Sky beginning to phase out Sky Q in UK (Initial report now denied)

icdg

Applicable to the UK only for the moment it seems. But Ireland and the UK are served by the same satellites and as night follows day it will apply over here too

Anyway, it seems Sky are stopping certain categories of Sky Q installs in the UK from today, with customers wanting broadband + TV bundles being directed to Stream. The Sky Q lite tier (which I think is long gone in ROI anyway) is also being discontinued.

https://www.ispreview.co.uk/index.php/2024/09/sky-uk-confirms-phasing-out-sky-q-triple-play-and-lite-tv-packages.html

Note - 13th September 2024.

After this story was originally published by ISP Review, it was amended on foot of “clarification” from Sky to effectively deny the original story and present a different scenario. Whether it was ever true is unclear. The moral is not to ever take anything not in an official press release at face value.

galtee boy

It really is only a case of how long Sky will wait before discontinuing satellite altogether and forcing ( for want of a better word ), people onto to Stream. I would guess sometime in the next 5 years.

spillit67

Ugh, I’ve noticed it has become increasingly difficult to even locate Sky Q on their website

Sleeper12

I'm pretty sure I read recently that some of the Satellites that sky have been using are coming to the end of their lifespan. It's unlikely more will be launched into Geo stationery orbit for satellite TV as streaming has become the norm

icdg

The original story has now been denied. Still it’s probably only a matter of time

https://www.ispreview.co.uk/index.php/2024/09/sky-uk-confirms-phasing-out-sky-q-triple-play-and-lite-tv-packages.html
(Scroll to bottom)

AMKC

Feck sake. I only got Sky Q this year and did not even want to get it but my Sky + HD boxs had all gone awol :) . I miss Sky + .

It was so much better than Sky Q which is a backwards step.

Can't even do a manual recording on it. How stupid is that.

Having to put on if off the subtitles means having to go all the way down the menu to settings and then into accessibility and then turn it on or off ffs. What's wrong with a simple button on the remote for this ffs. Stupid.

1641

"What's wrong with a simple button on the remote for this ffs. Stupid."

There is a simple button on the remote for this. Press the "?" button, tag across to subtitles and tag "On". It is only "on" for the show/channel you are watching at the time.

Anyway, I love the functionality of Sky Q and hope they continue support for existing customers for a long time yet.

Sleeper12

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122589213#Comment_122589213

Totally agree.

I was a Sky customer for close to 30 years. Got Sky Q and loved it. Sadly they were far behind at the time. No HDR, 4K, Dolby Vision or Dolby Atmos. I stuck it for the 12 months contract but left Sky after that. Apart from the missing things already mentioned I loved the menu.

I still think it's great but way over priced. Don't think I'll ever be back

eastie17

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122589303#Comment_122589303

So what do you use now if you dont mind me asking? I'm tired of getting rinsed by them every month but, my fault, dont do anything about it

TAFKAlawhec

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122582724#Comment_122582724

The youngest of the three satellites at 28E, Astra 2G, should be okay until ~2030, however SES have developed a good reputation of getting a few more years of usable life out of the lifespan of their satellites beyond the projected 15 years - for example Astra 1KR at 19E is 18 years old and still broadcasting away for now. On that basis I'd reckon 2G will be fine until around 2033/34, but that'll depend on activity on that orbital position between now and then.

Sleeper12

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122589332#Comment_122589332

I have Prime Video because I need prime delivery around €100 per year. Max (HBO) for €40 per year. Netflix Turkey for less than €100 per year. Paramount, Disney plus, Apple TV, Peacock, MGM about twice a year.

When I got rid of Sky I got a Humax satellite box. This gives me all BBC, UTV, C4, C5 etc totally free of charge. I also have an areal for the Irish channels. So basic UK & Irish channels are totally free.

Can't remember when I ended Sky. I'm thinking around 2017 / 2018. At the time I paid over €120 per month (€1500 per year) for movies and entertainment with HD. I'm not into sports. Now I spend less than €500 per year with everything in HD and a lot of stuff in Dolby vision, Dolby Atmos and 4k.

Even if Sky cut their prices in half I'm not sure I'd go back. I have a far better selection now compared to Sky.

Everything I have is legal. I do have to use Getflix or VPN for Max, Peacock and MGM but that is breaking T&cs rather than out & out illegal "dodgy box". Everything I pay goes directly to the streaming platform

icdg

There’s no discussion of circumventing regional restrictions, or advocating same.

quinnd6

I'm actually on the 10 euro a month Sky package from last year, just the free to air channels. If Sky got rid of Satellite I'd leave Sky completely without hesitation. Streaming should never be forced on people. Live satellite tv will always be more reliable. I wouldn't pay Sky a monthly sub for streaming , it is too unreliable and if your broadband goes down you're stuck with no tv so I would absolutely hate it. Streaming is always compressed also, it's crap in comparison and will never be a good replacement for Satellite tv. I can never find anything worth watching anyway so that's why I dropped to the 10 euro pack to just have something in the background but if Sky did that I mean might aswell just hook up a laptop to your tv and stream that instead anyway. Sky's only advantage being able to watch tv reliably would be gone. I'd just say to Sky, no way, screw that, I'm gone.

Sleeper12

Sorry Mods. I mentioned things that are allowed on other threads and didn't realise I shouldn't mention VPN etc

Satellite can deliver genuine 4k with all the bells and whistles.

Streaming can't deliver full 4k, dolby vision, dolby atmos. It's compressed bandwidth and a compromise

1641

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122589303#Comment_122589303

I am currently paying them €116 p/m and that includes entertainment, movies, all sports packs (apart from box office), Netflix, Paramount+ and Discovery+. It includes multiroom, HD, and 4K and HDR on available channels (including Netflix). I also have Prime video from the delivery subscription but I love the way all of these streaming apps integrate into the Sky Q system - so just one remote. I occasionally take Disney+ as well. Dolby & Atmos are included but I don't use them.

I do have to ring them about twice a year to negotiate the cost down from the full subscription price but I have never found any big issue with this. Everything works seamlessly and all in all I find the system great.

amacca

I don't think I'd have much of an issue if I actually had broadband....

NBI appear to be extending dates again

Windowsnut

I'm kind of looking forward to them finishing up on satellite, it will be the end of an era…

swoofer

dont hold your breath!! it will be a long time yet and have you heard the expression - backup. I forgot to add this thread title is " FAKE NEWS" whoever posted missed out the important word " TEMPORARILY"

This is the proper news

"Sky has clarified to ISPreview that the information they sent out didn’t give the full context. The provider states that their Sky Q Triple Play sales journey will only become temporarily unavailable on Sky.com later this month, rather than permanently. Customers can also continue to purchase Sky Q Triple Play via their call centres and in Sky Stores, and can still purchase Sky Q and Broadband individually in all digital channels."

What this in effect means they are migrating platforms and for now you cannot order sky q online.

icdg

@Swoofer, there is no need to go all Donald Trump, the correction/clarification was posted on this thread a week ago. If it makes you happy though, I’ll insert a clarification in the thread title/OP.

swoofer

my lips are sealed.

AMKC

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122589213#Comment_122589213

"There is a simple button on the remote for this. Press the "?" button, tag across to subtitles and tag "On". It is only "on" for the show/channel you are watching at the time."

Thank you. I did not know that. That's Brilliant.

irishgeo

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122589606#Comment_122589606

I hate to inform that most of the content on Astra is compressed in a way. They don't have the bandwidth for full HD and 4k such is the amount of channels.

quinnd6

Yes but if your broadband goes down you have no tv. If your WiFi signal goes down you have no tv. For that reason also I will always prefer offline satellite tv. I will not pay Sky to stream live tv ever. I would prefer free to air satellite than that for live tv.