As linear viewing switches to on-demand streaming, Sky brings together four streaming apps together into a single Sky TV subscription.
Sky fights off ‘cord-cutters’ with long contracts and savings
Ad-supported Netflix, Disney+, HBO Max and Hayu in bundle
Devil in the detail for new and existing subscribers
Facing the loss of popular TV shows as former channel partners create their own platforms, Sky has fought back by signing new streaming deals to keep viewers on board.
The Sky Ultimate TV subscription will begin to include access to either the basic or standard versions of four streaming apps as part of the package. The price of Ultimate TV goes up from £22 to £24 for new customers from 1 April.
NOW Members will have the option to either pay for a bundle that includes HBO Max or go standalone with Sky-only content. Sky Q users with Sky Signature and Sky Entertainment will also see extra streaming services bundled with the package.
On the flip side, after years of viewers becoming used to no-commitment one month rolling subscriptions, Sky subscribers will need to commit to a lengthy old-style pay TV contract with built-in price rises to benefit from the full bundle. That’s designed to deter subscribers from ‘cord-cutting’, a term originating from the US, where the growth of streaming prompted many households to cut their traditional pay TV cable subscription.
The changes start rolling out in March.
I already get streaming services at no extra cost with Sky?
Sky’s announcement may raise eyebrows for existing subscribers, because customers already get streaming services bundled. HBO Max had already been confirmed back in 2024 as becoming available to Sky TV subscribers at no extra cost.
The big news is that Disney+ will now also become available with a Sky TV bundle at no extra cost. Reality streamer Hayu, owned by NBCUniversal, a subsidiary of Sky’s parent Comcast will be fully bundled from July.
Further devil is in the detail, with the basic HBO Max service bundled with Sky missing out on some features.
What changes for existing subscribers?
For existing subscribers, the eligibility criteria is as follows:
- Sky Stream and Sky Glass customers with Sky Ultimate TV will get Disney+ Standard with Ads, HBO Max Basic With Ads and Hayu content added to their pack alongside Sky TV and Netflix.
- Sky Q customers with Sky Signature, Sky Entertainment and other eligible packages will get Disney+ Standard with Ads, HBO Max Basic With Ads and Hayu content added to their pack alongside Sky TV. Sky Q customers with Sky Ultimate TV get al of these plus Netflix.
- Customers with a legacy Sky+HD box will have access to HBO Max Basic With Ads content and Hayu content alongside Sky TV.
Sky hasn’t provided a full list of ‘other eligible packages’, so if you’re not on Sky Ultimate TV, Sky Signature or Sky Entertainment, you’ll need to contact Sky.
Sky Essential TV, available on Sky Glass and Sky Stream excludes the full streaming bundle announced above. If you are on Sky Essential, you’ll see a selection of HBO shows on Sky Atlantic, plus 100 other channels. You’ll also still have access to basic or standard ad-supported versions of Netflix and discovery+. Sky Essential TV subscribers with Sky Cinema add-on will also gain access to Disney+. Sky Essential TV is not to be confused with the former Sky Essentials package on satellite.
Will it be cheaper to access Disney+ and other streamers through Sky?
New customers subscribing to Sky Ultimate TV for £24 will receive a bundle of streaming services that would be worth £20 a month if you subscribed to them separately. For the extra £4 a month, you also get access to Sky’s own original entertainment and factual content, including its linear channels. Prices will rise during the 24 month minimum term. Unlike other providers, Sky will not confirm the precise level of future rises before you sign the contract.
For existing subscribers, the calculation will depend on your legacy subscription package. Prices for these will vary, and Sky will be getting in touch with you regarding pricing changes.
How do I gain access to the new Disney+ Cinema channel?
From this spring, Disney reinstates a linear channel showcasing its movies in cooperation with Sky. This follows last year’s return of the Disney Jr channel. Unlike the original Sky Cinema Disney channel, it won’t carry Sky branding.
You’ll need to be a Sky Cinema subscriber to gain access to Disney+ Cinema. It will stream to viewers using Sky Glass, Sky Stream and Sky Q. Users of older Sky+HD boxes will need to upgrade to a newer Sky device.
What am I getting from HBO Max on Sky and NOW?
The version of HBO Max will be the Basic version with adverts. This package will ensure that Sky can continue to offer HBO shows – they’ll just come from an HBO Max-branded environment instead.
You’ll need to upgrade (pay extra) to access the full HBO Max service that includes premium movies streaming first and sport.
Sky says Sky Cinema customers “will continue to enjoy new Warner Bros. movies such as One Battle After Another and Superman“.
What is Hayu and how will it be bundled with a Sky subscription?
Hayu is a dedicated subscription-based video-on-demand streaming service owned by NBCUniversal, focusing exclusively on reality TV content. Launched in 2016, it offers thousands of episodes of popular franchises—such as The Real Housewives, Below Deck, and Keeping Up with the Kardashians. These are shows that were previously shown on the now defunct E! channel in the UK and Ireland.
Some Hayu shows will stream through Sky’s existing on-demand programme library until July. Then, the full Hayu offer is integrated into the service.
What changes for NOW customers?
NOW customers, or ‘members’ as they like to call them, get access to HBO Max as follows:
If you commit to a six month ‘saver’ package, then you can choose between a standard NOW Entertainment Membership that only includes Sky content from £4.99 a month or a Membership that includes both Sky+HBO Max (basic) from £6.99 a month.
You’re an existing ‘member’? Your Entertainment membership will change to the version that includes HBO Max basic.
Bear in mind if you choose the cheaper Membership option without HBO Max from March, you may lose access to some shows. That’s because some HBO shows that were part of Sky’s core offering will now only be available through HBO Max. You’ll still get access to Sky Originals and its linear channels.
How will I know what streaming service a programme is on and if I can access it?
Sky reassures viewers that it won’t be difficult to locate a programme.
Sky OS, the smart platform that powers Sky Stream and Sky Glass, curates entertainment from Sky and other apps into one place, so you can simply search for the title of a programme or movie.
What does this mean in practice?
It doesn’t matter if you don’t know which streaming service is behind the show you want to watch.
Simply search, select and start watching.
If you find a show that isn’t covered by your Sky subscription, you can upgrade.
In this matter, it’s very similar to how Sky’s original linear TV service presented you with all available channels, giving you the option to add extra channels if they weren’t included in your subscription.
Image: Sky