Sky Ultimate TV plan versus Essential TV as flash sale continues

If you're considering enhancing your television options, package might be worth a look. Sky says this bundle as offering the 'best value' among all its packages. But is that right? Our tech expert has looked at the retailer's latest sale to determine if it's worth upgrading to.

is priced at £22 per month for new customers and includes a Sky Stream box for TV connection. Subscribers will also receive Netflix and Discovery+, Sky Atlantic, and access to 90 free-to-air channels, in addition to the bundled channels that distinguish Ultimate TV from the basic Essential TV package. It comes as its broadband channels drop in price too, as Tech Editor Dave Snelling rounds up the limited-time deal, which you can although there's not long left.

Sky Essentials comes with a lower price tag of £15 a month. So, what additional benefits justify the £7 monthly increase?

We've sifted through the channels to assess their value. The key difference between lies in access to additional channels such as Sky Max, Sky Showcase, Sky Witness, National Geographic, MTV, and more. Sky claims that viewers gain over 35 extra channels compared to Essential TV, on top of the 90+ free channels included in both packages.

Both plans provide access to Netflix (the Standard with Ads plan) and Discovery+ Basic, collectively valued at £8.98. Therefore, on the Essential TV plan, everything else essentially costs £6.02 a month. is another provider that includes Netflix in its plan as part of its broadband and TV combo, although it is pricier.

For those tied to a different provider but still keen on accessing channels, both and NOW TV offer some Sky channels as paid add-ons.

Turning back to Sky, the standout channel on both services is Sky Atlantic, home to shows like Day of the Jackal and House of the Dragon. Both Essential TV and Ultimate TV subscribers have access to this channel, which brings the biggest new shows from the US.

However, Ultimate TV still has a lot to offer to justify its higher cost. Some of host fantastic shows: Sky Witness features dramas like The Good Doctor and Station 19, while Sky Comedy offers a range of US comedy shows.

Sky Max and Sky Showcase, which replaced the former Sky One, provide access to shows like Brassic, A League of Their Own, SWAT and much more. This is a wealth of additional premium TV content, available day or night, that isn't included in the Essential TV package.

While some of this content can be watched live, some is also available on demand as box sets. Both Sky services grant customers access to all major streaming platforms. However, one significant difference is that the Ultimate TV plan provides more streaming options than the Essential TV plan for viewers who don't wish to pay for another streaming service.

Is the extra £7 per month worth it? It really boils down to your viewing preferences, but consider this- it's an additional 23p per day.

Netflix inclusion allows subscribers to enjoy on-demand content and Sky Atlantic across both services, making the Ultimate TV add-on quite appealing. While acknowledging that already offers numerous entertainment options at a lower cost, consumers must be aware of certain factors.

One key issue is price hikes. Despite Sky's current promotional offerings, the company isn't exempt from mid-contract price increases- something affecting many UK consumers as businesses adjust their pricing in response to inflation.

This indeed raises concerns for customers considering entering Sky's two-year fixed contracts due to the subsequent uncertainty about how much they'll end up paying. As noted on the Sky website for both Essential TV and Ultimate TV plans: "Prices may change during the 24-month contract."