Confused re TV packages - want to get rid of Sky

[ScoobyDoesnt]

In the process of moving (a whole other story!) and started to think about what I do re TV - but I don't really understand the options!

I currently have Sky which just gets more expensive each year. I don't need any of the add ons like Sport, Cinema etc. but my daughter likes Netflix. I do have an additional box in my bedroom (multiroom?). I basically watch the 'normal' tv channels, plus things like More4, Really etc. plus iPlayer and ITVX. I also have Amazon prime so can use that.

I can't remember the last time I ever recorded anything.

My two TVs are smart TVs, although both about 8-10 years old.

New house has a satellite dish, but no visible aerial. No idea whether the dish is Sky or something else (or if that even makes a difference!).

What are my options? Do I just stick with Sky until end of contract (December) - but do they start me a new contract on moving? Is Freesat my best option? Do I then have to have a box as well and a new dish?

I'm just really confused and don't really know where to turn!

PS. I am sorting broadband separately, can't move my existing provider as I currently have full fibre and new house is only part fibre. My new broadband options are limited to Sky, Vodafone or Plusnet according to the broadband checking websites.

Thank you - I do feel a bit stupid that I just don't understand all of this!

Freesat + subscribe to Netflix and anything else your internet connection.

Humax do a free sat receiver, you can get refurbished ones that are better value. You plug that in where your sky box was and off you go! No subscriptions or fees to pay. Humax will also let you record TV if you wish and connect to internet to use netflix.

You can also get Sky via broadband now. My Sky package (tv, fibre broadband, phone line and Netflix included) is £45 a month, just £10 more than bt quoted for just phone and broadband. It’s worth doing the sums

We got rid of Sky ,we had the multi room but no films or sport
The price was just too much , don’t miss it at all ( have Disney and Netflix though )
it just takes a bit of time remembering to use iPlayer and More4 etc

We got rid of Sky and just subscribe to Netflix, Disney and Prime. I was so fed up of the cost increasing every year but we didn’t really watch anything on it.

I got rid of Sky, subscribed to everything else and dip in and out of Now (Sky’s streaming service) as I feel like it. If your smart tv plays iPlayer etc you can probably download Netflix onto there plus all the others. Had a Humax box for while but was a waste of money.

Thank you.

So @BloodyHellBob @SemmaLina @Pashazade when you say you got rid of Sky - how do you now watch TV? Is it just via broadband or do you have freesat or something else?

I got rid of Sky. I watch TV via Freeview using an aerial. I also subscribe to Now Tv

I use a firestick, have done for years. I dont watch much "live" TV but if I do want to, I just go to the relevant app.

@ScoobyDoesnt Yup all on broadband through the smart tv. I do have a Google chrome cast for when I’m away. If your tv won’t support viewing apps the most recent version is apparently called a Google streamer. Really good piece of kit that keeps everything in one place and gives you access to all the channels via the specific apps.

I use;

• Freeview (aerial in loft & tv has a digital tuner) or Freesat (old Sky dish & tv has a satellite tuner - tv is over 10yo). They mainly have the same channels but there are some differences, and ds having his bedroom window open can mess with the satellite reception.
• Free-to-use apps - iplayer, ITV etc (either directly via smart tv, or via firestick for apps the tv no longer supports).
• Netflix, had for several years but cancelled about 18m ago, might restart at some point.
• Amazon Prime, DP dips in and out of paying for it.
• Disney+, had a free 3m subscription, enjoyed but wasn't much else I wanted to watch so didnt renew.
• v v occasionally watch Sky Go (from my dad's account) on the TV via laptop & HDMI cable.

If it's a sky dish you will need to know if it was Sky Q or Sky+hd as the LNB is different so you know which FreeSat box to get if you go down that route. I would probably ask the owners.

I'd get either a new Smart TV and check what apps they have - not all have Now TV apps for Sky for example.

Or get Chrome Cast or Amazon Fire Stick.

We used to have a Now TV box, then a plug in Now TV stick but I think most sticks are becoming obsolete. Presumably because so many new TVs have integrated apps.

Or if your TV is older so some apps may be missing get a Roku, Firestick or Apple TV, Apple TV works the best but is the most expensive and is good if you have Apple stuff but probably not so much if you don't

Thats the Apple TV box not the streaming service

@ScoobyDoesnt via broadband!

I have the Roku stick, u have to download the apps such as iPlayer, ITVX, Five, Channel 4 etc but u can watch live TV. I have the app for YouTube on there too. Netflix app is there too but that's the only subscription I pay. It costs under £30 and makes ur TV smart.

Get yourself a Roku TV or stick.

We've had a fire stick for years but just got a smart TV and watch everything thru the apps on there. We currently have Disney, Prime and Netflix

We have freeview built into our smart tvs, neither of which are new (at least 6 years old). I truly can’t tell you the last time any of us watched live tv. We have Netflix, Prime and Disney+. Then there is all the free stuff, like iplayer and whatever else is built into the tv. There is no end of stuff to watch.

Thank you all - I feel much clearer now! Now just need to exchange contracts and move…