Sky TV vs Now TV: Which Is Better Value in 2026?
Updated June 2026 with current pricing, channel listings and UK setup steps. Sky operates two separate platforms for UK viewers, and choosing between them can save you hundreds of pounds a year. Sky TV (via satellite dish or Sky Stream) requires a contract and starts from around £26 per month. NOW TV (rebranded as NOW) is contract-free and lets you pick individual content passes starting from around £7 per month. Both give you access to Sky's exclusive content — but the experience, pricing, and flexibility differ significantly.
This guide compares every aspect: monthly costs, channel lineups, sports coverage, movie selection, streaming quality, contract terms, and our recommendation for different types of viewer. For the broader deals landscape, see our TV and broadband deals guide.
Price Comparison
| Package | Sky TV | NOW |
|---|---|---|
| Entertainment | ~£26/mo (18-month contract) | £9.99/mo (no contract) |
| Cinema/Movies | ~£37/mo (with entertainment) | £9.99/mo (Cinema pass) |
| Sports | ~£46/mo (with entertainment) | £34.99/mo (Sports pass) |
| Everything | ~£55-70/mo | ~£55/mo (all passes) |
| Contract | 18 months minimum | None — cancel anytime |
On paper, NOW appears cheaper for entertainment and cinema. However, Sky TV contracts often include introductory offers, multiroom access, and higher streaming quality that close the gap. The key difference is commitment: Sky locks you in for 18 months while NOW lets you subscribe month-to-month, pausing or cancelling freely.
For an even cheaper alternative to both, our IPTV guide covers services offering similar channel ranges from £5 to £15 per month with no contract. And for sports specifically, IPTV can be significantly cheaper than both Sky and NOW Sports passes — though with important legal considerations.
Channel Lineup Compared
Sky TV via satellite (Sky Q) offers the widest channel selection — over 500 channels including all Sky exclusives, Freeview channels, and third-party channels like Discovery, Comedy Central, and MTV. Sky Stream offers a similar lineup delivered over the internet. Our Sky Stream & Puck guide covers the differences between Sky Q and Sky Stream in detail.
NOW is more limited. The Entertainment pass includes Sky Atlantic, Sky One, Sky Comedy, Sky Documentaries, and selected third-party channels — but not the full lineup of a Sky TV subscription. You do not get Freeview channels through NOW (you would need a separate aerial or Freeview alternative for those), and some channels available on Sky Q are absent from NOW.
For most viewers, the channel difference is not dramatic. The majority of Sky's premium content — original dramas, blockbuster movies, live Premier League football — is available on both platforms. The extras on full Sky TV are mostly smaller niche channels that many subscribers never watch.
Sports Coverage
Both platforms offer all 11 Sky Sports channels including Sky Sports Premier League, Sky Sports Football, Sky Sports F1, Sky Sports Cricket, and Sky Sports Main Event. The content is identical — you get the same live matches, the same commentary, the same pre-match analysis. The difference is price and flexibility.
Sky TV Sports costs around £20 per month as an add-on to an entertainment package (total ~£46 per month with contract). NOW Sports costs £34.99 per month or £14.99 for a day pass — no contract. If you watch Sky Sports year-round, Sky TV works out significantly cheaper over 12 months. If you only want sports for specific events (the Premier League season, a boxing match, the Ashes), NOW's day and month passes offer much better value.
For the cheapest sports access, our Now TV guide covers day pass strategies and cancellation/re-subscription tactics that can save significant money over the season. For free sport on UK TV, our best TV this week page flags free-to-air sporting events.
Streaming Quality & Features
This is where Sky TV has a clear advantage. Sky Q delivers 4K Ultra HD and HDR content on supported channels, with Dolby Atmos sound on selected programmes. NOW caps at 1080p Full HD even with the Boost add-on (£6/month extra), and does not support HDR or Dolby Atmos. For viewers with 4K TVs, this quality gap is noticeable — especially on sports and big-budget dramas.
Sky TV also offers a full PVR (recording capability) with Sky Q, letting you record and store programmes. NOW does not offer recording — you rely on the on-demand library instead. For 4K streaming options across all platforms, see our 4K streaming guide.
Our Recommendation
Occasional Sky viewers → NOW TV
Pay only for the months you want. Entertainment pass for drama binges, Cinema for movie nights, Sports day pass for big matches.
Daily Sky watchers → Sky TV (contract)
Cheaper per month over 12+ months. 4K quality. Recording capability. More channels.
Sports-only viewers → NOW Sports day/month pass
£14.99 for a day pass. Subscribe only during seasons you care about. Cancel between.
Budget-conscious viewers → Neither — try IPTV or free services
IPTV from £5/month or free streaming services cover most content. See our guides.
Not Sure Which to Choose?
Tell us what you watch and we will recommend Sky TV, NOW, or a cheaper alternative.