If you’re thinking of making the switch to streaming TV, Sky Stream’s latest offering could tip the scales for you, with packages including premium Sky channels, Netflix, movies and sport.
Sky Stream, a standalone 4K streaming box, is making waves Since its launch last year Being a major turning point for Sky – in more ways than one.
Unlike traditional Sky devices (such as Sky Q), Stream doesn’t require a satellite dish – instead, it uses broadband to stream TV shows to you – and positions itself alongside the likes of Amazon Fire TVand Google’s Roku and Chromecast in the streaming device market.
What sets Sky Stream apart is its unique value proposition: it offers both hardware and Sky’s TV service within one subscription.
Sky Stream Basic Package – ‘Skye at last‘, which includes Sky’s premium entertainment channels and an ad-free ‘basic’ Netflix tier – typically costs £26-£29 per month (depending on subscription length).
However, Sky currently offers two special packages – One includes Sky Cinema For just £1 per month (so £27/m Total for Ultimate AND Cinema), and one including Sky Sports for just £13 per extra metre (So £39/m In total), instead of the usual £25 per month for Sky Sports.
If you just want Sky Ultimate, you still can Get it for just £19 per month (on an 18-month contract), without having to add anything on top of it.
As always, there are some caveats, along with additional (optional) discounts – such as Sky UHD and Sky Kids, as well as packages that include Sky broadband – so read my full analysis.
What is Skystream?
Skystream (see my review) It is a standalone 4K streaming box, also known as a “puck”. Sky launched it last year.
Once you subscribe to Sky, you’ll get all Sky channels (depending on your subscription), plus third-party channels and Some Freeview channelsare broadcast to the box via broadband.
Sky Stream also includes apps for most of the major streaming services available in the UK, including Disney+, Netflix and Paramount+ (here Complete list of Sky Stream apps and channels).
Another key difference between dish-based Stream and Sky boxes (such as Sky Q), is that Sky Stream does not require a long-term contract. The base contract is a 31-day rolling agreement that you can cancel at any time without penalty fees.
However, there is also an 18-month contract option available, which can lower your monthly subscription costs. Most of the discount offers in this article specifically require an 18-month contract.
Another broadband-based solution from Sky is its own TV set – Sky Glass (See my review). It’s a 4K TV with a QLED HDR display and a built-in Dolby Atmos soundbar with six speakers.
Sky Glass uses the same operating system as Stream, but in the case of Glass, you have to buy the TV itself as well as the Sky service and its channels.
And of course, there’s also Sky’s only streaming service, NOW – which works on every streaming device and doesn’t require a specific Sky device – see Sky Stream VS NOW comparison.
Skystream prices
Typically, Sky Stream prices depend on whether you accept a 31-day contract (which you can cancel at any time) or an 18-month contract.
The minimum basic package for Sky Stream users is Skye at lastwhich includes Sky Entertainment (a bundle of channels like Sky Atlantic, Sky Max, etc.), Freeview, and the basic Netflix plan (ad-free, 720p video resolution).
It is worth noting that though Netflix recently discontinued its basic ad-free plan For new subscribers – this plan is still available in Sky packages – and that’s what you’ll get here (unless you upgrade).
The cost of the rolling contract version of this package would normally be on Sky Stream £29 per monthThe same plan with an 18-month contract £26 per month.
What’s more, you can add more packages and channels from Sky and third parties, such as Sky Cinema, Sky Sports, Sky Kids and TNT Sports.
If you would like to add 4K and Dolby AtmosThis is currently £4 per month – Instead of the usual £6 per month. And if you want to be able to Advertisements Fast forward – this £5 per month (It was free the first year – but that’s no longer the case.)
Finally, if you want to be able to watch in other rooms, you need the Whole Home add-on, which is currently available £10 per month (Instead of £12 per month). The first disc of Whole Home (and therefore your second in total) is free at the moment – but you’ll have to pay £39.95 to get extra balls.
Skystream offers for the month of October
As part of a limited time offer (it’s even good November 2), subscribers who want to sign up for an 18-month contract can get several discounted offers.
Please note that these deals are only available via special promotional links, available from some affiliate partners and comparison sites. Fortunately, we are allowed to provide these offers to you.
So, these are your options as of this writing:
Remember, these offers are for an 18-month contract. As broadband and TV companies do these days, the price may rise over the life of the contract, along with inflation.
If you get any of these packages, you can also add them Sky Kids For £4 per month (instead of the usual £6) and TNT Sports (formerly BT Sport) is currently offered for £24 per month (instead of the usual £30).
Note that if you are particularly interested in TNT Sports, it is cheaper to get it Virgin Media’s streaming boxor BT TV and its current viewing – However, you will then need to subscribe to Virgin Media or BT broadband services as well.
Sky also currently offers broadband packages that include Sky Stream:
Overall, if you’re interested in Sky Stream, these are good deals, with the lowest Sky Stream price ever.
However, the major downside is that with an 18-month subscription, you lose flexibility cut the rope It usually gives you the ability to mix and match streaming services across different periods.
If you don’t want to sign a long contract, Sky is currently running a free trial of Sky Stream – so you can get a full month of Sky Ultimate (with Netflix), and the disc, for… £0.
Just don’t forget to cancel if you don’t want to continue after the month is up (and you’ll have to return the disc).
However, if you’re only interested in Sky content, and don’t need their unique hardware and interface, you can pay less for Sky Cinema and Sky Entertainment via Sky’s live streaming service – now.
Last but not least, if you’re also looking for Sky Glass – the complete TV set from Sky – it’s currently available with 6 full months of Sky Ultimate for free.