I was talking to my neighbour (who is also my niece - don't ask, it's a small village I live in!) last week and she was wondering how she could cheaply improve her TV viewing options over Christmas without committing to a contract.
She has three excited children on holiday from school and bouncing around the house so I could understand her keenness for some entertainment for them. She's very outdoorsy and usually much better at me at getting her children (and sometimes mine) out in the fresh air no matter what the weather!
But although it's nice to to go for walks, scootering and playground fun at this time of year in particular sometimes you just want to keep them occupied indoors while you are doing some festive cooking, or helping Santa with his wrapping or lying down in a dark room after a few too many sherries. (toy be fair, that's more me than her!)
Add to that a TV mad partner and a chance for the whole family to sit down together for some movie magic-I was delighted to tell her about NOW TV, the UK's leading online streaming service, which we trialled last year.
It's ideal for families, students who move home lots and can't keep moving a dish, people who aren't allowed a dish on the house and anyone with a fluctuating or seasonal income who might be reluctant to sign up for 12 month package deals.
It occurred to me that it would make a lovely present for someone, especially since you can now choose from seven fun and original designs. (although plain black is also available)
Feeling festive? The cuddly polar bears and loveable reindeer designs are sure to spread some Christmas cheer.
Buying for a fashionista? Try the on trend pink bow motif or the retro florals option. Looking for someone with bolder tastes? The vibrant flamingos hiding among the reeds or the sharp geometric green print will do the trick.
Finally inspired by Raymond Briggs' classic family story Fungus the Bogeyman, fans can also get their hands on their very own Fungus themed Box - just in time for the new two-part series that will be shown exclusively on Sky1 this festive season.
Forget boring bath salts or a sorry pair of socks- with one of the limited edition range of NOW TV Boxes (RRP £15) selection of NOW TV Passes you can stream the latest movies, live sports and must see TV shows without a contract, all in one place.
Basically the NOW TV Box instantly turns your TV into a smart TV meaning you can stream live and on demand Pay TV content available from Sky without a contract. You can dip in and dip out with the selection of NOW TV Passes:
- TV junkies can get access to over 250 of the most talked about Box Sets such as True Blood S1-7, Marvel’s Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. S1-2, and Sons of Anarchy (S1-7) and 13 Pay TV channels not available on Freeview including: Sky Atlantic, Sky 1 and Sky Living with the Entertainment Month Pass (£6.99 per month).
- Ideal for any film buff, the Sky Movies Month Pass (£9.99 per month) provides access to over 1,000 movies on demand, including up to four new Sky Movies premieres each week. There’s Hollywood blockbusters, including: Disney’s Cinderella, Avengers: Age of Ultron, Big Hero 6, Taken 3, and Night At The Museum: Secret of the Tomb all available in December; cult classics like The Usual Suspectsand Ghost; and favourites such as Disney’s Frozen, Marvel’s Guardians of the Galaxy and Interstellar,ready to be streamed straight into the living room.
- The only place to stream the biggest live matches and events on all 7 Sky Sports channels without a contract, making a Sky Sports Day Pass (£6.99 ), Sky Sports Week Pass (£10.99 a week) or Sky Sports Month Pass (£31.99 per month) the perfect present for any sports fan. There’s plenty to watch this December with Barclays Premier League, Sky Bet Football League, International Cricket, and World Darts Championship all live.
Currently, new customers can enjoy a 14 day free trial with the Entertainment and Sky Movies Month Passes. To get your mittens on a limited edition NOW TV Box in time for Christmas (RRP £15) register your interest at www.nowtv.com/christmasbox from 10th November.
My neighbour/niece took my advice, installed her NOW TV box in minutes and is all set for some festive viewing safe in the knowledge that if things are tight in January she can reconsider which packages to pay for, or upgrade for special sports events.
NOW TV Boxes connect via HDMI (cable supplied) and Month Passes renew automatically unless cancelled. Customers can stop renewal at any time. NB: NOW TV pass and account required to activate a box, Customers must be aged 18+
Disclaimer: I received a NOW TV box and entertainment pass for the purposes of this review. Views and Opinions remain honest and my own.