Sky TV vs Now TV – which option is right for you? While TV packages from both suppliers might seem similar, there are actually lots of differences between the options.
We’ve broken down the big differences between Sky and Now TV’s packages below so you can make the perfect choice for you.
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Sky TV Vs Now TV: The differences at a glance
| Feature | Sky TV | Now TV |
|---|---|---|
| What’s Included | 90-130+ Live channels, 30,000+ shows, and integrated search across apps. | 16 live channels plus 6 kids’ channels. Focused on on-demand box sets. |
| Add-Ons | Sports, Cinema, Kids, and Netflix bundles. | Cinema and “Boost” options for HD/4K and ad-free viewing. |
| Price | From £15/month (Sky Essential). | From £4.99/month (Promo with ads). |
| Contract | 24 months or 31-day rolling. | 12 months or one-month rolling. |
| Hardware | Sky Stream puck, Sky Glass, or Glass Air TVs. | App-based (Smart TVs, consoles, mobile, etc.). |
Can I watch live TV channels with Now TV?
While Now TV is often thought of as another streaming service – like Netflix, Apple TV+ or Amazon Prime – subscribers are also able to watch live TV channels with their membership.
The channels included are Sky Atlantic, Sky Max, Sky Showcase, Sky Witness, Sky Comedy, Sky Documentaries, Sky History, Sky Nature, Sky Crime, Sky Arts, Sky Sci-Fi, Gold, MTV, Comedy Central, Alibi, and BSL Zone, plus Sky Kids, Boomerang, Cartoon Network, Nickelodeon, Cartoonito, Nick Jr and Nicktoons for younger viewers.
Live sports on Now TV
You can also watch live sports through your Now TV membership. The Sports add-on adds all 12 Sky Sports channels to your plan, including Sky Premier League, Sky Sports Football, Sky Sports F1 and Sky Sports Plus.
You can subscribe for six months for £28 a month, on a one-month rolling plan for £34.99 a month or – to enjoy a single match or event – purchase a day pass for £14.99.
Which is better: Sky TV vs Now TV?
Ultimately, which TV service is best for you depends on what you want to watch and how you watch TV.
Sky TV offers a much more comprehensive service. Sky’s top-of-the-line hardware includes a remote with voice search, and even Sky’s essential package includes more than five times as many channels as a Now TV entertainment plan. Just like Now TV, Sky allows subscribers to stream boxsets of their favourite shows on demand.
Now TV offers a lower-cost option for households that prefer to stream occasional episodes or who are looking to watch new shows across Sky’s flagship channels.
Popular new series like It: Welcome to Derry, The Iris Affair, The Death of Bunny Munro and The Walking Dead: Daryl Dixon are available to watch on demand through both services, as well as watching the live premiere of each episode.
