Sky has plans to make all of its TV content and channels available online, potentially signalling the end of the iconic satellite dish.
In its latest financial report, the TV firm said it will launch a service that offers subscribers the option to stream and download shows from all its channels and on-demand content services, all without a dish.
“This is a major development for Sky that will open up headroom in existing markets, improve our cost to serve for some customer segments, and offer a future way to take Sky into new markets,” said Sky, noting customers in Australia, Italy and UK will get the online service first.
These new markets could see Sky bump heads with the likes of Netflix and Amazon Prime Video. That being said, Sky already has its toes in the streaming world, since it owns Now TV.
The move has been on the cards since early 2017, when Sky noted its Sky Q service was to go dish-free in 2018.
The new online service will be a boon for people who can’t have a satellite dish bolted onto the side of their home. But it won’t offer a box-free experience, as Sky noted customers will still need a Sky box linked into their TV and entertainment setup.
For Sky the new online service will help the company reduce its costs and boost revenue, which could mean better deals get filtered down to customers. It could also mean a nail in the coffin of the Sky dish, which is a common sight on many UK homes.
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Editorial independence means being able to give an unbiased verdict about a product or company, with the avoidance of conflicts of interest. To ensure this is possible, every member of the editorial staff follows a clear code of conduct.
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We also expect our journalists to follow clear ethical standards in their work. Our staff members must strive for honesty and accuracy in everything they do. We follow the IPSO Editors’ code of practice to underpin these standards.
