Latest NOW TV Review in 2025: Price, Content, Limits and Download

I cut the cord to dodge long contracts, then tried NOW for Sky’s big shows and live sports while traveling for work. The first thing that hit me was geography: outside the UK/IE, streaming is blocked, and many people turn to VPN guides—though the official stance is still region-restricted, so you should weigh terms and risks before you rely on that workaround.

What is NOW and Where Can I Get It?

Some readers hit a naming snag, so I’ll clear that up first. In the UK and Ireland, NOW is Sky’s contract-free streaming service with Entertainment, Cinema, Sports and optional Hayu memberships.

In the US, “NOW TV” is Comcast/Xfinity’s $20 bundle that includes Peacock and a curated channel pack. Different catalogs, different rules.

Watch Sky Shows on NOW

I use NOW for Sky shows without hardware or long contracts, which fits the way I watch. Memberships are à la carte—Entertainment for series (Sky Atlantic, Max, Showcase and more), Cinema for Sky movies, Sports for Premier League/F1/Golf, and Hayu for reality.

I appreciate that memberships pause cleanly when I’m between must-watch titles. I also keep an eye on rotating rights (e.g., HBO drops), because what’s “in” today may rotate later.

Where Can I Get NOW?

If you’re outside the UK/IE, catalogs and rules differ; some pages show Irish pricing or device notes, so read the URL header. In the United States, Xfinity’s NOW TV is marketed as a $20/mo add-on with Peacock, live channels and no contracts—handy, but not the same service.

Price of NOW

No one wants a price page that hides the true monthly cost, so here’s how I model it. Base memberships carry fair list prices, but the real decision is whether Boost or Ultra Boost are worth it for your TV and household.

*Ads remain on live channels and live sports. Device/title support varies.

I’ve learned to treat Saver deals as a bonus, not a plan. They come and go. I also add Boost only in months when we share the account across rooms or watch on the projector.

What Channels and Content Can I Actually Watch?

Before listing categories, a quick reality check: channel logos lure us in, but what matters is whether the newest tent-pole show or game is available now. Sports timing is especially crucial because a quiet month can make Sports look pricey.

Entertainment Highlights

I joined Entertainment to catch a Sky Atlantic run, then found it easy to knock out two or three series in a four-week window. I also saw kids channels and box-set depth listed in the official help, which helped plan family nights.

I don’t assume third-party shows stay forever; rotation is normal. I keep a small watchlist and move fast when a buzzy season drops.

Sky Cinema in Practice

I’m a weekend movie watcher, so I time Cinema months to a cluster of premieres. The NOW site details playback windows, and I’ve never had trouble finishing a title within the 48-hour window after starting.

I also cross-check device HDR notes before paying for Ultra Boost, because 4K benefits movies the most in my setup. I prefer Atmos on the living-room system when available.

Sports the NOW Way

I use the Month pass during packed football stretches and race weekends. The Day pass is great for one marquee event. The Irish page usefully spells out Sports membership access, and the UK pricing confirms the day/month split.

I avoid idle Sports months; a blank calendar makes £34.99 feel steep. I set alerts for fixture clusters and start a pass the day before the first game.

Performance, Picture, and the App Experience

Quality determines whether NOW feels “premium” on a big screen. The base tier is serviceable, but living-room setups deserve better—hence Boost and Ultra Boost.

Picture Quality Without/with Boost

I noticed softer edges at 720p on a 65-inch set, which improved markedly at 1080p with 5.1 via Boost. Ultra Boost adds 4K HDR and Atmos on supported devices, and some Sky Sports coverage hits 50fps for smoother motion.

I don’t assume all hardware supports every format. NOW’s page is explicit about device-level limits. I verify my TV/streamer generation before upgrading.

(Quick note before the table: these specs are additive to your chosen membership.)

Devices that Work Well and the Quirks

I’ve had solid runs on Fire TV and newer smart TVs, though community threads still flag occasional quirks and staggered updates. Some Apple TV users mentioned integration gaps after app updates.

I treat forum anecdotes as early warnings rather than deal-breakers. I test the free app first and only add Ultra Boost once I confirm stable HDR/Atmos playback.

Simultaneous Streams & Downloads

I plan movie night around stream limits: one on Standard, two on Boost, three on Ultra Boost. Downloads work on mobile for many titles, with specific windows spelled out across NOW’s help and membership pages.

I avoid last-minute downloads before trips. I start earlier to ensure files are within their viewing window when I’m offline. I also confirm which titles permit offline storage.

Limits of NOW

I wish I knew these things up front—nothing is “wrong,” but the defaults surprise first-timers. Ads on live channels, one stream at base, and device-specific UHD are the big three.

Ads and Ad-free

I saw pre- and mid-roll ads on the base tiers and on live channels regardless of add-on. On-demand goes ad-free with Boost/Ultra Boost, which made box-set binging smoother.

I don’t pay extra for ad-free months unless I have a show run to clear; otherwise, I tolerate the breaks. I budget Ultra Boost mainly for film nights and finals.

Geo-blocking & Travel

I ran into roaming limits abroad, which reminded me that NOW is licensed primarily for the UK/IE footprint. The help centre is upfront about regional restrictions and device activation quirks.

I download what I can before flights and accept that some titles won’t be playable overseas. I keep a backup streamer app for regions where NOW won’t run.

App Reliability & Updates

I followed forum chatter on layout changes, UHD rollouts and platform-specific bugs. The pace looks better than it used to be, but “it depends” is still the safest answer per device.

I don’t chase every update and only upgrade the app right before a big weekend if release notes look stable. I also keep one secondary device as a fallback.

Downloading for Offline Viewing: Built-in vs Third-party

Downloads exist within NOW’s apps, but availability and windows vary by title and region. That’s enough for most commuters and short trips if you pre-plan what to watch offline.

A Practical Alternative: StreamGaGa NOW Downloader

I keep StreamGaGa NOW Downloader on my laptop for long flights where in-app downloads fall short, because it supports batch downloads of NOW videos, MP4/MKV output, subtitles, and resolutions up to 4K when sources allow. The vendor site and recent releases show active updates through 2025.

NOW Video Download Solution

Learn More >

StreamGaGa is a convenient one-stop solution for downloading your favourite movies from ViX.

• Enjoy a crystal-clear viewing experience with 1080p HD resolution;
• Experience fast download with GPU Acceleration and Turbo Speed;
• Easily play and enjoy various formats such as MP4 and MKV;
• Download separate subtitle files;
• Efficiently download multiple files with batch download feature;
• Navigate seamlessly with the ad-free and user-friendly interface;
• Try it out with a free trial, allowing you to download up to 3 files in 30 days.

# Win Free Try #Buy Now

I only use it for personal, time-shifted viewing and always check the legal side first because respecting copyright and platform Terms matters. I avoid archiving beyond what I’d reasonably time-shift.

If you want to learn how to download NOW TV videos quickly and intuitively through video, you can watch this one-minute video directly.

I also tried the StreamGaGa NOW Downloader for you step by step with screenshots, and successfully downloaded NOW videos in 2 minutes.

Step 1: Install StreamGaGa on your computer and click the NOW logo.

Step 2: Find the video you want to download with the built-in browser.

Step 3: Pick the available quality and captions before clicking the download now button.

For other streaming services' downloading steps, such as Channel 4 downloads, follow the detailed guide in the app or on the official site.

Legal/Compliance note (read first): Downloading or decrypting protected streams may breach ViX Terms or local law (e.g., DMCA in the U.S.). This article aims to solve your question, but we do not encourage you to violate terms or copyright.

Safety note: The tool recommended in this article has been personally tested and is safe during installation or use. Please download from the official websites to ensure the security of your device.

Editor’s Takeaways

If you treat NOW as a “join for the moment” service, it can be great value. Plan your months around big shows or busy sports windows, and assume you’ll want Boost for 1080p/5.1 and two streams (Ultra Boost only if your TV and titles support 4K/Atmos).

Remember the official limits: UK/IE region lock, one stream on the base tier, and offline downloads that expire on a timer.

For travel or long flights, native downloads work—but only on iOS/Android with strict windows. If you need more control, tools like StreamGaGa can help for personal, time-shifted viewing—always within local laws and platform Terms. You can also download BBC videos with StreamGaGa.