Currently use Sky and Netflix for TV content but would be keen on cutting the Sky bill. Has anyone here got rid of sky and started using Now? Whats it like? Are there adverts breaking up the programmes? Have just finished watching the first series of True Detective from Sky Box Sets which had an advert at the beginning and 3 or 4 breaks during each episode for the same Sky advert.
Got a tip for us?
Let us know
Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.
What's Now TV like on Apple TV? (UK)
- Thread starter afd
- Start date
- Sort by reaction score
TV 3 would probably be better.We use Now TV for the movies, having dumped it on Sky - much cheaper on Now TV. The catch up movies are all HD quality, the live streams of the movie channels are somewhere in between SD and HD, still perfectly watchable.
The Now TV interface on Apple TV 3 is good, we like it, and are quite happy using that.
We are going to dump Sky completely in the summer when our contract is up, and take out the Now TV entertainment package and (very occasionally) a sports day pass if need be. We're going to save a fortune.
The Now TV interface on Apple TV 3 is good, we like it, and are quite happy using that.
We are going to dump Sky completely in the summer when our contract is up, and take out the Now TV entertainment package and (very occasionally) a sports day pass if need be. We're going to save a fortune.
We use Now TV on a LG Smart TV, a Now TV Box and on the Apple TV.
Works well on all of them and there are no advertisements when watching catchup on the Movies or Entertainment packages.
Works well on all of them and there are no advertisements when watching catchup on the Movies or Entertainment packages.
I dumped conventional Sky in 2001, as most of the programmes that I watched were on terrestrial television. The one thing that I did miss was the summer cricket coverage.
So, this year, I've been buying a 1 week Sky Sports pass via AppleTV as-and-when a test match is being broadcast. I have VM 100MB 'fibre' and don't suffer any drop-outs. The picture quality is 'filmic' rather of a 'broadcast video' quality - but that's a minor issue compared to having to commit to a conventional 12 month contract with Sky.
At the beginning of August, Sky will offer 1 month Sky Sports pass - so I will be able to keep up with all the test matches, plus T20 and I day internationals. I'm very much looking forward to that.
My advice, buy through the Now.TV website rather than via Apple. This will enable you to get a Quidco cash-back incentive.
So, this year, I've been buying a 1 week Sky Sports pass via AppleTV as-and-when a test match is being broadcast. I have VM 100MB 'fibre' and don't suffer any drop-outs. The picture quality is 'filmic' rather of a 'broadcast video' quality - but that's a minor issue compared to having to commit to a conventional 12 month contract with Sky.
At the beginning of August, Sky will offer 1 month Sky Sports pass - so I will be able to keep up with all the test matches, plus T20 and I day internationals. I'm very much looking forward to that.
My advice, buy through the Now.TV website rather than via Apple. This will enable you to get a Quidco cash-back incentive.
Thanks for replies, I think I'll have look in Tesco's, they had NowTV boxes for a tenner recently, even if I get the Movies for £9.99 and Entertainment for £6.99 it's still better than what I'm paying at the moment. And if the content is ad free, even better.
Be aware, the Sky box is wifi only - whereas the ATV is wifi and Ethernet capable.
The Sky box is only 720p compared to AppleTV's 720p/1080p.
Also, you can stream archived movies and music from your Mac/iPhone/Pad to the ATV.
You can't do that with Sky's own box.
Best buy a refurb (aka new) AppleTV from the Apple Store.
The Sky box is only 720p compared to AppleTV's 720p/1080p.
Also, you can stream archived movies and music from your Mac/iPhone/Pad to the ATV.
You can't do that with Sky's own box.
Best buy a refurb (aka new) AppleTV from the Apple Store.
You can also access the terrestrial TV catch-up services from the Now TV box, which you can't do from the Apple TV.
Plus it's really cheap and even includes a HDMI cable.
You can also access the terrestrial TV catch-up services from the Now TV box, which you can't do from the Apple TV.
I don't have any problem streaming any catch-up television programme - regardless of source - from my Mac Mini, iPad or iPhone - to my AppleTV.
...which you can't do from the Sky offering.
I don't have any problem streaming any catch-up television programme - regardless of source - from my Mac Mini, iPad or iPhone - to my AppleTV.
It's less of a faff doing it from the Now TV box. I would also normally recommend an Apple TV (I've got three of them) if it wasn't so overdue for replacement but if you just want Now TV, their £10 box offers amazing value for money.
I stopped subscribing to Now TV. The audio is only PCM 2 channel. Not great when you want to watch a film in 5.1. Movie content is a little bit stagnant compared to Netflix. Can't comment on the TV content as I still use my Sky box for that.
Another option...
Hook-up your MBP to your television via Thunderbolt to HDMI - or Mac Mini via HDMI - and enable/watch NowTV by that method without buying a Roku or AppleTV.
Your Mac will instantly recognise your television manufacturer and display correctly for your 'display'.
Hook-up your MBP to your television via Thunderbolt to HDMI - or Mac Mini via HDMI - and enable/watch NowTV by that method without buying a Roku or AppleTV.
Your Mac will instantly recognise your television manufacturer and display correctly for your 'display'.
I bought a NowTV movie voucher on eBay and used it on my apple TV, watched maybe 4 films over the month. I then bought a Now TV box in Tesco for £15, came with a 3 months entertainment voucher. I put the box in the kitchen and was able to use the account on a couple of other Apple TVs. The content had not adverts was of good quality and seemed to have surround sound. Finding content on Apple TV is a bit footery, you have to remember where it is or have to search and TV is always below films. I thought that a fiver a month was pretty good value but its now £10 in tesco for the box and either 2 months of movies or 3 months of entertainment. Doing this means you will have a glut of Now TV boxes however...
I got rid of Sky TV (and also my tv licence) a few months ago. I've been relying on my Amazon Fire TV for Amazon, Netflix and BBC iPlayer, and this has worked really well.
I bought a NowTV subscription on some offer (entertainment package: £1 for a month or something). I watched it on my iPad, as there's no app for the Fire TV. I've just ordered an Apple TV 4, with the intention of Air Playing NowTV to it; apparently an app is on the way.
When my £1 off ran out, I declined to renew at the full rate. As I clicked through a few "are you sure?" screens, it eventually offered me 3 months for £15, which I accepted.
I may hunt out a Movies package offer nearer to Christmas.
I bought a NowTV subscription on some offer (entertainment package: £1 for a month or something). I watched it on my iPad, as there's no app for the Fire TV. I've just ordered an Apple TV 4, with the intention of Air Playing NowTV to it; apparently an app is on the way.
When my £1 off ran out, I declined to renew at the full rate. As I clicked through a few "are you sure?" screens, it eventually offered me 3 months for £15, which I accepted.
I may hunt out a Movies package offer nearer to Christmas.
Missed that deal unfortunately. Only wish there was some way of turning the boxes back to a Roku.