topic Re: Sky vs hbo max. in Sky Q

Sky vs hbo max.

Jane55 — Thu, 02 Apr 2026 07:00:21 GMT

Hi with the new hbo max I am wondering if it worth carrying on with my sky q seeing as most things will now be on hbo max & most other programmes are available to stream somewhere at a monthly contract rather than stuck in a 2 year with sky. Yes the recording box is the one thing you would loose unless you bought a freeview or freesat recorder. Anyone else thinking the same?

Re: Sky vs hbo max.

TimmyBGood — Thu, 02 Apr 2026 07:11:46 GMT

@Jane55 wrote:

Anyone else thinking the same?

Presumably, yes.

The point of the Sky EPG (as with other regulated EPG providers) is to host that numbered list of 'live' transmissions. If live television is no longer being consumed in a particular household then the value of any EPG platform is obviously rather diminished.

This is why Sky has spent the past decade and two generations of hardware to become a content aggregator rather than being primarily an EPG host.

Re: Sky vs hbo max.

Chodley — Thu, 02 Apr 2026 07:07:19 GMT

Most things? Seems a stretch although clearly HBO have some mega shows.

This is clearly the big question everyone's been asking for a few years as streaming became a way for content owners to skip distribution platforms like Sky. Sport is becoming ever more important for Sky. Movies has long stopped being a differentiator.

The freesat boxes are nowhere near as good as Q so I'm sticking with it but never been locked in, just pay the normal sub, so I can change my mind whenever I want to.

Re: Sky vs hbo max.

nigea99 — Thu, 02 Apr 2026 07:19:59 GMT

@Jane55 wrote:

Hi with the new hbo max I am wondering if it worth carrying on with my sky q seeing as most things will now be on hbo max & most other programmes are available to stream somewhere at a monthly contract rather than stuck in a 2 year with sky. Yes the recording box is the one thing you would loose unless you bought a freeview or freesat recorder. Anyone else thinking the same?

hi @Jane55

I am sure they will be quite a few others.

There is no doubt that the launch of HBO Max tied with the loss of a lot of the associated content from SKY will be a major factor for many.

Personally I watch other channels that are part of the Susbcription including U&Alibi but I also watch Sports (mainly F1 & Golf)

The subidised subscriptions (i.e. base tiers now included with SKY) to several streaming services suits me well

There is no doubt there has been a gradual erosion of content available via SKY as the various streaming services have launched

Only you can decide whether it is worth continuing with SKY if (or once) your minimum contract is over..

Re: Sky vs hbo max.

Angel_Aka — Thu, 02 Apr 2026 08:41:14 GMT

@Jane55

The HBO Max change is just one of many things which made us realise that a full Sky TV service was simply not worth paying for any more.

Both of our smart TVs have aerials attached and can record from Freeview and pause/rewind live TV on cheap USB flash drives. Both have a wide range of apps to stream content, including Sky content via the NOWTV app, and using streaming devices of our own, can keep track of our viewing with watchlists.

We can stop and start subscriptions easily, take advantage of discounted offers from streamers, and still enjoy everything we used to watch via Sky, just without the large monthly bill.

Sky is great if you like simplicity and convenience. But there are now many ways to get the same kind of service elsewhere. Freesat recorders aren't quite dead yet - there's a new one being launched this month, and there are now several Freely streaming devices available for those that don't want a dish or aerial.

It's worthwhile working out exactly what you like to watch and how you like to watch it. You may find that by doing a few calculations you can get everything you want from a couple of direct subscriptions with particular streaming services, or you may find that Sky's monthly subscription and 2 year contract gives you pretty much equal or in fact better value but without the flexibility.

There are options for all!