Sky Q Rebranded For German Launch

Sky Q won’t launch in Germany as Sky Q, as the broadcaster has revealed a new set-top box with a slightly tweaked design dubbed Sky+ Pro.

Like Sky Q, Sky+ Pro is a significant upgrade over the previous generation set-top boxes offered by Sky Deutschland. That means users will get access to more features such as Ultra HD content and even a larger 1TB hard drive.

Despite launching with Ultra HD support, the Sky+ Pro box is not the revolution that Sky Q promised to be. Many of the unique features that launched with Sky Q, such as the ability to pause content on one TV and resume watching it in another room, are notably absent without any explanation as to why.

Those not wanting to take advantage of the powerful streaming features of Sky Q are unlikely to miss them however – as the real focus for the Sky+ Pro box is on Ultra HD. Like Sky in the UK, Sky Deutschland is hoping to have a raft of Ultra HD content available to consumers by the end of the year. To meet that goal, Sky Deutschland has announced two exclusive Ultra HD channels; Sky Sport Bundesliga UHD with Bundesliga Highlights and Sky Sports UHD with selected matches of the UEFA Champions League.

Carsten Schmidt, CEO of Sky Germany, notes: “Sky customers in Germany and Austria are the first, to the enjoy football in Ultra HD live. At Sky we show the best content in the best quality before anyone else. That we are achieving that once again with the new Sky + Pro receiver and our Ultra-HD offering is proof of that commitment. With the new Sky + Pro receiver and Ultra HD, we create all conditions for the best entertainment experience of all time – live and on demand.”

Not only will Sky Germany’s new set-top box support Ultra HD content, but it will also be HDR compatible. The company has yet to state when HDR content will be shown on the new box, but says that the box is future-proofed for when it does.

All Sky subscribers signed up for the Premium HD package will have 12-months free access to Sky Ultra HD. They only require an Ultra HD TV set and the Sky+ Pro receiver.