Sky has been the default choice for British TV for decades, but its prices keep climbing while more and more households are switching to IPTV. So how do they really compare on cost in 2026? We've crunched the numbers on a full Sky package versus TVfast — and the difference might shock you.
How Much Does Sky TV Cost in 2026?
Sky's pricing is famously layered. To get the full experience most people want — entertainment, sport, and films in 4K — you need to stack several packages on top of each other:
- Sky TV (base entertainment): around £30–£35/month
- Sky Sports: an extra £18–£28/month
- Sky Cinema: an extra £11–£13/month
- Sky Ultra HD (4K) add-on: a few pounds more per month
- Setup and equipment: upfront fees and an 18–24 month contract
Add it all up and a complete Sky package with sport and cinema comfortably runs to £70–£89 per month — that's over £1,000 a year, locked into a long contract.
How Much Does TVfast Cost?
TVfast takes a refreshingly simple approach. One subscription gets you everything — all channels, all sport, all films, in HD and 4K — with no add-ons and no contract:
- 3 Months: £29 (£9.67/month)
- 6 Months: £39 (£6.50/month)
- 1 Year: £59 — just £4.91/month, with a free IBO Player subscription
On the annual plan, you're paying less for an entire year than Sky charges for a single month of its full package.
TVfast vs Sky TV: Side by Side
| Feature | TVfast | Sky TV |
|---|---|---|
| Price (full package) | From £4.91/mo | £70–£89/mo |
| Live channels | 20,000+ | ~600 |
| Sky Sports & Premier League | Included | +£18–£28/mo |
| Films / cinema | Included | +£11–£13/mo |
| 4K streaming | Included | Add-on, limited |
| Contract | None | 18–24 months |
| Satellite dish | Not needed | Required |
| Free trial | 24-hour free | None |
What Do You Actually Get With Each?
On price alone, TVfast wins comfortably. But it's worth understanding the trade-offs.
Sky TV strengths
Sky offers a polished, all-in-one box with Sky Q/Sky Glass hardware, on-demand catch-up baked in, and official customer service. For people who want a traditional, hands-off setup and don't mind the cost or contract, Sky still does the job.
TVfast strengths
TVfast gives you far more channels (including international and 4K content), no contract, no dish, and a price that's a fraction of Sky's. It works on devices you already own — Firestick, Smart TV, phone, tablet — and our UK team supports you 24/7. The only requirement is a decent broadband connection.
💷 The bottom line: A full Sky package costs over £1,000 a year on an 18-month contract. TVfast costs £59 a year with no contract — and gives you more channels, more sport, and the same 4K quality. For most UK households, the maths is hard to argue with.
Is IPTV a Good Sky Alternative?
For the vast majority of viewers, yes. If your main reasons for having Sky are live sport, films, and a big channel selection, TVfast delivers all three for a tiny fraction of the price. You keep watching Sky Sports, the Premier League, Sky Cinema and all the entertainment channels — you just stop paying Sky's premium and skip the contract.
The best part? You can try it risk-free. Take a free 24-hour trial and compare it against your current Sky setup before you decide. Curious how TVfast stays so smooth during live football? Read our Premier League streaming guide.
IPTV vs Sky — quick verdict
- TVfast costs from £4.91/month vs Sky's £70–£89/month
- 20,000+ channels vs Sky's ~600
- Sky Sports, cinema and 4K all included — no add-ons
- No contract, no dish, no engineer visit
- Free 24-hour trial to test before you switch
Try TVfast Free for 24 Hours
20,000+ channels in 4K — no credit card needed, no commitment.