the entire Sky TV experience without the need for a satellite dish, at a lower price, without a contract if you so choose, and with lightning-fast next-day installation. Right now, it's leagues ahead of the both its previous offering, and the competition.
But what if you want to get Sky Stream on more than one TV in your house? You can't simply run more wires out of the back of your Sky Stream Puck. Instead, Sky offers a bolt-on called 'Sky Whole Home', which used to be called Sky Multiscreen back in the old days of Sky Q. Here's how it all works.
In the past, so-called 'Multiscreen', where you could receive your full Sky TV service on additional TVs throughout your house, has always been a little bit… how to put this… bad. It has (and still does on Sky Q) relied on additional Sky boxes, one per additional TV, called Sky Q Minis. These were cut-down versions of the main Sky Q set-top box that connected to it in order to function, borrowing much of its functionality, and indeed its processing power.
The problem with the system was connectivity between the Sky Q Minis and Sky Q set-top box could often be patchy, and was quite sluggish, especially with multiple boxes being used at the same time. Sky Whole Home instead adds additional Sky Stream Pucks, each functioning independently. It's a far better system, but unfortunately you won't be able to indulge for free.
Here's a quick overview of Sky Whole Home and what it'll cost you:
Product/service | Monthly fee | One-off fee |
---|---|---|
Sky Whole Home | £13 | N/A |
One additional Puck | - | £39.95 |
Two additional Pucks | - | £79.90 |
Three additional Pucks | - | £119.85 |
Four additional Pucks | - | £159.80 |
Five additional Pucks | - | £199.75 |
Six additional Pucks | - | £239.70 |
Prices correct at time of writing but may vary over time. To see most up to date pricing please refer to our Sky TV package comparison, which is updated daily
The table tells you everything you need to know. However, it's worth just stating that Sky Whole Home will cost you £13 per month on top of whatever you're paying for Sky Stream, and on top of that you will pay £39.95 per additional Sky Stream Puck you require, but only once.
This does not however mean you own those additional Sky Stream Pucks. Oh no. If you quit out of your subscription at any point you will need to send them back to Sky. They are on loan. The £39.95 isn't a purchase price, it's an 'installation cost', though we're not entirely clear what that refers to when installation involves plugging it in, connecting it to your wifi and logging into your sky account. Sky only knows.
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0333 210 1128Sky Whole Home will furnish you with as many additional Sky Stream Pucks as you desire (up to six total). But what is a Sky Stream Puck? Is it any good? What features can you expect? In this section we'll offer a brief overview of the device. You can find a much more detailed breakdown of its features, and indeed what we think of it, in our Sky Stream Puck review. Here, though, we're just going to offer you the specs:
Feature | Specification |
4K HDR support | Yes |
Dolby Atmos ready | Yes |
HDMI 2.1 | Yes |
Ethernet | Yes |
Wi-Fi | Yes |
Voice remote | Yes |
Dimensions | 10.8 x 10.8 x 1.8cm |
Warranty | One-year |
Colour | Anthracite Black |
Here's something many who've arrived to read this guide might be struggling with. You can't find Sky Whole Home advertised or listed either on Sky's own website or via a broadband a Sky TV package comparison page such as ours. Likewise, it's not entirely clear what happens if you do manage to successfully sign up to Sky Whole Home. So, here's a step-by-step from purchasing the service to having it up and running in your home:
Getting TV in every room can require as little as just a smart TV or streaming stick and a wifi connection, of course. Here though, we're talking about competing subscription TV services that offer a multiroom or multiscreen bolt-on option. And for that there are only really two competitors: BT (via EE TV), and Virgin Media.
It probably goes without saying at this point that Sky Stream is the best of the bunch by a considerable margin. But, if you're still on the fence or are just curious as to what the alternatives are, here's a quick overview:
Feature | Sky Stream | Virgin TV | EE TV (formerly BT TV) |
---|---|---|---|
Delivery tech | Internet | Cable | Internet |
Product name | Sky Whole Home | Multi-Room | Extra Box |
Multiroom device | Sky Stream Puck | TV 360 Mini | EE TV Box Mini |
Additional subscription cost | £13* per month | £10* per month per additional box | £10* per month per additional box |
Additional one-off cost | £39.95* per Puck | N/A | N/A |
*Prices correct at time of writing but may vary over time. To see most up to date pricing please refer to our Sky TV package comparison, which is updated daily
If we're looking at what is on offer compared to its competitors, Sky Whole Home, or Sky Stream multiroom is leagues ahead. There are no chopped-down mini boxes here that put extra pressure on your main TV set-top box, just repeats of the very capable Sky Stream Puck, meaning your TV service will be equally full-blooded and functional in every room you put one in.
We're not a fan of the one-off costs for additional boxes however, especially since you don't own them, and putting them under the heading of 'installation cost' when there is no installation costs to speak of rubs us up the wrong way. We would prefer Sky to set a monthly price for Sky Whole Home and for the Pucks to come free, especially since you don't ever own these devices and will have to hand them back at the end of the contract.
That's our main issue. However, compared to what the competition is offering, it's leagues ahead, and so should be congratulated on that at the very least. Just remember you'll need to pick a Sky Stream deal first, after which you'll have the option to add Sky Whole Home.
Talk to the team and unlock special deals and offers. We're open Monday to Sunday 8am-8pm. Call us on
0333 210 1128