Sky Q

{{Infobox broadcasting network

|name = Sky Q

|image = 200px

|type = Pay television

|country = Austria, Germany, Ireland, Italy, United Kingdom

|available = Satellite television and IPTV

|founded = {{start date|2016|02}} (release in the United Kingdom)

|slogan =

|broadcast_area = {{unbulleted list|Austria|Germany|Ireland|Italy|United Kingdom}}

|parent = Sky

|owner =

|website = [https://www.sky.com/tv/sky-q Sky Q]

}}

Sky Q is a subscription-based television and entertainment service operated by British satellite television provider Sky, as a part of its operations in Austria and Germany, Ireland, Italy and in the UK. The name also refers to the Sky Q set-top box.

Sky Q launched in 2016 replacing the previous Sky+ and Sky X services.{{Cite web|url=https://www.engadget.com/2015/11/18/sky-sky-q-launch/|title=Sky reinvents itself with Sky Q|website=Engadget|date=18 November 2015 }} Sky Q has been referred to as a "multimedia platform" that combines conventional television with on-demand and catch-up services, as well as third-party services.{{Cite web|url=https://www.broadbandtvnews.com/2019/03/01/sky-q-reaches-1-5-million-customers-in-germany/|title=Sky Q reaches 1.5 million customers in Germany|date=March 1, 2019|website=Broadband TV News}} It includes a PVR set top box, a multiroom set top box, a dedicated broadband-connected "hub", and applications for mobile and desktop devices. As of April 2018, Sky Q was in 2.5 million homes in the UK, Ireland and Italy.{{Cite web|url=https://www.broadbandtvnews.com/2018/04/19/sky-q-in-2-5-million-homes/|title=Sky Q in 2.5 million homes|date=April 19, 2018|website=Broadband TV News}} In July 2018, Sky reported that there were 3.6 million Sky Q customers.{{Cite web|url=http://www.csimagazine.com/csi/Sky-passes-23-million-subscribers.php|title=Sky passes 23 million subscribers, launching HDR in 2019|website=www.csimagazine.com|date=26 July 2018 }}

Launch

Sky Q was first announced by Sky UK in January 2016,{{cite press release| author = | title = Introducing Sky Q, a whole new way of watching TV| url = http://corporate.sky.com/media-centre/skyq/press-releases/2015/introducing-sky-q-a-whole-new-way-of-watching-tv| publisher = Sky| date = 18 November 2015| access-date = 22 December 2015| archive-date = 23 December 2015| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20151223092358/https://corporate.sky.com/media-centre/skyq/press-releases/2015/introducing-sky-q-a-whole-new-way-of-watching-tv| url-status = dead}} and was released in the UK in March 2016.

Sky did not roll out Sky Q in Germany, Austria and Italy immediately, but released a modified version of the Sky Q set top box by Autumn 2016, named Sky+ Pro in Germany and Austria, and My Sky in Italy.{{cite news |title=Sky to launch UHD set-top box in Germany, Italy this autumn |url=https://www.digitaltveurope.com/2016/07/28/sky-to-launch-uhd-set-top-box-in-germany-italy-this-autumn/ |access-date=14 April 2020 |work=Digital TV Europe |publisher=Informa |date=28 July 2016 |language=en}}{{cite web |last1=O'Brien |first1=Jordan |title=Sky Q Rebranded For German Launch |url=https://essentialinstall.com/news/home-cinema/sky-q-rebranded-german-launch/ |website=Essential Install |publisher=All Things Media |access-date=14 April 2020 |language=en |date=19 August 2016}} Like Sky Q, the box is capable of UHD resolution and has a built-in Wi-Fi router, but it omits significant Sky Q features. Sky Italia later launched Sky Q in Italy in November 2017,{{Cite web|url=https://www.tvbeurope.com/tvbeverywhere/sky-q-launches-italy|title=Sky Q launches in Italy|date=November 27, 2017|website=TVBEurope}} and Sky Deutschland did so in Germany and Austria in May 2018.{{Cite web|url=https://www.broadbandtvnews.com/2018/04/18/sky-deutschland-to-introduce-sky-q-in-may/|title=Sky Deutschland to introduce Sky Q in May|date=April 18, 2018|website=Broadband TV News}} In contrast to the UK, Ireland and Italy (especially where Sky Italia launched Sky Q separately from My Sky), existing customers in Germany and Austria could receive Sky Q through a free software update on existing Sky+ Pro receivers.

Hardware

File:Sky Q Silver.jpg

The Sky Q "Silver" set top box (called "Platinum" in Italy) has a 2 terabyte hard disk and 12 satellite tuners, allowing up to six live TV channels to be recorded while watching a seventh.{{Cite web|url=https://www.pocket-lint.com/tv/news/sky/141364-sky-q-now-lets-you-record-six-programmes-while-watching-a-seventh|title=Sky Q now lets you record six programmes, while watching a seventh|date=June 15, 2017|website=Pocket-lint}} The box is capable of receiving and displaying 4K resolution "ultra-high-definition" (UHD) broadcasts, which were started by Sky in the UK in August 2016.{{Cite web|url=http://www.digitalspy.com/tech/a801232/when-sky-uhd-4k-services-will-launch/|title=Sky confirms when its Sky UHD 4K services will launch|first=Luke|last=Johnson|date=July 13, 2016|website=Digital Spy}}

The standard Sky Q box has 1 terabyte of storage and 8 tuners, supporting broadcasts up to 1080p ("Full HD"). A third box, Sky Q Mini, acts as a secondary device without tuners or hard drives that merely networks to the main box to allow the Sky Q service to be used in other rooms, and can also be used as a Wi-Fi "extender" to provide stable broadband connections.{{Cite web|url=https://www.pocket-lint.com/tv/news/sky/134738-what-is-sky-q-how-much-does-it-cost-and-how-can-i-get-it|title=What is Sky Q, how much does it cost and how can I get it?|date=March 14, 2019|website=Pocket-lint}}

The Sky Q remote control is fully redesigned compared to the earlier Sky+ and Sky+ HD versions, and has a large touchpad for scrolling and selecting within the user interface.{{Cite web|url=https://www.t3.com/news/12-essential-sky-q-tips-and-tricks|title=12 essential Sky Q tips and tricks|first=David|last=Nield 2016-12-28T10:00:30.362Z|website=T3|date=28 December 2016}} The latest version of the remote does not feature a touch interface anymore.

Software

Using the Sky Q apps designed for the Android and iOS operating systems, Sky Q recordings at home can be watched on mobile devices on the go. Sky Q also offers access to box sets on Sky Store. In 2019, Sky teamed up with Netflix to offer that service with Sky Q for £3 per month, cheaper than a standard Netflix subscription, called "Ultimate On Demand".{{Cite web|url=https://www.mirror.co.uk/money/sky-customers-can-now-netflix-17688844|title=Sky customers can now get Netflix for just £3 a month|first=Molly|last=Holt|date=July 9, 2019|website=mirror}} Disney+ is also fully integrated in Sky Q.{{Cite web|url=https://www.radiotimes.com/news/on-demand/2020-04-23/can-i-watch-disney-on-sky-how-to-get-it-on-sky-q-and-now-tv/|title = How to watch Disney+ on Sky - how to get it on Sky Q and NOW TV}}

In August 2017, Sky added Dolby Atmos sound support on Sky Q.{{Cite web|url=https://www.pocket-lint.com/tv/news/sky/140121-sky-q-now-has-dolby-atmos-support-just-in-time-for-premier-league-kick-off|title=Sky Q now has Dolby Atmos support, just in time for Premier League kick-off|date=August 11, 2017|website=Pocket-lint}} High-dynamic-range (HDR) broadcasts began on 27 May 2020.{{Cite news|date=2020-05-27|title=Sky Q kicks off HDR support starting with on-demand nature shows|language=en-gb|work=BBC News|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/technology-52821220|access-date=2020-05-27}}

Sky Group signed the deal with ViacomCBS (now Paramount Global) to launch Paramount+ in the United Kingdom, Ireland, Italy, Germany, Switzerland and Austria by 2022. The app is available on Sky Q, with Sky Cinema subscribers having access to Paramount+ at no charge.{{cite web|last=Szalai|first=Georg|title=ViacomCBS Teams With Comcast's Sky to Launch Paramount+ in Europe|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/business/business-news/comcast-viacomcbs-international-streaming-partnership-1234989989/|website=The Hollywood Reporter|date=August 5, 2021}}

Sky Q over Internet

In January 2017, Sky plc's earnings report for 2016 indicated that it would launch a dish-less version of Sky Q service delivered through broadband Internet, with UK rollout projected for 2018.{{cite magazine |last1=Woollaston |first1=Victoria |title=You'll soon be able to get Sky TV without a satellite dish |url=https://www.wired.co.uk/article/sky-q-dish |access-date=15 April 2020 |magazine=Wired UK |publisher=Condé Nast Publications |date=26 January 2017 |language=en-UK}}{{cite web |last1=Brian |first1=Matt |title=Sky Q will be available without a satellite dish from 2018 |url=https://www.engadget.com/2017-01-26-sky-q-no-satellite-dish-2018.html |website=Engadget |access-date=15 April 2020 |language=en |date=26 January 2017}} No further developments on the UK rollout have emerged since then.

The Austrian version, named Sky X, was launched in March 2019, replacing a version of Now TV operated in the country as Sky Ticket.{{cite web |last1=Krieger |first1=Jörn |title=Sky without cable or satellite: Sky X launches in Austria |url=https://www.broadbandtvnews.com/2019/03/04/sky-without-cable-or-satellite-sky-x-launches-in-austria/ |website=Broadband TV News |access-date=15 April 2020 |language=en |date=4 March 2019}}{{cite news |last1=Thomson |first1=Stuart |title=Sky Austria launches streaming offering Sky X |url=https://www.digitaltveurope.com/2019/03/05/sky-austria-launches-streaming-offering-sky-x/ |access-date=15 April 2020 |work=Digital TV Europe |publisher=Informa |date=5 March 2019 |language=en}} The Italian version, named Sky Q Fibra, was launched in September 2019;{{cite news |last1=Easton |first1=Jonathan |title=Sky Italia launches dishless Sky Q |url=https://www.digitaltveurope.com/2019/09/26/sky-italia-launches-dishless-sky-q/ |access-date=15 April 2020 |work=Digital TV Europe |publisher=Informa |date=26 September 2019 |language=en}} unlike the Austrian Sky X, the Italian Sky Q Fibra co-exists with Now TV. Both Austrian and Italian Internet television services slightly differ from Sky Q satellite service in terms of features.

On 27 September 2019, Sky announced a new streaming box called Sky Stream, which launched on 18 October 2022.

Reception

Sky Q mostly received positive critical reception in the UK. Alphr.com in April 2018 called the service "pure brilliance" and that it "keeps getting better", rating it 5 out of 5.{{Cite web|url=https://www.alphr.com/go/1002515|title=Sky Q review: Everything you need to know|website=Alphr|date=7 October 2009 }} TrustedReviews in April 2019 rated it 4.5 stars out of 5, praising the interface, on-the-go recordings, UHD resolution and Netflix integration, while criticising that it isn't cheap.{{Cite web|url=https://www.trustedreviews.com/reviews/sky-q|title=Sky Q Review|website=Trusted Reviews|date=14 February 2023 }} Another review from 2019, by T3, also rated it 5 stars out of 5, with the verdict stating "Sky Q was already the best viewing experience money could buy and now, with Netflix seamlessly integrated into its UI, it has powered even further away from its rivals." The cons were stated to be lack of Amazon Prime Video and HDR.{{Cite web|url=https://www.t3.com/reviews/sky-q-review-netflix-on-sky-q-review|title=Sky Q review: Netflix on Sky Q delivers a supreme viewing experience|first=Robert|last=Jones 2019-04-26T10:58:19Z|website=T3|date=26 April 2019}} Stuff also rated it 5 stars out of 5 as of January 2019, commenting that it "works flawlessly and could change the way you watch TV", although adding that "Sky Q isn't for everyone (at least not yet)" and that for some people its "extra features will look like luxuries that might not be worth the extra expense".{{Cite web|url=https://www.stuff.tv/sky/sky-q/review|title=Sky Q|website=Stuff|date=16 January 2019 }} TechRadar rated it 4.5 stars out of 5, calling it the "best TV subscription service on the planet", with its main criticisms being lack of Amazon Prime Video and HDR.{{Cite web|url=https://www.techradar.com/uk/reviews/audio-visual/digital-tv-recorders/sky-q-1309215/review/4|title=Sky Q review|first=Gerald Lynch 2019-03-14T16:14:56Z Digital TV|last=receivers|website=TechRadar|date=6 January 2022 }} A What Hi-Fi? review from April 2019 gave it 5 stars out of 5, praising the content and multi-room ability, while criticising it for being expensive and the touchpad remote being "fiddly".{{Cite web|url=https://www.whathifi.com/sky/q/review|title=Sky Q review|first=What Hi-Fi? Posted 2019-04-24T14:44:58Z|last=Review|website=whathifi|date=16 February 2022 }}

=Awards=

TrustedReviews named Sky Q the "Home Entertainment Product of the Year" in 2016, beating PlayStation 4 and Xbox One S.{{Cite web|url=https://www.trustedreviews.com/news/sky-q-home-entertainment-product-of-the-year-trusted-reviews-awards-2016-2941785|title=Sky Q wins Home Entertainment Product of the Year at #TrustedReviewsAwards 2016|first=Joe|last=Roberts|date=November 17, 2016|website=Trusted Reviews}} Sky Q was rated "Best TV platform" by T3 in its 2018 awards.{{Cite web|url=https://www.t3.com/news/t3-awards-2018-shortlists|title=T3 Awards 2018: absolutely ALL of the winners|first=Duncan|last=Bell 2018-09-28T10:17:27Z|website=T3|date=28 September 2018 }} Sky Q was the 2019 award winner by the What Hi-Fi? magazine.{{Cite web|url=https://www.whathifi.com/sky/q/review|title = Sky Q review| date=16 February 2022 }}

Advertising

Actor Idris Elba is used by Sky UK for its advertising campaigns.{{Cite web|url=https://www.thedrum.com/news/2016/10/05/ad-the-day-sky-q-brings-back-idris-elba-prove-its-the-next-generation-box|title=Ad of the Day: Sky Q brings back Idris Elba to prove it's 'The Next Generation Box'|website=The Drum}}