Sky is the largest traditional pay TV provider in the UK, with its core television service provided by satellite or the internet.
Having launched a satellite service in the 1980s, moving to a digital satellite platform between 1998 and 2001, Sky is now migrating its services to its new internet-based TV platform.
This page refers to the Sky service operated in the UK and Ireland, although Sky does also offer services in other countries.
Prerequisites
✔ Satellite: dish and Sky Q receiver. Older Sky receivers may not be able to receive the full range of live and online services.
✔ Internet: fibre broadband + either a Sky Stream puck (to go with your existing TV) or Sky Glass TV (i.e. replace your TV).
❌ You can’t receive Sky’s pay TV service through an aerial, although Sky does make its free channels Sky Arts, Sky News, Challenge and Sky Mix available in the UK through Freeview and Sky News and Challenge in the Republic of Ireland through Saorview. Sky services are available via cable, but you’ll need to subscribe to your local cable operator.
What does Sky offer?
Thanks to the advantages of satellite and internet television, Sky offers the largest selection of television channels of any main TV platform in the UK and Ireland.
It’s subscription offer is split in to three main areas:
- Sky Entertainment (channels including Sky Max, Sky Crime and Sky Atlantic)
- Sky Sports
- Sky Cinema
Sky’s entertainment channels are available with the cheapest subscriptions. You’ll need to pay extra for sports and cinema. You choose to watch live, or later on-demand (there are restrictions on the catch-up availability of some live events.)
Sky UK also provides easy access to television services from other regions: all BBC regions are found from channel 950. Welsh channel S4C and Gaelic BBC Alba are available across the UK.
Sky users in the Republic of Ireland can receive most main UK channels alongside the main Irish channels, sadly not vice-versa…
What do I need to receive Sky via satellite?
You’ll need a dish and a Sky Q box. This will require professional installation.
Older Sky boxes are available, but are no longer actively supported by Sky and some services are no longer available on them. Sky is only offering Sky Q to new customers, and it’s expected it will soon stop offering them altogether as it moves services to the internet.
Can I access Sky without a satellite dish?
Yes. Sky has multiple ways for you to access its services online.
Sky Glass TVs access all of Sky’s main channels through its IPTV platform via your broadband internet connection.
Alternatively, you can plug in a Sky Stream puck to your existing TV to benefit from the service. That way, you can still use your TV independently if you decide to cancel Sky in the future, or want to add extra services not available through Sky, e.g. any smart TV apps that your TV has, but Sky doesn’t have.
Additionally, Sky’s budget streaming service NOW allows viewers to access all of Sky’s main TV channels and on-demand programme libraries without a satellite dish with short-term subscriptions. You will need a broadband internet connection that can achieve at least 2.5Mbps download speed.
Sky also offers its subscribers access to a selection of channels and programmes through Sky Go on your mobile or tablet.
Some Sky channels are also available through cable (Virgin Media). Sky Arts and Sky News are also available on Freeview.
How do I find out about subscribing to Sky and details of prices?
The Sky website www.sky.com (www.sky.ie for the Republic of Ireland) has the latest deals and pricing information.
Are Freeview channels available on Sky?
Yes, most channels offer their service on both Freeview and Sky. This means you’ll be able to receive most if not all Freeview channels through Sky, which might be handy if you can’t receive the full range of Freeview channels in your location.
What if I’m not allowed to have a dish? / I can’t have a dish because of obstructions?
You can get a Sky Glass TV, which replaces your current TV and gives you access to many, but not all of the channels available on satellite. Or get a Sky Stream puck to connect to your existing TV.
As an alternative, Sky’s streaming service NOW TV enables viewers who can’t have a dish to access all the main Sky entertainment, cinema and sports channels via broadband internet. However, you’ll need access to an alternative service like Freeview to receive BBC, ITV, Channel 4 and Channel 5.
Sky’s main channels are also carried on Virgin Media and TalkTalk TV. BT TV offers NOW TV as an integrated option.
HD
Sky currently has the widest selection of HD channels compared to all other main TV platforms in the UK and Ireland. Its streaming service (Sky Glass/Sky Stream) is HD by default, meaning you’ll automatically receive the HD version of a channel if it’s made available by the broadcaster.
4K UHD
Sky offers a selection of 4K UHD programmes to viewers with Sky Q, Sky Glass and Sky Stream.
Channel list
- Sky satellite channel list (UK)
- Sky Stream/Sky Glass channel list (UK)
- Sky Stream/Sky Glass channel list (ROI)