What is Sky Essential TV?
Sky Essential TV is Sky’s core TV subscription. It includes 90+ Freeview channels and Sky Atlantic, plus Netflix and Discovery+.
How can I watch Sky TV at home?
Sky currently offers two hardware options for new customers – Sky Stream or Sky Glass. Sky Stream is a powerful, compact streaming box that connects to your current TV. You can use all your favourite streaming services, plus watch all the live TV channels included in your package.
The second option is Sky’s all-in-one smart TVs, Sky Glass. Available as both the Sky Glass Gen 2 or the new Sky Glass Air, they’re both stylish bits of hardware that make it easy to enjoy great entertainment.
How much does Sky Essential TV cost?
Sky Essential TV packages start from £15 a month for new customers, including Netflix standard with ads and Discovery+. You can get Sky TV for even less by bundling it with your Sky broadband plan. Right now, 150 Mbps broadband and Essential TV together cost just £35 a month, £7 a month cheaper than subscribing separately.
Upgrade your package with sports, movies and more
Sky TV packages are flexible, allowing you to subscribe to the packs of channels you care about. Start with Sky Essential TV or Sky Ultimate TV, then build your perfect entertainment package. Sky’s add on packs include:
- Sky Sports: 9 dedicated sports channels showing everything from F1 to the Premier League
- TNT Sports: Previously BT sports, showing football, rugby, tennis and more
- Sky Movies: Dedicated movie channels, a Paramount+ subscription and 2 free cinema tickets a month
- Sky Kids: 10 live kids channels including Disney Jr. and Cartoon Network
What channels are included in Sky Essential TV in 2026?
Channels are correct at time of publishing, but are subject to change without warning and availability may vary by region.
| Channel Name | Channel Number | Category | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| BBC One | 101 | BBC Channels | |
| BBC Two | 102 | BBC Channels | |
| ITV1/STV/UTV | 103 | ITV Channels | |
| Channel 4/S4C | 104 | Channel 4 | Channel 108 in Wales |
| 5 | 105 | Channel 5 | |
| Sky Atlantic | 108 | Sky Channels | Channel 109 in Wales |
| Sky Arts | 114 | Sky Channels | Channel 115 in Wales |
| BBC Three | 118 | BBC Channels | |
| BBC Four | 119 | BBC Channels | |
| ITV2 | 122 | ITV Channels | |
| ITV3 | 123 | ITV Channels | |
| ITV4 | 124 | ITV Channels | |
| ITV Quiz | 125 | ITV Channels | |
| E4 | 126 | Channel 4 | |
| More4 | 127 | Channel 4 | |
| 5STAR | 128 | Channel 5 | |
| 5 USA | 129 | Channel 5 | |
| U&Dave | 130 | Entertainment | Channel 132 in Scotland |
| U&W | 131 | Entertainment | Channel 133 in Scotland |
| U&Drama | 132 | Entertainment | Channel 134 in Scotland |
| U&YESTERDAY | 133 | Entertainment | Channel 161 in Scotland |
| U&Eden | 134 | Entertainment | Channel 162 in Scotland |
| Discovery | 138 | Entertainment | |
| TLC | 139 | Entertainment | |
| ID | 140 | Entertainment | |
| Animal Planet | 141 | Entertainment | |
| Discovery Turbo | 146 | Entertainment | |
| Discovery History | 147 | Entertainment | |
| Discovery Science | 148 | Entertainment | |
| Quest | 149 | Entertainment | |
| Quest Red | 150 | Entertainment | |
| DMAX | 151 | Entertainment | |
| Food Network | 152 | Entertainment | |
| Really | 153 | Entertainment | |
| TRUE CRIME | 155 | Entertainment | |
| LEGEND | 156 | Entertainment | |
| TRUE CRIME XTRA | 157 | Entertainment | |
| Sky Mix | 158 | Sky Channels | |
| Challenge | 159 | Entertainment | |
| 4seven | 163 | Channel 4 | |
| E4 Extra | 164 | Channel 4 | |
| 5ACTION | 165 | Channel 5 | |
| 5SELECT | 166 | Channel 5 | |
| GREAT! TV | 167 | Entertainment | |
| BLAZE | 169 | Entertainment | |
| PBS America | 170 | Entertainment | |
| Together TV | 171 | Entertainment |
Save on Sky Essential TV (and more!)
If you’re ready to find your new favourite shows on Sky TV, there’s one easy way to make set up simple and save on your subscription. Book a free call with Please Connect Me, and get everything sorted.
Our Connections Experts will help you build your perfect package, and you’ll get exclusive discounts and offers to make sure you’re paying the best price. Plus, you can check you’re getting the best deals for energy, broadband, mobile and more.
