Is Sky Q being phased out? | Sky Q questions answered

Jonathan Victoria • 15 Oct 2024 Guides

What is to be of Sky TV’s previous generation?

What is Sky Q?

Sky Q has been the company’s primary offering for their subscription-based TV service, with a set-top box providing live television via satellite as well as on-demand and catch-up services.

Introduced in 2016, Sky Q replaced the previous Sky+, which itself was a previous form of Sky TV’s viewing entertainment offering.

When released, Sky Q represented a newer generation for the way viewers could watch television, offering higher resolutions such as 4K UHD, as well as better integration of apps such as Netflix via its WiFi connectivity capabilities, thus allowing the combination of conventional television with on-demand and catch-up.

Originally, when it was first introduced, it was indicated that eventually, Sky would launch a dish-less version of Sky Q, delivering its TV service via broadband.

This was expected to be rolled out in the UK in 2018; however, it never came to be - at least, not for Sky Q.

Is Sky Q being phased out?

The short answer is yes, Sky Q is being phased out. 

Sky seemed to always have the intention to introduce TV via broadband, known better as streaming, as they hinted at such back when Sky Q was launched in 2016.

This has now become the case, with many people opting for stream-based services over live TV. As such, Sky Q, which has been and will remain satellite-based TV, is slowly being dropped from the company's offerings. 

How long will Sky Q be supported?

For current Sky Q customers, you won’t have to worry about losing access to your service or being forced to upgrade when you’re happy with what you have. Sky may reach out at times - particularly when your contract is almost up - to see about upgrading your service to one of its streaming-based offerings, but you don’t have to take it if you don’t want it.

Sky Q will remain in place and operational for the foreseeable future.  As long as there are still satellites in operation, satellite TV will remain - although the writing is on the wall for satellite TV.

The satellites that carry the load of TV services which Sky, amongst others, operate from are Astra 2E, 2F and 2G. They have been operational since 2012-2015 and have a lifespan of roughly 15 years.

They are capable of extending that lifespan at the cost of performance. The longer they stay operational, the more wear they experience and as such, the weaker the signal.

In the past, what the satellite companies would do is simply launch new satellites. However, in today’s day and age where most TV providers are providing their services via internet streaming, there may be no point in launching new satellites.

As such, we’ll likely see the end of satellite TV, and potentially Sky Q for that matter, around 2030. 

For now, though, Sky Q customers who are happy to stay with what they have don’t have to worry as Sky has very recently announced it’s signed a new contract with SES, the satellite provider company, to continue using their satellites until at least 2029.

Can you still get Sky Q?

While Sky will push new customers towards its newer streaming-based services, you can still get Sky Q if you choose.

The company doesn’t advertise it as much anymore, but under the TV tab on the Sky website, you’ll find Sky Q with information about it and the ability to create and customise a package to your taste.

It should be noted, though, that Sky Q does come with higher costs. It’s more expensive monthly, plus you have to pay extra for upgraded viewing experiences like HD, something that comes standard with Sky’s other offerings.

It’s not only increased monthly costs that come along with Sky Q. As it is satellite TV, you will require an engineer to come out to install the dish and hook up the needed wires and cables.

This is an extra cost that is not required with streaming-based TV, which is as simple as plug in and off you go. Not to mention the time with no TV while you wait for the engineer.

To sum up, while you can still get Sky Q, Sky rightfully tries to steer you toward its streaming-based services to save you time and money.

What is replacing Sky Q?

Sky Q never did reach the stage of being internet-based, but that idea has become a reality, shifting Sky TV into a new generation - one without Sky Q, though.

In its place are two newer offerings, Sky Stream and Sky Glass, both offering the same expanded TV experience but in different ways.

Sky Stream

Sky Stream is the company’s de facto new top offering, the true replacement for Sky Q the same way Q was the replacement for Sky+.

As the name suggests, its streaming-based TV makes it easy to set up and get going. When you purchase it, you are simply provided with a small-ish puck and the remote. No engineer is needed to install it or a new dish, all you need to do is plug the pug into your TV and away you go!

Being that it requires WiFi to be able to provide your content, you’ll want to make sure you have enough broadband capability to handle its needs alongside the other devices you may have that require WiFi (such as your phone, laptop/PC, tablet or games console).

The base Sky Stream package comes with Sky Entertainment and Netflix, which gives you access to over 100 channels you won't find on Freeview, including Sky Atlantic and many more Sky Originals.

You’ll also get access to Sky’s expansive catalogue of on-demand and catch-up content, with over 30,000 shows available for your pleasure.

Plus, you’ll receive a free subscription to Netflix Standard with Ads, where you can watch the streaming services content in HD on two devices, and a free Discovery+ subscription for even more great entertainment.

And that’s all just on the base offering. You are free to customise your package as well, with multiple other TV packs that can be added, such as Sky Sports, Cinema, Kids or an upgraded Netflix subscription.

This flexibility lends to Sky’s customer satisfaction nature, giving you the freedom to choose what you want and when. Almost everything is available either on a committed 24-month contract or on a 31-day rolling contract.

The difference between those two is that the standard 24-month options are cheaper but keep you locked in for the duration. The 31-day rolling options are slightly more expensive, being for 24 months but allowing you to cancel whenever you’d like.

Sky Glass

Sky Glass is the other new offering and could be seen as a more drastic and unique offering from Sky compared to its competitors.

It’s similar to Stream in that it is as simple as plugging in and you’re set, only instead of a simple small puck that plugs into your TV, it is a whole TV.

Sky Glass comes as a full all-in-one package, coming with a large TV in three sizes to choose from that has Sky TV pre-installed.

It is a high-quality TV that offers a stunning crystal clear picture with 4K Quantum Dot display and HDR Dolby Vision. Paired with 360° Dolby Atmos surround sound, you’re getting incredible quality visual and audio entertainment from the comfort of your home.

The Smart TV is designed to continually get smarter as it learns your viewing habits, customising your home screen to give you what it thinks you’ll want most and make recommendations based on the things you love.

For even more interaction, you can get Sky Live, which comes with an interactive camera made for Glass that allows you to chat with others like a Zoom call (you can even watch TV together), play games or work out. 

Sky Glass packs a strong punch and is available to purchase either upfront or via monthly payments. The costs differ depending on what size TV you opt for and what colour you choose.

You can choose between paying for the TV over 24 or 48 months but comes with a £20 upfront cost.

Once you’ve chosen how you pay for the TV, you can choose and customise your TV package. Sky Entertainment and Netflix is included as standard, and then you can add any of the packs you’d like.

What are my options as a Sky Q customer?

As a current Sky Q customer, if you’re happy with what you’ve got now and aren’t near to your contract expiration date, then you don’t necessarily have to do anything.

As Sky do still support and offer Sky Q, it is an active service so you won’t be able to simply upgrade mid-contract without paying the usual early exit fee, even if you’re planning on staying with Sky (saying that, phoning up might provide you with more options).

However, when your contract is coming to expire, you will likely begin getting contacted more and more by Sky, with them offering sleek deals on both Stream and Glass.

Again, you don’t have to upgrade if you don’t want to, but regardless, the new era of TV is here, and you may as well check out your options.

The various Sky deals that are available can net you some of the providers’ best services, including their brilliant broadband to go along with their TV, pairing the two for the perfect combination.

If you’re looking at your options as a current Sky Q customer, be sure to check out the Sky deals available, as well as the specific Sky Glass and Sky Stream deals.

You can also phone our dedicated and friendly Sky team to get a great deal sorted out - and possibly some extras that you won't find online! The number to call is 0330 1656 733.