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Sky tv replacement options ? What is available ?
Andybarbet - 18/6/17 at 10:53 AM

We currently have sky tv, broadband & phone line. The price has gone up from about £52 per month to £84 & I'm looking to go for something else now.

We use the internet a lot (it's not fibre optic) on the tv package we don't have the sports channels or movie channels (don't really need them) & we have a landline phone purely for emergency use, we never us it to ring out but wanted it just in case of an emergency.

With all of these smart tv's & now tv type boxes etc, is there a much more affordable way to go ? I have no idea so thought I would ask on here to see what others have.

The wife would ideally like the Atlantic channel that we currently have with sky & if possible I would like to be able to watch the darts which is on sky sports now days but I haven't had it up to now so its not a deal breaker.

The only other criteria is that we have a sky box in the lounge & one upstairs in the bedroom so would prefer a set up with 2 tvs connected to it.

Lastly, I'm not that sure on how these usb stick things work so I might need an idiot's guide & we have tv's with HDMI sockets but I would consider replacing the two tv's if I needed to to save money per month on the tv package.

Cheers - Andy


loggyboy - 18/6/17 at 11:27 AM

Threaten to leave?. If that fails apply under your wifes name or an alias - as new customers get a much better deal. I managed to wangle sky and virgin in to getting a much better deal this year. Got Sky Q with sports and movies and multiroom for £30 and virgin 50mb with phone and TV for £20.
(Q box is superb, tivo box is s**te).

Sky Atlantic is.sky exclusive, so impossible to get legitimately elsewhere.

I did buy my dad a freesat hd box with PVR (Humax) as he wont pay for tv. Cost about £160 but seems very good and hes very happy.


Andybarbet - 18/6/17 at 11:32 AM

I've threatened to leave after 5 years being with them. After a 35 minute phone call he said he could knock £6 per month off. Not impressed to be honest, Is that £30 per month one of those goes up after so many months into the contract jobbies ?

People keep.telling us how good these internet tv boxes are but we are happy with our current set up, just not the cost it's been escalated to. We have a recordable sky plus hd downstairs & non recordable box upstairs.


morcus - 18/6/17 at 12:00 PM

Personally I don't think Pay tv is worth it anymore now that freeview and internet on-demand exists. My parents have Virgin TV but as far as I can tell are only using it for recording and the catch-up services (some programs are available through the Virgin Catchup that aren't available on the standalone versions of the channels catchup services) as pretty much everything they do watch is on Freeview.

Sport is probably the only thing where it might be worth it because of the way the broadcasting rights are.

Find out what programs you are actually watching on Sky and aren't on freeview and you may well find you are paying £50 a month to watch less than 5 hours of programming.

I've never used it myself but I believe Now Tv lets you get individual channels or packages on a top based service.

Get yourself a device that turns your TV into a smart TV and get all the free OD/Catch-up services. in a couple of months you'll wonder why you ever bothered paying for TV.


Slimy38 - 18/6/17 at 12:26 PM

quote:
Originally posted by Andybarbet
I've threatened to leave after 5 years being with them. After a 35 minute phone call he said he could knock £6 per month off. Not impressed to be honest, Is that £30 per month one of those goes up after so many months into the contract jobbies ?

People keep.telling us how good these internet tv boxes are but we are happy with our current set up, just not the cost it's been escalated to. We have a recordable sky plus hd downstairs & non recordable box upstairs.


It might be worth actually leaving if you can't get a decent offer by threatening. I've often heard of people being contacted halfway through their notice period (or even the day after disconnection) with an offer worthy of sticking around.

I'm in a tricky situation as I'm paying roughly the same amount and am looking to leave, but I need uninterrupted broadband for work so I can only leave half of it. Having said that, I reckon if we just had broadband, there's enough content out there to more than make up for no TV.


big-vee-twin - 18/6/17 at 01:23 PM

Ive just signed up with origin broadband for £30 you get line rental all calls and fibre broadband.

Got rid of Sky and bought a freesat box and pay £6.99 a month for now tv, currently watching game of thrones on now.


britishtrident - 18/6/17 at 02:52 PM

The problem for me with SKY it is part of the Murdoch's Trump supporting evil empire.............

The main players in broadband TV in the UK are Netflix, Amazon, BT(and BT owned Plusnet), Now TV and Netfix. Youtube is also starting move into the market.

Netflix is available by very reasonable monthly subscription on most types of broadband TV device although I am not sure about the Now TV box.

If you really want SKY Atlantic it is part of the Now TV entertainment package --- Now TV is part of SKY. Now TV set top boxes are sold at most supermarkets at a subsidised price. Roku TV set top boxes and TV sticks also work with Now TV but also work with a lot more non-Sky channels. SKY partly own Roku so there is no Amazon TV available on any Roku or Now TV devices. Roku make the Now Tv branded boxes but their own Roku branded range are much better products.

Amazon Fire TV set top boxes and Fire TV Sticks are a wise buy --- Amazon is partly a subscription service and partly pay per view, the subscription takes the form of Amazon Prime membership whichalso gives you free express delivery on products from Amazon and other fringe benfits. Amazon original series such as Bosch are very high quality and included in the Amazon Prime package
Now TV/Sky channels are not available on Amazon TV devices but the Amazon devices have loads of choice including Netflix. I highly recommend the Amazon Fire Stick it is an amazing little device but connects by WiFi only so if you have poor WIFI and need a hardwire network connection go for the Fire TVset top box.

You will note I haven't mention the Google Chromecast it really isn't in the same class as the Roku Streaming Stick or Amazon TV stick devices.


gremlin1234 - 18/6/17 at 03:46 PM

quote:
Originally posted by britishtrident
The main players in broadband TV in the UK are Netflix, Amazon, BT(and BT owned Plusnet), Now TV and Netfix. Youtube is also starting move into the market.

I thought Virgin Media and TalkTalk would both count,

for the OP, I would recommend the NowTV broadband bundle


loggyboy - 18/6/17 at 03:58 PM

quote:
Originally posted by gremlin1234
quote:
Originally posted by britishtrident
The main players in broadband TV in the UK are Netflix, Amazon, BT(and BT owned Plusnet), Now TV and Netfix. Youtube is also starting move into the market.

I thought Virgin Media and TalkTalk would both count,

for the OP, I would recommend the NowTV broadband bundle

They arent internet TV, just broadband suppliers.


SteveWalker - 18/6/17 at 07:34 PM

We've just got rid of Sky and bought a Human fvp-4000t plus a Human H3. The former has three tuners and can record four channels while watching a fifth. The latter can stream by itself, stream recordings from the other box or take over one of its tuners for live TV.


spiderman - 18/6/17 at 08:26 PM

a book.


bi22le - 18/6/17 at 10:31 PM

We dramatically reduced our virgin tv bundle around 18months ago.

I kept the highspeed fibre as nobody can make virgin for that, but bought an LG 4K XHD smart tv.

Im a student (part time) so get amazon half price. We also pay for Netflix.

Our TV has a massive SSD hard dive plugged in and can pause live TV. Anything I miss i get on one of the many on demand apps.

Total cost is about 35 a month. It works well for us.

The Virgin box was great but was just always filled with stuff I didnt fancy wayching. Not the case with Amazon and Netflix.


Bluemoon - 18/6/17 at 11:24 PM

quote:
Originally posted by spiderman
a book.



joneh - 19/6/17 at 08:29 AM

I told sky to poke it. Since leaving I get a phone call every two weeks and a letter offering 65% off. I got Amazon prime and installed a few add-ons. It's a bit of a pain but saves £50 a month!


stevebubs - 19/6/17 at 09:09 AM

quote:
Originally posted by loggyboy
quote:
Originally posted by gremlin1234
quote:
Originally posted by britishtrident
The main players in broadband TV in the UK are Netflix, Amazon, BT(and BT owned Plusnet), Now TV and Netfix. Youtube is also starting move into the market.

I thought Virgin Media and TalkTalk would both count,

for the OP, I would recommend the NowTV broadband bundle

They arent internet TV, just broadband suppliers.


TalkTalk offer an Internet-based TV Service... but no Sky Atlantic - that's only available on Sky/NowTV

https://www.talktalk.co.uk/shop/tv-and-broadband

[Edited on 19/6/17 by stevebubs]


Doctor Derek Doctors - 19/6/17 at 09:15 AM

Dont threaten to leave... actually leave. Then wait for the grovelling offers to start. After 3 months we were offered our previously £55 per month package for just £5!

At the end of the day Sky wpuld rather have £5 than £0 especially when you already jave the equipment. In the meantime thw sky box alrks as a freesat box anyway


Mr Whippy - 19/6/17 at 11:36 AM

I use freeview and netflix on an apple tv box, my android phone as the controller, £6 per month plenty for me and most of the documentaries I watch are on youtube. Kids have tons too.

oh yeah and I tap into my folks house's internet with a microwave dish (I have offered to help pay for it but they refused)

[Edited on 19/6/17 by Mr Whippy]


Irony - 19/6/17 at 12:00 PM

Get a Freeview box or a TV with it built in and you get 150 channels free of charge. Then buy Amazon Prime. Free next day delivery and amazon programs as well.


coozer - 19/6/17 at 12:14 PM

Heres what i did...

After 25 years or more with sky found out i was paying twice for HD channels...

Rang them up, had a rant and cancelled, no offers of any deals or money back..


Bought an open source linux satellite receiver, an Xtrend ET1000 to be exact.. then I went beserk with a 90cm dish and 4 lnbs... pointed the dish at 19.2e and hung the others off the sides so I get 28.2e, 19.2e, 16.0e and 13.0e..

Now I have about 6000 channels in various languages but as most of the dubbed stuff carries the original soundtrack so stuff comes down in English as well. Just watched Le Mans on the Polish Eurosport channel in english..

Subs are taken care of with a ccam server..

I also bought a chromecast and use that to stream from mobdro on my tablet..


britishtrident - 19/6/17 at 12:58 PM

quote:
Originally posted by Irony
Get a Freeview box or a TV with it built in and you get 150 channels free of charge. Then buy Amazon Prime. Free next day delivery and amazon programs as well.


Yes but sadly in reality Freview or Freesat have about 12 useful channels and some of those just show repeats of 1980's quiz shows.
I think the latest Amazon Fire Stick combined with Netfix subscription is the way to go

Amazon Prime although you have to pay for most recent movies is a good buy if just for the free next day (sometimes same day!) delivery and Amazon originals like Bosch, Goliath, The Man in the High Castle and One Mississip are great they also saved Ripper Street from the BBC axe and have exclusive deal for American Gods, Crossing Lines have loads of original kids stuff. If you have an enabled device voice activated search on Amazon also is amazing.
Netflix still don't offer as much content in the UK as they do in the USA but they have a huge selection are expanding it, really good series like Hell on Wheels, House of Cards, Designated Survivor, Brain Dead and Community as well as movies

[Edited on 19/6/17 by britishtrident]


dhutch - 19/6/17 at 06:49 PM

quote:
Originally posted by britishtrident

Yes but sadly in reality Freview or Freesat have about 12 useful channels and some of those just show repeats of 1980's quiz shows.
I think the latest Amazon Fire Stick combined with Netfix subscription is the way to go


How many can you watch at once!!

Having had BT TV for five years I have just signed up to 24months internet with vodafone, who ive just renewed my mobile with, to see if there service really can be any worse. If all goes well I have saved £700 on broadband over two years and get to keep my youview box which will still do half of what I use if for. At £2.50 each thats a lot of amazon film rentals.


Daniel


nick205 - 20/6/17 at 08:10 AM

quote:
Originally posted by Irony
Get a Freeview box or a TV with it built in and you get 150 channels free of charge. Then buy Amazon Prime. Free next day delivery and amazon programs as well.



Never had Sky or any other pay TV service (better things to spend my money on). Quite happy with a Freeview and SWMBO has Amazon Prime. Not sure I really understand the benefits Amazon Prime - seems to me you pay an annual subscription and then pay extra for films.

On balance I'm a tight ar5e and find TV pretty naff all around so the very idea of paying for it makes seems even worse. If I could find a way around it I'd avoid paying a TV licence too


Andybarbet - 20/6/17 at 07:34 PM

Lots of good information thanks :-)

I've spoken to sky & said I want to cancel, the best they offered was £64 per month taking a new 18 month contract but having to keep all of our old equipment ! To add insult to injury, if my box then goes wrong I will have to pay £65 for an engineer to come out to see if they can fix it. If I go on the sky tv website, for £62 a month I get 2 sky q new boxes & fibre optic broadband (we don't have fibre currently) but they will not give me that deal. Told them to stick it so I'm now on a 31 day notice period.

Current options we are looking at are:

Virgin fibre optic broadband with landline phone £31 a month (Only need a landline for emergencies as my Mrs has MS).

Possible looking at buying 2 Now tv boxes (dirt cheap) & wife can subscribe to the Atlantic channel + whatever other channels come with it for £6.99 a month.

Total cost of about £38 per month. So £45 ish per month saved.

Can anyone see any issues with this ? I think the virgin fibre sounds to be the best, they use their own cables etc & presumably it's man enough to run 2 wireless now tv boxes at once ?

To be fair, I'm like a few of you guys & can live without tv completely, I only really watched Top gear but since its now on a pay channel i dont watch that anymore. Its mainly for the wife, when shes in a bad MS relapse she is so whacked out that she tends to sit and watch the tv to try & take her mind off of it.

Ultimately I do need the internet though so will have to pay someone for that.