IPTV vs NOW TV UK 2026
NOW TV's pass system can seem flexible, but the costs add up fast. We compare IPTV UK Elite against NOW TV on price, channels, quality, and overall value for 2026 UK viewers.
NOW TV's Pass System: Why UK Viewers End Up Paying More
NOW TV (rebranded as NOW in 2021) operates on a "passes" model where viewers purchase separate subscriptions for different content categories: Entertainment Pass (£9.99/month), Sports Pass (£34.99/month), Cinema Pass (£9.99/month), and Kids Pass (£3.99/month). Unlike Sky TV's bundled packages, NOW requires subscribers to stack these passes individually — and viewers who want sports plus entertainment plus cinema are effectively paying nearly as much as a full Sky subscription, without the hardware or contract commitment.
The Sports Pass is particularly expensive at £34.99/month — equivalent to £419.88/year — for access to Sky Sports channels that are included in IPTV UK Elite's annual plan at £55. NOW's Sports Pass also lacks Sky Sports Main Event in HD unless subscribers pay the additional £5/month Boost add-on, bringing the true cost to £39.99/month for comparable HD quality.
IPTV UK Elite provides all Sky Sports channels, all TNT Sports channels, Sky Cinema, Sky Atlantic, and 30,000+ additional channels in a single subscription starting at £12/month — with no pass stacking, no Boost fees, and no minimum contract period. For UK viewers currently paying for multiple NOW passes, switching to IPTV UK Elite delivers identical sports content at up to 85% lower cost.
NOW TV vs IPTV UK – The Pass Price Problem
NOW TV (owned by Sky) markets itself as a flexible, no-contract alternative to a full Sky subscription. The pass system — Sports, Entertainment, and Cinema passes available separately — appears cost-effective at first glance. But the reality is that subscribers who want comprehensive content quickly find themselves stacking multiple passes.
The Sports pass alone costs £34.99/month in 2026. Add the Entertainment pass (£9.99/month) for drama and entertainment channels, and the Cinema pass (£9.99/month) for movies, and you're paying £54.97/month — close to the cost of a full Sky subscription. To add 4K and simultaneous streaming, NOW TV's Boost add-on adds another £5/month.
IPTV UK Elite costs £12/month and includes everything in a single subscription — all Sky Sports channels, all entertainment channels, movies, and 30,000+ additional channels from around the world. There are no passes to manage, no auto-renewing add-ons, and no surprise charges. The comparison in terms of value is stark.
IPTV vs NOW TV – Feature Comparison
| Category | IPTV UK Elite | NOW TV |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly Cost (Sports) | From £12/month (all sports) | £34.99/month (Sports pass only) |
| Entertainment Channels | Included in base price | £9.99/month extra |
| Cinema/Movies | Included in base price | £9.99/month extra |
| Total Monthly (All Passes) | £12/month | £54.97/month (all three passes) |
| Annual Cost | From £55/year | £420–£660/year |
| Total Channels | 30,000+ worldwide | Limited to Sky channels only |
| 4K Streaming | Included at no extra cost | Requires £5/month Boost add-on |
| Contract | No contract | Monthly passes (auto-renewing) |
| Sky Sports Channels | All 10 included | Available via Sports pass |
| International Channels | 10,000+ global channels | Not available |
| Free Trial | 24-hour trial (no card needed) | Card required, auto-renews |
| Simultaneous Streams | Up to 4 devices | 1 stream (£5/month Boost for 3) |
Verdict: IPTV vs NOW TV UK 2026
IPTV UK Elite wins on every financial metric. NOW TV's pass system is flexible but expensive — particularly for sports viewers paying £34.99/month for a Sports pass that covers only Sky Sports channels.
IPTV UK Elite delivers the same Sky Sports content alongside all entertainment channels, movies, and 30,000+ additional channels for £12/month. Annual saving vs a NOW TV Sports pass alone: approximately £276. Saving vs all three NOW TV passes: approximately £600.
NOW TV retains one advantage: its dedicated Smart Stick and app ecosystem, which some users find more polished for on-demand viewing. However, the IPTV experience on Firestick, Smart TV, and other devices has matured considerably and the price difference is too large to ignore.
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IPTV vs NOW TV UK – Frequently Asked Questions
Is IPTV better than NOW TV UK?
For value, yes — significantly. IPTV UK Elite costs £12/month for all channels, vs NOW TV's £34.99 Sports pass alone. Stacking all NOW TV passes costs £54.97/month vs IPTV's £12/month for equivalent content plus 30,000+ more channels.
Can I get Sky Sports on IPTV instead of NOW TV?
Yes. All 10 Sky Sports channels included with IPTV UK Elite — the same channels as NOW TV Sports pass — at £12/month vs NOW TV's £34.99/month.
Does NOW TV offer 4K streaming?
Limited 4K through the Boost add-on (£5/month extra). IPTV UK Elite includes 4K for all available channels with no extra charge.
What is the NOW TV Sports pass price vs IPTV?
NOW TV Sports: £34.99/month. IPTV UK Elite: £12/month. Annual saving by switching: £276. And IPTV includes entertainment and movies too — not available in the Sports pass.
Is there a free trial for NOW TV or IPTV?
NOW TV trials require card details and auto-renew. IPTV UK Elite offers a genuinely free 24-hour trial with no credit card required — just contact us via WhatsApp.