SKY to BT TV, how best to do it? Reassurance/advice please

[BigTimeBrisco]

I get a little confused regarding TV/Broadband packages so wanted to ask you who are much more knowledgeable on this subject then me!

I am out of SKY contract. Can I get better value and performance from a BT package?

If I can save money and get better fibre broadband connection I would be willing to change provider to BT.

Have you done this recently? Pros/cons?

How did you decide?

Thanks.

Cheers.

[NigelB72]

It depends on what you're looking for as to whether it's worth it or not. Have a look through the packages on BT.com and see if what's available suits your needs. If you do move everything over, your phone and broadband should be cancelled automatically as part of the switch over process but you'll need to cancel your TV with Sky yourself 

[ney]

I left BT TV over 16 months ago and went with Now direct with discounts. Saving me a few pounds a month on my TV.

I pay Netflix direct.

I also left BT FTTC almost 4 months ago and went with Sky Superfast 59mb and get similar speeds to what I was getting with BT 65mb/66mb speeds. That includes Sky Broadband Boost.

BT may charge you for pay as you go and you may also be moved to the Digital Voice service.

With BT the HD boost includes 4k. 
Line rental is not free with any isp its included in the broadband fee.

BT TV is due to be rebranded EE TV in the next month or two and  there will be minor changes to service.  

[BigTimeBrisco]

Interesting how you have gone direct with multiple providers, I had not thought of that. I will investigate.

How does NOW TV compare to Sky and BT TV? Is it pretty much the same in terms of content? Do you need a box connected to power and internet?

[ney]

Now no longer do boxes its an app that can be used on Youview box and Firestick.

Now can also be used on a tablet and most smart TVs from 2015 onwards.

I mostly watch Now on the Firestick.

You get mostly the same entertainment channels as on BT TV.

You also get all the Sky Cinema channels and can get HD boost if you want.

I dont have the sports package. As would not watch it enough.
You get a few less channels with Now than going with Sky but you can get discounts with Now.

I also have Disney+ and Prime and pay direct to Disney+ and Amazon.

[Anonymous]

Your starting 3 questions for TV @BigTimeBrisco are:

1. What do you watch?
2. Do you want to be able to record like using Sky Q?
3. Are you using apps such as Disney+ and if so, are you happy to use a separate device to access them or do you prefer everything in 1 place?

At a basic level, BT and Sky both use Openreach to deliver broadband, so the general performance should be comparable.

However, having used both, I prefer BT kit personally and also found the speeds faster and more consistent at peak times. YMMV.

[BigTimeBrisco]

Good questions!

What do you watch?

BBC & ITV catch ups/Netflix/YouTube & YouTube Kids/Disney+/Prime Video

Do you want to be able to record like using Sky Q?

Yes but no a deal breaker as so much is on demand.

Are you using apps such as Disney+ and if so, are you happy to use a separate device to access them or do you prefer everything in 1 place?

Human nature=lazy=everything in one place is easy! But again not a deal breaker to access individually.

[Anonymous]

OK.

So BT TV will allow you to record and will deliver the BBC and ITV content you want, but then so would any Freeview Play TV or box assuming you have an aerial, or Freesat would use any existing satellite connection, without the need for a subscription.

If you don’t have an aerial or satellite feed, BT TV will deliver channels using your broadband. It is the only service that does this and allows you to record.

If you go down either route, you can then top up your viewing by using the apps on your TV (if it has them), or by buying a streaming device such as a Roku, Fire TV stick or Apple TV to access subscriptions such a Disney+, which is not currently available on BT TV (nor is YouTube). Netflix and Prime Video are on the BT TV box.

You can add Sky content via a NOW subscription, without a contract if you go direct. If you buy through BT, you will be signing up for at least a base package on a 24 month contract, but you can switch packages monthly and will get the BT TV box included that will record.

Apart from BBC iPlayer, none of the catch up apps on BT TV are in HD, they are on most other devices.

That should give you the information you need to make a balanced decision.