I've had a number of queries on Facebook in the last few days about how to watch Portrait Artist of the Year. So this is for all those new to the "Artist of the Year" series broadcast by Sky Arts in respect of:
- Portrait Artist of the Year (PAOTY)
- Landscape Artist of the Year (LAOTY)
- Celebrity (whatever) Artist of the Year
- Artist of the Year Masterclass - by participating artists
This post is about how to watch Sky Arts and Artist of the Year series
- three different ways - via Freeview, Now TV, Sky TV and Virgin Media
- on television and mobile devices
- in the UK and USA
How to watch the Artist of the Year series in the UK
Back in January 2018, I wrote this post How to watch Sky Arts - Portrait Artist of the Year 2018 without subscribing to Sky!
Since then things have CHANGED - so this is by way of an UPDATE!
You now have three options - which I will discuss in turn.
- Sky Arts on Freeview
- Now TV subscription
- Sky TV subscription
I gather there might be channels in the US who have bought the rights to broadcast the series - which get covered at the end.
Sky Arts on Freeview
You can watch ALL the Artist of the Year programmes being broadcast for the first time on Sky Arts on Freeview (Channel 36) or Freesat (channel 143)You can also watch all other Sky Arts programmes via this channel - which is well worthwhile keeping an eye on.
This is the original - and I guess - how very many people watch.
Two years ago Virgin Media moved its Sky Arts Output to Sky Arts HD which is available on Channel 123 at no extra cost.
Google AI tells me
You can also watch on via the following (see https://www.freeview.co.uk/freeview-play for more info)
- the free mobile app (I use this for its guide feature which is the best way of finding out what's on Freeview channels) - which I know works on both my iPad and iPhone.
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| Sky Arts on Freeview - on Channel 36 |
The constraints are:
- the new episode always broadcasts at 8pm on Wednesday every week during the series
- a repeat of the episode in broadcast at 7pm on the next day, Thursday.
- further repeat episodes eg Sunday Lunchtime; Monday afternoon
There is a Freeview Play recorder which adds the ability to pause, rewind, and record live TV, as well as series.
The Freeview website has lots of helpful info about how to watch - see https://www.freeview.co.uk/how-can-i-tell-if-my-tv-has-freeview-play
- and keep up with my reviewsand get an email to your inbox every time I publish
Now TV Subscription
This is how I watch. You can stream Sky Arts contract-free on Now TV.
I have had a NOW TV Entertainment Package since 2018 and I currently pay £9.99 a month. I also pay £6 per month for the 1080 Full HD Boost - which also means I can play on two devices at once - but I pay mainly to get rid of the adverts!!
Using the Now TV Entertainment membership
- I can watch the programme on the day it is broadcast - I don't need to wait until 8pm when it is broadcast on Freeview. I typically watch each episode 3 times while writing my review so this helps me a lot. Episode 5's review was half written before I sat down to watch it again at 8pm.
- I can also watch ALL THE SERIES since Series 1 for both PAOTY and LAOTY and any past celebrity programmes.
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| Now TV - Entertainment Package |
The NOW Entertainment Package is a no-contract monthly membership that provides
- access to a selection of entertainment channels, including Sky Atlantic and Sky Max,
- plus over 300 on-demand box sets
- and 7 kids' channels.
- but no Films and no Sport.
The current lowest monthly price is £4.99 for 12 months and then £9.99 thereafter.
You get options for how you view
- Ultra Boost - £9 per month (4K Ultra HD / no adverts / 3 devices at once / surround sound)
- Boost - £6 per month (1080 Full HD / no adverts / 2 devices at once / surround sound)
- Standard - included (720 HD resolution / includes ads / one device)
Obviously you need a device that is capable of taking advantage of these options.
You can however combine the Entertainment package with other memberships like Cinema or Sports,
This is the relevant Now TV URL re Membership options https://www.nowtv.com/membership
Sky TV subscription
You need a Sky TV subscription - see https://www.sky.com/tv
This also enabled you to watch via the Sky Go app on any of your mobile devices (desktop / tablet / phone)
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| The Sky Go app allows you to watch on a desktop (see above) or other mobile devices |
Do be careful to:
- review what you need to get reception - you certainly no longer need a dish; you can stream via wifi and they have a full fibre add on option. As always you need a good broadband connecion
- not to subscribe to more than you need to to
- review what the cancellation arrangements are
I found their website confusing and difficult to see how I was going to access Sky Arts.
They talk about the 100 channels - which I assume includes Sky Arts - but nowhere are the 100 channels actually listed!!!
Various Media Channels
You can watch Sky Arts in HD with a subscription package for Virgin Media, TalkTalk TV, or EE TV. |
| Sky Arts HD available on Virgin Media Channel 123 |
How to watch "Artist of the Year" in the USA
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| Amazon Prime Video (US): Portrait Artist of the Year (up to last season) |
You can watch the "Artist of the Year" competition series in the USA on streaming services like Prime Video and Amazon.com, which offer various seasons of "Portrait Artist of the Year" and "Landscape Artist of the Year".
One of my followers has told me (thank you C Dallas Browning) that:
- PAOTY up to season 11 and if you have an account it’s free (otherwise there’s a fee).
- LAOTY, only up to season 7, and
- one season of Masterclass.
Unfortunately, Prime Video does not has the current season of PAOTY.
Sounds like you get the past series for free but not the current.
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