Sky TV - frequently asked questions

Sky TV: great entertainment starts here. We've got everything from top quality entertainment to movie blockbusters and exclusive live sports coverage – find out more about Sky TV with our handy FAQs here...

Entertainment Packs

How do I build my Sky TV package?

With Sky TV, you only pay for the TV you want to watch. We've packaged our TV options into six themed Entertainment Packs – Variety, Knowledge, Style & Culture, News & Events, Children's and Music – each containing a range of quality digital channels to suit your interests and passions. Take one Pack for just £18 a month, and add more for an extra £1 a month each. You'll also automatically receive 200 free-to-air channels, including all your BBC, ITV and Channel 4 favourites. Our premium Packs, the Movies Pack and the Sports Pack are also available.

What do I get with the Variety Pack?

A superb blend of all-round family entertainment – enjoy new and classic drama and comedy series, sci-fi, game shows and more, on channels including Sky1, Living, Paramount Comedy and FX – find out what else you can watch with the Variety Pack

What do I get with the Knowledge Pack?

Learn from your television with fascinating history and nature documentaries – a discoverer's dream. Immerse yourself in Knowledge on channels including History, National Geographic, Discovery and The Biography Channel – find out what else you can watch with the Knowledge Pack

What do I get with the Style & Culture Pack?

Food, fashion, art and design: all you need to keep up with the world of style and culture with channels including Sky Arts 1 & 2, Sky Real Lives, UKTV Food and Discovery Real Time. Find out what else you can watch with the Style & Culture Pack

What do I get with the News & Events Pack?

Breaking news and events as they happen. Stay in touch with 24 hour coverage from leading news channels including Sky News, Fox News and CNBC Europe, and tune in to a selection of sporting events on British Eurosport, Extreme Sports and ESPN Classic. Find out what else you can watch with the News & Events Pack

What do I get with the Children's Pack?

Keep the kids occupied with movies, cartoons and educational shows they can learn from with the Children's Pack. They'll love the channels on offer, including the Disney Channel, Nickelodeon, the Cartoon Network and Trouble – find out what else you can watch with the Children's Pack

What do I get with the Music Pack?

A must for music lovers. From pop, rock, dance and hip hop, get the best tunes, videos and interviews on MTV, VH1, 4 Music, The Box and more – find out what else you can watch with the Music Pack

Will I receive any other channels?

Yes. You'll automatically receive over 200 free-to-air TV and radio channels, including all the main Freeview channels and your BBC, ITV and Channel 4 favourites, with any Entertainment Pack you choose.

How many Packs can I take?

As few as one, or as many Packs as you like! Take one Entertainment Pack from just £18 a month, and build your TV experience by adding more Entertainment Packs for an extra £1 each a month. Our premium Packs, Sports Pack and Movies Pack are also available. And for the ultimate TV package, add all the Sky Movies channels and Sky Sports channels with the Sky World package – giving you all the Sky TV channels on offer – for just £48.50 a month.

Can I change my Entertainment Packs selection?

Yes – once you're a Sky TV customer you can add or reduce the number of Entertainment Packs you take up to once a month, at any time. Simply amend your package online via your My Sky account, or call us on 08442 411 411 to change your package.

Will I be watching digital TV?

Yes, Sky is a digital TV provider. That means you'll be able to watch Sky TV before, during and after the digital switchover – find out more about the digital switchover

Movies and Sports Packs

How do I watch Sky Sports with Sky TV?

Enjoy the best in live and exclusive sporting events and movie blockbusters with our premium Packs, the Sports and Movies Packs. The Sports Pack gives you access to all five dedicated sports channels on Sky – Sky Sports 1, Sky Sports 2, Sky Sports 3, Sky Sports Xtra and Sky Sports News – and costs from £36 a month (when you also take 1 Entertainment Pack). Alternatively, choose to take selected sports channels with the 'Sky Sports 1' or 'Sky Sports 2' options.

What sports channels can you get with Sky?

Sky offers five dedicated sports channels with the Sports Pack:

  • Sky Sports 1
  • Sky Sports 2
  • Sky Sports 3
  • Sky Sports Xtra
  • Sky Sports News

If you take Sky+HD with the HD Pack and Sports Pack, you'll also have access to Sky Sports 1, 2 and 3 in stunning high definition.

You can also choose to subscribe to Chelsea TV and MUTV separately.

How do I watch Sky Movies with Sky TV?

Enjoy the best in movie blockbusters and live and exclusive sporting events with our premium Packs, the Movies and Sports Packs. The Movies Pack gives you access to 11 dedicated genre and premiere movie channels on Sky, plus Disney Cinemagic, and costs from £34 a month (when you also take with 1 Entertainment Pack). Alternatively, choose to take selected movies channels with the 'Sky Movies 1' or 'Sky Movies 2' options.

What movies channels can you get with Sky?

Sky offers 11 dedicated movies channels with the Movies Pack (plus Disney Cinemagic):

  • Sky Movies Screen 1
  • Sky Movies Screen 2
  • Sky Movies Premiere
  • Sky Movies Indie
  • Sky Movies Sci Fi and Horror
  • Sky Movies Action and Thriller
  • Sky Movies Classics
  • Sky Movies Modern Greats
  • Sky Movies Family
  • Sky Movies Comedy
  • Sky Movies Comedy

If you take a Sky+HD box with the HD Pack and Movies Pack, you'll also have access to nine Sky Movies channels in stunning high definition:

  • Sky Movies Premiere HD
  • Sky Movies Screen 1 HD
  • Sky Movies Screen 2 HD
  • Sky Movies Action & Thriller HD
  • Sky Movies Modern Greats HD
  • Sky Movies Drama HD
  • Sky Movies Sci Fi and Horror HD
  • Sky Movies comedy HD
  • Sky Movies Family HD

What is the Sky Movies 1 option?

The Sky Movies 1 option offers you a selection of the movies channels available on Sky:

  • Sky Movies Comedy
  • Sky Movies Family
  • Sky Movies Modern Greats
  • Sky Movies Classics
  • Sky Movies Screen 1

Sky Movies Screen HD 1 available when you subscribe to Sky TV with a Sky+HD box and take the HD Pack.

The Sky Movies 1 option costs from £26 a month (when you take with 1 Entertainment Pack). For access to more movies channels, add the Movies Pack.

What is the Sky Movies 2 option?

The Sky Movies 2 option offers you a selection of the movies channels available on Sky:

  • Sky Movies Action & Thriller
  • Sky Movies Sci Fi and Horror
  • Sky Movies Indie
  • Sky Movies Drama
  • Sky Movies Screen 2

Sky Movies Screen HD 2 available when you subscribe to Sky TV with a Sky+HD box and take the HD Pack.

The Sky Movies 2 option costs from £26 a month (when you take with 1 Entertainment Pack). For access to more movies channels, add the Movies Pack.

What is the Sky Sports 1 option?

With the Sky Sports 1 option, you can watch Sky Sports 1. This option costs from £27 a month. For access to more sports channels, add the Sports Pack.

What is the Sky Sports 2 option?

With the Sky Sports 2 option, you can watch Sky Sports 2. This option costs from £27 a month. For access to more sports channels, add the Sports Pack.

Can I watch Sky Movies in high definition?

Yes. To watch TV in high definition with Sky+HD, you need an HD-ready TV, a Sky+HD box (now from £49 for your first box) and the HD Pack (£10 a month). If you want to watch Sky Movies in high definition, add the Movies Pack to your TV package.

Can I watch Sky Sports in high definition?

Yes. To watch TV in high definition with Sky+HD, you need an HD-ready TV, a Sky+HD box (now from £49 for your first box) and the HD Pack (£10 a month). If you want to watch Sky Sports in high definition, add the Sports Pack to your TV package.

HD Pack

What is high definition?

High definition or HD is the next step in the evolution of television, which uses the latest technology to bring clearer images in to your home – pictures that are up to five times sharper than standard definition TV.

What is Sky+HD?

With Sky+HD you can experience television like never before with up to five times more picture detail, incredibly vibrant colours and superb quality sound. Plus you get all the Sky+ features such as record, pause, rewind and series link, and twice the storage capacity of a Sky+ box.

How can I watch TV in high definition with Sky?

To get started with Sky+HD, you need an HD ready TV, a Sky+HD box and Sky TV with the HD Pack. Sky has the widest range of HD channels in the UK – with everything from movies and sports, to arts, drama and documentaries, all in stunning high definition. Build your Sky TV package from just £18 a month, and then add the HD Pack.

How does the HD Pack work?

Add the HD Pack to your Sky TV package to receive all the HD channels in Sky's Entertainment Pack currently for an additional £10 a month. Remember, the HD channels you receive will depend on your TV package. If you want to watch Sky Sports or Sky Movies in high definition, add the Sports or Movies Packs to your TV package

Where do I find out more about high definition?

Visit our informative HD site to find out everything you need to know about high definition and Sky+HD, or consult our Sky+HD FAQs

Get ESPN on Sky TV- FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Find out more about ESPN on Sky with our handy FAQs here...

Channel Information

What is ESPN?

ESPN stands for Entertainment Sports Programming Network and is one of the leading sports broadcaster in the US. It has developed a reputation for providing world class coverage of top US sporting events like the NFL and Major League Baseball.

ESPN was recently awarded 46 Barclays Premier League matches for the 09/10 season, and will now be broadcasting in the UK in both standard and high definition.

Has it launched?

ESPN currently has two channels in the News & Events Pack:
- ESPN Classic (Channel 432)
- ESPN America (Channel 417)

On 3rd August, ESPN America will become an a la carte subscription channel and rebrand to "ESPN".

At this point, ESPN America will no longer broadcast (& therefore not appear in News & Events Pack from this date). ESPN Classic will continue to be available on Channel 432 in News & Events Pack from this date.

Note: News & Events Pack customers will lose ESPN America from 3 August and will not be entitled to watch the new ESPN channel as part of that Pack.

Which channel will 'ESPN' be on?

- ESPN: 417
- ESPN HD: 443

What are the broadcast hours?

Daily, 24hours.

Is there any sub-titling/audio description/sign-language?

Currently, no.

Will ESPN content be available on Sky Player / Anytime/ Mobile?

ESPN Classic will be available on Sky Player from 13 July.

ESPN will be available on Sky Player – date TBC. Pricing & packaging details will follow. At present it is unclear whether ESPN will be available on Anytime at the start of the season.

ESPN will also be available on mobile- date TBC.

Customer Information

How do I get ESPN?

Customer can register in three ways:
1. Online at www.sky.com/espn
2. Via their TV remote control, by pressing the Interactive button then via Sky Active
3. By calling the contact centres
You will be able to take their registration details via Merlin

Nearer to ESPN's launch, we will contact customers who have registered with further details on how to complete their purchase.

How much does it cost?

1. Sky TV Customers with Sky Sports
Sky Sports subscribers (Single and Dual) will be able to subscribe to ESPN for £9 per month

2. Sky TV Customers (not Sports)
Other Sky TV customers will be able to subscribe from £12 per month

Note: Sky TV customers with ESPN & the HD pack will also be able to watch ESPN HD

3. Freesat from Sky and non Sky TV Customers - Pricing TBC

And that's it. Unlike Setanta, there will not be a set-up fee, and when the VAT rate reverts back to 17.5%, we do not plan to change the prices.

Can I subscribe to ESPN without subscribing to Sky Sports?

Yes, all Sky TV customers will be able to subscribe to ESPN but it is cheaper if you have Sky Sports.

Sky TV customers without Sky Sports will pay £12 per month, but it's only £9 per month with Sky Sports.

How do I get ESPN HD from Sky?

1) Subscribe to Sky TV with ESPN and the HD Pack; or
2) Subscribe to ESPN HD as a Freesat from Sky customer with an HD box

Is there a minimum term contract?

Customers must keep the channel for a minimum of 1 month after upgrading.

Once I become an ESPN customer who do I contact with any Customer Service queries?

Sky TV and freesat from Sky customers should contact Sky.

This also means that the monthly subscription charge for ESPN will appear on the customer's Sky bill.

Will Virgin Media, Freeview or Freesat customers be able to watch any of the ESPN channels / ESPN's Premier League games?

This is still to be confirmed. Non Sky TV customers should contact their entertainment provider for more details.

- Virgin Media – 0845 454 1111 or www.virginmedia.com
- BT Vision – www.btvision.bt.com
- Top Up TV – 08444 158 158

Programming Information

I have ESPN Classic and ESPN America - will I get the Premier League matches through that?

No. ESPN Classic is a separate channel from the broadcaster that's available in the News & Events Pack. It's dedicated to reliving some of sports' greatest moments in history.

On 3rd August, ESPN America will come out of the News & Events Pack and become an a la carte channel, rebranding to 'ESPN'.

How many Barclays Premier League games can I watch next season on ESPN?

In addition to the 92 exclusively live matches on Sky Sports, customers will be able to watch 46 live matches on ESPN.

Why didn't Sky just buy the rights to the Premier League?

The European Commission has decided that no single broadcaster should be allowed to show all 138 Premier League games live, so the rights to show those are sold off in packages. Sky has four of the six viewing packages for the 09/10 season and ESPN has the remaining two viewing packages.

Apart from football, what else can I watch on ESPN?

Major league baseball, national hockey league, College basketball & American football and the entire NASCAR series.

Setanta Information

What's happening to the other sports events that Setanta was showing, such as the Scottish Premier League?

British Eurosport were awarded the rights to show the remainder of Setanta's coverage of US PGA Tour for this year.

For the remaining tournaments, such as the Scottish Premier League, this has not yet been confirmed. If ESPN secures further sports rights for their channel we will update you.

Please read the Terms and Conditions below:

Due to demand at Christmas existing customers may not be able to get installed in time to watch the Christmas channel.

For £18.50 you'll get Sky TV 2 entertainment packs (£18.50 a month), Sky Broadband Base (for £0 a month when you take Sky Talk, otherwise £5 a month) and Sky Talk Freetime (£0 a month)

1. Sky Broadband Base is free in Sky network areas when you take Sky Talk. Sky Talk Freetime includes selected free UK evening and weekend calls. UK calls are to 01, 02, 03 & 0870 numbers only (excludes calls to Channel Islands, indirect access numbers, dial-up Internet access and 070 numbers). Max price for other 08 numbers is 10ppm, with a max connection fee of 10p. Max price for 070 is 48ppm, with a max connection fee of 50p. Full tariff details at sky.com/callpricing. 'Free' and 'unlimited' calls last up to an hour, then UK calls charged at 5.25ppm at any time of day and international calls at Sky Talk standard rates, or hang up and redial as often as you like. Unlimited international landline calls to 20 countries including Australia, Austria, Belgium, Canada, Czech Republic, Denmark, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland and USA and calls to international mobiles in Canada and USA. Subject to Acceptable Use Policy. See sky.com/skytalk.

Sky+/Sky+HD box offer: Sky+HD offer ends 28 December 2009. Free Sky+HD box for new Sky TV customers taking Sky TV, Sky Movies Pack 1 or 2 and the HD Pack for 12 months. Offer also available to existing Sky TV customers joining Sky+HD with the HD Pack and taking a Sky TV package with Sky Movies Pack 1 or 2 for 12 months. Existing customers must also recommit to Sky TV for 12 months. Free Sky+ box for new Sky TV customers taking Sky TV for 12 months. Free Sky+HD and Sky+ box not available in conjunction with any other offer.

Online Marks and Spencer voucher offer: Join Sky TV online by 17 December 2009 and we'll send you a £50 Marks and Spencer voucher within 30 days of activating your viewing. Only available for new customers with their viewing card enabled by 17 January 2010. One voucher per household and only available when you join online. Marks and Spencer voucher is subject to separate terms and the offer is not available in conjunction with other offers.

^Dolby Digital 5.1 Available on many programmes. Compatible home cinema system required.

Set-Up: Current standard set up lead times for new Sky TV customers for UK mainland currently average 7-10 days and are likely to increase before Christmas. Existing customers may be longer. Standard set-up for free Sky+HD box is £30 for new and existing Sky TV customers (£15 if you take a new Multiroom subscription). Standard set-up for non-offer £49 Sky+HD box is £30 for new customers (£15 if you take a new multiroom subscription). and £60 for existing Sky TV customers (£30 if you take a new Multiroom subscription). Standard set-up for Sky+ box is £30 for new customers (£15 if you take Multiroom) or £60 for existing Sky TV customers. Non-standard set-up may cost extra. Standard set-up for a standard Sky box is £60 for new and existinf customers. Standard set-up £120 without Sky TV. Sky Broadband set-up fees for existing Sky TV customers £60 for Base, £30 for Everyday & Connect or free for Unlimited.

Sky TV Subscription: Packages from £18-£48.50 per month (pm). Sky Box Office costs extra. Free Sky+ box available with any package. Sky News and Sky Three are available without subscription; Sky Three, Ch4, Five, Five US and Fiver require a viewing card.

Sky+: If you do not take up this Sky+ offer Sky+ box costs £49 for new Sky TV customers. For existing Sky TV customers Sky+ box £149 (or £49 when taking a new Multiroom subscription). Existing customers need to sign up to another 12 month minimum term for Sky TV. One £49/£149 box per household and not available if you already have Sky+/SkyHD/Sky+HD box or if you take a Sky+HD box at the same time. Sky+ box up to £199 if you are not eligible for discounted price (Sky TV subscription required). Sky+ can store an average of 40 hours of programmes. Sky+ functionality requires a Sky+ subscription (free for Sky TV customers, or £10 pm) and two satellite feeds.

Sky+HD: £10 pm for the HD Pack. HD channels received depend on your Sky TV package. If you do not take up this Sky+HD offer Sky+HD box costs £49 when you take the HD Pack and Sky TV and existing customers sign up to another 12 month minimum term for Sky TV. One £49 box per household and not available if you already have SkyHD/Sky+HD box or if you take a Sky+ box at the same time. Sky+HD box up to £199 if you are not eligible for discounted price (Sky TV and HD Pack subscriptions required). Sky+ functionality requires a Sky+ subscription (free for Sky TV customers, or £10 pm) and two satellite feeds. Sky+HD can store an average of 30 hours of high definition and 80 hours of standard definition programmes. HD ready TV required. Luxe TV HD, Channel 4 HD and BBC HD are available without subscription. Channel 4 HD requires a viewing card.

Sky Multiroom: £10 pm. Provides the same Sky TV channels as your main Sky TV subscription on a box in another room. You must subscribe to Sky TV throughout and an extra box is required for each Multiroom subscription. Each box you have must be connected to the same fixed telephone line at all times. To receive your HD subscription channels in another room, you'll need another Sky+HD box and HD Pack subscription.

Remote Record: Recording requests must be made at least 30 minutes before start of programme. Confirmation costs 25p. Mobile network charges apply. See Sky Active OR sky.com for full details.

Sky Anytime TV: Sky+ subscription & Sky+HD or recent Sky+ box required. Available programming will depend on your Sky TV subscription.

Sky Player: Price and availability of content depends on whether you are a Sky TV customer and the kind of subscription you have. PC with Microsoft Windows XP or Vista or Intel based Mac required. Sky Multiroom, Broadband Unlimited, or Sky Player subscription required for Live TV. Minimum 2Mb broadband connection recommended. Some programmes from live Sky TV channels are unavailable to show online (see skyplayer.sky.com).

Introduce A Friend offer: Only available by the steps set out on Sky.com/friend and not by any other means e.g. via a retail outlet. Offer ends 8 December 2009. New customer cannot be in same household. Vouchers sent within 30 days of receipt of first subscription payment from new customer provided existing customer's account is active. Existing customer must remain an active subscriber to qualify. M&S vouchers subject to separate terms and conditions. Not available in conjunction with any other offer. Offer excludes Sky group employees and agents and cannot be offered commercially.

Sky Broadband: You must subscribe to your chosen Broadband product for 12 months. Monthly subscription providing you remain a Sky Talk subscriber: Base £0; Everyday £5; Unlimited £10 (otherwise £5, £10 or £15). Connect at £17 pm is available to customers outside our network area. Monthly usage caps: Base – 2GB; Everyday – 10GB; & subject to Traffic Management Policy. Maximum upload speed: Base –400Kb; Everyday –600Kb; Unlimited –1.3Mb; Speed you get depends on factors including distance from the exchange and line quality. See sky.com for more details and our Usage Policies. McAfee Security Free Trial: Base-3 months, Everyday-3 months, Unlimited-12 months, Connect-3 months, then £3 per month unless you let us know you no longer wish to subscribe.

Sky Talk: 12 month minimum term applies to new Sky Talk customers and to existing customers taking up Sky Talk Line Rental. Sky Talk is only available to Sky digital subscribers paying by Direct Debit/continuous credit card mandate. Calls only packages not available to BT line rental customers with BT Basics or if outgoing calls are barred. Compatible BT line required for Sky Talk line rental. Codes of Practice for sales and marketing and premium rate/NTS services can be found at sky.com/skytalk.

General: Pre-registration required for existing customers due to exceptional demand. Once registered you will receive an indication of when you can complete your order. Your Sky box(es) must be connected to a fixed telephone line for 12 months. Sky+/Sky+HD box prices may vary if you live in a flat. You must get any consents required (e.g. landlord's). Minimum Sky TV/Sky+/HD Pack/Multiroom subscriptions 12 months. You must be 18 years or over. Channels/programmes & prices subject to change. Prices shown apply to customers paying by Direct Debit. For continuous debit/credit card mandate, 50p monthly charge applies. Information only applies to residential customers in UK, Channel Islands and Isle of Man. Further terms apply. Calls cost 5p per minute (plus up to 9p connection fee) for BT customers. Calls from other providers may vary. Correct at 27 October 2009.

3 BT line rental £12.50 a month with paper-billing (£11.25 a month for paper-free billing). Sky Talk line rental £11 a month. Sky Talk customers can request paper billing at no extra cost.