DAZN, the streaming sports service that focuses on boxing (along with other popular sports) is launching a linear HD channel on Sky, with a 24/7 schedule of live and catch-up content.
The channel is launching on March 23, just in time for the return of British boxing’s biggest name, two-time World Heavyweight Champion of the World Anthony Joshua, on April 1, 2023.
Up until now, DAZN was only available as a standalone streaming app, on a variety of devices and Smart TVs.
DAZN 1 HD will launch on Sky Channel 429, with the cost starting from £99 if you pay for a year in advance, £9.99/m if you pay in 12 instalments or £19.99/month for a flexible pass (you can sign up here).
But there’s bad news for many Sky customers: DAZN 1 HD will only be available on Sky Q or the old Sky+HD boxes, and will not be available on Sky’s streaming devices – Sky Glass and Sky Stream.
Furthermore, even on Sky Q, many existing DAZN subscribers won’t be able to watch the new channel on Sky – as it’s separate from the existing streaming subscription (see full details below on who can – and who can’t – watch the new channel on Sky).
What’s DAZN?
DAZN is an international sports streaming platform that launched back in 2016. It came to the UK in 2020 and is now available in many countries around the world.
DAZN calls itself the “Global Home Of Boxing”, as that’s a major focus for the platform.
In the UK, the boxing lineup includes 50 fights a year featuring international superstars such as Anthony Joshua, Canelo Álvarez, Katie Taylor and Ryan Garcia, alongside a daily dose of boxing news on the DAZN Boxing Show.
DAZN also features mixed martial arts (MMA) content, including MMA Bushido, MMA Naciones, Oktagon MMA, King of Kings, Brave Combat Federation, and Muay Thai For Life – as well wrestling.
Alongside combat sports, DAZN also broadcasts leading women’s football, including every game of the UEFA Women’s Champions League and top-flight Spanish women’s football Primera División Femenina, emerging sports such as Streetleague Skateboarding, eSports, and extreme sports with Red Bull TV as well as DAZN documentaries including the recent World Cup series – Three Lions, Maradona: The Fall and The Phenomenon.
Normally, DAZN is available as a streaming app on a variety of streaming devices, such as Amazon’s Fire TV, Apple TV, Chromecast, Smart TVs from Samsung, LG, Sony and others, Android and iOS smartphones and more.
There are three pricing tiers for streaming subscribers – £19.99/month for the flexible pass (which you can cancel with a 30 days notice), £9.99/month if you pay in 12 instalments, and £99/year if you pay upfront for a full year.
DAZN 1 HD Channel On Sky
With DAZN focusing on streaming, its first linear channel on Sky is unusual – but it gives the company access to more ‘traditional’ customers.
Sky customers with a Sky Q or Sky HD box will be able to subscribe to the channel directly, and then gain access to it on their Sky devices.
The prices and plans will be identical to those on the streaming version of DAZN.
As mentioned, however, there are quite a few limitations: First, the new channel won’t be available on Sky’s streaming devices, Sky Glass and Sky Stream.
Furthermore, there’s bad news for existing DAZN subscribers – as many of them won’t be able to access the new channel on Sky, even if they have the correct equipment.
Existing customers on the:
- Monthly saver 12-month instalment plan (£9.99/month)
- Annual super saver plan (£99.99/year)
Will NOT have access to the DAZN 1 HD Channel on Sky.
They can, technically, sign up for the Sky “version” of the channel – but they will then be billed twice each month/year, due to having two active subscriptions – as the two contracts can’t be combined.
Only existing customers on the Monthly Flexible pass (£19.99) can convert their subscription to the Sky version – which would then let them watch on Sky Q as well as on other streaming devices.
Subscribers who sign up for the new Sky plan WILL be able to watch on Sky Q as well as on all the 3rd party streaming devices – but not vice versa.
How Do I Sign Up For DAZN On Sky?
If you wish to sign up for the version of DAZN that includes the Sky HD channel, you need to do it via this special landing page on DAZN.
Once you create a new account and choose your plan, you will need to add your Sky viewing card number and home address.
You will then receive an e-mail from DAZN, with a link to finish setting up your account.
Note that if you’re an existing Flebixble Pass subscriber, this step will cancel your old plan and prevent double billing – but you will lose any remaining days on your old plan.
If your old subscription is billed via Apple, Google (Android), or Amazon, you’ll need to cancel it manually once you’ve finished setting up your new account – otherwise, you will be double-billed every month.
Not all of this is true as at 28/11/2023. I am a subscriber to the Annual super saver plan (£99.99/year) and I just gained acces to DAZN 1 HD on Sky Channel 429.
I followed the instructions on the DAZN website:
https://www.dazn.com/en-GB/help/articles/sky-uk-existing-subscribers