Sky TV explained

Sign up for a Sky TV, broadband and calls package and you’ll get super fast broadband, plus movie premieres, cutting-edge American drama and some of the best sports coverage around. You’ll also get cheap calls to UK landlines, either at select times or anytime, potentially saving you hundreds of pounds per year.

What does Sky TV offer?

Sky TV’s programming portfolio takes in the award-winning suite of Sky Sports channels, which broadcasts live, exclusive coverage of Premier League games, as well as the Ashes and a host of other marquee sports events.

Sky’s channels also include the award-winning Sky News, Sky Movies Premier and Sky Atlantic – a channel devoted to the best of HBO’s output and other high-quality US drama.

To make it easier and cheaper to get the programs you want, Sky has bundled channels together in themed packs. Areas covered include Variety, which is a mix of top-rated shows, as well as the Knowledge, which is devoted to documentaries, and the self-explanatory Style and Culture pack. There are also packs themed for children, music fans and a dedicated News and Events pack.

Finally, Sky boasts 50 high definition channels and even programming in cutting-edge 3D, too. As is the case the broadcaster's standard, non-HD TV packages, you can choose to add channels individually or sign up for themed HD packs.

The Sky+ box?

A Sky+ box is best described a video recorder for digital TV with hard disk storage. With oodles of onboard capacity, you’re able to store around 40 hours of programming directly on to it to watch whenever you like.

But that’s not all. Unlike the standard video recorders with which you’ll be familiar, with a Sky+ box you’re also able to record two channels simultaneously and set the recorder to tape your favourite show every week.

Better still is that the Sky+ box lets you pause, rewind and fast forward live digital TV. That means you’ll have total freedom to watch what you want when you want. And you can even fast forward the advertisements too.

Sky+ boxes are usually completely free when you sign up with Sky broadband, calls and TV packages.

The Sky+HD box

The Sky+ HD box does everything that the Sky+ box does. However, with the HD version of the gadget, you’re able to do all that on shows filmed in rich high definition.

It’s worth noting, however, that if you want to get the service you’ll need an HD ready TV. And you’ll need to sign up for the special Sky HD pack, too.

Can I get Sky TV with other broadband providers?

A comprehensive suite of Sky channels is available to Virgin Media customers. BT Vision customers can add Sky Sports 1 and 2 to their packages.

Considering a Virgin Media broadband TV deal? Compare all Virgin Media broadband TV deals

Find out more about BT Vision and compare BT Vision deals at our dedicated page BT Vision deals

Sky broadband explained

Sky customers can expect a super fast broadband connection of up to 20Mb (depending on your location) and a generous download limit, so you need not worry about exceeding your monthly usage.

The broadband facet of Sky’s offering also includes a free limited period trial of McAffee’s Internet Security Suite to keep you safe online. Round the clock technical support is included across Sky’s deals, as is a free wireless router.

Want to keep your broadband separate? Compare the best standalone broadband deals here broadband only