How To Pay Less for Your TV and Movies
Recently, we’ve taken a look at how you can potentially lower your Sky bill. The fact of the matter is, the cost of home entertainment is always on the increase. This is often due to inflation, though the major UK TV and broadband providers do unfortunately still have the right to hike prices up once you’re in contract. With that in mind, it’s little wonder so many of us are looking for cheaper alternatives to Sky, Virgin Media and BT. But what’s out there beyond the big three that is actually worth your money?
In this guide, we’re going to explore all the best alternative routes you can take when it comes to getting your hands on great entertainment for less. There are plenty of great alternatives to Sky. You just need to do a little bit of digging. You’ll also need to consider your budget, too – as well as exactly what you want from your entertainment provider.
Do you want access to sports, movies or pay per view services? Are you interested in box sets, catch up TV or on demand features? These are all things which could help to hike up the cost of your TV bill. Ultimately, if saving money is important to you, you might need to think carefully about what you’re willing to sacrifice.
That being said, it might just be a case of thinking outside of the box. We’ve got access to more channels and shows than we’ve ever had before. Sometimes, it’s not so hard to look for alternatives to Sky as it is to find worthwhile replacements. Everyone’s TV needs are going to be slightly different.
Therefore, in this guide, we’ll be looking at viable alternatives for Sky, Virgin Media, BT and more. We’ll run down some of the best ways for you to save cash on your monthly TV bills, all the while not missing out on your favourite shows, movies and events. You don’t have to keep paying for Sky Q or Virgin unless you want to. Start thinking about cheaper ways to entertain yourself!
Best Alternatives to Sky
Freeview
Let’s start with the absolute cheapest. Freeview is, of course, absolutely free. It has been ever since it was first brought in around the time of digital TV taking over the analogue signals. Freeview is a service that’s pretty much available to anyone with a TV, full stop. Most modern TVs are built with the Freeview service already installed, which means all you need to do is connect up a set-top box or an aerial to get going.
While Freeview is free on the surface, costs may vary when it comes to paying for a box or a device for you to stream it through. However, this is normally less than £40-£50, which is a pretty sweet price to pay when it means you get all the programmes it provides for free from here on out.
Where Freeview falls down is, naturally, the choice of channels available. However, it is still a viable alternative to Sky TV packages if you’re mainly interested in one or two channels or shows. This is your best way of getting close to the ‘terrestrial’ package of old, which of course included the four basic channels (before Channel 5 showed up and made things complicated around 1997).
Freeview TV channels include all the BBC standards, ITVs, Channel 4 and 5, as well as plenty of niche channels such as Dave, Quest, CBS, and even the Horror Channel. What’s more, there are even a few on demand services tied in, too. Think about the TV you actually want to watch, and weigh up whether or not it’s worth going subscription-free.
The Bottom Line: It’s free, but it’s limited in terms of channels. If you don’t watch TV much, or only watch a few stations, Freeview is a brilliant cheaper alternative to Sky.
Freeview TVs
The easiest way to view Freeview is with a TV that already has a built in Freeview tuner. Check out the latest releases on Amazon if you are on the lookout for a new set.
- 1:23 Inch HD Ready TV with Digital Dual Tuners T2
- 2:TV Multi-Connectivity: HDMI, USB and VGA Input
- 3: tv Built-in Speaker
- 4:23-inch TV. Support DVD player, wifi box, MEDIA PLAYER: Possibility of watching movies of various video formats (AVI, MKV, VOB), viewing pictures (JPEG, BMP) and listening to music (MP3, WMA) from a USB storage
- 5: Packing: 23-inch TV, remote control, manual, high-definition cable, wall mount
- 21.5" TV with LED technology and Full HD resolution (1,920 x 1,080P), enjoy a sharp picture
- TV multi-connectivity. HDMI and AV and VGA inputs. You can access PSP game consoles, DVD players, network players, DVR recorders, etc.
- The tv has excellent built-in speakers for great sound quality
- 21.5" TV. Support for USB port media player: you can watch movies in various video formats (AVI, MKV, VOB), view pictures (JPEG, BMP) and listen to music (MP3, WMA) from USB storage.
- Packing: 21.5-inch TV, remote control, manual, high-definition cable, wall mount
- Android 9.0 TV with integrated Google Assistant and voice control
- 4K Ultra HD LED with HDR10
- Chromecast built-in
- Harman / Kardon sound system & DTS Virtual X
- Bluetooth connectivity
Freesat
There’s probably not that much more we can say about Freesat given that Freeview has already been covered, as you’ll get access to the same channels. That being said, as the service is streamed through a satellite dish, it’s a viable alternative to homes which have poor access to Freeview. Once again, it’s completely free.
However, do be aware that if you are set to leave Sky, you may need to change your dish or its capabilities, as it works on a slightly different system. For stable, free TV, Freesat is a good option for many households.
The Bottom Line: Free TV channels – similar to Freeview, but more stable with dish reception.
Best Freesat Box to Replace Sky
Like Freeview there are some TVs which come with Freesat built in however it’s much less common. There are however plenty of reasonably priced Freesat boxes which will do the same job. Here are the latest available on Amazon:
- This Satellite connector is perfect for Sky, Sky HD, Sky Q, Freesat, Virgin Media, TV Aerials & other TV & Satellite coax cables with a 7mm Thickness.
- Manufactured to prevents loss of signal quality, great for RG6 coax cables.
- Waterproof F connector prevents potential wear, shortened lifespan and quality of performance due to its weather resistance quality.
- F Type connector screws to your cables and extends you're connection to the cable box, TV, satellite receiver, VCR, cable modem, off-air antenna or other digital audio/video components with a F fitting.
- Connectors are easily removed by hand and can be re used every . Screw them back on if you.
- F Type connector screws to your cables and extends you're connection to the cable box, TV, satellite receiver, VCR, cable modem, off-air antenna or other digital audio/video components with a F fitting.
- This Satellite connector is perfect for Sky, Sky HD, Sky Q, Freesat, Virgin Media, TV Aerials & other TV & Satellite coax cables with a 7mm Thickness.
- Waterproof F connector prevents potential wear, shortened lifespan and quality of performance due to its weather resistance quality.
- Manufactured to prevents loss of signal quality, great for RG6 coax cables.
- Connectors are easily removed by hand and can be re used every . Screw them back on if you.
- High quality and meticulous work, a good choice for you.
- This wireless USB wifi adapter is easy to use and easy to install.
- For your digital satellite IKS IPTV server.
- Stable signal for daily use.Play and plug for compatible model.
- A USB wifi adapter is an ideal and extremely convenient solution for wireless internet connection.
Netflix
Yes, Netflix is pretty much the Daddy of streaming services, and there’s plenty of good reasons why. For as little as £5.99 per month, you can get access to a rolling library of TV series and movies, many of which are from the UK and from the US. Netflix also produces its own exclusive content, most of which is worth watching, and which you won’t get access to elsewhere.
The major benefit of Netflix lies in its compatibility. You can pretty much stream Netflix to any device known to man. This is what makes it one of the best alternatives to Sky on the market. You can stream via Smart TV, certain games consoles, tablets, smartphones and streaming sticks. Even the Amazon Fire Stick supports it, though it doesn’t like making a big song and dance about it.
Fans of great-looking TV content can upgrade to Ultra HD streaming for a little extra, all for less than you’d expect to pay Sky for every month. What can let Netflix down is that its selection isn’t always the best. It rolls its selections around occasionally and there’s no sports coverage or pay per view services.
It’s pretty much a digital lending library. That’s not a bad thing! What’s more, you can set it up for up to five different profiles to use, meaning if you’d rather your side of the TV wasn’t clogged up with recommendations for ‘Twilight’ or ‘Stranger Things’, you can tweak your experience your own way.
The Bottom Line: Netflix is convenient, cheap, and available just about everywhere. Your tastes may vary when it comes to the quality of content but it’s definitely one of the best Sky alternatives.
Amazon Prime
Amazon Prime is Netflix’s main rival, and for £7.99 per month, it competes very well indeed. It also comes tied in with the benefits of having Prime next-day-delivery and a host of other services for the £7.99 per month (or £6.58 per month if you pay annually). It’s safe to say Amazon has built up one of the most compelling alternatives to Sky.
You can currently get a free 30 day unlimited trial of Amazon Prime with no commitment – click here to visit Amazon, sign up and try it free for 30 days!
Prime is also well-known for its unique content. It’s been the home of The Grand Tour for several years, which is of course the show Jeremy Clarkson and the Top Gear gang headed to after jumping ship from the BBC. It’s also got – arguably – a wider selection of movies to choose from, many of which are included for free. You can easily rent or buy certain movies, however, which is convenient from your laptop, Smart TV, tablet or streaming stick.
Speaking of streaming sticks, at present, the Amazon Fire Stick and the recently released Fire TV Cube are TV-plugin devices through which you can watch prime video. Like Netflix, you can also cast from your phone straight to a compatible Smart TV or Fire TV device. The latest Fire Stick also supports 4k Ultra HD and comes with an Alexa Voice Remote.
- Cinematic experience: watch in vibrant 4K Ultra HD with support for Dolby Vision, HDR and HDR10+.
- Launch and control your favourite movies and TV shows with the Alexa Voice Remote. Use the dedicated power, volume and mute buttons to control your compatible TV, soundbar and receiver.
- Enjoy favourites from BBC iPlayer, Netflix, Prime Video, YouTube, Now, ITV Hub, All 4, Disney+, Apple TV and others (subscription fees may apply).
- Experience thousands of apps, Alexa skills and channels plus millions of websites such as Facebook and Reddit.
- Do more with Alexa — view supported live camera feeds, check the weather, dim lights, and stream music.
Amazon Prime is a fantastic alternative to Sky TV package deals in general, and it makes good sense to take a look at it as a potential cheaper alternative to Sky. An added bonus is they have recently started to offer live sports – having provided full coverage of the US Open and a number of English Premier League games earlier in the year. As well as regular coverage of tennis events.
The Bottom Line: A brilliant Sky TV and Netflix alternative. You can tie it in with Amazon delivery perks and the fire stick makes it very portable. Sports coverage also continues to increase.
NOW TV
NOW TV is actually where things get a bit more interesting. That’s because it’s provided by Sky themselves. But why is NOW TV seen as one of the best alternatives to Sky by so many people? For one thing, you can choose whether you want a TV package, a movies package or a sports package – and you can pick between passes as you see fit.
However, this does come at a cost. You’ll probably expect to not pay more than £10-£15 for a box or a streaming stick, and streaming passes start at £4.99 per month. Movies are currently priced at £8.99, while sports are available in day or week passes for £6.99 and £10.99 respectively. This is actually an impressive amount of flexibility.
It’s also a really clever move on the part of Sky. If you just want the sports, pay for as much as you want. If you only want Sky Movies, buy the relevant pass. The number of movies available is absolutely stonking, too, meaning it often has plenty going for it over Netflix. What’s more, it’s more flexible than Prime, as you can stream it to various sticks as you see fit.
However, the NOW TV Player, a native program available for PCs, laptops, Macs and MacBooks, is a little clunky. To be able to watch content via a computer, you’ll need to install a separate application, which can often prevent you from watching in auto play mode. The functionality isn’t as smooth as Netflix, but you really can’t fault the choice.
The Bottom Line: Loads of passes and flexibility, can be a little clunky in terms of PC / Mac functionality, although it’s not bad. Definitely a viable and flexible alternative to Sky TV package deals.
TVPlayer
TVPlayer is probably not as well-known as the above, but it’s a nice little step up from Freeview. Available for £6.99 per month, you’ll get access to up to 34 different channels which aren’t available on free boxes or streaming services. Therefore, it might well fill the gap between Freeview and Sky TV for a paltry sum each month.
It’s an online alternative to having a box of sorts plugged into your TV. Therefore, it’s well worth looking into if you spend most of your time watching TV online as opposed to via the gogglebox. Again, however, this is a streaming service which focuses mainly on entertainment, and not on movies or sport. For tailored sports and movies packages, you really should do best looking elsewhere.
The Bottom Line: Super-cheap, a nice add-on for Freeview. Not as much content here as elsewhere for the price.
Disney+ (Previously DisneyLife)
Disney+, which was previously known as DisneyLife, is an app-based, streamable content platform which is currently available for £5.99/month or £59.99/year. A brilliant option for families, you get access to more or less everything Disney’s produced over the years, including TV shows, Pirates of the Caribbean and Pixar movies. It’s also crammed full of great little features for the kids, too, meaning you can leave them to enjoy their favourite movies in peace.
Disney+ looks set to challenge the likes of Netflix, Amazon and more with an advanced streaming service. Bringing together all of their brands including Marvel and Star Wars, as well as acquired content from 20th Century Fox such as The Simpsons.
The Bottom Line: A brilliant choice for families. Disney+ looks set to rival the links of Netflix and Amazon, especially for families with younger children.
Google Chromecast
For as little as around £30, Google’s Chromecast will easily plug into your TV, and you can stream a whole host of content to the device from your smartphone or tablet. The best thing is, you can access various on demand services for free and just cast them as and when you like. The latest version of the Google Chromecast now also comes equipped with 4k capability which is well worth the increased price tag.
Stream Amazon Prime TV, BBC iPlayer, Netflix, NOW TV, UKTV Player, YouTube and tons more. The functionality is great, which means if you’re already pretty savvy with your streaming and your smart tech in general, you’ll have no difficulty getting started. It’s one of the more niche alternatives to Sky and may not be a viable option for those of us who like to be able to control everything with a TV remote, but it’s still pretty impressive. If you’ve got several streaming services on the go, definitely make an investment.
The Bottom Line: Stream all manner of services to an affordable, flexible stick. Maybe not as user-friendly as a set-top box, but impressively capable.
Premier Sports
If you’re really only likely to want to watch sport on TV, then Premier Sports has emerged as a very reasonable option. It’s mainly levelled towards football fans, but you will also find a fair selection of alternative sports to watch from time to time – particularly ice hockey.
There’s a handful of packages available through the service, starting from £5.99 per month. This will give you access to LaLiga TV, which you can choose to pay for annually at a rate of £49 per year. However, the biggest and best package is the three-channel deal, granting you access to Premier Sports 1 and 2, as well as LaLiga TV, for £11.99 per month – or £99 per year. Rather than having to go through any major TV provider, these channels are available completely online, which should appeal to those who only stream.
However, if you do have a TV and want to cast from the service, it’s pretty easy to get going – and what’s more, the quality of the streams from mobile is pretty impressive. The streaming and smart TV connectivity are likely to make the service pretty desirable. Particularly for fans of Spanish and Italian football leagues.
The Bottom Line: Premier Sports is likely to appeal mainly to football fans, though with a flexible online package and great streaming tech, you’re unlikely to go wrong for £11.99 per month. A great alternative to Sky Sports if Spanish or Italian football is your thing.
Bestselling 4k TVs
When it comes to watching sport one of the most important factors is ensuring you have a good sized TV with excellent picture quality to watch it on! On that note here are the current bestselling large 4K TVs on Amazon:
- 4K Resolution- With 4x more pixels than traditional Full HD, Hisense’s 4K Ultra HD resolution is the benchmark for stunningly realistic picture quality and pin-sharp clarity.
- DTS Studio Sound- An immersive sound experience. Volume Levelling cleverly smooths transitions between inputs and when changing channels.
- HDR Technology- HDR dramatically enhances detail by maximising contrast and colour accuracy for more true-to-life colours and amazing levels of clarity.
- VIDAA U Smart TV - access Netflix, Prime Video, YouTube, Freeview Play and Rakuten with direct access keys on remote.
- Freeview Play - Catch up on the last 7 days via BBC iPlayer, ITV Hub, All 4, Demand 5 and UKTV Play.
- Superior Colour and Contrast: Featuring High Dynamic Range Imaging (HDR10) and Micro Dimming Pro technologies – brighter whites and deeper blacks mean colour and contrast is optimised in every frame.
- Watch Smarter with Android: Built with an Android ecosystem and Google Assistant, your favourite content is always front and centre. With the Google Play Store, whatever you're into – Freeview play, Netflix, Prime Video, YouTube - There's an app you're sure to love. Plus, plug in and play, with HDMI and USB connectivity.
- Wire-Free Connectivity: Stream or mirror content easily, with Wi-Fi and Bluetooth built in.
- Effortlessly Wall Mount: The slim design provides more viewing using less space. Wall mount your TV or use the easy to fit TV stand included. A rigorously tested bracket meets industrial standard. Note: VESA = width 200mm x height 200mm (43’’).
- Worry-Free Warranty: Comes with a 2-year warranty. For support email uksupport@tcl.com, or call 0203 318 0659.
- Experience Life In Ultra HD With The AU8000 – Our 43 Inch Smart TV doesn’t compromise on greatness. Offering dynamic crystal colour, adaptive sound audio, built in voice assistants & streaming services; all contained within a sleek air slim design.
- Witness stunning visuals on your Samsung Smart TV- immerse yourself in the magic of tv with striking detail that bursts from the screen. With a Crystal 4k processor and contrast enhancer, you'll feel like you're there. Whatever you're watching.
- Get that cinematic feeling straight from your living room - Adaptive Sound works to adjust your tv to your living space with smart audio so you experience unmatched sound quality, and with Q-Symphony when you pair your Samsung Smart TV with a Samsung Soundbar.
- Watch Whatever, Whenever - With streaming at your fingertips, your 43 inch tv puts all your favourite shows together in one place so you can get right into the action in stunning 4k. With built in Alexa, control your smart tv with just your voice.
- Start Experiencing Samsung TVs - We believe a TV is more than something you watch. It should inspire, amaze, envelop and immerse you. From quality picture, to elegant design, our TVs push the boundaries of what is possible and what a TV can be.
HayU
HayU is a pretty niche streaming service, but one that’s massively popular. For £4.99 a month, you’ll get access to top US reality TV such as Keeping Up With the Kardashians (if that’s your kind of thing, I’m not here to judge!), available to watch the same time they go live across the Atlantic. What’s more, it’s one of few streaming services still offering a solid free trial, meaning you can watch as much reality TV as you want for up to 30 days before a direct debit will kick in.
However, as this service is fairly niche, it may not be to everyone’s tastes. That being said, it may be a worthy alternative to Sky TV package deals where only a few reality or lifestyle channels are included, and where you get limited access to certain shows and episodes.
The Bottom Line: A brilliant niche streaming service, free for a month, and then reasonably priced after that.
YouView
Anyone who has paid for a TalkTalk package in the past will be familiar with YouView, which is a service that the brand shares with BT. YouView is a subscription-free service that provides tons of great channels and catchup services. It’s often found on set-top boxes and, on the whole, it’s built-in with various BT and TalkTalk plans.
Therefore, it may not be a viable choice unless you are willing to jump ship to either TalkTalk or BT in the meantime. What’s more, it can be notoriously temperamental in some areas. It might not make much sense to use YouView if you have access to a streaming stick.
The Bottom Line: Easy to use, but largely limited to BT and TalkTalk.
Other Things to Consider
Switching over from Sky to another package may seem simple enough, but it’s always worth doing your homework as far as the various streaming and package deals available are concerned. Definitely take advantage of free trials from platforms such as Prime and Netflix wherever possible. This way, you can make your mind up as to which services suit you best.
Do invest in a streaming stick or plugin. For our money, the Google Chromecast 4K is likely to be your best bet for its amazing flexibility. However, the Amazon Fire Stick and NOW TV boxes are just as reliable, if sadly not as flexible.
Before you leave Sky, consider your contract term. Are you still tied in? How much notice do you have to give?
Is Sky still supplying your broadband service? If so, you may wish to inquire about disconnecting your TV while keeping your internet active. You are well within your rights to request this. However, you’ll also likely need to take a look at any download restrictions on your broadband if you’re going to switching to streaming in the near future.
Regardless of the alternative to Sky package deals you choose from in our guide, the overriding benefit is the fact that there is no contract supplied with the above options. Give a month’s notice to cancel, and you’re free to go. While you may save £20-£30 per month overall by quitting Sky outright, it is certainly refreshing not to be tied down.
What is the Best Alternative to Sky?
To sum up, let’s take a look at what we’ve covered. No one cheaper alternative to Sky is better than any other, generally – as it will all depend on your budget and your tastes.
- For basic TV packages and simple programming including on demand TV, choose Freeview or Freesat.
- To top up your choice of channels, consider paying a small monthly fee for TVPlayer.
- For on demand movies and TV, choose Netflix, Amazon Prime or NOW TV.
- For sport, consider either buying a weekly pass through NOW TV or signing up for Premier Sports (or both).
- Invest in a Google Chromecast to flexibly stream niche services such as Disney+ and HayU.
What are some the best alternatives to Sky TV you’ve found? Try out some of the options we’ve explored here and build your own entertainment setup!
FAQs
Do you need an aerial for Now TV box?
You don’t need an aerial to use any of the Now TV passes. However if you have the latest Now TV box and wish to watch Freeview, you’ll need to connect an aerial to do so.
Can you get Sky TV without a dish?
No. Although there are plans to offer a no dish service, at the moment the only way to get Sky is via a satellite dish. However you can get access to some Sky content via Now TV which doesn’t require a dish.
How do I cancel my Sky subscription?
You can cancel by your Sky subscription by using the dedicated cancel service on the Sky website.
Can you get Amazon Prime on Sky?
Yes. Sky recently added Amazon Prime to the Sky Q platform.
Last update on 2022-01-15 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Still confused.. I don’t have broadband or WiFi.. I do have a smart tv.. I would like a none contract TV top box that.. I can get movies and box sets on.. Normal TV.. Sports channels. Is this possible please..
Hi Margaret, thanks for your question. If you dont have an internet connection in your home then you are restricted to services which dont require the device to be online. So in that case you are restricted really to either Freeview or Freesat. As you say you have a smart TV and most modern TV’s now come with Freeview built in so all you would require to access Freeview is a digital aerial (if you dont already have one you should be able to find local installers to fit one for you). Alternatively you could get Freesat which is delivered via satellite dish which would also need to be installed at a cost. Your best bet would probably be to use Freeview for normal tv viewing and get a cheap broadband deal which would allow you to get access to services like Netflix and NowTV (theres probably already apps on your smart tv for both of these) both of which you can sign up for monthly so there is no minimum contract period to tie you in. Hope that helps!
I hav been paying for Foxtel for years $69.00 a month….I have cut back a few channels to make it cheaper, but my husband likes to watch sport and his sky news.
I am told this is on free tv but he says not the whole show?.?
What do you suggest for me.
Hi Vicki, I’m assuming as your using Foxtel you are in Australia? I’m in the UK so not entirely sure which services are also available in Aus but I do know in the UK you can get access to Sky News via free services like Freeview (not sure what the equivalent is where you are). Amazon Prime are now also starting to show some sports – they have full coverage of the tennis US Open for example and I know they will be starting to show some premier league football games later in the year. Unfortunately for big sports fans Sky Sports still leads the way. However there is also Now TV which is from Sky and mentioned in the list above – this works on a pay as you watch basis so if there’s only particular sports that your husband wants to watch say on a weekend then paying for a day or weekend pass might work out cheaper.
Is there any way we can get a package like Sky Sports but without (heresy) football, cheaper than our current Sky contract. Freebies covers all our needs except the sports and Nat George.
Help please
Hi David, You used to be able to individually take a subscription for each sky sports channel – e.g. sky sports golf. I’m not sure if that’s still the case at the moment but worth asking if you are already with Sky. In terms of sports coverage aside from football Amazon Prime has started to comprehensively cover the recent tennis tournaments. Is there any sports in particular that you want access to?
Hi I have one month left with sky and I have broadband, landline rental, no phone calls included and basic subscription costing £51 a month, looking for a package of better broadband (sky is rubbish) and TV package with movies, documentaries which is alot cheaper
I am looking to cancel my sky subscription . I have a sky hd plus box and sky dish. No other ariel.. My tv is not a smart tv. I also have Amazon fire stick and google chrome cast.
If I have to cast from my tablet to TVs I get a lot of buffering which takes away any enjoyment. Will I be able to use free sat. I want to keep Eurosport which I would subscribe to separately .
Any suggestions please.
Hi George, in most cases you should be able to use your existing sky dish for Freesat – https://www.freesat.co.uk/help/using-your-existing-satellite-dish/. Buffering issue could be down to your broadband speed not being fast enough so that might be worth checking. Freesat itself uses satellite in the main so you shouldn’t have any issues. Eurosport you can get an annual pass for £40 ( https://promo-gb.eurosportplayer.com/promo/all-sports/watch-eurosport-live-stream ) although again buffering may be an issue if you plan to cast it from your tablet so make sure your internet speed is fast enough. Might be worth seeing if there is an upgrade available if not. Hope that helps!
Hi, I’ve just cancelled our sky, we were paying a fortune for the full package! I’m also with them for broadband so looking at options for that too (suggestions welcome!(.
We pay separately for netflix and have amazon prime, used to access these via our playstation but wondered if there’s an easier way? Netflix through my smart tv seems not quite right like it needs an update and it doesn’t have prime on it.
I have no idea how I’m going to access ITV and BBC etc, will I need a separate aerial? Do I need freeview?
My brain hurts…please help!! Thanks 🙂
Hi Jessica, NowTV could be a good option for you – the entertainment pass is only £8.99 per month and includes various box sets and certain sky channels. The most recent NowTV boxes also have freeview built in so providing you have or can get a digital freeview aerial that would cover your basic channels also. NowTV boxes also have a built in Netflix app.
NowTV also now offer a basic broadband service (11mbps which is plenty fast enough for regular internet browsing and Netflix or other TV streaming) for just £18 per month which includes line rental in the price. You can check out their broadband offers here.
Hope that helps!
Cheers
Jon
Hi, I have Sky + he with the dish. I’m so tired of the extortionate prices, but there are some channels I would hate to lose like Alibi, Sky One, Sky Atlantic and drama. I have no interest in sports or children’s channels. What is my best option please?
Thanks.
Hi Vicki, for your situation it seems like NowTV would be the best option for you. Aside from the one off cost for the pay you would only need to pay £8.99 per month for the entertainment pass – you can see the full list of channels here – https://www.nowtv.com/gb/watch/entertainment/channels .
Also if broadband is needed that’s available from NowTV for £18.99 monthly including line rental.
You can view the latest NowTV offers here.
Hope that helps!
Hi,
Have the basic package with sky & their broadband but still pay over £50 per month. Also have a smart tv.
Wanting a cheaper alternative that can provide tv & broadband (tend to watch Sky 1, Witness, Fox – but if they go so be it). Not very technical so could do with something easy to install. Also going to to get Netflix so need broadband that could accommodate this.
Does anyone know of suitable alternatives & which is best. Thank you.
Hi Sandra, NowTV could be a good cheaper alternative for you – the entertainment pass is only £8.99 per month and includes various box sets and I believe would include the channels you mentioned above – it certainly includes Sky 1 but worth double checking on the others.
NowTV also now offer a basic broadband service (11mbps which is plenty fast enough for regular internet browsing and Netflix or other TV streaming) for £18 per month which includes line rental in the price. You can check out their broadband offers here.
So even with the basic NowTV broadband and entertainment pass plus a Netflix sub you would still be making a decent saving on your current £50 per month package.
Hope that helps!
Cheers
Jon
Looking to get rid of Sky due to the high prices and have looked at all alternatives I can find but always seem to come unstuck when it comes to the Sports Channels (Premier League and Champions League) for hubby.
Now TV Entertainment pass looks like a good option for us as we tend to watch Sky one, Sky Atlantic and Fox. But it’s the Sky Sports passes which are so expensive and when added to everything else (broadband and Now TV pass) ends up being just as much as Sky. An with the football games now being split across 3 providers it’s super expensive for not even being able to watch the majority of games. Any suggestions???
looking to get rid of sky, currently paying around £79.50 per month for ‘original’ pack plus sports, plus HD, plus sky Q. its going up another £4.50 next month!!
BT sport is paid to BT as part of broadband package.
Mainly watch premier league football, plus some terrestrial like BBC One, UK gold, Dave,
Have Netflix (via sky box or or dvd player) and Amazon prime (via stick).
I like having the option for recording, so the sky box is good for that, so looking for an alternative to sky for premier league, with the facility to record.
broadband speed is very good, satellite signal is good, but aerial signal is terrible. so freeview is not an option.
want
I have the basic sky package (not interested in movies, sports or kids channels) but with it I also have phone and broadband. I’m fed up with sky hiking up their prices for crappy channels and programmes I’m not likely to ever watch. I have access to prime, Netflix and chrome cast is set up. Which tv bundle is best?
NowTV broadband, while still owned by Sky, arguably provides better value. Plus you can also get NowTV entertainment pass for just £4.99 per month when you take out broadband – check out the deal here. NowTV entertainment pass will cover all the key Sky channels outwith sports, kids and movies. That plus your Prime and Netflix would be pretty much all bases covered and should work out cheaper than Sky.
Hello, I’m planning to ditch Sky due to high costs. I only watch the basic TV channels, and have never, ever used the phone line, which costs me £19pm!!
My question is, on any of the above options, which ones have a record facility?
It’s the one thing I will miss when I ditch Sky….I usually record Film4 films to watch when there is nothing else on TV…..
Hey Sam. What type of box do you have with Sky?
If it’s a standard HD box (not SKY Q), ask if you can keep the recording function on the box.
Basically, a Sky box effectively turns into a freesat box once you cancel your contract. But last time i checked, it’s around £10 a month to keep the recording function.
Worth a try! It’s not something they actively advertise.
I did this for a couple of months a few years ago and then they offered me a great deal to go back to them.
So your Sky Box will still receive the freeview channels through your dish.
I have had Sky+ for many years now, but are finding the monthly subscription is getting too high. I would like free view, but also require the ablility to record. Is there a basic package that includes certain stations such as Gold, Sci-Fi, and movies as well as normal terrestrial Channels?
Hi Phil, You can’t get Gold or Sci-Fi via Freeview as far as im aware so the first thing i would look at is making sure you are on the best possible deal you can be with Sky. Especially if you have been a customer for a long time – it’s worth giving them a call and see how much you can save (check out https://www.projectfinanciallyfree.com/reduce-sky-bill/ for more info on how to do this).
Another alternative might be to ditch sky and go with NowTV where an entertainment pass (which includes Gold, although not Sci-Fi I dont think) costs £8.99 per month and you can also plug in an aerial to get standard freeview channels) – for movies you could also look at adding a sky cinema pass to now tv for £11.99 a month. The benefit of the passes is unlike a sky subscription there is no ongoing commitment so you can add and remove from month to month as required.
Hope that helps.
Hi Jon
we have sky Q and it is a nightmare, we also have netflix and prime. can you suggest an alternative to sky Q. we currently have it in 3 rooms
we do not have a satellite dish.
we would like to watch the entertainment channels and movies and also beable to record stuff
Hi Jon,
I’ve literally just cancelled my sky tv, and their line & broadband package. Obviously it was going up, as was expected so I’ve cancelled it all.
A few reasons are, firstly I don’t need a landline, who does these days?…🤷🏽♂️
Luckily my mobile has full coverage where I live and I have unlimited internet access, so I really didn’t need it anyway.
I do sometimes get an odd lodger in, and I think these days most expect free WiFi… so not sure how I’ll get round that yet.
As for the Sky tv.. I only really wanted it for the movies… and they’re not particularly great anyway.
I have my Netflix £8.99 account and that okay tbh… but I’d like some kind of movie option.
My main issue atm is, my Sky box was my Ariel, obviously the dish, so without the box, I can’t get any tv!… as the dish is my Ariel.
can I get a box that’ll just act much like the Sky box?… would be nice if I could still record stuff on it too.
If just putting the Sky leads into another box is all that’s required, then great 👍🏽
Price isn’t particularly an issue in what I might need to pay out for, as at least it won’t be £50 a month what Sky want for everything.
I’d really appreciate your advice
Thanks in advance, lee 😊