Program Details
| Commission | £11.50 – £45.00+ per sale (Cost Per Action) |
| Cookie Duration | 30 days |
| Network | Awin |
| Payment Methods | Bank Transfer, PayPal, Cheque |
| Min. Payout | £25 |
| Payment Frequency | Twice monthly (1st and 15th) |
| Category | Telecommunications and Media |
| Countries | United Kingdom |
| Website | www.sky.com |
Sky is one of the UK’s most recognised media and telecommunications brands, offering satellite and streaming TV, full-fibre broadband, and mobile services to millions of households. The company holds exclusive broadcasting rights to the Premier League, Formula 1, and HBO content, making it a premium choice in a competitive market. With hardware like Sky Stream – a plug-in streaming device requiring no satellite dish – Sky has expanded its reach well beyond traditional satellite customers.
Sky Affiliate Program Overview
The Sky affiliate program runs exclusively through Awin (merchant ID 11005) and pays CPA commissions for new customer sign-ups across TV, broadband, and mobile products. The program is open to UK-based publishers only. Rates vary by product: TV packages pay £11.50-£20.00, broadband pays £15.00-£25.00, and mobile pays £10.00-£40.00 per sale. The cookie runs for 30 days, which is standard for the UK telecoms sector.
Payments are processed twice monthly – on the 1st and 15th – with a minimum payout threshold of £25, paid via bank transfer, PayPal, or cheque. Commissions are validated once the customer’s service goes live, a process that can take up to 90 days. The program accepts content sites, comparison platforms, cashback, and voucher publishers.
Pros and Cons
Pros:
- Huge brand recognition – Sky is a household name across the UK, which helps conversion
- Broad product range (TV, broadband, mobile) gives multiple commission opportunities per visitor
- Sky Stream drives strong conversions – no dish required and £0 upfront cost make it an easy sell
- Exclusive sports and entertainment content (Premier League, F1, HBO) makes Sky a premium proposition
- Twice-monthly payment schedule on Awin with low £25 threshold
Cons:
- Strict 90-day activation rule – if the customer’s service doesn’t go live within 90 days, the commission is declined
- Closed PPC group – affiliates cannot bid on Sky brand terms in paid search without specific approval
- Long validation cycles – commissions can take several months to move from pending to approved
- Deep linking restrictions – manual deep links require advertiser approval, limiting promotional flexibility
How to Join
The Sky affiliate program is managed entirely through Awin. Create an Awin publisher account if you don’t already have one – registration is straightforward and approval usually takes 1-3 business days. Once approved as an Awin publisher, search for Sky (merchant ID 11005) and submit your application to join their program. Note that the program is restricted to UK-based publishers.
Sky reviews applications on a rolling basis and approval difficulty is moderate – having an established UK-focused site with relevant traffic helps. Once accepted, you can access Sky’s creatives and tracking links directly in the Awin interface. Focus your promotional activity on Sky Stream and broadband packages for the best conversion rates.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does the Sky affiliate program pay per sale?
Sky pays fixed CPA rates that vary by product: TV packages pay £11.50-£20.00 per sale, broadband pays £15.00-£25.00, and mobile pays £10.00-£40.00. Rates may be adjusted during promotional periods. The full rate card is available through the Awin interface once you are approved into the program.
How long does it take for Sky commissions to be approved?
Sky commissions move from pending to approved once the customer’s service is activated. The full validation process can take up to 90 days. If the service isn’t live within that 90-day window – for example if the customer cancels before installation – the commission will be declined.
Can I run Google Ads targeting Sky keywords?
No – Sky operates a closed PPC group, meaning standard affiliates are prohibited from bidding on Sky brand terms, misspellings, or close variations in paid search. Breaching this policy can result in commission reversals and removal from the program. Only affiliates who have been explicitly approved for PPC activity can bid on Sky-related keywords.
Which Sky products convert best for affiliates?
Sky Stream is currently the strongest converter because it requires no satellite dish installation and has a £0 upfront cost, making it accessible to renters and anyone who can’t or doesn’t want a dish. Sky Full Fibre broadband also performs well, particularly during promotional periods. Bundled TV and broadband offers tend to drive higher-value commissions.
Does Sky pay commissions on upgrades from existing customers?
Sky’s affiliate program is focused on new customer acquisitions. While some upgrade paths may carry a CPA, the main commission rates apply to brand-new subscribers signing up for TV, broadband, or mobile services. Promoting Sky to audiences who are not current subscribers gives you the best chance of earning a commission.
What types of publishers can join the Sky affiliate program?
Sky accepts a wide range of publisher types through Awin, including content and review sites, comparison platforms, cashback sites, and voucher publishers. Coupon and deal sites can be effective given Sky’s frequent promotional offers. Prohibited activity includes unauthorised brand bidding and unapproved deep links.
When does Sky see peak affiliate traffic and conversions?
The biggest spikes come during Black Friday and the January sales period, when Sky typically runs deep discounts on bundles. There are also noticeable uplifts at the start of the Premier League season (August) and the F1 season, as sports fans look to subscribe to Sky Sports. Planning content around these windows can significantly boost earnings.
