For years I was a Sky TV customer, but as my monthly bills continued to increase, I started to question whether I was getting value for money. My Sky package eventually reached around £135 per month, so I decided it was time to try something different.
After switching to an Apple TV 4K and relying entirely on streaming services, I can honestly say I don’t miss Sky TV at all.
My Home Entertainment Setup
My current setup consists of:
- Apple TV 4K (3rd Generation, 64GB)
- Philips 70-inch 4K Android TV
- Samsung Q930F Dolby Atmos soundbar system
- Vodafone Pro Full Fibre broadband
- Around 910Mbps download and 100Mbps upload speeds
The Apple TV is connected via Wi-Fi and has been completely reliable. Apps load quickly, streaming starts almost instantly and I’ve experienced very few issues since making the switch.
Why I Left Sky TV
My decision ultimately came down to cost and flexibility.
Although I enjoyed many aspects of Sky TV, I found that most of my viewing habits had already shifted towards streaming services. I was paying for hundreds of channels that I rarely watched, while regularly using services such as Netflix, Prime Video and Disney+.
When my monthly costs reached approximately £135, I decided to see whether an Apple TV could replace Sky completely.
App Selection
One of the biggest strengths of the Apple TV platform is the huge selection of available apps.
My regularly used services include:
- Netflix Premium
- Prime Video
- Disney+
- HBO Max
- Paramount+
- Discovery+
- Apple TV+
- NOW Entertainment
- BBC iPlayer
- ITVX
- Channel 4
- YouTube
Everything is available from one simple interface, making it easy to switch between services without constantly changing inputs or devices.
Picture Quality
Picture quality has been excellent.
My Apple TV is configured to output 4K resolution and works perfectly with my Philips Android TV. Movies, TV shows and sporting events all look sharp, detailed and vibrant.
Navigation is incredibly smooth and responsive, which is a noticeable improvement over many built-in smart TV operating systems.
Dolby Atmos Performance
The Apple TV really shines when paired with a quality sound system.
Combined with my Samsung Q930F Dolby Atmos soundbar, movies and television programmes sound fantastic. Dialogue remains clear while Dolby Atmos content creates a genuinely immersive home cinema experience.
Whether I’m watching films, live sport or binge-watching a TV series, the sound quality consistently impresses me.
Cost Comparison
One of the biggest benefits has been the cost savings.
My previous Sky package cost approximately £135 per month.
Today my subscriptions include:
- Netflix Premium
- Prime Video
- Disney+
- HBO Max
- Paramount+
- Discovery+
- NOW Entertainment
- Apple TV+
Despite having access to more content than ever before, my monthly entertainment costs are approximately £75.
That represents a saving of around:
- £60 per month
- £720 per year
I also have the flexibility to cancel or change subscriptions whenever I choose, which wasn’t always possible with traditional TV contracts.
Everyday Use
As an iPhone user, the Apple TV feels immediately familiar.
The interface is clean, intuitive and easy to navigate. Apps launch quickly, content loads fast and everything feels polished.
Unlike many smart TV operating systems, the Apple TV never feels sluggish or overloaded.
It has effectively become the centre of our home entertainment setup and is now used every single day.
Are There Any Downsides?
No product is perfect.
The biggest drawback is managing multiple subscriptions. If you subscribe to every streaming service available, costs can quickly add up.
However, the flexibility to pause or cancel services whenever you like makes it much easier to control spending.
Final Verdict
After several months of ownership, switching from Sky TV to Apple TV 4K has been one of the best home entertainment decisions I’ve made.
The combination of excellent picture quality, Dolby Atmos support, smooth performance, huge app support and significant cost savings makes it incredibly easy to recommend.
Would I go back to Sky TV?
No.
For my household, Apple TV provides everything we need while saving hundreds of pounds each year.
Rating: 9/10
Highly Recommended
