Tech Tuesday – NOW TV streams Sky Movies from today
It seems that every week we have a new streaming service pop up in the UK, but NOW TV is the first linked to SKY, but what is it?
As of today in the UK you can now stream Sky Movies without any contract and / or satellite dish. As long as you have a good internet connection and sign up to NOW TV, and the roll out is going to include all of the main devices too.
Now TV is a new service powered by SKY that offers Movies and TV Programmes online. Sky decided to use the NOW TV label so as not to cheapen the SKY name. They didn’t wanted it to sound like a TV service for cheapskates. NOW TV will let you watch Movies from as little as 99p a film ( up to £3.50) or you can go for the NETFLIX esque version and pay a monthly fee of £15 for as much as you can handle. At the moment you can watch on any computer, tablet, phone, (some) Smart TVs, or YouView Box.
The APP is also coming to the XBOX and PS3 as well as the ROKU box in the near future. At launch it is all about movies, but apparently sports and other SKY channels will be coming, namely the SKY ATLANTIC channel.
Sky has got a pretty tight deal with film companies giving them the right to show movies before any other TV channel or streaming service in UK. So for a firm movie lovers it seems that NOW TV is a serious contender above services like LOVEFiLM and NETFLIX.
Although the price of the subscription sounds meaty, I mean £15 is almost 3 times the price of Netflix here in the UK, it is actually a cheap option compared to their SKY MOVIES subscription via satellite (I should know!!)
From launch there is a healthy amount of big hitters on offer to stream, We Bought a Zoo, The Woman in Black,The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel, This Means War, and Ghost Rider: Spirit of Vengeance, for instance. My only concern, and where I think other services have a stronger camp is the lack of INDIE and documentaries on offer.
We shall see in coming months if this expands and whether this service lives up to the big promise it makes.
About The Author – Scott Lawlor
Chief Editor of FRC. A self confessed geek with an unhealthy thirst for all things Home Cinema. Whether it is the latest Action film or Subwoofer. Check out his home set up HERE
Are you excited for this launch? Or is this one service too many? Comment below
Scott Lawlor
Interesting, Scott.
I had wondered what this was all about and you’ve cleared it up for me.
Personally, I’ve given up with Netflix and have stuck with LOVEFiLM for now, but might even bin that! Just not using the services enough tbh, but the brand new releases sound pretty cool here, although as you say, it is a fair chunk more than the others cost.
Maybe when a bit more disposable income is available I may indulge!
It is a chunk more for sure Mike, but it does have some good choices on there. No mention of HD though…. which is a shame
Perhaps I’ve been sitting around with a bag over my head, but this news came a bit out of the blue for my yesterday!
Interesting. It does seem pricey, but Sky’s done a fantastic job of actually getting a lot of TV shows within days of US air dates and their on-demand rental system gets films as soon as they’re out to buy on DVD/Blu-ray.
I know, in a general sorta way, Netflix in the UK sucks for films but is great for TV, and Lovefilm sucks for TV but is great for films. Be great if Sky can get both right. But not sure if people would be willing to pay £15/month.
I am with you Jaina, if they got it right with HD content it will be a winner for those who do not want to SUB up to their TV service. IMHO
Interesting but I’m still sticking with Lovefilm for the time being! Good to see more of these services being available!
I understand completely Pete. Lovefilm do have a good service at the moment
I wish there are more streaming options w/ more selections here in the US!
I understand Ruth, I find it pretty hard to watch a flick on Netflix at times.
I wish there were some streaming options here in Australia too…. man, that would make things easier…..
Is there nothing over there? You know you can get USA Netflix anywhere in the world right? with a little magic
Seems like an interesting option for non-Sky subscribers but I’m still behind this streaming stuff…I don’t use any such service although I have begun to use Sky Anytime+ to access its film and tv archive.
I must start using the Anytime+ service, I am subbed up to all of them but forget the most basic one!!