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With a huge selection of entertainment, movie and sports channels to choose from, it's easy to see why Sky TV is so popular. But the prices for a full Sky subscription can be eye-watering.
While the lure of shows such as Westworld and Game of Thrones can be appealing, the thought of being tied in to an expensive contract can feel off-putting. The good news is you don't have to take out a long Sky subscription to watch Sky channels.
Read on for more information on TV services that will let you watch Sky TV without a Sky subscription, including Now TV, Virgin Media and TalkTalk.
Use our round up of the best and worst TV and broadband providers to discover how satisfied Sky customers are in comparison to those with other suppliers.
Try Now TV
Now TV is an internet TV streaming service powered by Sky. It offers live streaming and on-demand content from popular Sky channels - so, you can watch Sky shows as they're going out live, or catch up on them at a later date.
Crucially, you don't have to be a Sky subscriber to use Now TV. Instead you simply buy 'passes' for a day, week or month to access the channels that you want. When your pass expires it rolls over into a monthly subscription fee, but you can cancel at any time. See how Now TV compares to popular streaming services like Netflix and Amazon Prime, using our TV streaming service reviews.
Streaming services broadcast over the internet, so you don't need a satellite dish to watch Now TV (though you do need a broadband connection of at least 2.5Mbps or a mobile signal of 180Kbps if you plan to watch using 3G or 4G).
You'll also need a device that can use the Now TV app. Some smart TVs come with this preinstalled, but if yours doesn't, you can watch Now TV in a few different ways.
One of the easiest, cheapest ways to watch Now TV is to buy a dedicated Sky Now TV box or smart stick, which cost as little as £15. This may even include a trial of free passes to watch the content, which in effect pays for the cost of the Now TV box itself.
A YouTube box will also give you access to the Now TV app - or you can install the app on a tablet, smartphone or PC.
Find out more in our guide: What is Now TV?
Add Sky channels to a service from another provider
If you've already got a TV subscription with a different provider, such as Virgin Media or BT TV, you can add most of Sky's channels to these services.
To do this, you add a 'bolt on' to your existing pay TV service. For example, you can pay BT £16 a month to add 11 Sky Movie channels to your package. There's usually no contract to do this, you just pay on a monthly basis.
If you're looking for some channels to keep the little ones happy, you can simply add children's channels to yourTV and broadband bundle - for example TalkTalk's Kids Boost adds nine children's channels, including Nickelodeon, Boomerang and Cartoon Network.
Use a shared Sky subscription
If a friend or family member already subscribes to Sky, then you can register as a secondary user and still watch Sky shows.
Now TV (see above), for example, allows you to register up to four compatible devices (such as a Now TV box, a laptop, or a tablet). The service lets you watch programmes on two devices at the same time, so four members of an extended family won't all be able to tune into Game of Thrones simultaneously on different devices.
Alternatively, Sky Go is a streaming service that allows Sky subscribers to watch programmes away from the home. This lets Sky customers register two devices (or four, if you pay more for Sky Go Extra).
In effect, this would let you log in to watch Sky programming if you used the account details of a family member who has a Sky subscription. However, users are meant to be part of the same household as the primary Sky account holder, according to Sky.
Read our Sky TV and broadband review to find out what Sky customers had to say about the service they receive in our latest satisfaction survey.
...or, stick with Freeview
If you decide that none of the above options work for you, then one alternative is to stick with Freeview. It may not offer the same sports or movie range as Sky, but it still gives you a huge selection of channels for no cost at all (other than the charge for a TV licence).
With the addition of a Freeview PVR, you can pause, rewind and record live TV, as well as setting a planner and series-link. These are all features you would get with a Sky box. You won't, however, have access to the same sports, movies and entertainment channels. Head to our round-up of the Best Buy Freeview PVRs to see which models impressed the experts in our lab.
If that's not enough for you, and you want even more channels, then Freesat offers more than 200 channels and on-demand TV from the likes of the BBC and ITV. To get it, you just need a Freesat box or a TV with Freesat built-in, plus a Freesat satellite dish. As with Freeview, there's no ongoing subscription cost. Read in depth reviews of all the latest models using our Freesat PVRs and set top box reviews.
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Sky Go is a free service for Sky TV customers, which allows them to watch Sky on up to 2 smart devices. However, if customers want to download content to watch offline, or access Sky through a games console, then they will have to subscribe to Sky Go Extra. This costs £5 a month, but if you have Sky Multiscreen it is also free. If you do not pay for it, then there is no need to cancel. You can simply stop using the service. If you want to cancel a Sky Go Extra subscription to save £5 a month, then follow the guide below to do that.
Cancel by Telephone
1) The fastest method of cancelling any Sky subscription is to call them on the phone. Call Sky on 0344 241 1653. It will prompt you to enter the primary phone number for your Sky account. Alternatively, if you wait for a few seconds, it will give you the opportunity to state the reason for your call. You can say “cancel Sky Go” as your reason. Otherwise, if you keep holding the line then there will be an automated list of options.
2) If you take the third route, then you should press 1 as an existing Sky customer. Press 6 to reduce your Sky subscription. Then press 2 to cancel a part of your Sky subscription. If you want to cancel Sky TV and not just a part of it, then follow this guide instead. When you press 2, it should connect you to a Sky agent right away. Tell them that you are giving them notice of cancellation for your Sky Go Extra subscription.
3) Bear in mind that Sky has a notice period of 31 days for cancellations. So, if you want to cancel Sky Go Extra, then you need to call them 31 days before your monthly renewal date. Otherwise, they will only cancel your subscription the following month after charging another £5 for the continued service. The same applies if you have a Sky Go Extra free trial and want to cancel it before it becomes a subscription. You are able to cancel Sky Go Extra within 14 days of starting the subscription and ask them for a refund.
Cancel Online
If you prefer to do things online or don’t have the time to talk on the phone, then there are other ways to cancel Sky Go Extra. Sign into your Sky account on the sky.com website to view and manage your Sky TV subscriptions, including Sky Go and Sky Go Extra. There should be online messaging available so that you can talk with a Sky agent in a live chat. Your notice will be effective immediately, as it is over the phone.
You can do the same thing through the app if you have it on a smart device. Another way to cancel Sky Go Extra online is to send an e-mail to mysky@sky.uk. If you do this, they might have to return your e-mail and verify details before the notice becomes effective. However, it will still be effective from the date that you sent the notice of cancellation originally. They will stop your subscription 31 days from your notice. If your payment date falls within those 31 days, then you can still access the service up until the next date of payment, when your subscription will cease properly. You could still use regular Sky Go for free after that.
Cancel by Post
Writing a cancellation letter to Sky slows the process down a lot. Unfortunately, Sky does not accept notice of cancellation until you can verify all of your account details with an agent. This is why it is faster to do it on the phone or through a live chat. Sky will send a letter back to you acknowledging your letter to them. They will also contact you by phone to verify your details and confirm the cancellation. Only then will the notice be effective. The same rules will apply to this as to all of the cancellation methods mentioned above.
Sky Go Extra Subscription Price
Sky Subscribers Services Limited
PO Box 43
Livingston
West Lothian
EH54 7DD