Re: 12
I'd tend to go for Sky (having used both in the past). I reckon the main drawbacks with Sky are as follows:
1. The need to have a dish installed
2. Not only do you not have ITV/Ch4, but I don't think you get Setanta? (having said that most channels should become available eventually)
I think NTL has a crappy remote, it takes them longer to get new channels online (they only added Sky Sports Extra recently), and at some times, the service can be patchy. I also think that the picture quality is slightly better on Sky.
There are loads more channels on Sky, whether you need or want them is another matter (much better selection of music channels). Unfortunately we can no longer get either service, as we live in an apartment (outside NTL cable catchment area, MMDS is far too expensive, and requires an aerial, and Sky requires the dish-we are not permitted aerials or dishes)
I don't think the customer service of either is anything to write home about, but NTL has improved slightly in recent times.
This is only my 2 cents, no doubt others may disagree!