Sky has recently announced a significant change that indicates a major transformation in TV viewing habits. This move could potentially mark the decline of the traditional satellite dish. The company has officially stopped selling its Sky Q set-top box on its website and is now steering new customers towards Sky Stream or Sky Glass TVs instead.
In a statement, the company mentioned, “We’ve unplugged Sky Q. Plug in Sky Stream for less. Sky Q is no longer available to buy online.” Customers attempting to purchase Sky Q will be redirected to consider the more affordable Stream box option, with Sky emphasizing, “You can take your viewing to the next level with Sky Stream starting from £15 per month.”
The shift is driven by the advantages offered by Sky Stream and Sky Glass, which deliver live and on-demand content over the internet rather than through traditional satellite signals. These alternatives are easy to set up, eliminating the need for a technician to visit and install hardware. Additionally, they receive frequent updates and new features, as Sky constantly enhances and introduces improvements. Opting for a basic Sky Stream package is also more cost-effective compared to Sky Q, with prices starting at just £15 per month.
The transition away from Sky Q was somewhat expected, as the company has been focusing more on streaming-based options due to the preferences of most new customers.
For existing Sky Q users, there is no immediate impact, as the change only affects new online orders. The device remains available for purchase by contacting Sky directly or visiting a retail store.
Sky stated, “Sky Q is no longer available for online purchase, but customers can contact us to order Sky Q or visit one of our retail outlets. Alternatively, they can choose from our popular streaming products, Sky Glass and Sky Stream, which are preferred by 9 out of 10 of our new customers.”
While Sky Q is not disappearing entirely, the trend towards a streaming-centric future is clearly gaining momentum.
