Sky has recently announced a significant change that indicates a major shift in television viewing habits for the future. This development could potentially mark the decline of traditional satellite dishes. The company has stated that it will no longer sell its Sky Q set-top box on its website. Instead, new customers are being directed towards purchasing either Sky Stream or Sky Glass TVs.
In a statement, the company said, “We’ve unplugged Sky Q. Plug in Sky Stream for less. Sky Q is no longer available to buy online.” Customers looking to purchase Sky Q are now being offered the option to buy a more affordable Stream box, with Sky emphasizing, “You can elevate your viewing experience with Sky Stream starting at £15 a month.”
The shift towards Sky Stream and Sky Glass is due to their delivery of live and on-demand content through internet connections rather than traditional satellite signals. These options offer quick setup, eliminating the need for an engineer to visit and perform installations.
Additionally, Sky Stream and Sky Glass receive frequent updates and new features as Sky continuously enhances their services. Opting for a basic Sky Stream package is more cost-effective compared to Sky Q, with prices starting at just £15 a month.
This move was somewhat expected, as Sky Q has not been the primary focus for the company in recent times, with a majority of new customers choosing streaming-based alternatives instead.
For existing Sky Q users, there is no immediate impact, as the update only affects new online orders. Sky Q can still be purchased by contacting Sky directly or visiting retail stores.
Sky clarified, “Sky Q is no longer available for online purchase, but customers can call us if they wish to order Sky Q or visit one of our retail outlets. Alternatively, they can opt for our popular streaming options, Sky Glass and Sky Stream, which are preferred by 9 out of 10 new customers.”
While Sky Q is not disappearing completely, the transition towards a streaming-first approach is clearly gaining momentum.
