What the Sky upgrade means
Sky TV subscribers will soon be able to connect their set-top boxes to the internet to stream content to their televisions.
The company has started running ads and sending emails about the changes, which will move the company away from satellites and toward the internet.
That means more movies and shows though there will be no 4K capability – yet. There is no date set for the upgrades though the company is promising it will happen ‘‘this summer’’.
The change will affect Sky TV subscribers differently depending on what type of set-top box they own. If you have a MySky HDi or MySky+ decoder, then the update will be done via satellite. This will then allow you to connect online wirelessly or via an ethernet cable. Sky TV plans to release devices that plug into your box that will give it wireless capability.
The company says the update is for the operating software only, and will not delete any shows or movies from your hard-drive.
If you have an old digital set-top box, the company will exchange it for free for a new decoder that will have the on-demand function. You can also get the MySky feature, though that has an extra charge.
You will not be able to keep it as a newer device will be eventually be needed for all subscribers.
That means the 360,000 homes with an old decoder will soon get an upgrade. There are about 500,000 people using one of the new MySky devices.
Sky TV said the advantages of upgrading was ‘‘more choice and more control’’.
This means each channel should get a boost. So if you subscribe to Movies, then you can get what you have now along with access to a catalogue of movies online. In terms of control, you will be able to manipulate the television planner to watch what you missed.
Sky TV said there would be no price increases for subscribers.
The move can be seen as a step into the world of new television technology, rather than a leap. Some may be irked by the lack of 4k, which has four times the resolution as 1080p (high definition). However, that technology could still be coming in the form of a new set-top box. Sky TV has confirmed one is on its way, but no date or specifications have been released.
Sky TV already has its toes dipped in the streaming content waters, with Neon, which competes against Lightbox and Netflix.