Sky TV Essentials Details

[BubblesPuff]

We are at the end of our contract and there aren't any decent offers and can't afford the 40%+ increase, so we plan to cancel Sky TV. Before we do, is there any detailed information on Sky TV Essentials including a full list of the available channels, particularly HD channels?

We read that TV Essentials is the free to air channels, but, we get more free to air HD channels on Freesat than we do on Freeview.  So does TV Essentials match Freesat or Freeview?

Freesat has the ITV channels such as ITV2 in HD, whereas Freeview doesn't.  This could be a deciding factor about whether to get the basic package, or to go to the somewhat more clunky Freesat recorder.

Any details on Essentials will be appreciated. Thanks.

[oldfella]

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@BubblesPuff wrote:

We are at the end of our contract and there aren't any decent offers and can't afford the 40%+ increase, so we plan to cancel Sky TV. Before we do, is there any detailed information on Sky TV Essentials including a full list of the available channels, particularly HD channels?We read that TV Essentials is the free to air channels, but, we get more free to air HD channels on Freesat than we do on Freeview.  So does TV Essentials match Freesat or Freeview?

Freesat has the ITV channels such as ITV2 in HD, whereas Freeview doesn't.  This could be a deciding factor about whether to get the basic package, or to go to the somewhat more clunky Freesat recorder.

Any details on Essentials will be appreciated. Thanks.

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Hi @BubblesPuff 

See following links.

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

https://www.cable.co.uk/tv/providers/sky-tv/tv-essentials/

[BubblesPuff]

Thanks. Had already seen that page which unfortunately doesn't list which channels are included in Essentials, in particular HD channels which differ between Freesat and Freeview.  If like Freesat, then might consider Essentials, but if Freeview, then wouldn't.

[nigea99]

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@BubblesPuff wrote:

Thanks. Had already seen that page which unfortunately doesn't list which channels are included in Essentials, in particular HD channels which differ between Freesat and Freeview.  If like Freesat, then might consider Essentials, but if Freeview, then wouldn't.

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hi @BubblesPuff 

Watching Live channels it is the Freesat channels (but via a SKY Q box) 

so see this :

https://www.freesat.co.uk/channels

[TimmyBGood]

@BubblesPuff 

The clue is in the sat bit of the product name.

Also worth noting that both Freesat and Freeview are about to begin a transition to online delivery with the release later this year of the Freely app and associated hardware.

[BubblesPuff]

I have just spoken with Sky and they have checked and confirmed that Sky Essentials is the Freeview channel selection, not the Freesat channels with include ITV2, ITV3 and ITV4 in HD (which Freeview doesn't). So, I have cancelled Sky TV altogether and will use ITVX app instead for those channels in HD.

[nigea99]

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@BubblesPuff wrote:

I have just spoken with Sky and they have checked and confirmed that Sky Essentials is the Freeview channel selection, not the Freesat channels with include ITV2, ITV3 and ITV4 in HD (which Freeview doesn't). So, I have cancelled Sky TV altogether and will use ITVX app instead for those channels in HD.

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If that is what you were told then the staff member you spoke to needs training !

All Freesat channels can be picked up with any receiver capable of receiving them (which of course SKY Q is)

[BubblesPuff]

Yes, it is correct to say that when we remove our Sky card, we do get Freesat channels (with Sky channel numbering rather than Freesat numbering).

If anyone currently has Sky TV Essentials with Sky Q, can you please check whether you can 1) see ITV2 in HD, and 2) whether it allows you to record ITV2 in HD. Thanks.

[Gmalone]

Yes itv2 he is available on essentials 

[PAISLEYALD]

How much a month is this ?

[Aiki86]

£15 a month, I have switched to it and for the usage we make is totally fine. HD channels are the same as freesat

[PAISLEYALD]

Won't be paying £15 for that... could pay off freesat in 18 months and still have 4 and half years of a warranty still.  I will try to get that price down in a few months !