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Sky Launches A New Streaming TV With No Satellite Dish

Sky Launches A New Streaming TV With No Satellite Dish

For four years, Sky was planning to introduce a new streaming TV and a new Sky Q IP box with no satellite dish. In the meantime, Sky Q and Sky+ subscribers were constantly looking for different ways to counter satellite dish setup issues and reception problems.

Recently, Sky has figured out a couple of ways to eliminate the need for a satellite dish by streaming their line-up via the internet. Now, you don’t have to drill holes at the side of your house and ask your landlord for permission to install a satellite dish.

Also, people living in areas that are experiencing poor Sky satellite signal reception or wanting to move house don’t have to forgo the Sky experience anymore with the new Sky TV broadband setup. Let’s find out the common queries related to the Sky satellite dish, Sky Q box, and also discuss the Sky dish alternative in detail.

Can I use a Sky box without a satellite dish?

Can I use a Sky box without a satellite dish?

Have a Sky TV box but don’t have a satellite dish? With this setup, you can only get Freeview channels via internal/external aerial or streaming TV services such as NowTV.

A lot of Sky users are misguided that the card slot on the Sky box behind the front right corner flap can let them access on-demand content. Without the dish, the Skybox acts as a basic Freesat receiver with no playback, online, or recording services. The Skybox won’t even initialize without the dish.

Will Sky remove my satellite dish?

Will Sky remove my satellite dish?

Any Sky dish and the associated cabling in your property is yours to keep after 12 months of the new install. when the Sky contract ends or you want to revert the Q LNB to another version, you can hire a private service to remove it from your existing property.

If you are moving house and want to use Sky on your new property, you can take all the Sky equipment with you except the satellite dish and the associated cabling running to your Sky box. The sky engineer is not obliged to offer any service regarding the removal of the dish.

However, a Sky installer may be willing to adjust or remove the old dish as a part of the new dish installation.

Do you need a satellite cable for Sky?

Do you need a satellite cable for Sky?

A Sky installer installs the Sky+ and Sky+ HD with a satellite cable that runs between your Sky box and the satellite dish.

A standard Sky box needs only one satellite cable feed from the satellite dish to the Skybox. However, Sky+ and Sky+HD need to have two satellite cables from LNB to the box. It is because they both have two tuners for concurrent tunning and recording of various channels.

The Skybox sends signals through the satellite cable back to the dish to ask it to alter polarity. Therefore, you can’t use an adapter to change one satellite cable in two cable feeds.

Is there an alternative to a Sky dish?

Is there an alternative to a Sky dish?

If you don’t want to use or do not own a Sky dish, you can connect your Sky box with the Sqish dish. It’s a discreet alternative to the Sky dish and can be used to receive Freesat and Sky across the UK. Sqish is capable of receiving high-powered satellites from Europe and the rest of the world.

Furthermore, the Sqish dish is compatible with Sky HD, multiroom systems, and IRS multi-switches communal systems. Sqish dish is smaller than the Sky dish and includes a pole mount, window sill mount, flat mount, and a  multipurpose bracket to allow mounting with 90-degree clearance.

Additionally, you can choose from several Sqish skins to match the colour of your outdoor paint. Also, you can select a custom skin from a cladding image taken of the installation site such as a matching brick.

Does Sky+ work with Sky Q?

Does Sky+ work with Sky Q?

Do you want to keep your Sky+ box with a Sky+ subscription but need to subscribe to the Sky Q box as well? Well, generally you should be able to do it but sadly it’s not the case. The Sky+ box can not stream Sky Q content.

You can keep your existing Sky+ box and Sky+ subscription. However, as soon as you subscribe to the Sky Q box, the Sky+ subscription automatically ends. Some Sky+ subscribers have tried switching the viewing card on their Sky boxes but this method didn’t work.

Sky Q is entirely a separate subscription from Sky+. You can’t have two Sky subscriptions under one property. Therefore, you need to choose either Sky+ or Sky Q subscription.

There is another catch. You can use Sky+ box and Sky Q box at the same time. You can stream Sky content on the Sky Q box. However, you will be restricted to just watching the free channels on your Sky+ box.

Are Sky getting rid of satellite dishes?

Are Sky getting rid of satellite dishes?

Yes, Sky TV announced that you will need no satellite dish on the side of your property to access premium Sky Q content. Now, you’ll be able to access the Sky TV content via broadband with a new set-top box and a new Sky Glass TV service.

Back in 2019, Sky has already experimented with the dishless IP-based Sky Q over IP service in Austria and Sky Q over fibre in the Sky Q in Italy. However, the Sky Q fibre box video quality is restricted to HD, unlike the satellite version which can offer 4k quality as well.

What is Sky Q IP box?

What is Sky Q IP box?

To eliminate satellite dishes and use broadband to streaming content, Sky has introduced a new Sky Q IP set-top box. You can enjoy popular live channels, streaming services, and apps via your home internet connection.

The new Sky Q IP box is the best option for those people who are having satellite signal issues. Sky Q offers quite a few boxsets, sports fixtures, and movies in 4k quality. However, the new Sky Q IP box only lets you stream content in HD.

Furthermore, Sky confirmed that the Sky Q IP hardware is powerful enough to support 4k streams and has not ruled out the arrival of the 4k feature in future. Additionally, there is no recording function in the IP box but an excess of catchup services makes up for the recording feature absence.

Is Sky Q IP box available to UK residents?

Is Sky Q IP box available to UK residents?

Unfortunately, despite the confirming news for the dishless streaming TV services in the UK four years ago, Sky is offering its Sky Q IP box in Germany alone. They may be experimenting with Sky TV with no satellite dish service in one country before deploying it around the world.

The Sky customers in Germany can enjoy more than 80 channels via broadband rather than satellite. The channels include every Sky-branded channel with more than 50 free TV services and thematic offerings such as Sport 1 and Eurosport.

German subscribers can start the subscription from €12.50 per month for 12 months. Afterwards, they can cancel the subscription anytime.

Sky Glass TV

Sky Glass TV

If you are a UK resident and can not avail of the Sky Q IP box, from 18th October 2021, Sky is launching Sky Glass TV that will run on the internet and shift you from satellite to broadband streaming.

Independent analysts are saying that Sky can lower operational costs and increase profit margins by ditching satellite dishes. By providing a TV set and persuade people to sign up can be a highly lucrative move for Sky.

Additionally, this hardware shift will also put Sky into direct competition with Samsung and Sony who bundle Sky streaming content with their devices.

What is Sky Glass TV

What is Sky Glass TV

Sky Glass TV is QLED 4k smart TV hardware that can work over a WIFI connection to stream Sky content. Sky describes it as a no-fuss streaming TV as it bypasses the need for a satellite dish, soundbar, and an external box. This superior and smart hardware has built-in Dolby Atmos.

Sky Glass TV integrates the hardware, software, and Sky content flawlessly. You will need a Sky subscription to run the content on the glass TV. However, the content from Amazon, Netflix, BBC iPlayer, Disney+,  All4, and ITV Hub will be available as well.

Sky has yet to disclose details regarding delays and buffering issues that can happen over the internet on Sky Glass TV.

What are the Sky Glass TV specifications?

What are the Sky Glass TV specifications?

The specifications of the Sky Glass TV are as follows:

  • Comes in three versions/sizes (43in, 55in, and 65in)
  • Single plug and wire
  • 4K UHD quantum dot screen
  • Dolby Vision HDR to support with 10-bit high dynamic range
  • Available in ceramic white, racing green, dusky pink, anthracite black, and ocean blue colours
  • Voice-activated interface in all the three versions

Will I have to pay for the Sky Glass TV

Will I have to pay for the Sky Glass TV

Sky Glass TV is on sale from 18 October 2021.

  • 43 inch Sky Glass TV is £13 a month and its total price is £649
  • 55 inch Glass TV is £17 a month with a total cost of £849
  • Lastly, the top 65-inch model is £21 a month and its total cost is £1,049

However, this is the cost of the hardware. You need to buy a Sky Ultimate TV package as well to stream content on Sky Glass TV. The Sky Ultimate TV package starts at £26. This means that the Sky Glass TV and the package bundle raise the prices to :

  • £39 for 43 inch Glass TV
  • £43 for 55 inch Glass TV
  • £47 for 55 inch Glass TV

Additionally, if you are want to upgrade from 43-inch Sky Glass TV to 55-inch one, you need to pay £4 more per month. Also, you need to pay £8 more each month if you want to upgrade from 55-inch Sky Glass TV to 65-inch TV.

Furthermore, you can get different packages with the Glass TV as well. For example, for a 43-inch Sky Glass TV:

  • From £39 monthly and £10 upfront, get Sky Glass with Sky Entertainment and Netflix and the package starts from £39
  • From £70 per month and with £10 upfront, get Sky Entertainment, BT Sport, Sky Sports, and Sky Glass with Netflix
  • Sky Cinema, Sky Sports, Sky Kids, Sky Entertainment, and Sky Glass with Netflix starts from £62 per month with £10 upfront

These prices can change in future. Also, it’s worth mentioning here that you’ll get the basic Netflix SD version at these prices. You have to pay more for the Netflix 4k or HD version. The total Sky glass contract length is 24 or 48 months.

Where can I buy Sky Glass?

Where can I buy Sky Glass?

To buy Sky Glass TV and packages, you need to pre-register on the Sky website. At the time of writing, the Sky website is the only place where you can buy Sky Glass. However, we hope that other retailers will be jumping into stocking Sky Glass TV soon.

How does Sky Glass work?

How does Sky Glass work?

Sky Glass is something different from the Sky Q box. The Sky Q box is a separate unit connected to the TV with an HDMI cable and needs a dish to stream content. On the other hand, Sky Glass does not require any extra box and need only WIFI to watch Sky TV instead of a satellite dish.

Sky Glass contract is a monthly rolling contract. Therefore, you can make changes to the Sky TV subscription portion or cancel it anytime you want.

However, Sky Glass does not have an app store. Therefore, you can only download 21 built-in Sky Glass apps which include ITV Hub, BBC iPlayer, Netflix, YouTube, Disney+, Spotify, Peloton, All4, and BBC Sounds. By pressing the ‘plus’ button on the Sky Glass remote, you can create a playlist of your favourite channels and apps.

Additionally, Sky Glass TV has an aerial input as well which you can use to view Freeview channels. Also, it has three HDMI inputs. If you want, you can add a Blue-ray player or a gaming console to your Sky Glass with HDMI ports.

What is a Sky Glass puck?

What is a Sky Glass puck?

If you want to stream Sky TV on the other TVs in your home through Sky Glass, you can buy the additional Whole Home Pack. This way, you won’t have to pay for an individual Sky Glass TV in every room of your house.

The Whole Home Pack includes a Sky Stream Puck. It is a small streaming device that can be plugged into another TV in your house and connect to your Sky Glass TV to stream Sky content. For an extra £10 per month per puck, you can turn every TV in your house into a Sky Glass TV replica.

Will Sky Q mini box work from a Glass TV

Will Sky Q mini box work from a Glass TV

Quite simply, the answer is No. If you buy a Sky Glass TV outright, you have to cancel your current monthly Sky Q subscription. Afterwards, you’ll need to take a new Glass TV subscription. Next, Sky needs you to return the Sky Q and the mini boxes within 60 days of receiving yourSky Glass TV. Otherwise, you may get a non-return fine.

Sky will continue to bill your existing Sky Q TV subscription until your Sky Glass TV is activated. Furthermore, any recordings that you did on Sky Q won’t transfer to Sky Glass.

Sky Q is builtin in Sky Glass. Also, Sky Q mini boxes are being replaced with pucks in Sky Glass for a multiroom experience. Therefore, the total Sky Q hardware is incompatible with your new Sky Glass TV.

Can you record on Sky Glass?

Can you record on Sky Glass?

Sky Glass has no built-in recording capability. However, it does include a dedicated button on your Sky Glass TV remote to build your playlist. You can playback the playlist through on-demand and catch up TV. You can build the playlist of Sky content or Sky’s third-party partners content as well.

Sky Q subscribers are in habit of recording their favourite shows. The playlist feature on Sky Glass replaces the need for the recording feature for the Sky subscribers. Just tap on the playlist button while watching a show and the Sky Glass will store it for later viewing.

It is worth mentioning here that you can not add your favourite programmes on the playlist while using a puck device on another TV. This option is embedded in the Sky Glass software and needs a voice command or a remote button to activate it.

Conclusion

Sky Glass TV tagline says it all – No satellite dish. No box. No fuss and we approve of it. Now you can stream Sky content over WIFI without having to deal with the Sky satellite ever again.

Sky Glass TV will be available from 18 October in the UK. It will be followed by other markets in 2022. With six speakers, clever colour options, and loads of features, Sky Glass can dethrone the TV manufacturing giants.

However, Sky has yet to name the hardware partner who will make the Sky Glass TV. Sky stated that its Glass TV is the first CarbonNeutral certified product. In our research, this is by far the smartest TV device in comparison with the latest smart TV models.

We will surely be reviewing Sky Glass TV again in full in near future.