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Will Sky Anytime+ affect my download allowance?

Our Broadband Expert says...

Sky’s new catch-up TV service Anytime+ went live on Tuesday 26 October, using your broadband connection to give you access to thousands of TV shows and more than 600 movies.

However, because of the way that Sky Anytime+ works - downloading films and TV programmes over your Sky broadband (www.Sky.com) connection - it will eat into your monthly download allowance.

What is Sky Anytime+?

Sky Anytime+ is a new, free service from the digital TV provider that lets you download TV programmes, films, documentaries and even entire box sets straight to your HD set-top box.

To use Anytime+ you need to have a Sky+HD box and a Sky broadband connection.

Once your box is hooked up to the internet, you'll be able to download content. But the shows you can watch using the service will depend on your subscription - so if you don’t subscribe to Sky Sports, for example, you won’t be able to watch any Sky Sports coverage using Anytime+ either.

Is my download allowance enough?

Sky recommends that customers should upgrade to the Unlimited broadband package if they want to make the most of the Sky Anytime+ service.

The Everyday Lite package, which is essentially a free broadband add-on for TV and Talk customers, only offers a 2GB monthly download allowance and is designed for people who don’t spend a lot of time online.

Sky operates a “three strikes” policy for all customers on its Everyday Lite package - whether they use the Anytime+ service or not.

The provider will get in touch as you near your limit, and tell you if you exceed your monthly 2GB allowance. If you go over your limit three times, you'll automatically be upgraded to the Unlimited package, which costs £7.50 a month if you take TV and Sky Talk.

Each broadband package comes with speeds of up to 20Mb broadband, but while the Everyday Lite package comes with a low 2GB download allowance, the Unlimited package is one of the UK’s only truly unlimited broadband packages - with no fair usage policy or traffic management.

How much can I download?

The table below shows how big a 90-minute Anytime+ movie file is, as well as how your broadband speed will affect the download time.

This information is based on a standard definition movie so do bear in mind that any HD films will use up more of your allowance.

NB Best buy tables are always current.

Examples in the text of the article are correct at time of publication.

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

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