Sky+ Ditched As Company Offers All Customers Sky Q

Anyone signing up to Sky will now get the new Sky Q set-top box, as the satellite provider has ditched the ageing Sky+ box.

Since launch the Sky Q box has been offered as a premium alternative to the Sky+ service, but now it will be the standard box everyone receives. It makes sense given the company can now concentrate on updates for one box – rather than having to split its attention across two completely different operating systems.

Sky is offering a variety of bundles for new customers, with pricing starting at £25 a month. For that price subscribers will get access to over 270 channels and the Sky Q box – which includes the unique ‘Fluid Viewing’ functionality.

All new customers will get the 1TB Sky Q box as standard, but that can be upgraded to the 2TB model for an additional £184. Those upgrading to the 2TB model will also gain additional functionality, which includes Ultra HD support and the ability to watch record four shows while watching a fifth. It also comes packaged with the new Sky Q touch remote.

The discontinuation of Sky+ has been a long time coming – with the service originally launching in mid-2001. Over the years the range has changed significantly, with the company updating the UI and the hardware with new features and storage sizes.

With the move to Sky Q boxes, Sky is throwing in the HD package free-of-charge. Previously Sky had charged £10 a month for access to HD channels, but it seems the company is changing its stance now that the technology has become standard.