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NOW is Sky’s UK streaming service. Instead of one all-inclusive package, it sells separate memberships for Entertainment, Cinema and Sports, with optional Boost upgrades. You can watch through a compatible internet-connected TV, streaming device, console, computer, phone or tablet without a satellite dish or traditional Sky TV package.
The important catch is pricing: the cheapest figures are often six-month Saver offers with minimum terms. Check the renewal price, the exact content membership and device compatibility before subscribing.
Quick verdict
| Best for | Membership or feature |
|---|---|
| Sky Originals and selected US shows | Entertainment |
| The wider HBO Max catalogue | Entertainment & HBO Max |
| Recent films and Sky Cinema | Cinema |
| One day of Sky Sports | Sports Day |
| Regular Sky Sports viewing | Sports Month |
| Fewer on-demand ads and better quality | Boost or Ultra Boost |
What is NOW?
NOW is a streaming platform operated by Sky for the UK market. It is primarily an app and web service rather than a conventional pay-TV subscription. You need an internet connection and a supported device, but not a Sky satellite dish.
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1Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minute2Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errors3Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesEach membership covers a different part of the service. Entertainment does not automatically include Cinema or Sports, and a standard Entertainment membership does not include the complete HBO Max catalogue. The UK catalogue, prices and availability should not be assumed to apply in the US or other countries.
#1 Best Overall
- HD streaming made simple: With America’s number 1 TV streaming platform,* exploring popular apps—plus tons of free movies, shows, and live TV—is as easy as it is fun. *Based on hours streamed—Hypothesis Group
- Compact without compromises: The sleek design of Roku Streaming Stick won’t block neighboring HDMI ports, and it even powers from your TV alone, plugging into the back and staying out of sight. No wall outlet, no extra cords, no clutter.
- No more juggling remotes: Power up your TV, adjust the volume, and control your Roku device with one remote. Use your voice to quickly search, play entertainment, and more.
- Shows on the go: Take your TV to-go when traveling—without needing to log into someone else’s device.
- TV, simplified: With setup that only takes minutes, a simple-to-navigate Home Screen, and an uncluttered remote control that does all you need—Roku makes it easier to watch the TV you love.
Membership information and offers change. The prices below were displayed on 18 August 2026; check the checkout page before paying.
NOW memberships and current prices
| Plan | Price seen on 18 August 2026 | Commitment and renewal |
|---|---|---|
| Entertainment Saver | £4.99 a month for six months | Six-month minimum; then £7.99 a month |
| Entertainment & HBO Max Saver | £6.99 a month for six months | Six-month minimum; then £9.99 a month |
| Cinema Saver | £6.99 a month for six months | Six-month minimum; then £9.99 a month |
| Sports Day | £14.99 one-off | 24 hours from activation |
| Sports Month | £34.99 a month is the stated post-Saver renewal price | Flexible and Saver variants have different terms |
| Boost | £6 a month after the displayed promotional period | Add-on; check the offer and renewal terms |
| Ultra Boost | Check at checkout | Price was not exposed in the accessible membership page text |
Prices and offers are shown on NOW’s Entertainment, Cinema and Sports pages. Billing through Apple, Vodafone, EE or another partner may have different eligibility, prices and cancellation rules.
Flexible versus Saver memberships
Flexible memberships normally renew monthly and can be cancelled for the end of the current paid viewing period. They suit seasonal viewing or trying NOW without taking a six-month commitment.
Saver memberships trade a lower price for a minimum term. The Entertainment and Cinema offers shown above require six months. The promotional price can then change to the standard renewal price unless you cancel or change the membership.
Sports also has Saver structures, including a 12-month option. After the minimum term, the stated renewal is a monthly Fully Flexible Sports Month Membership at £34.99. Do not calculate a yearly cost from the promotional price alone: compare both the offer period and the steady-state price.
Bundles
NOW also promotes combinations of Cinema, Entertainment and Boost, as well as Entertainment & HBO Max bundles. One displayed Cinema + Entertainment + Boost offer was £7.99 a month for six months. Its components did not necessarily share identical cancellation rules: Entertainment and Cinema had minimum terms, while Boost moved to £6 a month after its promotional period.
Entertainment or Entertainment & HBO Max?
Entertainment includes Sky Originals, selected exclusive US shows, selected returning HBO series, live Sky entertainment channels and Hayu reality programming. It is the lower-cost choice if you mainly want Sky programming and do not need the wider HBO Max library.
Entertainment & HBO Max adds HBO Max Basic with Ads and its broader catalogue. The page has listed titles including The Pitt, Game of Thrones, Friends, The Sopranos, The Wire, The Big Bang Theory and Euphoria. These are catalogue examples, not permanent guarantees: seasons and titles can vary by territory, licensing period and membership.
The included HBO Max tier is Basic with Ads. It should not be described as a fully ad-free HBO Max subscription. Check the current Entertainment plans page for the latest catalogue and offer terms.
NOW Cinema
Cinema is a separate membership for recent theatrical films as they reach the service, Sky Original films and a rotating selection of older movies. It is the relevant plan if films matter more to you than Sky’s TV catalogue.
Film availability changes frequently. A title being advertised or available today does not guarantee permanent access, and Cinema does not automatically include Entertainment or Sports. See the Cinema membership page before subscribing to confirm a particular film.
NOW Sports
NOW Sports currently advertises all 12 Sky Sports channels and Sky Sports+ streams, with coverage including the Premier League, EFL, Formula 1, golf, cricket, tennis and other live events.
Rank #2
- 4K Ultra HD Resolution: Enjoy your TV in stunning resolution Ultra HD ers four times the resolution of Full HD for greater clarity and detail
- Android TV: With the Android TV operating system you will have access to the best content, download the infinity of applications available through the Google Play Store!
- Voice remote control: Just press the Google Assistant button and ask it to find, play and control content
- Chromecast Built-in: Easily cast movies, shows, and photos from your Android or iOS device to your Android TV
- Easy Setup: Access your Google account and configure the device, language and Wi-Fi network
Sports Day
Sports Day costs £14.99 as a displayed one-off pass and provides 24 hours of access from activation. It can be the better choice for a single event or day if a monthly membership would cost more. It cannot be paused.
Sports Month
Sports Month is intended for repeated viewing over a 30-day period. Flexible and Saver prices can differ, and £34.99 is the stated post-Saver renewal price shown for the monthly membership.
NOW Sports does not include TNT Sports or Sky Sports Box Office events. Boxing, WWE and other Box Office content require a separate purchase through the relevant Sky Sports Box Office service. Confirm the event and rights on the Sports page before buying.
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| Feature | Standard membership | Boost | Ultra Boost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ads on eligible on-demand content | Yes | No | No |
| Live channel and live sports ads | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Picture quality | Standard tier | 1080p Full HD | 4K Ultra HD on selected content |
| Audio | Standard tier | Dolby Digital 5.1 | Dolby Atmos on selected content |
| Simultaneous devices | One | Two | Three |
NOW says Boost removes advertising from eligible on-demand content, supports 1080p and Dolby 5.1, and allows two simultaneous devices. It states a minimum connection guidance of 12 Mbps for Boost.
Ultra Boost adds 4K UHD, Dolby Atmos and three simultaneous devices, with 30 Mbps guidance. These benefits depend on the title, device, app, TV and audio equipment. Not every programme is 4K, and Dolby Atmos will not work through every sound system.
Boost does not remove adverts from live sports or live channels. Trailers promoting NOW content may also still appear. If you want ad-free viewing specifically for HBO Max, remember that Entertainment & HBO Max includes HBO Max Basic with Ads.
How many devices can use one NOW account?
The public membership information describes one simultaneous stream on a standard membership, two with Boost and three with Ultra Boost. These figures describe simultaneous viewing; they are not necessarily the same as the number of devices registered to an account.
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NOW’s terms restrict account use to the customer’s household and prohibit sharing credentials outside it. Do not rely on older search results for a current device-registration limit. Account rules and the current terms should be checked before assuming that a particular household setup is supported.
Supported devices
NOW advertises more than 60 compatible devices, including selected models of:
- Amazon Fire TV
- Samsung, LG and Sony smart TVs
- Roku and VIDAA devices
- Apple TV
- Google TV and Chromecast
- iPhone, iPad and Android phones and tablets
- Windows PCs and Macs
- PlayStation and Xbox consoles
“Supported Samsung TV” or “supported Roku” does not mean every model works. Compatibility can depend on the exact model, operating-system version, app version, content type and membership feature. Check NOW’s How to watch information before buying hardware.
Practical device checks
- Smart TV: search using the exact model number, not only the manufacturer’s name.
- Streaming stick or box: Fire TV and Roku are listed device families, but verify the specific generation.
- Console: PlayStation 4/5 and Xbox One/Xbox Series X/S are referenced for Sports; check current app support.
- Computer: NOW can be watched online at NOWTV.com, subject to the current supported browser or player.
- Mobile: the app supports smartphones and advertises downloads for offline viewing, subject to restrictions.
- Casting: do not assume that every app, title or plan supports casting in the same way.
If the app is missing from an older smart TV, the exact model or operating system may be unsupported. A supported Fire TV, Roku, Apple TV, Chromecast, console, phone or computer may provide an alternative.
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NOW advertises downloads to a phone for offline viewing. Downloads are temporary access, not permanent ownership. They may expire, are not available for every title or category, and may not support live sports. The device may also need to reconnect periodically to validate the membership.
Rank #3
- Ask to control your TV with your voice, and quickly cast your photos, videos, music and more from your phone, tablet, or PC to your TV with Chromecast built in
- Built-in Virtual Assistant – just press the mic button on the remote to get what you want
- Built-in content and entertainment including YouTube, Play Movies & TV, and more
- Support for thousands of Apps on the Play Store
- 2K resolution TV streaming
Because operational limits and expiry rules can change, check NOW’s current help information before relying on downloads for travel or extended offline use.
Does NOW require a contract?
There is no requirement for a traditional Sky satellite or television contract, but “contract-free” can be misleading:
- Flexible plans generally renew monthly and can be cancelled for the end of the paid period.
- Displayed Entertainment and Cinema Saver offers have six-month minimum terms.
- Sports Day ends automatically after 24 hours.
- Sports Month renews unless cancelled.
- A 12-month Sports Saver has a minimum term and then renews as a monthly membership unless cancelled.
Always distinguish “no satellite contract” from “no minimum term”.
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How to cancel NOW
- Sign in to your NOW account.
- Open the membership or account-management area.
- Select the specific membership or add-on.
- Choose the cancellation option.
- Complete every confirmation screen.
- Save the confirmation email or take a screenshot.
- Check the membership status and next billing date.
The exact labels can change. Cancelling Boost does not necessarily cancel Entertainment, Cinema or Sports, and a bundle may contain components with separate terms. A Saver cancellation may take effect only after its minimum term ends.
If Apple, Vodafone, EE or another partner bills you, cancellation may need to be completed through that provider. Removing a payment method is not the same as cancelling a membership.
Common problems and fixes
“I paid but cannot find a programme”
The title may belong to another membership, have left the catalogue, be available only for particular seasons, or require a Box Office purchase. Standard Entertainment also does not unlock the full HBO Max catalogue.
“Boost did not remove every advert”
Boost applies to eligible on-demand content. Live sports, live channels and promotional trailers can still contain advertising.
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A six-month Saver offer, bundle discount or Boost promotion may have ended. Compare your confirmation email with the current renewal price and check whether a third-party billing arrangement applies.
“I cancelled but was charged”
Check that cancellation was completed, that the minimum term had ended, that you cancelled the correct bundle component and that a partner was not controlling billing. A renewal may already have been processed before cancellation.
“The picture is not 4K”
Confirm that Ultra Boost is active, the title supports 4K, the device and app support it, the TV is receiving the right HDMI signal and the connection meets the stated 30 Mbps guidance.
Is NOW worth it?
NOW is strongest when you want a specific Sky Original, a rotating Cinema title, a selected HBO Max show or a particular day or month of Sky Sports. Sports Day can avoid paying for a full month when you need only one event, while Boost is most useful for regular viewers who want eligible on-demand content without adverts or need two streams.
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It is less suitable if you want one broad subscription covering every major streaming catalogue and sports right, permanent ownership of content, unrestricted 4K or TNT Sports. Its value depends heavily on the exact programme or event you want and on whether you can use a supported device.
Before you subscribe
- Confirm the exact show, film or sporting event.
- Confirm which membership includes it.
- Check the price after the promotional period.
- Check the minimum term and renewal date.
- Verify the exact device model.
- Decide whether standard, Boost or Ultra Boost quality is appropriate.
- Check whether you need one, two or three simultaneous streams.
- Remember that TNT Sports and Box Office events are separate.
- Check the billing provider so you know where cancellation must happen.
For current memberships, device information and feature qualifications, use NOW’s membership overview and the relevant plan page.
Quick Recap
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
