Sky Q is a subscription-based television and entertainment service operated by Britishsatellite television provider Sky, as a part of its operations in the UK and Ireland, Germany and Austria, and Italy. The name also refers to the Sky Q set-top box. Sky Q originally launched in 2016, replacing the previous Sky+ and Sky+ HD services. 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. It includes a PVRset top box, 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. In July 2018, Sky reported that there were 3.6 million Sky Q customers.
Launch
Sky Q was first announced by Sky UK in November 2015, formerly known as Project Ethan, and was released in the UK in February 2016. Sky did not roll out Sky Q in Germany, Austria and Italy immediately, but released a modified version of Sky Q set top box by Autumn 2016, named Sky+ Pro in Germany and Austria, and My Sky in Italy. Like Sky Q, the box is capable of UHD resolution and has a built-in Wi-Fi router, but omits significant Sky Q features. Sky Italia later launched Sky Q in Italy in November 2017, and Sky Deutschland did so in Germany and Austria in May 2018. In contrast to the UK, Ireland and Italy, existing customers in Germany and Austria could receive Sky Q through a free software update on existing Sky+ Pro receivers.
Hardware
The Sky Q "Silver" set top box has a 2 terabyte hard disk and 12 satellite tuners, allowing up to six live TV channels to be recorded while watching a seventh. This box is also capable of receiving and displaying 4K resolution "ultra-high-definition" broadcasts, which were started by Sky in the UK in August 2016. The regular Sky Q box has 1 terabyte of storage and has 8 tuners, supporting broadcasts up to 1080p. 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 multiple rooms, and can also be used as a Wi-Fi "extender" to provide stable broadband connections. The Sky Q remote control is fully redesigned compared to the existing Sky+ and SKY+ HD versions, implementing a large touchpad for scrolling and selecting within the user interface.
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". Disney+ is also fully integrated in Sky Q. In August 2017, Sky added Dolby Atmos sound support on Sky Q. Sky announced that High Dynamic Range will be coming to Sky Q in 2019 but was delayed until 2020. HDR broadcasts began on 27 May 2020.
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. No further developments on the UK rollout have emerged ever since. The Austrian version, named Sky X, was launched in March 2019, replacing a version of Now TV operated in the country as Sky Ticket. The Italian version, named Sky Q Fibra, was launched in September 2019; 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.
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. 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. 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. 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 " and that for some people its "extra features will look like luxuries that might not be worth the extra expense". 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. 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".
Awards
TrustedReviews named Sky Q the "Home Entertainment Product of the Year" in 2016, beating PlayStation 4 and Xbox One S. Sky Q was rated "Best TV platform" by T3 in its 2018 awards. Sky Q was the 2019 award winner by the What Hi-Fi? magazine.
