Sky satellite v Sky IPTV: one year on

One year after launching its IPTV platform with Sky Glass, Sky now launches Sky Stream in the UK. Originally, numerous TV channels were missing and there were many teething problems. Have the issues been ironed out?

The launch of Sky Glass was dogged by reports of unsatisfied customers who had problems recording and issues with a flickering screen. But the new Sky Stream will allow customers to access Sky’s IPTV service on a TV of their choice, reducing the number of hardware issues that can be blamed on Sky.

Software updates and Recording Issues

After complaints came pouring in from early adopters, Sky swiftly issued a software update to resolve the flickering screen issue. But gremlins persisted, with Yorkshire Live reporting “furious” Sky Glass customers on FA Cup Final day in May. Subsequent software updates have sought to resolve many remaining issues.

However, there is still some dissatisfaction over recordings on Sky Glass. Importantly these will be also relevant to Sky Stream users. This is because recordings are not stored on the device. These may either be stored in the cloud or retrieved from the channel’s on-demand service. Some content can’t be recorded at all. Having spoilt customers with Sky+ and Sky Q and their ever increasing hard-drives and recording options, this is a big change for customers.

Missing channels

Originally, Sky Glass launched with a large selection of missing television channels. As Sky Stream launches, the situation has started to change.

Has the selection improved?

News channels GB News and TalkTV, as well as numerous international channels, including the Utsav channels and Foodxp have joined Sky’s IPTV service. Some channels that weren’t originally on the platform have closed down everywhere since then. Examples include Forces TV and NEO News.

Of the best known channels still missing, Narrative Entertainment’s GREAT! movie channels and their POP children’s channels remain off the menu. Talking Pictures, NOW Music and Al Jazeera are also missing. Some of these channels are available through Freeview, so anyone with Sky Stream could switch back to their TV’s Freeview tuner to access the missing services. It’s reminiscent of the ‘press tv, then 3 for ITV’ solution in the early days of Sky digital, which required satellite viewers to switch to terrestrial to watch ITV.

Among sports channels, Viaplay’s Premier and FreeSports channels are absent. All eyes will be on Viaplay to see if they secure a comprehensive Sky carriage deal in time for the imminent launch of Viaplay UK.

Among on-demand apps, Apple TV+ and Paramount Plus have joined Sky’s IPTV platform in the past year.

Channels still missing from Sky IPTV-based devices

Sky IPTV users (i.e. Sky Glass and Sky Stream) currently don’t have access to these Sky satellite channels…

Sky IPTV advantage…

But Sky Glass and Sky Stream users have a big advantage over Sky satellite users. Sky IPTV offers HD versions of channels not available on Sky satellite. This includes Channel 5’s offshoots like 5STAR in HD. And you won’t see the BBC One HD red screen in England anymore. Even where regional news is still upscaled, there’s no need to switch over from BBC One HD, which is found on channel 101 by default everywhere in the UK.

All eggs in one basket?

By adopting Sky Glass or Sky Stream, users are increasingly dependent on their broadband internet connection to carry the load. This means a faster internet connection is a must to cater for everyone’s TV needs.

As residents of Devon found out last month, when the broadband service goes down, the TV service goes as well. In fact, this is one of the issues with internet-based TV services. There are many points down the line that could go wrong, from problems with your internet service provider to issues at the local exchange. Then there’s possible issues with the actual line to your house – including accidental damage. At the end of the chain, router and wi-fi connectivity problems may yet cause a lack of TV.

By making Sky Stream available to users on any internet provider, the company is clearly attempting to drive uptake in preparation for winding down its satellite service. You are not reliant on Sky broadband as your provider, good news if Sky’s product doesn’t suit you or if you live an area served by an alternative fibre network.

Sky Satellite v Sky IPTV – the verdict: if you switch, remember your TV aerial connection might still come in handy as a backup. And be prepared for a big change in how you record TV programmes. Bear in mind that once you switch, your satellite receiver card will be deactivated.

Incidentally, Sky currently has a satellite contract running until at least 2028, so you don’t need to switch just yet.

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Iain Hatton