Sky Stream Slashes Cost Of Netflix, Cinema And Sports

If you’ve been contemplating a switch to streaming TV, Sky Stream’s latest offerings might just tip the scales for you, with bundles that include Sky’s premium channels, Netflix, movies and sports.

Sky Stream, a standalone 4K streaming box, has made waves since its introduction last year due to it being a major turning point for Sky – in more ways than one.

Unlike Sky’s traditional devices (such as Sky Q), Stream doesn’t require a satellite dish – and instead, uses broadband to stream TV shows to you – positioning itself alongside the likes of Amazon Fire TV, Roku, and Google’s Chromecast in the streaming device market.

What sets Sky Stream apart is its unique value proposition: it offers both the hardware and Sky’s TV service under a single subscription.

Sky Stream’s basic package – ‘Sky Ultimate‘, which includes Sky’s premium entertainment channels and Netflix’s “Basic”, ad-free tier – normally costs £26-£29 per month (depending on how long you’re signing up for).

At the moment, however, Sky is offering two special bundles – one that includes Sky Cinema for just £1 extra per month (so £27/m in total for Ultimate AND Cinema), and one that includes Sky Sports for just £13/m extra (so £39/m in total), instead of the usual £25/month for Sky Sports.

If you just want Sky Ultimate – you can still get it for just £19/month (with an 18-month contract), without having to add anything on top.

As always, there are a few caveats, along with additional (optional) discounts – such as for Sky UHD and Sky Kids, as well as bundles that include broadband from Sky – so read ahead for my full analysis.

What Is Sky Stream?

Sky Stream (see my review) is a standalone 4K streaming box, also known as the “puck”, launched by Sky last year. 

Once you sign up for Sky’s service, you get all of Sky’s channels (depending on your subscription), 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 Disney+, Netflix, and Paramount+ (here’s the full list of Sky Stream apps and channels).

Another major difference between Stream and Sky’s dish-based boxes (like Sky Q), 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. And, most of the discount offers in this specific article, do require the 18-month contract.

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 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 prices depend on whether you take the 31-day contract (which you can cancel anytime) or the 18-month contract.

The minimum 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 the basic Netflix plan (which is ad-free, with a video resolution of 720p).

It’s worth noting that even though Netflix recently discontinued its Basic, ad-free plan for new subscribers – that plan is still available on Sky’s bundles – so that’s what you’ll be getting here (unless you upgrade).

The rolling-contract version of this package on Sky Stream normally costs £29/month, and the same plan, with the 18-month contract, is £26/month.

On top of that, you can add more packs and channels from Sky and 3rd parties, such as Sky Cinema, Sky Sports, Sky Kids and TNT Sports.

If you want to add 4K and Dolby Atmos, that’s currently £4/month – instead of the usual £6/month. And if you want to be able to fast forward adverts – that’s £5/month (it used to be free on the first year – but that’s no longer the case).

And lastly, if you want to be able to watch in other rooms – you need the “Whole Home” add-on, which is currently £10/month (instead of £12/month). 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 October Offers

As part of a limited-time offer (it’s good until November 2), subscribers who are willing to sign up for the 18-month contract, can get several discounted offers.

It’s worth mentioning these deals are only available via special promotion links, available from certain affiliate partners and comparison sites. Luckily, we’re allowed to extend these offers to you.

So, these are your options as of this writing:

• Sky Stream Ultimate – with Netflix – For £19/month – 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 £39/month
• Sky Stream Ultimate with Netflix and Sky Cinema – Now for just £27/month

Remember that these offers are for an 18-month contract. And, as broadband and TV companies do these days – the price may go up during your contract period, along with inflation.

If you get any of these bundles, you can also add Sky Kids for £4/month (instead of the usual £6/m), and TNT Sports (previously BT Sport) is currently on offer for £24/month (instead of the usual £30).

Note that if you’re particularly interested in TNT Sports – it’s cheaper to get via Virgin Media’s Stream box, or BT TV and their current offer – however, you would then need to sign up for Virgin Media or BT’s broadband services as well.

Sky also currently offers broadband bundles that include Sky Stream:

• Sky Stream Ultimate with Netflix and Superfast Broadband – Now for just £38/month.
• Sky Stream Ultimate with Netflix and Ultrafast+ Broadband – Now for just £64/month

All in all, if you’re interested in Sky Stream – these are good offers, with Sky Stream’s lowest price ever.

However, the main downside is that by signing up for 18 months, you lose the flexibility cord cutting normally gives you, to mix and match streaming services across different periods.

If you don’t want to sign a long contract, Sky is currently running its free Sky Stream trial – so you can get a full month of Sky Ultimate (with Netflix), and the puck, for… £0.

• Get Sky Stream Free 1 Month Trial

Just don’t forget to cancel if you don’t want to continue after the month is over (and you’ll have to send the puck back).

However, if you’re just interested in Sky’s content, and don’t need their device and its unique interface – you can pay less for Sky Cinema and Sky Entertainment via Sky’s standalone streaming service – NOW.

Last but not least, if you’re also looking into Sky Glass – the full TV set from Sky – it’s currently available with 6 whole months of free Sky Ultimate.