From included channels and on-demand content to pricing and overall value, this guide breaks down how Sky Essential and Sky Ultimate really compare.
Quick overview: Sky Essential vs Sky Ultimate TV
Here’s the high-level difference:
- Sky Essential TV – includes Sky Atlantic, Netflix Standard (with ads), discovery+, and over 100 live TV channels. Ideal for light viewing or streaming-first households.
- Sky Ultimate TV – includes everything in Essential plus over 35 extra entertainment channels, giving you a much larger on-demand and live TV experience.
Both packages can be upgraded with optional add-ons like Sky Sports and Sky Cinema, and are available on Sky Stream and Sky Glass with a 24-month contract.
What is Sky Essential TV?
Sky Essential is Sky’s entry-level package, designed to give you the key channels and streaming apps without extra cost. It’s a great fit if you primarily watch headline shows, catch-up TV, or use other streaming services alongside Sky.
What’s included with Sky Essential TV
- Sky Atlantic (Sky Originals and major US series)
- Netflix Standard with ads
- discovery+
- Over 100 live TV channels
- On-demand access for included channels
- Catch-up apps: BBC iPlayer, ITVX, Channel 4, My5
- Access to other streaming apps (Prime Video, Disney+, Apple TV+ — subscriptions required separately)
Full channel list: Sky Essential TV
BBC
- BBC One - 101
- BBC Two - 102
- BBC Three - 118
- BBC Four - 119
- BBC ALBA - 174 (121 in Scotland or 177 in Northern Ireland)
- BBC News - 502
- BBC Parliament - 503
- BBC Scotland - 173 (120 in Scotland or 176 in Northern Ireland)
- CBBC - 201
- CBeebies - 202
BBC One National
- BBC One Northern Ireland - 966
- BBC One Scotland - 964
- BBC One Wales - 965
BBC Two National
- BBC Two England - 967
- BBC Two Northern Ireland - 969
- BBC Two Wales - 968
BBC One Regional
- BBC One Channel Islands - 963
- BBC One East - 958
- BBC One East Midlands - 957
- BBC One East Yorks & Lincs - 955
- BBC One London - 951
- BBC One North East & Cumbria - 952
- BBC One North West - 953
- BBC One South - 961
- BBC One South East - 959
- BBC One South West - 962
- BBC One West - 960
- BBC One West Midlands - 956
- BBC One Yorkshire – 954
ITV
- ITV1/STV/UTV - 103
- ITV2 - 122
- ITV3 - 123
- ITV4 - 124
- ITV Quiz - 125
Channel 4
- Channel 4/S4C - 104 (108 in Wales)
- E4 - 126
- E4 Extra - 164
- Film4 - 312
- More4 - 127
- 4seven - 163
Channel 5
- 5 - 105
- 5ACTION - 165
- 5SELECT - 166
- 5STAR - 128
- 5 USA - 129
News
- Aaj Tak - 716
- BBC NEWS - 502
- BBC Parliament - 503
- Bloomberg - 505
- CNBC - 504
- CNN International - 506
- Euronews - 510
- France 24 - 512
- GB News - 509
- Geo News - 722
- NDTV World - 511
- Sky News UK - 501
- Sky News Arabia - 750
- Sky Sports News - 409
Other
- Animal Planet - 140
- ARY Digital - 724
- BLAZE - 169
- Challenge - 159
- Discovery - 138
- Discovery Turbo - 146
- Discovery History - 147
- Discovery Science - 148
- DMAX - 152
- Food Network - 154
- GREAT! tv - 167grea
- GREAT! romance - 317
- GREAT! Mystery - 318
- GREAT! action - 319
- HGTV - 153
- ID - 141
- LEGEND - 156
- LEGEND XTRA - 316
- New Vision - 725
- PBS America - 170
- Quest - 149
- Quest Red - 151
- Really - 150
- RTE One - 172 (Northern Ireland only)
- RTE Two - 173 (Northern Ireland only)
- S4/C - 172 (104 in Wales or 175 in Northern Ireland)
- TLC - 139
- Together TV - 171
- TRUE CRIME - 155
- TRUE CRIME XTRA - 157
- U&Dave - 130
- U&Drama - 132
- U&Eden - 134
- U&W - 131
- U&YESTERDAY - 133
Sky Entertainment
- Sky Arts - 114 (115 in Wales)
- Sky Atlantic - 108 (109 in Wales)
- Sky Mix - 158
- Sky Sports Mix - 412
- Sky Sports News - 409
- Sky Sports Racing - 411
Kids
- CBBC - 201
- CBeebies - 202
- RTÉ Junior - 212 (Northern Ireland only)
- POP - 213 (214 in Northern Ireland)
- Tiny Pop - 214 (215 in Northern Ireland)
Music
- Clubland TV - 345
- NOW 70s - 355
- NOW 80s - 356
- NOW 90s - 357
- NOW ROCK - 358
Shopping
- QVC - 601
- QVC Style - 602
- QVC Beauty - 603
- QVC Extra - 604
International
- Aaj Tak - 716
- Geo News - 722
- Geo TV - 723
- HUM Masala - 720
- HUM Europe - 721
- PTC Punjabi - 740
- Sky News Arabia - 750
Channel availability may change. Check Sky’s website for the most up-to-date listings.
What is Sky Ultimate TV?
Sky Ultimate includes everything in Essential, plus over 35 additional channels and an expanded on-demand library. It’s aimed at viewers who watch a lot of TV and want full access to Sky Originals, US series, and premium entertainment.
What’s included with Sky Ultimate TV
- Everything included with Sky Essential
- Over 35 extra entertainment channels including Sky’s popular Sky Max channel
- Larger on-demand box set library
- More Sky Originals and exclusive content
Netflix Standard (with ads) and discovery+ remain included.
Full channel list: Sky Ultimate TV
Everything included with Sky Essential Plus:
Other
- Comedy Central - 135
- Comedy Xtra - 136
- Crime + Investigation - 142
- Ginx eSports TV - 417
- Movies24 - 313
- Movies24+ - 314
- National Geographic - 144
- National Geographic Wild - 145
- TG4 - 174 (Northern Ireland only)
- U&alibi - 120
- U&GOLD - 121
Sky Entertainment
- Sky Comedy - 112 (113 in Wales)
- Sky Crime - 110 (111 in Wales)
- Sky Documentaries - 111 (112 in Wales)
- Sky History - 115 (116 in Wales)
- Sky History 2 - 143
- Sky Max - 109 (110 in Wales)
- Sky Nature - 113 (114 in Wales)
- Sky Sci-Fi - 116 (117 in Wales)
- Sky Showcase - 106
- Sky Witness - 107
Music
- B4U Music - 712
- MTV - 137
- MTV Music - 350
- Club MTV - 351
- MTV 80s - 353
- MTV 90s - 352
International
- B4U Movies - 711
- B4U Music - 712
- Colors - 708
- Colors Gujarati - 710
- Colors Rishtey - 709
- Sony MAX - 705
- Sony MAX2 - 707
- Sony SAB - 706
- Sony TV - 704
- Utsav Bharat - 701
- Utsav Gold - 703
- Utsav Plus - 702
- Zee Cinema - 713
- Zee TV - 714
Channel availability may change. Check Sky’s website for the most up-to-date listings.
On-Demand Content: Sky Essential vs Sky Ultimate
When it comes to on-demand TV, the difference between Sky Essential and Sky Ultimate is significant. Sky Ultimate TV offers much more content, building on everything Essential includes — Sky Atlantic, Netflix Standard with ads, discovery+ — and adding dozens of extra shows and movies from premium channels like Sky Max, Sky Witness, and National Geographic. Essential is a solid starting point for core dramas and streaming, while Ultimate unlocks the full Sky entertainment library, perfect for binge-watching blockbuster series and movies on demand.
Sky Essential TV On-Demand
- Core On-Demand: Sky Atlantic, Sky Sports Mix, Sky Sports News, Animal Planet, Discovery, Discovery History, Discovery Science
- Streaming Included: Netflix Standard (with ads) & discovery+ (basic)
- Free-to-Air: Access to 90+ Freeview channels
Essential provides great coverage of popular shows, documentaries, and sports highlights, making it ideal for lighter viewing or households that mainly watch current hits.
Sky Ultimate TV On-Demand
Sky Ultimate builds on Essential by unlocking:
- All features from Essential: All included channels and streaming apps
- Premium On-Demand: Sky Max, Sky Comedy, Sky Witness, Sky Crime, National Geographic, MTV, and more
- More Channels: 35+ extra premium channels for a broader selection
Ultimate is designed for viewers who want the full Sky Originals library, blockbuster series, comedies, dramas, and an expansive on-demand catalog.
Which to Choose?
- Choose Sky Essential if: You mainly want Sky Atlantic, Netflix, discovery+, and Freeview channels, plus a few sports/documentaries, at a lower cost.
- Choose Sky Ultimate if: You love Sky’s big-hit shows (e.g., House of the Dragon on Sky Max), want more variety in comedy, drama, and documentaries, and want the complete Sky TV experience.
Sky Essential vs Sky Ultimate: channel comparison
| Channel / Feature | Sky Essential | Sky Ultimate |
|---|---|---|
| Sky Atlantic | ✓ Included | ✓ Included |
| Netflix Standard (with ads) | ✓ Included | ✓ Included |
| discovery+ | ✓ Included | ✓ Included | Sky Max | ✗ | ✓ Included |
| Sky Comedy | ✗ | ✓ Included |
| Sky Witness | ✗ | ✓ Included |
| Sky Showcase | ✗ | ✓ Included |
| Sky Crime & Documentaries | ✗ | ✓ Included |
| On-Demand Box Sets | Limited | Extensive |
Sky Essential vs Sky Ultimate: price difference
Pricing varies depending on promotions, but the general guidance is:
| Package | Typical Monthly Pricel | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Sky Essential TV | Lower Starting Cost, typically from £15pm | Good for light viewing and streaming-first households |
| Sky Ultimate TV | Higher Cost, typically from £22pm | Adds 35+ premium channels and expanded on-demand library |
Note: Adding entertainment extras such as Sports or Cinema to Essential can quickly reduce the price gap. For many viewers, Ultimate delivers better value if you want more than the basics.
Current Sky TV Deals
Sky Stream + Ultimate TV + Netflix
1
£22 Per month
(prices may change during contract)
No up-front cost
Sky Stream + Essential TV + Netflix
2
£15 Per month
(prices may change during contract)
No up-front costFinal thoughts: which Sky TV package is right for you?
- Sky Essential TV – best if you want Sky Atlantic, Netflix, discovery+, and a strong range of everyday channels at a lower cost. Perfect for lighter viewing or streaming-heavy homes.
- Sky Ultimate TV – ideal if you watch a lot of TV, enjoy box sets, and want the full Sky Originals and premium entertainment experience without needing extra add-ons.
Both are solid options, but for most households, Sky Ultimate provides the complete Sky experience, while Essential keeps things simple and affordable.
Frequently asked questions
Do Sky Essential and Sky Ultimate both include Sky Atlantic?
Yes. Both include Sky Atlantic, giving access to Sky Originals and major US series.
Is Netflix included with Sky Essential and Sky Ultimate?
Yes, both include Netflix Standard with ads. You can upgrade separately if you want an ad-free plan.
Can I upgrade from Sky Essential to Sky Ultimate later?
Yes. Sky allows upgrades, though contract terms may vary depending on the offer.
Are Sky Essential and Sky Ultimate available without a satellite dish?
Yes. Both work via Sky Stream and Sky Glass using broadband.
Which Sky TV package is better value?
Sky Essential is cheaper upfront and suits lighter viewing. Sky Ultimate costs more but includes more channels and on-demand content, making it better value for frequent viewers.