TechTvsWhat is Sky Stream and is it worth it? Sky’s dish-free solution explainedThe Sky Stream puck is the easiest and most affordable way to get Sky TVWhen you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.
TechTvsWhat is Sky Stream and is it worth it? Sky’s dish-free solution explainedThe Sky Stream puck is the easiest and most affordable way to get Sky TVWhen you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.
The Sky Stream puck is the easiest and most affordable way to get Sky TV
When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.
(Image credit: Sky)
(Image credit: Sky)
Sky Stream could change everything about how people watch Sky TV. Hear me out, it’s the easiest and most affordable way to get Sky TV without the need for a bulky box or a satellite dish, likeSky Q. To get it up and running, all you need to have is a TV and an internet connection. That’s what makes it a 5-star product, as said in mySky Stream review.
Last year saw the arrival of the game-changingSky Glass, which undoubtedly remains thebest TVfor streaming even now. A television set that relies almost entirely on having a reliable Wi-Fi network, it comes fully loaded with Sky’s so-called Entertainment Operating System which means you get tonnes of Sky content at your fingertips as well as access to all of your favourite catch-up and streaming services including Prime Video,Apple TV+ andNetflix. It’s one easy-to-use device that has it all, even a built-in soundbar. You can buy it in three sizes: Small (43-inch), Medium (55-inch) and Large (65-inch).
Not everyone wants or needs a new TV though, yet a lot of people would want to watch Sky over Wi-Fi instead of through a satellite dish that requires professional installation, especially if you live in a rental property where you may not be allowed to put one up. That’s where the Sky Stream puck comes in, it’s so much simpler to set up and manage than anything else Sky has ever introduced.
What is Sky Stream?
You plug it into your TV using an HDMI cable, and when you connect it to power, you instantly get the Sky Glass experience without needing to splash out on the whole television set - it’s similar to something like theAmazon Fire TV Stick 4K, just a lot more amped up.
(Image credit: Sky)
(Image credit: Sky)
How much does Sky Stream cost?
You’ll have to pay a set-up fee of £39.95 per puck or £20 if you take an 18-month contract, after that, prices for a Sky package start at £26 a month if you sign up to an 18-month contract, or £29 a month if you’d rather have a rolling contract that you can cancel at any time. Those prices are for the most basic subscription which comes with Sky Ultimate TV and Netflix Basic, then you can add different packages on top of that like Sky Cinema and Sky Sport in the Marketplace.
To add more pucks around your home, the Whole Home package is £12 a month, with that, you can have up to five additional Sky Stream devices dotted around although you will have to pay for each one separately.
Sign up to the T3 newsletter for smarter living straight to your inbox
Get all the latest news, reviews, deals and buying guides on gorgeous tech, home and active products from the T3 experts
Sky Stream is available to buy right now, if you’re already convinced, you could get it as early as tomorrow because they use next-day delivery as standard.
What does Sky Stream do?
Sky Stream uses Sky’s Entertainment OS, just like the Sky Glass, so the interface is identical giving you access to linear TV channels, streaming services and catch-up services as well as some music apps such as Spotify and BBC Sounds. Of course, Sky’s own content is included in that as well like Gangs of London and House of the Dragon. There are even a few games to play around with.
You can choose which movies and TV shows to watch from the homepage which groups everything together in a digestible and easy-to-navigate way with recommendations tailored to you and your viewing habits.
What’s great is that you’re presented with content from every single service you’re signed up to in one place, so you’ll see Sky shows next to Netflix dramas which ultimately speeds up the search a lot because you won’t need to go through each app individually (although you can do that if you’d rather).
(Image credit: Sky)
(Image credit: Sky)
If it’s live TV you’re after then Sky Stream has over 150 channels available, which is a little less than Sky Q but it’s worth bearing in mind that you won’t get the extra +1 channels because thanks to Wi-Fi connectivity you can actually restart a lot of live programmes from the beginning.
Just like Sky Glass, the Sky Stream interface will get regular updates to improve how you use each part of the system, adding new apps and features as often as every month.
Is Sky Stream worth it?
Sky Q’s need for a satellite dish is sure to have put plenty off buying Sky TV so it was only a matter of time before Sky figured out a way around that. This new internet-connected option will open it up to a lot more people.
Sky Stream could quickly become the most popular way for people to get watch Sky TV because there’s literally no hassle involved at all.
You can’t deny that Sky TV is expensive, even at less than £1 a day, but given the world of content you unlock, it definitely seems worth it to me. Keep an eye out because the full Sky Stream review will be coming to T3 very soon!
The ultimate full-body gym workout for beginners, according to a fitness expertWant to hit the gym to build strength and muscle, but don’t know where to start? This workout can help
Want to hit the gym to build strength and muscle, but don’t know where to start? This workout can help
Amazon upgrades Kindle Colorsoft already – new model addresses customer complaintsAmazon’s full-colour e-reader fixes a problem that was plaguing its display
Amazon’s full-colour e-reader fixes a problem that was plaguing its display
Sky to launch something “smarter, brighter, and better” in February – Sky Glass 2 anyone?Could we see a massive upgrade on Sky’s own television?
Could we see a massive upgrade on Sky’s own television?
Sky Glass gets a massive free feature update just in time for ChristmasSky Stream updated with a bunch of new tricks, too
Sky Stream updated with a bunch of new tricks, too
Sky Glass getting free app that could change your life – coming to Sky Q and Stream tooPreviously exclusive to Sky Live
Previously exclusive to Sky Live
Should I buy Sky Glass?I take a look at the pros and cons for buying a new Sky Glass TV right now
I take a look at the pros and cons for buying a new Sky Glass TV right now
Sky Glass: watch the setup process from start to finishIt barely takes any time at all to get the TV up and running
It barely takes any time at all to get the TV up and running
Sky TV update: all the new features coming to revolutionise Sky Q in 2020Sky has a host of new features coming to Sky Q this year
Sky has a host of new features coming to Sky Q this year
This free Sky TV update will save you time and hassleSky has seriously simplified its smartphone and tablet apps
Sky has seriously simplified its smartphone and tablet apps