Sky Q Basic / Essentials

[K499]

I have already cancelled my sky broadband service which is due to be taken over by another provider in the next few weeks. I was wondering is there a way i can keep my sky q box on a basic plan that just included the freeview channels and recording as a backup to my new sercvice which is going to be provided by EE over the internet just incase the internet is down i will still be able to watch tv. the reason is i dont have good areal recption where i live and would like the satellite service as a backup. I have looked at freesat box but i would rather keep my sky box as i a used to the interface even if i have to pay a small monthly fee for the privalage. Is this anyting that anyone has done with any sucess or do you have to take sky signiture pack as a minimum. 

[oldfella]

---

@K499 wrote:

I have already cancelled my sky broadband service which is due to be taken over by another provider in the next few weeks. I was wondering is there a way i can keep my sky q box on a basic plan that just included the freeview channels and recording as a backup to my new sercvice which is going to be provided by EE over the internet just incase the internet is down i will still be able to watch tv. the reason is i dont have good areal recption where i live and would like the satellite service as a backup. I have looked at freesat box but i would rather keep my sky box as i a used to the interface even if i have to pay a small monthly fee for the privalage. Is this anyting that anyone has done with any sucess or do you have to take sky signiture pack as a minimum. 

---

as your post titles says there is the Sky Essentials package @K499 

With this basic package you don't need Sky Signature 

See following link 

https://www.sky.com/help/articles/tv-essentials

[SKY1992bf]

@K499  You can downgrade to the essentials package for a monthly fee this will give you want you want 

[K499]

Thanks @oldfella and @SKY1992bf  for that bit of infomation i will give sky a call once my new service is active and explain i would like to dowgrade to TV Essentials. Ill post an update with how i get on. 

[K499]

Just an update  @oldfella and @SKY1992bf my new services from EE are active and i have spoken to sky today. The advisor was abit reluctant at first telling me that it was a old package option but i was able to downgrade to Essentials TV which is perfect for  my use case and as a back up for my new IPTV system from EE. 

Just a side note for anyone else that is thinking of doing the same the standerd chanels such as BBC 1, BBC2, ITV1, Channel 4 and Five are all HD and you can record them, Also ITV 2, 3,4 are all HD as well. I have added this as this was one of the questions i couldnt answer when i was doing my reasearch into what Essentials TV was as Sky dont seem to publish a Channels list for this package.

Thank you both again for you help. 

[Simon+Co]

I am looking to go the same way so how are you finding it - any problems? Are the free to air channels viewable in HD as the Sky blurb only mentions SD - although unclear if thats just for the catch up content mentioned:

What’s included

With TV Essentials, you‘ll be able to Record, Pause and Rewind Free to air channels and make use of BBC and ITV catch up services as well as Channel 4 and Channel 5 catch up content in SD. You'll also benefit from limited access to Sky Go, so you can enjoy free to air content on the move.

If you have subscriptions to any Sky Q TV apps, billed through a 3rd party provider you’ll be able to log into these on your Sky Q box but to view in UHD, you’ll need a Sky Q UHD box.

If you want to add any Add-On’s (for example Kids Pack/Sky Cinema) you’ll need to contact us to upgrade.

[PandJ2020]

---

@Simon+Co wrote:

Are the free to air channels viewable in HD as the Sky blurb only mentions SD - although unclear if thats just for the catch up content mentioned:

---

Yes, but without the HD pack there are some limitations on catchup (Ch5 particularly).

[Simon+Co]

Thanks. Cant remember the last thing I watched on Channel 5 so shouldnt be too much of an issue. My biggest issue is losing sky sports or at least the option to bring it back when I want it. But I can get that via Sky now if I really need to (aware of the limitations of streaming vs recording etc). £15pm sounds a lot better than the £92pm my Sky just went up to.

[K499]

Hi 

yes I did change my pack down to essentials and it has been fine so far. I can still record and you can still use the apps such as bbc Iplayer and YouTube and Disney plus although you do have to paid for the paid apps separately, this still is cheaper than subscribing through sky. I haddent noticed the Channel 5 catch up limitations as I don't really watch channel 5 so the main point I would say is would you mind paying £15 for access to skys equipment or buy another device access freesat. I choose to pay the £15 keep my equptiment and recording features. There's is always the option to go back to a full sky subscription as this is one of the questiones I asked when downgrading and was told you can re upgrade when you want to but will be subject to a new contract and minimum term. 

I hope that's made it a little easier to make your decision. 

[Simon+Co]

Thanks - that helps a lot. Unfortunately I was confused thanks to Sky naming it TV Essentials and using the same name for Sky Stream which includes Sky Atlantic and Netflix for £15pm but obviously you lose the PVR functionality and have to return the Sky Q box. At the moment I am leaning on that. I did look at Freesat boxes but there is only one nowadays (Arris) in 4 different storage capacities and they £200-£280 depending on model - also lots of bad reviews that they are clunky and buggy vs Sky Q etc.

At the moment I am leaning on Sky Stream as just get more channels and netflix for your £15pm - and can add sky sports for just £20pm. But I will call Sky up and see what they can offer.

[Simon+Co]

Forgot to say I already have a 4k Chromecast so can run any of the apps and tbh prefer them on Chromecast currently vs Sky Q. I do wonder what happens to my year of free paramount+ if I move to stream.

[K499]

From what I remember any apps eg Netflix and paramount which I also had when I had full sky ultimate subscription were cancelled as soon as the downgrade processed and run until the end of that month. I then needed to resubscribe I have only re subscribed the Disney plus and do not have Netflix or paramount as they do not offer me any value but this is personal preference.