David Farnor | On 24, Oct 2014

NOW has unveiled a range of limited edition NOW boxes for Christmas.

The new collection of streaming media devices includes festive designs and patterns, which NOW hopes will make an ideal stocking filler for people looking for a modern media fan’s gift.

With a growing number of viewers streaming video either on iPlayer (or other terrestrial TV catch-up services) or through subscriptions services, such as Netflix, there is a gap in the market for consumers who want online video access in their living rooms without the cost of buying a smart TV. Now, a race is on to connect viewers to the web. Indeed, the streaming media device market has become increasingly competitive this year, with the launch of the Roku Streaming Stick, Google Chromecast and – yesterday – the Fire TV box.

NOW’s latest line of boxes follows an announcement from Google that it is working on another Chromecast stick, as well as a fresh round of funding from Roku. Most prominent of all, though, is Amazon’s entry into the race. The online retailer’s streaming device has an advantage over Sky’s own box (based on Roku) in terms of content, offering a Netflix app as well as its own Prime Instant Video. But while the NOW box’s range of apps may be restricted to terrestrial catch-up and other approved services (i.e. no Netflix or Amazon), its biggest strength is its price: the box costs just £9.99 to upgrade your telly.

NOW’s service is broken down into three parts.

An Entertainment Month Pass, which provides instant access Sky TV shows such as The Knick, The Walking Dead (Season 5), Arrow Season 3, The Flash and every season of Lost, The West Wing and Hannibal, costs £8.99 a month, no contract.

A NOW Cinema Membershipis available for £11.99 a month and offers over 800 movies for streaming – including films such as The LEGO Movie, Disney’s Frozen and Marvel’s Captain America: The Winter Soldier, which will be released this Christmas.

A Sky Sports Day Pass costs £8.99 for 24 hours’ access to Sky Sports, while a Week Pass costs £14.99 for a weeks’ worth of access.

Alternatively, you can purchase a white NOW Box as part of a bundle with up to six months of content straight to your TV.

The new designs includes an exclusive The LEGO Movie Box, a playful penguin motif, a gold festive glitter style, an abstract pastel geometric pattern and a chic multi-coloured lightening pattern.

The NOW Christmas boxes will be on sale from the 24th November.

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