Big news for UK TV audience as this morning Sky have announced that from 2018 their customers will be able to subscribe to their latest service Sky Q with no requirement of a satellite dish on the side of your property.
This is a game changer for the millions of properties across the UK who are unable to install a dish because of property ownership, flat access, trees and the dozen other reasons that installing a dish is impractical. The service will be delivered through a broadband connection completely removing the need for an new cables to be installed with the service expected to launch in 2018.
Sky Q has been growing over the past 12 months with more than one million boxes in around 600,000 homes in the UK. Viewing habits have changed because of it with 10% more TV being watched compared to it’s predecessor Sky+. Today’s announcement also comes with the news that you’ll be able to utilise the voice search function and have the ability to record six shows while watching a seventh live.
As a user of Sky Q, I can personally testify as to how it’s changed our viewing habits with my 5 and 3 year old children able to operate the simple Sky Q interface with ease. The difficultly is what they choose to watch as there is so much choice and then there’s the challenge of turning the TV off!
Today we also receive news of a new ‘My Sky App’ which will allow their customers to check broadband speed, review your monthly bill, change how and when you pay and get help and support with simple step by step videos and articles.
As well as the movies released on a daily basis, Sky have some wonderful HBO and Showtime TV shows coming to Sky Atlantic with the return to Season 2 of Billions, Fortitude Season 2, Twin Peaks, and Game of Thrones and big budget new shows like Britannia, as well as Riviera, Tin Star, Gomorrah and Guerrilla all coming in 2017 on Sky Atlantic.
Sky really is going from strength to strength and is set to overtake Apple’s iTunes as the UK’s #1 digital retailer in the UK overtaking iTunes by the end of 2017. The service has established a 30% market share with movies including The Jungle Book, Suicide Squad and The Secret Life of Pets proving popular in recent months.
You can check out the full press release below which gives more information on the upcoming changes to Sky Q and let us know your thoughts in the comments below. Do you have Sky Q? Do you like the service and if not, would you consider getting Sky now that you won’t require a dish?
Sky Q Press Release
Award-winning Sky Q to launch without a satellite dish – bringing Sky TV to millions more homes
Sky today announces plans to launch Sky TV without the need for a satellite dish for the very first time in the UK. The move will see millions of homes, currently unable to install a satellite dish, be able to enjoy the best entertainment on Sky. Delivered through a box over broadband, the service is expected to launch in the UK in 2018.
Following a strong response from customers to Sky Q, there are now more than one million boxes in around 600,000 homes in the UK. It’s already changing viewing habits, with customers watching 10% more TV compared to those with Sky+, as they benefit from a more visual interface alongside personalised recommendations. And Sky Q is set to get even better this year with the introduction of voice search, greater personalisation and the ability to record six shows while watching a seventh live.
As part of its commitment to delivering the best customer service Sky is also launching the new My Sky app. With more and more people turning to their phones to manage their life admin, the app will make it quicker and easier than ever. Customers can check their broadband speed, review their monthly bill on the move, change how and when they pay and get help and support with simple step by step videos and articles.
Sky is also gearing up for a brilliant year on screen, with a new big-screen drama released every month from some of the best storytellers in the world. This includes eleven dramas from Sky Original Productions including Fortitude premiering tonight, Sky’s most ambitious project to date Britannia, as well as Riviera, Tin Star, Gomorrah and Guerrilla. Plus exclusive access to the biggest US shows from Showtime and HBO including Billions, Twin Peaks, and Game of Thrones, and the latest films with a new premiere every day on Sky Cinema including Finding Dory, Deadpool, Absolutely Fabulous and X-Men: Apocalypse.
Stephen van Rooyen, Sky UK’s Chief Executive, said: “This year is about giving our customers even more quality, choice and value. We’re planning to launch our Sky TV service without the need for a satellite dish for the very first time, giving millions more homes the chance to enjoy TV with Sky Q. We are continuing to build our European TV production studio, with 100 original series going into production. And with innovations like the My Sky app, we are finding new ways to make our customers’ lives simpler.”
