Understanding Sky Television Services
Essential Information
- A satellite dish installation is required for Sky services. Renters should verify permission with their landlord before proceeding.
- Two foundational packages are available: Entertainment (40+ channels) and Entertainment Extra (90+ channels). Both include over 240 free-to-view channels.
- Enhance your subscription with additional options like Movies, Sports, and HD channel upgrades.
- Bundle discounts are available when combining multiple packages. The Sky World bundle offers Entertainment Extra, Movies, and Sports at a reduced rate.
- The Sky+ recording box is included with your subscription, enabling series recording and live TV pause/rewind functionality.
- Upgrading to HD service provides access to channels in significantly higher definition, requiring the Sky+ HD box and compatible television.
- The Sky+ HD 1TB box can store up to 740 hours of recordings, providing extensive storage for your favorite TV programs.
- Additional rooms can access Sky services for an extra monthly fee, though each room requires its own set-top box.
- Substantial savings are possible through bundle packages combining TV, broadband, and phone services.
- Sky Anytime on-demand service becomes available with both Sky broadband and Sky TV, featuring extensive programming including complete series collections.
- Sky Go enables viewing on mobile devices including laptops, smartphones, and tablets at no additional cost.
Sky remains one of the most recognized names in British television, offering an extensive range of viewing options for potential subscribers. This comprehensive overview explains everything you need to consider when exploring Sky's services.
Installation Requirements
To access Sky programming, you'll need both a set-top box and satellite dish. These items are provided and installed by Sky when you become a customer at no additional upfront cost.
Beyond these technical requirements, there are minimal prerequisites. However, if you're renting, it's advisable to obtain landlord approval before dish installation proceeds.
Flat residents can still receive Sky services, though some promotional offers with complimentary installation may not apply to multi-unit buildings.
The satellite dish measures just 60cm in diameter and features a discreet matte black finish, minimizing visual impact.
For bundled phone and broadband services, verify your area falls within Sky's service coverage by checking their network availability tool.
Building Your Package
Customizing your viewing experience involves three primary decisions:
- Selecting your base channel package
- Choosing additional premium content like sports, movies, and HD channels
- Determining which set-top box meets your needs
These selections collectively determine both your available content and how you'll interact with your service.
Sky Entertainment
The entry-level offering includes over 40 channels for a monthly subscription. This package features 10 of the most popular paid channels available through Sky. Programming spans diverse genres through channels including Sky Atlantic, Sky 1, Sky Arts, Comedy Central, MTV, FX, Gold, and Dave.
Additionally, all digital channels from Freeview are included. Sky actually broadcasts over 240 free-to-air channels beyond basic Freeview, encompassing terrestrial staples like the BBC alongside international news sources such as CNN and Al Jazeera, plus numerous specialist and international channels.
Sky Entertainment Extra
An expanded option adds 51 additional channels to the Entertainment package for a modest monthly increase. These supplementary channels include Discovery, Disney XD, and Sky Sports News.
This tier also provides access to all Freeview digital channels and Sky's complete free-to-air selection.
Premium Add-Ons
Several compelling enhancements are available beyond basic packages:
Movies
The Movies add-on provides 12 dedicated film channels showcasing hundreds of different titles weekly across all genres.
Alongside themed channels covering Comedy, Action, Family, Crime, Horror, Sci-Fi, Classics, Modern Greats, and Romance, subscribers receive Sky Premiere (debuting five new films weekly) and Disney's Cinemagic channel.
Sports
Sky holds exclusive broadcasting rights to major international sporting events, making their sports package extremely popular. Five dedicated sports channels are included: Sky Sports 1-4 plus Sky Sports News.
Existing Movies subscribers can add Sports channels at a discounted rate. ESPN can be included for an additional monthly fee.
Dedicated team channels for Manchester United (MUTV) and Chelsea (Chelsea TV) are available as separate add-ons.
Note: Non-Sky sports channels can be added directly to basic packages without requiring the full Sports package, though pricing differs slightly.
HD Channels
Over 50 HD channels broadcast through Sky. Each package includes select channels available in HD format. Access these enhanced versions by adding the HD package to your subscription.
Visit Sky's HD channel listing to see available content.
The HD package includes the Sky+ HD box at no charge, though accessing HD channels requires an HD-compatible television.
Sky World
For comprehensive coverage, Sky World combines Entertainment Extra's channels with all five sport channels, twelve movie channels, and HD versions in a single discounted package.
Recording Equipment
New subscribers receive the Sky+ set-top box included with their subscription. This device offers multiple beneficial features: program recording, automatic series recording, and the ability to pause and rewind live television—perfect for capturing moments you might otherwise miss.
HD package subscribers receive the Sky HD+ box, which maintains all standard features while enabling reception of HD channels for dramatically enhanced picture clarity.
An upgrade option exists for the Sky HD+ 1TB box, featuring identical capabilities but vastly expanded recording capacity. This model stores 240 hours of HD content or 740 hours of standard definition programming.
Multi-Room Access
Extend Sky services throughout your home for an additional monthly charge per room. Each viewing location requires its own set-top box purchase.
Mobile Viewing
Sky Go provides all subscribers with mobile device access to their programming. Entertainment, Movie, and Sports channels are available depending on your subscription tier, viewable on smartphones, tablets, and laptops.
Bundle Opportunities
Sky offers integrated broadband and phone services. Combining these with television service can generate significant household bill savings. Bundle packages require minimum one-year commitments and are available only in areas with Sky phone line access.
Standard bundles include 20mb broadband with 2gb monthly data, complimentary evening and weekend calls to UK landlines, a Sky+ box with installation, wireless router, and retail vouchers.
Several bundle tiers are available combining various channel packages with broadband and phone services at competitive monthly rates.
HD-enhanced bundles incorporate the HD package and Sky+ HD box alongside previously mentioned broadband and phone services.
Unlimited broadband bundles remove data caps and include three months of complimentary internet security software, available with Entertainment Extra or Movies packages.
On-Demand Service
Customers with Sky Unlimited broadband, a TV subscription, and compatible Sky+ box can utilize Sky Anytime on-demand services. This platform features extensive programming, movies (based on your subscription), and complete series collections available for viewing at your convenience.