Eight out of ten customers opting for Sky’s streaming TV service are new to Sky, according to its Chief Executive Officer.
- Despite this, Dana Strong has reassured users that of Sky’s satellite service.
- Sky previously denied reports that it was stopping new satellite installs this year.
- But Sky is understood to only have an agreement with satellite operator SES in place until 2028.
Speaking at last week’s Royal Television Society conference in Cambridge, Sky CEO Dana Strong said that despite growth in streaming subscribers, existing satellite viewers shouldn’t be worried. The company had “no immediate plans” to shut off the satellite service.
Noting Sky still had millions of customers using Sky Q, she said “We have no desire to disrupt them, but we want to give the customers the choice [between IP or satellite].”
Strong also commented how delighted she was about the performance of Sky Glass. In July, the 55 inch model was the best selling in the UK.
Her comments on Sky Glass follow a Sunday Times report earlier this year that implied Sky bosses were less than impressed with sales.
Nevertheless, the days of Sky’s satellite service appear to be numbered.
Satellite future
The current three satellites that carry Sky’s service to the UK and Ireland are scheduled to reach end of life in the next decade. So far, satellite operator SES has only confirmed it has a deal in place with Sky UK until 2028, although UKTV has since secured a satellite carriage deal for one transponder running to the end of the decade.
Last year, Sky was forced to deny reports that it was stopping new satellite installations this year.
Around the edges, some functionality is already being switched away from satellite. Extra sports feeds are now delivered online rather than via satellite, a move that annoyed users of older Sky boxes.
And Sky promises better integration with streaming apps on Sky Glass/Sky Stream compared to Sky Q.
But Sky will know, despite the positive words of its CEO in Cambridge, that it has its work cut out in convincing millions of Sky Q to make the switch.