Discussion topic: Sky Q Essential TV
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Message posted on 28 Jan 2026 03:02 PM
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Sky Q Essential TV
Hi, does anyone know if downgrading to Sky Q Essential TV (free to air only) is still available?
I've spoke to sky twice recently and both advisors i spoke to say its not available now? As of about 4 months ago apparently.
I know from reading previous threads that not all advisors were aware of it...so wondering if anyone has switched to it recently?
Thanks
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Message posted on 28 Jan 2026 03:11 PM - last edited: 28 Jan 2026 03:16 PM
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Re: Sky Q Essential TV
@Rswxite wrote:
Hi, does anyone know if downgrading to Sky Q Essential TV (free to air only) is still available?
I've spoke to sky twice recently and both advisors i spoke to say its not available now?
The free-to-air channel product on Sky Q is/was called 'Television Essentials'
'Essential TV' is the cheaper alternative to 'Ultimate TV' on Glass & Stream.
If you were asking support whether Essential TV was available on Q then the correct answer would be no.
BT Halo 3+ Ultrafast FTTP (500Mbs), BT Smart Hub 2
Message posted on 28 Jan 2026 03:15 PM
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Re: Sky Q Essential TV
I explained to the advisor i wanted to keep my sky Q box and just recieve free to air channels and he was adamant that was not possible.
Message posted on 28 Jan 2026 03:28 PM - last edited: 28 Jan 2026 03:31 PM
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Re: Sky Q Essential TV
Certainly possible the advisor wasn't aware of the Television Essentials product, or that it's no longer available to new users.
In theory the full list price for Television Essentials on Q is the same as Essential TV on Stream but the latter is hugely better value as it includes Sky Atlantic, Netflix Standard with Adverts and Discovery+ Basic.
BT Halo 3+ Ultrafast FTTP (500Mbs), BT Smart Hub 2
Message posted on 28 Jan 2026 04:48 PM
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Re: Sky Q Essential TV
Unlike previous boxes, Sky Q boxes are only loaned to us while we subscribe .Therefore I believe you need active subscption to keep the box. If you don't return the box when asked Sky will make a charge. I am not sure what position is after that if you paying the charge the box then is yours. May be someone on here can tell us if that might be the case and if you would still be able to view the free to air channels like BBC or if the card will still work to watch ITV ect which dose need a active card.
Message posted on 28 Jan 2026 04:57 PM - last edited: 28 Jan 2026 06:14 PM
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Re: Sky Q Essential TV
Paying the non-return fee doesn't transfer ownership of the box(es). However, some recent posts have suggested Sky isn't necessarily asking for Q hardware back any more, and the language on the relevant page is rather different to how it used to be.
https://www.sky.com/help/articles/charges-for-not-returning-sky-q-equipment
BT Halo 3+ Ultrafast FTTP (500Mbs), BT Smart Hub 2
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