Sky TV has been a streaming powerhouse in the UK for almost 40 years, offering a premium alternative to the country's traditional channels and featuring some of the best drama, film, sport, comedy and factual TV of the last four decades.
Thanks to the broadcaster's Sky Go app which launched in 2011, all those shows, movies and live sports have been available to subscribers on a multitude of platforms and mobile devices.
And although Sky content is restricted only to people located in the UK, there is a simple and affordable way to avoid the frustrations of being blocked from accessing Sky Go when traveling outside the country. Below we explain how using one of the best VPN services will keep Sky Go active when you want to watch it while on holiday or on business.
How to view Sky TV subscriptions
Signing up to Sky TV for the first time can be quite a dizzying experience – there seems to be an endless variety of options to consider.
The basic plan is Sky TV essentialwhich costs £15 per month (at the time of writing) and includes over 100 channels, as well as access to Netflix and Discovery+. Pay an extra £7 a month and upgrade to sky latest tv to add Disney Plus, HBO Max, Hayu and 30 other channels.
Once you've chosen your basic plan, you'll be able to decide which additional premium channels you want. This is where sky sports (from £35 per month) and sky movies (from £25 per month) enter.
But the thing doesn't end there. If you are also looking for a new TV, you can choose one sky crystal Package included in a 43, 55 or 65-inch 4K TV.
And you can further personalize the plan that best suits you and your family, with options to add UHD and Dolby Atmos content, skip ads, availability on more screens, upgraded Netflix and even more channels like TNT Sports and Sky Kids.
Can Sign up here to get the Sky TV plans of your choice.
What is the cheapest way to get Sky TV?
While we would never describe Sky TV as cheap (especially for some Brits who still remember when all TV was free), there are ways to reduce your costs.
For starters, Sky frequently offers deals and discounts through its official website. So if you're not in a rush to sign up for Sky, it may be worth waiting until it drops prices. Unsurprisingly, Black Friday and the January sales are the best times to get a great deal on Sky TV.
You can also save money by choosing Sky as your broadband and mobile network provider. The company is offering lower rates on both to existing Sky TV subscribers. Or buy a Sky TV and broadband package from the start.
Another way to watch Sky content for less is through Now, which offers more flexible entertainment, sports and movie memberships. Just note that, although owned by Sky, Now is effectively a standalone service and therefore doesn't let you watch through the Sky Go app.
Use a VPN to watch Sky Go from anywhere
Why is a VPN a good option to watch Sky Go from anywhere?
While Sky Go has brought the huge mass of the broadcaster's content to mobile phones, laptops and other streaming devices, it simply won't work if you try to use it outside the UK. The app will load, but an error message will appear the moment you try to watch something live or on-demand.
Fortunately, you can overcome this obstacle by using one of the best streaming VPNs. The cybersecurity software works as a way to watch online content when you're abroad and works great with Sky Go.
What devices and platforms are compatible with Sky Go and NordVPN?
Amazon Fire TV
Android (7.0 and above)
android tv (5.1 and above)
Apple TV (tvOS 13 and above)
desktop application (Windows, Mac, Chromebook)
iOS (13 and over)
Although you can't run NordVPN directly on other devices, such as PlayStation and Xbox consoles, a simple solution is to run NordVPN on your smartphone or computer and set up a hotspot.
What shows can you watch on Sky Go?
Everything you would normally watch with your Sky TV subscription can be watched online thanks to Sky Go.
Even the most affordable Sky Essential TV plan includes access to Sky Atlantic, the provider's channel for top dramas. Sky Atlantic has been the destination for major American shows such as game of Thrones, The white lotus, Succession and the last of us over the years and has co-produced hits like London gangs, sweet pea and The day of the jackal.
Essential is home to over 100 channels in total, meaning Sky Go also includes 24-hour headlines from Sky News and Sky Sports News, hand-picked favorites from Sky Mix, stations such as TLC, Quest and Food Network, and traditional linear channels ITV, Channel 4 and Channel 5. Please note that there is no BBC content available on Sky Go, so you will need BBC iPlayer to stream it online.
The upgraded plans make more channels available, with Sky Ultimate TV adding shows like Sky One, Sky Docs, Sky Comedy, National Geographic and MTV to the Sky Go catalogue. Sky One is a relatively recent reintroduction of the service and will be home to new Sky Originals such as Saturday night live UK and Dyers Caravan Park.
Do you have Sky Movies as part of your subscription? This opens up a library of over 1000 movies that you can watch on demand and has been the first place to watch movies like Jurassic World Rebirth, The materialists and Oscar winner One battle after another outside the cinema in the UK.
Is there live sport on Sky Go?
Just a few! Again, everything broadcast across the provider's 12 Sky Sports channels is also available to stream on Sky Go.
For starters, that means an enviable 215 Premier League games over the course of each season under his current deal. Sky also has a staggering amount of other types of football, including coverage of the Football League, EFL Cup, Women's Super League, Scottish Premiership and Bundesliga.
As well as football, you'll find hours and hours of other top sports on Sky Go. Cricket, for example, has found a regular home on Sky Sports, with England's home internationals, World Cups, The Hundred, T20 Blast and the Indian Premier League (IPL) all featured.
Live coverage of all major golf tournaments, PGA Tour events and the Ryder Cup is the exclusive domain of Sky, while also showing all F1 Grands Prix, British and Irish Lions rugby union, Super League rugby league and all major PDC darts tournaments. Tennis fans can watch events from the US Open and the ATP/WTA circuit.
Various NFL and NBA coverage from across the Atlantic is also broadcast on Sky Sports, along with other selected boxing, MMA and motorsports events.
You can also enjoy…
We test and review VPN services in the context of legal recreational uses. For example: 1. Access a service from another country (subject to the terms and conditions of that service). 2. Protect your online security and strengthen your online privacy when you are abroad. We do not support or tolerate illegal or malicious use of VPN services. Future Publishing does not endorse or approve the consumption of paid pirated content.
