What Is Now?

Rather than tie you into a one or two-year contract, Now – the rebranded Now TV – offers TV passes for different types of content that you buy on a monthly basis. It's quick and easy to get started with Now , but it's well worth knowing a few important details in advance. 

Prefer the sound of a combined TV and broadband deal with Sky? Find out how it compares to other companies by reading our round-up of the best and worst TV and broadband providers.

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How does Now work?

Unlike Netflix and Amazon Prime Video, Now lets you choose what you'd like to watch using passes – there are four on offer – Entertainment, Cinema, Hayu and Sports. The content on most is self-explanatory, although Hayu is a dedicated reality TV channel. When you sign up to Now, you choose which pass – or passes – to subscribe to. Most of them are available month by month, though the Now Sports pass is also available for a day. See below for more information about the channels each pass includes and how much they cost. 

How to get Now 

A Now account can be set up through your web browser. Just head to NowTV.com to get started. A small warning – you will have to enter payment details, even if you only intend to take a free trial.

Is the Now app free?

Yes, in the sense that there's no charge to download it. However, you won't be able to access any premium content through it until you sign up for a pass of your choosing.

How do you cancel Now?

Now premium content comes in the form of monthly 'passes', but they essentially act the same as a rolling subscription. If you don't cancel before your next month begins, you'll be charged for another 30 days. Head to the Now website, go to My Account and then click the large 'Cancel' button next to the pass you wish to terminate.

What are Now Boost and Ultra Boost?

Now Boost is an add-on that offers extra features, including ad-free streaming, Full HD 1080p quality, Dolby 5.1 sound, and the ability to stream simultaneously on two devices.

It typically costs an extra £6 a month on top of one of the passes. Note that the packages shown below do not include Now Boost, even though the Now website often shows the monthly cost with this included. If you do not wish to purchase Boost as part of your pass, you can remove it at checkout. 

Now Ultra Boost costs a little more - £9 a month on top of your pass - and also includes ad-free streaming as well as 4K Ultra HD, Dolby Atmos and the ability to stream simultaneously on three devices.

Boost and Ultra Boost renew automatically each month. Month-long free trials are usually available for both.

How much does Now cost?

The basic rates are as follows: 

• £9.99 for the Entertainment Pass
• £9.99 for the Cinema Pass
• £34.99 for the Sports Month Pass
• £14.99 for Sports Day Pass
• £4.99 for Hayu

Now usually offers discounts for new sign-ups, plus you can often pay a little less each month if you're willing to commit to a six-month or 12-month term -  be sure to check the Now site thoroughly before paying up. Combination deals are often available, too.

To see how Now compares to other streaming services on price, read our guide to the best and worst TV streaming services.

Can you watch Sky Sports on Now ?

Yes, although the Sky Sports Pass works a little differently to the others. You can buy either a 24-hour pass (£14.99) or monthly rolling pass (£34.99). This is ideal if there's only a certain match or tournament that you're interested in watching. The month-long pass is undeniably on the pricey side, but Now sometimes offers the pass for a cheaper monthly fee if you're willing to commit to a six-month minimum term. You get access to all 10 Sky Sports channels regardless of the duration of the pass you purchase.

What do I need to watch Now?

What devices can I use Now on?

Sky offers its own line of Now boxes, which connect directly to a TV to offer access to Now content. You can also watch Now on Roku streamers, the Apple TV, Google Chromecast, EETV, the Microsoft Xbox 360 and Xbox One, and Sony PlayStation 4 and PlayStation 5. 

But you may not need any additional devices at all. You can also watch via almost any Samsung or LG smart TV, any iOS or Android device, or via your Windows or Mac computer.

Can Now be used on multiple devices?

Yes. Each account can have up to four different devices registered to it, with the ability to watch what you want on any two simultaneously. See how this compares to other popular services using our comparison of TV streaming services.

Can I use the Now box without paying?

Yes. The Now box offers access to a range of on-demand content that doesn't involve paying for a monthly pass. This includes popular services such as All 4, BBC iPlayer, ITV Hub and Demand 5, all of which are preloaded on the device. 

You'll also find more than 50 additional apps, including YouTube, Spotify, BBC News, BBC Sports, Fox News, Sky News and TED Talks. These can be installed from the App store from the Now Box home screen - simply browse the range available and choose the ones you want to download.

What channels do you get on Now?

As well as the on-demand services and apps listed above, the range of monthly passes unlock access to a wide range of premium content, split conveniently by category so you can decide what to pay for based on what you want to watch.

What channels do you get with the Now Entertainment Pass?

The Entertainment Pass adds a range of channels focused around TV shows but also includes Sky's box-sets, where you can catch up on entire series at once. It contains on-demand, catch-up and live content from 15 channels: 

• Sky Max
• Sky Atlantic
• Sky Showcase
• Sky Witness
• Sky Comedy
• Sky Documentaries
• Sky History
• Sky Nature
• Sky Crime
• Sky Arts
• Sky Sci-Fi
• Gold
• Comedy Central
• MTV
• Alibi
• BSL Zone

Now used to offer a separate Kids Pass but has now included six live kids' television channels in its Entertainment Pass. These are:

• Sky Kids
• Boomerang
• Cartoon Network
• Nickelodeon
• Cartoonito
• Nick Jr
• Nicktoons

Scroll up for our our review of the Entertainment Pass to see how users rated its range of television shows and value for money.

What channels do I get with the Now Cinema Pass?

The Sky Cinema Pass is for movie lovers and - as the name suggests - gets you on-demand access to everything aired on the following Sky Cinema channels: 

• Sky Cinema Select
• Greats
• Sci-Fi & Horror
• Family
• Premiere
• Drama
• Hits
• Thriller
• Action
• Comedy
• Animation.

It also includes access to more than 1,000 films to watch on demand.

What do I get with the Now Sky Sports Pass?

The Sky Sports Pass includes all twelve Sky sports channels, which you can watch live:

• Main Event
• Premier League
• Football
• Cricket
• Golf
• F1
• Tennis
• Action
• Arena
• Sports News
• Racing
• Mix

What do I get with the Now Hayu Pass?

The Hayu Pass is for fans of reality TV. Real Housewives, Below Deck and Dance Moms are all included. Rather than including access to certain channels, Hayu offers access to reality TV shows on the same day they are released in the US.

Not sure whether Now is a better option than a combined broadband and television deal? Read our guide on how to get the best TV package to review your options.

Can you get Netflix on Now?

You can watch Netflix using a Now Box or Smart Stick, although you'll need a separate subscription. Most devices include a Netflix app that you can use to sign up  - you'll find it in 'My apps'. If you can't find it initially, you might need to download it from the App Store first. If you already have a Netflix subscription, you'll simply need to sign in once you open the app.

Weighing up whether to commit to Netflix? Read our Netflix review to see whether it will suit you or not.

Can you get Now on Amazon Fire TV Stick or Apple TV?

While previously not possible, you can access Now via a second-generation (or later) Amazon Fire TV stick as well as a Fire TV Stick 4K and a Fire TV Stick Lite.

Second and third-generation Apple TV boxes are no longer supported, but owners of fourth-generation Apple TV devices and later can use Now as long as you ensure you're using the newest Now app.

You can also use Chromecast, Roku or Now's own Smart Stick with each of Now's passes.

For more information on Now or to sign up for one or more of the monthly passes, visit Now.