Sky TV vs NOW TV

Sky's new Stream TV service allows customers the ability to subscribe and watch Sky TV without the need for a satellite dish.

This opens up the service to many more homes, as well as reduces the cost, and brings the experience more in line with budget pay TV provider NOW.

But how similar is Sky TV and NOW TV really? This guide puts them side-by-side to work out which is best for streaming TV.

At a glance

Best deals

	Package	Channels	Broadband	Monthly price	Upfront price	Contract term
Go	Sky Entertainment + Netflix	150	N/a	£20	Free	24 months
	Offer: Save £8/mth + Free setup (worth £39.95) (Ends 06/11/2024)
Go	TV Hub + Full Fibre 65	70	77Mb average	£33	Free	18 months
	Offer: NOW Entertainment just £4.99 for 12 months (was £9.99) + NOW Boost free + Free setup and P&P
Go	Sky Entertainment + Netflix + Full Fibre 150	150	150Mb average	£40	Free	24 months
	Offer: Save £9/mth on Sky Entertainment & Netflix + Reduced price broadband + Free setup (Ends 31/10/2024)

Which is best? Sky TV or NOW TV?

NOW TV is owned by Sky, and provides a low-cost way of watching some of Sky's key programmes and channels.

However, the content and features included with NOW are limited for a reason. Sky clearly aims to distinguish the two services from each other, ensuring Sky TV remains the premium option for those who want a dedicated TV platform.

That said, recent improvements to NOW have bought the services closer together. It's now possible for customers to purchase an Ultra Boost add-on to watch some content in 4K Ultra HD. NOW has also gained Sky Sports+ too, which allows customers to pause and rewind some sports content for the first time.

Yet, there are still a few key differences between Sky TV and NOW TV, which may help customers choose between them:

• Sky TV offers over 150 live channels, plus Netflix, including Eurosport, Discovery, National Geographic, and Freeview
• Sky TV comes in full 1080p HD as standard, whereas this costs £6 extra with NOW
• NOW TV users can't pause or rewind live TV (except programmes on Sky Sports+), and there is no ability to store or record programmes
• The Sky Stream box offers support for a range of other on-demand apps, as well as offering additional channel packs like TNT Sports
• NOW TV is much cheaper for specific channels and can be cancelled at any time, although Sky now also offer monthly rolling contract options
• Sky TV bundle free extras, like Netflix, Discovery+ Standard, and Paramount+ with the Sky Cinema pack, which adds extra value for money

Ultimately, NOW TV is the best budget choice for those who want just a few select channels from Sky. Whereas Sky TV is a much more comprehensive TV service, with a much broader content selection, and the new Stream box makes flexibility more comparable.

Price

Winner: NOW TV is cheaper than Sky TV as a standalone service, however overall value for money improves with Sky as customers get more channels in full HD as standard.

We look at the different packages available further into this comparison review, however, here's quick look at the price of Sky TV next to NOW TV:

Sky TV can seem more expensive because to access the premium Sky Cinema and Sky Sports packs, customers also have to subscribe to Sky Entertainment, which starts at £23 per month.

For customers who only want to watch certain Sky channels, NOW TV could be cheaper, however it's worth remembering features are more limited, including viewing resolution and a total lack of any other content.

Sky's prices are higher, but they include viewing in full 1080p HD - worth an extra £6 per month on NOW, as well as a subscription to Netflix Standard with Ads - worth £4.99 per month.

On a more like-for-like basis then, Sky Entertainment becomes cheaper at Sky, with a saving of £7.98 per month compared to the same services with NOW, while Sky TV with Sky Sports could save customers £12.98 per month in comparison to NOW Sports in HD with Netflix a subscription too.

Of course, NOW also offers cheaper plans for those willing to sacrifice their flexibility as well. For example, it's possible to get NOW Sports for just £26 per month for 6 months, or NOW Entertainment for £6.99 per month for 6 months. So, this should be considered if households are willing to commit.

NOW TV is ultimately cheaper than Sky TV, but Sky TV offer better savings overall when compared on a closer like-for-like basis.

Flexibility

Winner: Draw - while NOW TV subscribers can cancel at any time, Sky also now offer 31-day terms on their TV service.

Sky's move to a streaming platform has increased the flexibility of their service, with less overheads for the provider, and no need for customers to install a satellite dish.

Minimum contract terms have changed since Sky Q as a result, with Sky Stream customers able to choose between 24-month or 31-day contract terms.

The rolling monthly term options are available for the base Sky TV package, as well as premium channel packs including Sky Cinema and Sky Sports, which previously had 18-month contracts.

NOW TV Memberships have always been flexible however, with customers able to cancel their service at any time, which means customers are only charged for the service up until the day of the cancellation, with no notice period required. However, as mentioned, it's possible to get lower prices with NOW if customers are willing to sign up for a 6-month contract term.

Here's how Sky TV compares with NOW TV for flexibility:

Ultimately, NOW TV is more flexible with customers able to cancel at any time. However, Sky's new Stream box opens up the service to customers who don't want the hassle of a long-term commitment with 31-day options available.

Content

Winner: Sky TV customers get 150 channels in the base package as well as a subscription to Netflix, while NOW TV focuses on just a small selection of channels.

Sky TV is much more comprehensive in comparison to NOW TV, with the budget NOW service offering memberships only to a select number of specific channels.

Sky Entertainment & Netflix, which comes as standard with Sky Stream and Sky Glass, offers over 150 live channels, as well as a range of on-demand content including Sky exclusives and Sky Originals.

Both the Sky Stream Puck box and the Sky Glass TV set also support a wide range of free and subscription-based on-demand apps, so customers can also add more content if they want to. Support is available for apps including Prime Video, Paramount+, Apple TV+, Discovery+, BBC iPlayer, ITVX, Hayu, Spotify, Youtube, and many others.

NOW TV, on the other hand, focuses on offering low-cost access to just a small selection of Sky TV channels.

NOW Entertainment covers just 17 entertainment and documentary channels, as well as 7 kids channels. While NOW Cinema and NOW Sports focus just on the Sky Cinema and Sky Sports channels.

Here's how Sky TV and NOW TV look side-by-side in terms of channel count:

NOW Entertainment includes Sky's main entertainment channels, like Sky Atlantic, Sky Max, and Sky Documentaries. However, it misses out on a lot of others that come with Sky TV including Discovery, National Geographic, and Eurosport.

Sky TV customers also get all Freeview channels included within the platform and programming guide, which provides a much more seamless TV experience.

In terms of the premium channel packs, Sky TV also beat NOW TV in terms of extras. Sky Cinema customers get Paramount+ included with Sky, which is worth £6.99 per month.

Sky TV customers also gain free access to Discovery+ Standard, with TNT Sports subscriptions getting the Discovery+ Premium membership.

There are also more kids channels on Sky TV, although NOW TV customers get these included within NOW Entertainment, while Sky TV customers have to pay £6 a month more for the Sky Kids pack.

Overall, Sky TV has much more content available than NOW TV, including more extras as well as support for additional on-demand services.

Entertainment

Here is Sky Entertainment side-by-side with NOW Entertainment. While Sky is more expensive, as we've mentioned, it includes many more channels and comes in full 1080p HD as standard.

	Package	Channels	Monthly price	Upfront price	Contract term
	Sky Entertainment + Netflix	150	£20	Free	24 months
	Offer: Save £8/mth + Free setup (worth £39.95) (Ends 06/11/2024)
	Entertainment Membership	24	£6.99	Free	6 months
	Offer: NOW Entertainment £6.99/mth for 6 months

Sky TV also bundles a subscription to Netflix Standard with Ads with their Entertainment plan too, which is worth £4.99 per month.

NOW Entertainment includes the following channels:

NOW bundles seven kids channels with NOW Entertainment, while Sky TV customers will need to pay an extra £6 per month for nine kids channels in the Sky Kids pack.

Sky TV has many more channels overall, including popular titles like Discovery, Animal Planet, National Geographic, and Eurosport, as well as integration with all Freeview channels as well.

Cinema

Sky Cinema vs NOW Cinema is more comparable with both providers offering the main 11 cinema channels, and Sky only have an additional +1 channel.

	Package	Channels	Monthly price	Upfront price	Contract term
	Sky Entertainment + Netflix + Sky Cinema	162	£28	Free	24 months
	Offer: Save £5/mth on Sky Cinema + Save £8/mth on Sky Entertainment & Netflix + Free setup (worth £39.95) (Ends 06/11/2024)
	Cinema Membership	11	£6.99	Free	6 months
	Offer: NOW Cinema £6.99/mth for 6 months

However, Sky Cinema customers who subscribe with Sky TV also get a free subscription to Paramount+ included, which is worth an extra £6.99 per month.

And as mentioned, Sky Cinema comes in full 1080p HD, while NOW Cinema is delivered in 720p HD unless customers take the NOW Boost upgrade for an extra £6 per month.

Sports

Sky Sports and NOW Sports cover the same main 9 channels, including Sky Sports+ on-demand and linear content, as well as including Sky Sports News, Sky Sports Racing, and Sky Sports Mix which are included in the base Sky TV package.

	Package	Channels	Monthly price	Upfront price	Contract term
	Sky Entertainment + Netflix + Sky Sports	159	£40	Free	24 months
	Offer: Save £8/mth on Sky Sports + Save £8/mth on Sky Entertainment & Netflix + Free setup (worth £39.95) (Ends 06/11/2024)
	Sports Membership	11	£26	Free	6 months
	Offer: Save 25% and 1 month free trial of Boost

Sky Sports comes in full 1080p HD and customers can choose to take the Ultra HD pack for additional Sky Sports Ultra HD content.

NOW Sports comes in 720p HD, but can be boosted to full HD for £6 per month. It's also now possible to get some sports content in UHD with the Ultra Boost add-on for £9 per month.

It's also worth noting that on NOW it's not possible to pause and rewind live TV, or record programmes. This means re-watching a key moment, like a great goal, isn't possible with NOW. That said, the ability to pause and rewind is available on Sky Sports+ content, which has also been added to NOW.

NOW Sports does offers additional flexibility however, with the option to subscribe for just one day, although this costs £14.99.

Overall though, Sky TV may be the better choice here, especially if customers also want to watch sports content from Eurosport and TNT Sports, which isn't available through NOW.

TV box

Winner: Sky offers the Stream Puck box or Sky Glass set with a built-in Sky box, whereas NOW no longer offer a set-top box.

NOW used to offer smart sticks or smart boxes, which supported the NOW app and allowed customers the ability to stream their content through older non-smart TVs. However, while these boxes can still be purchased on sites like eBay and Amazon, they're no longer offered by NOW.

That means NOW has become a streaming platform more comparable with services like Netflix or Prime Video, with software-based apps but no physical devices.

Sky on the other hand, offer customers a selection of devices to choose from, including the often-free Sky Stream Puck box or a dedicated TV, Sky Glass, with a built-in Sky box.

The Sky boxes offer the ability to pause and rewind live TV, which isn't possible on NOW, as well as save programmes to Playlist, which can be customised by viewers to store shows they want to watch later, including from other platforms like Netflix.

Sky boxes also add additional benefit in terms of supporting a range of on-demand apps, including BBC iPlayer, ITVX, Channel 4 and My5, as well as Prime Video, Discovery+, Paramount+, Apple TV+, Hayu, and many others, helping to massively expand the content available for viewers to access.

Broadband bundles

Winner: Sky offer discounts for customers who bundle Sky TV with Sky broadband, however there are no bundle options for NOW Broadband customers anymore.

Customers can save around £10 per month by bundling Sky TV with Sky broadband, compared to taking those services separately.

However, since becoming 'powered by Sky', NOW Broadband has lost the discounts offered to customers who bundled NOW TV Memberships, and while Sky TV is given as an option at sign up, it doesn't offer the same discounts that Sky broadband customers get.

For example, here's how NOW and Sky look side-by-side when Sky TV is bundled with broadband:

	Package	TV	Broadband	Monthly price	Upfront price	Contract term
	Sky Entertainment + Netflix + Full Fibre 75	150	75Mb average	£37	Free	24 months
	Offer: Save £8/mth on Sky Entertainment & Netflix + Sky broadband just £17/mth + Free setup (Ends 06/11/2024)
	Superfast + Sky TV	150	61Mb average	£38	Free	24 months
	Offer: Free setup

NOW Broadband is now very similar to Sky broadband with customers sent the same routers, and given the same upgrade options for Sky's WiFi guarantee and faster Max Hub router.

While there are some definite benefits for NOW Broadband from this integration with their parent company, namely full fibre deals and Sky's customer service, there have been drawbacks too.

One of the biggest ones is the removal of any offers for bundling NOW TV, and we've yet to see any good discounts for NOW Broadband customers who take Sky TV instead.

Overall, for anyone who also wants to bundle TV with broadband, Sky are the best option here with cheaper prices overall than for bundling NOW.

Verdict: Sky TV or NOW TV?

Overall winner: Sky TV is much more comprehensive than NOW TV, and the new Sky Stream service matches the flexibility of NOW's streaming platform.

While NOW TV offers a great option for those on a strict budget, as well as when customers only want to access a specific channel or two, it doesn't match up to the service Sky are offering.

Sky TV, with its new Stream service, enables customers to easily access all their premium content in one place, choose from rolling monthly terms, and gain support for a range of additional on-demand apps including Prime Video, Discovery+ and Paramount+.

The extras available with some services also put Sky TV in the lead, with Sky Cinema bundling Paramount+, and TNT Sports bundling Discovery+ Premium.

Viewing quality is also now full 1080p HD as standard with Sky Stream and Sky Glass, while NOW TV customers have to pay an additional £6 per month for NOW Boost to watch programmes in full HD.

We like Sky TV for the following reasons:

• More content in the base package, including Netflix
• Full 1080p HD as standard
• Ability to pause and rewind live TV, as well as store programmes from a range of platforms to the Playlist
• Extra add-on options such as TNT Sports
• Support for additional on-demand apps

On the other hand, we like NOW TV memberships because:

• It allows customers to subscribe only to the content they want
• Day memberships for sports are very useful
• NOW Boost with ad-skipping removes more ads from on-demand content

Ultimately, with more households opting to subscribe to a range of on-demand services, NOW TV will certainly suit some customers. Yet, Sky TV's content and services remain hard to beat.