Sky has just refreshed its TV offerings, making it easier to get the channels and streaming services you actually want—without paying for things you don’t.
We’re excited to share our world-class TV experience with even more people, at an everyday low price with Sky Essential TV. Our new TV pack makes it easier than ever to get the biggest and best shows from Sky, Netflix and discovery+ all in one place, just in time for the Christmas TV season.
Sky Essential TV — TV at a Lower Price
The new Sky Essential TV plan costs £15 a month on a 24-month contract (or around £18 month-to-month) and gives you access to:
- Sky Atlantic (for hits like House of the Dragon)
- Netflix Standard with ads
- Discovery+
- Over 100 other channels, including BBC, ITV, and Sky News
Essential TV is designed for viewers who want the core channels and streaming services without extras. It works through Sky’s streaming boxes, but on-demand content and simultaneous device streaming are more limited compared to Ultimate. You can still add optional extras like Sky Sports, Sky Cinema, or Sky Kids if you want more content.
Sky Ultimate TV — More Choice
Sky Ultimate TV includes everything in Essential plus over 35 extra premium entertainment channels such as Sky Max, Sky Comedy, Sky Crime, Sky Documentaries, and Sky Witness. It also offers:
- More on-demand content – access the full range of Sky Originals, movies, and box sets from the added channels
- Everything in Essential – including Sky Atlantic, Netflix, Discovery+, and the 100+ other channels
- Enhanced streaming apps – personalised recommendations and multi-user profiles
- More flexible viewing – watch on multiple devices at the same time
Ultimate TV starts at about £22 a month, making it ideal for households that want a fuller selection of channels, more streaming options, and greater flexibility than the Essential package.
Which One Should You Choose?
Sky Essential TV is ideal if you’re happy with the core channels—like Sky Atlantic, Netflix, Discovery+, and over 100 others—and don’t need lots of extra on-demand content. You can still add Sky Sports, Sky Cinema, or Sky Kids if you want.
Sky Ultimate TV is for viewers who want the full Sky experience. It includes everything in Essential plus over 35 extra premium channels like Sky Max, Comedy, Crime, Documentaries, and Witness, along with their on-demand libraries. That means more Sky Originals, movies, and box sets, plus more flexible streaming across devices.
In short: Essential covers the essentials, but Ultimate is where you go if you want the biggest selection of Sky content all in one package.
Watching Made Simple
Sky is moving towards streaming-first TV. Both Sky Stream (a plug-and-play box) and Sky Glass (an all-in-one TV with Sky built in) give you easy access to channels and apps, with personalisation features like voice search and playlists.
For anyone who found Sky’s older packages expensive or complicated, these new options make it much easier to pick a plan that works for your home and your budget. The Essential plan is a clear, lower-cost entry point, while Ultimate gives more variety for those who want it.
In short, Sky’s refresh makes TV more accessible and straightforward, whether you’re new to the service or a long-time viewer.