Sky’s broadband-based streaming device, Sky Stream, certainly has its pros and cons – but if you’re still on the fence, or just want some free TV for a month – sky’s tempting free trial offer is back.
As part of this offer, new Sky customers can get a no-strings-attached, entirely free 1-month trial of the Stream box, along with Sky’s premium channels, Netflix, and Freeview via broadband.
This offer comes right before Sky is set to raise many of its prices – including the content plans for Sky Stream – and following the free trial, you would be paying the new, increased prices.
However, if you cancel before the month is over – you pay nothing (see full details below).
If you already know Sky Stream is for you, there are longer-term deals that reduce the total cost significantly (such as Sky Stream Ultimate with Netflix for just £19/month – but those do not come with the free trial.)
Of course, as with any offer – there are a few caveats, plus – Sky Stream is certainly not the best or cheapest option for everybody, so read ahead for more on that.
What Is Sky Stream?
Sky Stream (see my review) is a 4K streaming box launched by Sky in 2022.
Unlike Sky’s older devices (such as Sky Q), Stream doesn’t use a satellite dish but relies on broadband (via WiFi or Ethernet) to stream content, comparable to other popular streaming devices like Amazon Fire TV, Roku, and Google’s Chromecast.
Once you sign up for Sky’s service, you get all of Sky’s channels, as well as third-party channels and some Freeview channels, streamed to the box via broadband.
Sky Stream also includes apps for most of the major streaming services available in the UK, including Amazon’s Prime Video, Netflix, and Paramount+
Keep in mind, however, that the selection of apps and streaming services on Stream is considerably lower than on dedicated streaming sticks like Roku and the Amazon Firestick.
Another major difference between Stream and Sky’s dish-based boxes, is that Sky Stream doesn’t require a long-term contract. The basic contract is a rolling 31-day agreement that you can cancel at any time without penalty charges.
However, an 18-month contract option is also available, which can lower your monthly subscription costs
Another broadband-based solution from Sky is its TV set – Sky Glass (see my review). It’s a 4K TV set with a QLED HDR display and a built-in Dolby Atmos soundbar with six speakers.
Sky Glass uses the same OS as Stream – but, in Glass’ case, you have to buy the TV itself along with Sky’s service and channels.
And of course, there’s also Sky’s long-running streaming-only service, NOW – which works on almost every streaming device and doesn’t need a specific one from Sky – see my Sky Stream VS NOW comparison.
- Also See: Sky Stream Questions Answered
Sky Stream Pricing
Normally, Sky Stream’s cost depends on whether you take the 31-day contract (which you can cancel anytime) or the 18-month contract.
The mandatory basic package for Sky Stream users is Sky Ultimate, which includes Sky Entertainment (a pack of channels like Sky Atlantic, Sky Max, and others), Freeview, and Netflix’s Standard with Ads plan.
The rolling-contract version of this package on Sky Stream used to cost £29/month, and the same plan, with the 18-month contract, was £26/month.
From April 1, 2024, however – the plan is going up by £2/month – so £31/month on the rolling contract, and £28/month on the 18-month contract.
On top of that, you can add more packs and channels from Sky and 3rd parties. There are special offers on these add-ons at the moment, so the prices as of this writing are:
- Sky Cinema (which includes Paramount+) for £12/month on the rolling contract, and £9/month on the 18-month contract.
- Sky Sports is currently on offer for £20/month (instead of £25) on the 18-month contract, and is £25/month on the rolling contract.
- Sky Kids is now £5/month on either contract.
- TNT Sports (Previously BT Sport) – Currently on offer for £28/month (instead of £30) on either contract.
Note that the prices of these add-ons will also increase on April 1, 2024.
If you want to add 4K and Dolby Atmos, that’s another £6/month. And if you want to be able to fast forward adverts – that’s £5/month.
And lastly, if you want to be able to watch in other rooms – you need the “Whole Home” add-on, which is £12/month (£13/m after April 1). The first Whole Home puck (so the second for you in total) is free for now – but you will have to pay £39.95 for additional ones.
Sky Stream’s Free Trial Offer
As part of this limited-time offer, you can now get Sky Stream (the device itself), along with a full month of Sky Ultimate (with Sky Atlantic and the other premium entertainment channels), along with Netflix and Freeview via streaming – for £0.
You can choose whether to sign up for the 31-day rolling contract or the 18-month contract – but be careful – if you sign up for the 18-month contract, you’ll start paying the regular £28/month once your first month is up (for 17 more months) – so it’s a free month, but not a free trial in that case.
However, if you sign up for the rolling contract – and then decide to cancel within the first month – you’ll end up paying nothing (you do have to return the puck to Sky though).
You can also sign up for the rolling contract (along with the free trial) and then – if you’re satisfied – switch to the 18-month contract later on and lower your monthly cost (Although I’m not a big fan of long-term TV contracts – as you lose the cord cutting flexibility of being able to switch between different streaming services at will).
Also note that if you choose to add any additional add-ons to Sky Ultimate (such as Sky Cinema, Sports, etc.), those will NOT be free, and you’ll pay for them from Day 1.
Unfortunately, as is usually the case – the offer is only available for new Sky Stream customers – and as long as you haven’t used this free trial offer in the past 12 months.
Longer Term Sky Stream Deals
If you’re already sure that Sky Stream is for you, then you can get even lower prices with one of these special offers (but without a free trial) –
- Sky Stream Ultimate – with Netflix – For £19/month – with the 18-month contract. You can then add the content add-ons on top – or just stay with the Ultimate plan.
- Sky Stream Ultimate – with Netflix – For £26/month – with the 31-days rolling contract. You can then add the content add-ons on tops – or just stay with the Ultimate plan.
- Sky Stream Ultimate with Netflix and Sky Sports – Now for just £44/month.
- Sky Stream Ultimate with Netflix and Sky Cinema – Now for just £28/month
Note that 3 of these offers are for an 18-month contract.
And, as usual, remember that prices can – and WILL most likely go up – every year around March/April, even when you’re still under contract.
Lastly, if you’re also looking into Sky Glass – the full TV set from Sky – it’s currently available with 3 free months of Sky Ultimate.