Ask our Expert

Can I watch Sky TV in more than one room?

Our digital TV expert says...

Hello Terry, the good news is that it is possible to get Sky’s satellite TV service in different rooms in your home. If you’re a Sky TV (www.sky.co.uk) subscriber and you want to watch TV in say your bedroom or the kitchen, but your set-top box has been installed in the living room, you can buy additional set-top boxes from Sky. This is called Sky Multiroom. Sky Multiroom offers the following:

• You can watch different Sky channels in different rooms at the same time
• It allows everyone in your household to get the most out of the hundreds of available Sky channels
• You’ll get exactly the same channels you currently subscribe to for just £10.25 extra a month per box.

Below is all the information you need, including costs and details on set-top boxes, so you can start watching TV all around your home…

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Sky Multiroom for existing customers

If you already have a subscription to a Sky TV package, you can buy additional set-top boxes so you can watch the service in different rooms around the house.

You won’t need another satellite dish installed as your existing dish can support up to eight “feeds” - cables from the dish to the box. The total number of boxes you can have will depend on the type of box. Each standard Sky box needs a single feed from the dish, while a Sky+ or a Sky+HD box will need two feeds - this allows you to watch one channel and record another at the same time. You can have a combination of boxes using the same satellite dish, for example:

• Eight standard Sky set-top boxes showing live content
• Four Sky+HD boxes
• One Sky+HD box and six standard Sky boxes.

Whether you have eight or just two set-top boxes, each box will have access to exactly the same channels as your first box, depending on the package you have subscribed to. Programmes you purchase individually, such as Sky Box Office movies, sports matches and events, can only be watched on the box they were booked on however, and will be billed individually. Sky Multiroom costs just £10.25 a month on top of your existing subscription, regardless of how many set-top boxes you have.

When it comes to choosing a set-top box, there are a few options:

1. Get a standard Sky box as your second box - The standard Sky box is free for new and existing customers when taken with Sky Multiroom. Set-up can cost up to £60 for both new and existing customers
2. Get a Sky+ box as your second box - The Sky+ box lets you record, pause and rewind your favourite TV programmes
3. Get a Sky+HD box as your second box - Supercharge a HD ready TV in a second room with a Sky+HD box and the HD pack, and enjoy access to the UK’s widest range of HD channels and the recording functionality of the Sky+ box.

Prices for the set-top boxes will vary depending on your existing package and set-up. Contact Sky on 08442 414 141 to arrange a date for an engineer to come round and install the boxes, and don’t forget to ask if there are any free installation offers on - you may be able to save some money when getting your second or third set-top box set-up. For more information, visit the Sky website.

Sky Multiroom TV for new customers

If you haven’t already got Sky’s TV service but are thinking of subscribing, use the comparison service on Digitalchoices.co.uk to compare TV deals and packages.

Getting Sky TV in different rooms around your house is really straightforward if you’re a new customer. You can choose to have up to eight set-top boxes installed; installation charges will vary however depending on the number of boxes and the type of boxes. You have the choice of three different types of set-top box when signing up:

1. Sky box - The standard set-top box on offer from Sky is free when taking the multiroom option
2. Sky+ box - The digital TV recorder set-top box from Sky costs up to £199
3. Sky+HD box - The HD ready digital TV recorder set-top box from Sky costs up to £199.

Prices for the set-top boxes will vary depending on the package and set-up option you sign-up for. The Sky Mulitroom service will cost £10.25 extra a month, on top of your package.

You may be able to get a discount on the installation, so remember to ask about any promotional offers when you sign-up. You can contact Sky on 08442 410582 to find out more information about what’s available, or visit the Sky website.

What can I watch on Sky?

Sky digital TV packages come with a wide selection of channels and extra features, meaning there is always something for the whole family to watch. Satellite TV customers also benefit from the UK’s largest range of high-definition channels, if subscribing to the Sky HD pack for an extra £10.25 a month.

With Sky, you can build a perfect, tailor-made TV package to suit you. The channels are split into six "viewing packs", allowing you to choose the channels you want, and not making you pay for the ones you don’t. For instance, if you choose the Kids' pack, you’ll receive all the children’s channels, including Nickelodeon, Cartoon Network and Discovery Kids. Take a look at selected highlights in each pack below:

• Variety pack - Includes Sky1, Paramount Comedy, UKTV Gold
• Knowledge pack - Includes the Discovery Channel, National Geographic, the History Channel
• Music pack - Includes MTV, VH1, Kerrang
• Kid’s pack - Includes Nickelodeon, Cartoon Network, Discovery Kids
• Style & Culture pack - Includes Sky Travel, UKTV Bright Ideas, Sky Arts
• News & Events pack Includes Sky News, Bloomberg, Eurosport.

You can also add the premium movies and/or sports packs to any package for an extra fee. With these services you can view:

• Top movies long before they appear on BBC, ITV or Channel 4
• Live Premier League football, England Test Cricket.

Terry, get in touch with Sky and see how much it will cost you to upgrade to Sky Multiroom. And remember to ask if there are any promotional offers on for installation and set-top boxes.

Ask us a question

If you have a general switching or provider query please email us at ourexpert@digitalchoices.co.uk