Sky TV vs NOW: Which Is Better?

Sky TV vs NOW: At a glance

Sky TV is designed to provide a more complete television service, bringing live channels, on-demand programmes and supported streaming apps together through devices such as Sky Stream and Sky Glass. Depending on your package, you can also add premium sports, films and other extras.

NOW takes a more flexible approach. Its separate Entertainment, Cinema and Sports memberships let you pay for the content you want without subscribing to a full Sky TV package.

Sky is worth considering if you watch television regularly and want a wider range of channels and streaming services in one place. NOW can be a better fit if you only want particular content or prefer shorter-term access.

Feature	Sky TV	NOW
How it works	A TV service combining live channels, on-demand content and supported streaming apps	Streaming memberships for entertainment, films and sports
Ways to watch	Sky Stream, Sky Glass and other supported Sky platforms	Compatible smart TVs, streaming devices, mobiles and tablets
Entertainment	Sky Essential TV or Sky Ultimate TV	Entertainment Membership
Films	Sky Cinema add-on, subject to package and offer	Cinema Membership
Sports	Sky Sports and other available sports packs	Sports memberships, including selected shorter-term options
Included streaming services	Selected subscriptions included with eligible packages	NOW content is included with the relevant membership; other services may cost extra
Contract flexibility	24-month and 31-day rolling options are available on eligible offers	Membership terms vary, with rolling monthly and selected shorter-term options
Best suited to	Viewers wanting an integrated TV service with a broader range of channels and extras	Viewers who want selected content without taking a full Sky TV package

Prices, packages, channel line-ups and membership terms can change. Check the current offer before subscribing.

Why choose Sky TV?

Sky TV brings live television, on-demand entertainment and supported streaming apps together in one place. Instead of managing everything through separate apps and subscriptions, you can use Sky's interface to find programmes, browse channels and access supported services.

For households that watch a mixture of live television, Sky Originals, box sets, films and streaming content, this can be a convenient alternative to building an entertainment package from several separate subscriptions.

Sky Essential TV

Sky Essential is the entry-level TV package, designed to provide core entertainment and general-interest channels alongside selected streaming subscriptions.

It includes Sky Atlantic, Netflix Standard with Ads and discovery+ Entertainment, as well as free-to-air channels and on-demand content. It can be a good starting point if you mainly want key Sky entertainment and a selection of popular programmes without paying for a larger channel package.

Essential is also worth comparing with NOW Entertainment Membership. Both provide access to Sky entertainment, but the overall experience, channel selection and included extras differ.

Sky Ultimate TV

Sky Ultimate includes the Essential package and adds a wider selection of entertainment channels and streaming subscriptions. The current package includes services such as Disney+ Standard with Ads, HBO Max Basic with Ads and selected Hayu content, alongside Netflix and discovery+.

This makes Ultimate worth considering if your household watches a broad range of dramas, documentaries, films and reality TV. Bundling several subscriptions with your TV service may also offer better value than paying for each separately, provided you would use the services included.

Remember that the included subscriptions may be ad-supported tiers. Upgrading to an ad-free or higher-tier plan can cost extra.

Read our guide to Sky Essential vs Sky Ultimate TV for a detailed breakdown of the differences between the two Sky packages.

Sky Stream: Sky TV without a satellite dish

Sky Stream delivers television over your broadband connection, so you don't need a satellite dish. Its small streaming puck connects to your existing television and gives you access to your chosen Sky TV package, supported apps and on-demand content.

Sky Stream is useful if you want Sky TV without installing a dish, live in a flat or rented property, or simply prefer to use your existing television.

It also brings content from supported streaming services together through Sky's interface. Some apps and subscriptions are included with particular packages, while others require a separate subscription.

Sky Stream is available on eligible 24-month and 31-day rolling offers. Check the current package, upfront charges and minimum term before ordering.

Find out more in Sky Stream Explained.

Sky Glass: a television with Sky built in

Sky Glass combines the television and Sky's streaming TV service in one device. Instead of connecting a separate streaming puck to your existing TV, you get a television with Sky built in.

This can appeal if you're planning to replace your television and want a simpler setup with fewer separate devices. However, compare the total cost of the television and TV service with buying a separate television and using Sky Stream.

Sky Glass and Sky Stream provide a similar underlying Sky viewing experience, but the hardware and costs are different. The best choice depends on whether you want to keep your existing television or buy a new one.

Why Sky stands out

Sky combines live channels, on-demand content and selected streaming subscriptions in one service. If you watch a broad range of television throughout the year, that integrated experience may offer better overall value than taking several separate memberships.

What does NOW offer?

NOW provides access to selected Sky entertainment, films and sports through separate streaming memberships. Rather than taking a full Sky TV package, you can subscribe to the type of content you want.

NOW Entertainment Membership

Entertainment Membership gives you access to selected Sky entertainment channels and on-demand programmes, including Sky Atlantic, subject to the current membership terms.

It is worth considering if you mainly want Sky's headline drama and entertainment content without subscribing to a full Sky TV package. However, if you regularly watch a wider selection of channels and want streaming subscriptions bundled into one service, compare the total cost and content of NOW with Sky Essential and Sky Ultimate.

NOW Cinema Membership

Cinema Membership provides access to films available through NOW's Cinema offering. It can be useful if you want access to Sky Cinema content without taking a full Sky TV package.

Compare the current membership price with the cost of adding Sky Cinema to a Sky TV package. Eligible Sky offers can include additional benefits, so consider the full package rather than comparing the film catalogue alone.

NOW Sports Membership

NOW Sports provides access to Sky Sports content through streaming memberships. It can be particularly useful if you want to watch a specific sporting event or only follow sports for part of the year.

Selected NOW Sports memberships offer shorter-term access, including a Day Membership. This can be more economical than paying for a full sports subscription if you only want to watch occasionally.

Regular sports viewers should compare the cost of repeated NOW memberships with a Sky TV package that includes Sky Sports. The better-value option depends on how often you watch, which channels you need and the current promotions.

Where NOW has the advantage

NOW's main strength is flexibility. If you only want films, selected entertainment programmes or occasional sports coverage, you may not need to pay for a full Sky TV package.

What can you watch on Sky TV and NOW?

Entertainment and drama

Sky's entertainment packages provide access to live channels, Sky Originals and on-demand content. Sky Atlantic is a major attraction for drama fans, while the wider channel line-up offers comedy, documentaries, crime dramas and other programmes.

Sky Essential includes key entertainment channels and selected streaming subscriptions. Ultimate provides a broader channel line-up and additional streaming services. NOW Entertainment is an alternative if you mainly want access to selected Sky entertainment content.

For households that watch a broad range of channels and streaming services, Sky's bundled approach may be more convenient and can offer better value than paying for multiple subscriptions separately.

Films

Sky Cinema gives customers access to Sky's dedicated film channels and associated on-demand content when added to an eligible Sky TV package. NOW Cinema offers an alternative for viewers who want film content without taking a full Sky TV subscription.

If you watch films regularly and also want entertainment channels, streaming apps or other premium content, compare the total cost of a Sky package with Cinema against a NOW Cinema Membership and any additional subscriptions you need.

Sports

Sky TV with Sky Sports can be a suitable option if you watch sports throughout the year and want a broader television package alongside your sports channels.

NOW Sports can be attractive if you only want to watch selected matches or events. A shorter-term membership may cost less than maintaining a full sports subscription when you're not watching.

Before choosing, check which competitions and channels are included, whether you need a particular sports add-on and what the current membership or package costs. Sports rights and channel line-ups can change.

Streaming subscriptions

Sky brings several supported streaming services together through its TV platform. Depending on the package, included subscriptions can include Netflix, discovery+, Disney+, HBO Max and Hayu.

Not every service is included with every package, and the subscription tier matters. For example, an included service may have adverts or restrictions that can be removed only by paying for an upgrade.

Check our guide to What streaming services are available on Sky? for more information about included subscriptions, supported apps and services that require separate payment.

Winner: Sky for an all-in-one TV package

Sky is worth considering if you want several types of content and streaming subscriptions brought together. NOW remains useful if you only want one membership or selected content for a limited period.

Sky TV vs NOW: Which offers better value?

There is no single answer for every household. The better-value option depends on what you watch, how often you watch it and whether you want a complete TV service or access to selected content.

When Sky TV could offer better value

• You watch television regularly and want a mixture of live channels and on-demand programmes.
• You want Sky Atlantic and a broader selection of entertainment channels.
• You would otherwise pay separately for several streaming subscriptions that are included with your chosen Sky package.
• You want to add Sky Sports, Sky Cinema or other extras to a single TV service.
• You prefer to browse live channels and supported streaming apps through one interface.
• You can take advantage of a competitive Sky TV or broadband and TV bundle.

When NOW could offer better value

• You only want one type of content, such as entertainment, films or sports.
• You don't want a full Sky TV package.
• You want shorter-term access to selected sports coverage.
• You already have a suitable television or streaming device and don't want additional Sky hardware.
• You would rather activate and cancel selected memberships as your viewing habits change, subject to their terms.

Compare the total cost, not just the monthly price

Make a list of the channels and streaming services you actually use. Then compare the cost of getting those services through Sky with the cost of buying NOW memberships and any additional subscriptions separately.

A household that watches Sky Atlantic, several entertainment channels, films and multiple streaming services may find that an appropriate Sky package offers better overall value. Someone who only wants Sky Sports for a particular event may pay less with a shorter-term NOW membership.

Remember to account for introductory offers, minimum contract terms, price changes, equipment costs and paid upgrades. A low introductory price doesn't necessarily mean a package will remain the cheapest over a full year or contract term.

Our advice: compare what you actually watch

Sky may offer better value when you use several parts of the package. NOW may be cheaper if you only want one type of content. Compare the services you will genuinely use rather than paying for channels or subscriptions you don't need.

Picture quality, devices and viewing experience

Watching through Sky

Sky Stream and Sky Glass combine live television, on-demand content and supported streaming apps in a single interface. Compatible packages and devices offer different picture and sound features, with optional upgrades available on selected plans.

This integrated approach can make it easier to find a programme, browse channels and switch between services without constantly moving between separate apps.

Watching through NOW

NOW is designed around streaming memberships. You watch through the NOW app on compatible devices, with the features and picture quality available depending on your membership and supported hardware.

Check the current membership terms if HD or higher-quality viewing is important to you. Don't assume that a service's maximum advertised picture quality is included with every membership.

Do you need Sky Broadband to watch Sky TV?

No. Sky Stream and Sky Glass can work with a compatible broadband connection from another UK provider, subject to Sky's requirements for the service.

This means you can choose Sky TV without necessarily switching your broadband to Sky. However, if you're considering both services, compare the combined price with the cost of taking broadband and television separately.

Winner: Sky for an integrated viewing experience

Sky offers a more complete TV interface, while NOW is a straightforward way to access selected streaming content through compatible devices.

Sky TV vs NOW: Our verdict

Winner: Sky for a complete TV service

Sky and NOW are aimed at different types of viewers, so the right choice depends on how much television you watch and which services matter to you.

Choose Sky TV if you want a more complete television service with live channels, on-demand programmes and supported streaming apps in one place. Sky Essential is worth considering for core entertainment, while Ultimate may offer better value if you watch a broader range of channels and want its included streaming subscriptions.

Choose NOW if you want access to selected Sky entertainment, films or sports without subscribing to a full Sky TV package. It can be particularly attractive if you want shorter-term access or only watch certain content.

Compare both if you're mainly interested in Sky Atlantic, Sky Sports or Sky Cinema. The right choice will depend on how frequently you watch, which channels you need and whether Sky's package inclusions justify the price.

For many households, Sky is worth investigating first because it combines a wider TV experience with optional extras and eligible streaming subscriptions. But NOW remains a useful alternative for viewers who value flexibility over having everything in one package.

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Frequently asked questions