Sky vs NTL digital

Apologies if this is covered elsewhere, my search didn't throw up any results answering my question.

I'm trying to decide between Sky and NTL digital. I'd be grateful for any opinions on which is better. I suppose factors such as value for money, quality of reception, range of channels would be important to me. I know NTL's customer service is rubbish which pushes me towards Sky but for all I know Sky's is just as bad!

Does anyone know if Five is available on either (or both)?

Thanks a mill,
g

I have NTL, Five is not on it but from my time living in the UK, you're not missing much

Benefits of NTL is that installation is easy and doesn't take long, you dont have a satalite dish(which may be an issue depending on where you live, some appartment blocks don't allow them and I read in a local newspaper in Carlow of a new housing estate that couldn't have them as the walls couldn't support them!!!)

Downsize of NTL is that their customer service is appaling, not the staffs fault, just idiotic policies and not enough people. I've heard lots of stories as well of installers not turning up. Picture can go sometimes as well, and can be a bit iffy from time to time

never had SKY so can't comment

I have Sky and I think technically it's a better quality package, the channel offering is more extensive than NTL digital, the system is more stable, you can have a Sky Plus box with a mirror subscription which gives you regular Sky in another room.
The main problem with customer service is the wait time on the phone, but you own the equipment from day one so if the digibox fails once the warranty is up it's down to you to get it repaired.
Channel Five is not in the Irish Sky package but you can get it if you get hold of an expired UK card on eBay.
Also if you cancel Sky your digibox will still get a load of free to air channels like all the BBC's and ITV's, not CH4 as yet.

i would have to go with Sky, I have had both and i found that NTL froze alot, I had the basic and it froze, i then upgraded to digital and the same kept happening, I had the box changed 3 times but still it happened. I now have sky+ and multi room and have had no problems, also with sky+ u can record and not worry if it recorded or not, and then theres the series link option its gr8 for long running shows, u know ur not gonna miss them
gl with ur choice. Sky gets my vote

Cvered here many times including these two threads.
Leo

Was debating this myself over past few weeks and have decided to go with Sky as general consensus seems to be they provide a much better and reliable service. Keep the following in mind if you should decide to go with Sky.
http://www.askaboutmoney.com/showthread.php?t=75397

Thanks everyone for your replies and for the links to other threads.

I think that's made up my mind that I'll go with Sky.

In case anyone is interested, I just rang to enquire about offers and they said they have a deal where you can get a half-price sky+ box, half-price channels for one month and half-price multiroom for 12 months.

Hey gnubbit,
As an existing Sky+ customer, I was sent some vouchers recently which you might be interested in. If you sign up before Mar 31st, using one of my vouchers, you'll get a free sky+ box and standard installation (and I get a cheque!).

PM me if you're interested.

(There is another thread where people have mentioned the offers they received, so I hope it's ok here too). No connection (sorry!) to Sky other than as a customer.