DAZN, the sports streaming platform, is finally available as an app on Sky’s major devices in the UK and Ireland: Sky Q, Sky Glass, and Sky Stream.
The launch comes just in time for the highly anticipated ‘5 vs 5’ pay-per-view boxing event on June 1, which will feature top fighters from British promoters Frank Warren of Queensbury and Eddie Hearn of Matchroom.
The arrival of the DAZN app on Sky’s platforms marks a major expansion of the streaming service’s accessibility, as it was previously only available as a standalone app on various devices and through a linear TV channel on Sky with limited reach.
However, a recent price increase, which saw DAZN’s monthly subscription fee rise by 50%, has left some subscribers frustrated, making the app’s arrival on Sky a way to potentially increase the subscriber base.
What’s DAZN?
DAZN, which stands for “Da Zone,” is an international sports streaming platform that first launched in 2016.
The company’s primary focus has been on combat sports, particularly boxing, where it has quickly become a major player in the industry.
DAZN came to the UK in 2020, and is now available in many countries around the world.
In the UK, DAZN’s boxing lineup is extensive, featuring over 150 fights per year with international superstars such as Anthony Joshua, Tyson Fury, Canelo Álvarez, Katie Taylor, and Ryan Garcia.
The platform also offers a daily dose of boxing news and analysis through its DAZN Boxing Show.
Beyond boxing, DAZN provides a diverse range of sports content, including mixed martial arts (MMA) with events from organizations like Bellator and UFC, as well as original programming such as MMA Bushido and MMA Naciones.
The platform also covers wrestling, leading women’s football competitions such as the UEFA Women’s Champions League and Primera División Femenina, and extreme sports through its partnership with Red Bull TV.
DAZN is available as a standalone streaming app on a variety of streaming devices, such as Amazon’s Fire TV, Roku, Apple TV, Chromecast, Smart TVs from Samsung, LG, Sony and others, Android and iOS smartphones and more – but it wasn’t available, as an app, on Sky.
DAZN On Sky: Limited Access, Until Now
DAZN’s relationship with Sky began in March 2023, when the platform launched its first linear HD channel, DAZN 1 HD, on Sky Channel 429.
This move was seen as an effort to reach a more traditional TV audience and expand DAZN’s subscriber base.
However, the linear channel was only accessible to Sky Q and Sky+ HD customers, leaving Sky Glass and Sky Stream users unable to access the content.
The limitations of the linear channel were compounded by the fact that existing (streaming) DAZN subscribers on certain plans, were not able to watch the new channel on Sky without signing up for a separate subscription.
This led to some confusion and frustration among DAZN’s customer base on Sky.
DAZN’s Recent Price Increase
Earlier this year, DAZN announced a substantial price increase for its UK subscribers.
The monthly fee for the annual subscription rose from £9.99 to £14.99/month, representing a 50% increase.
The new pricing structure offers two tiers: a 12-month contract at £14.99 per month and a flexible monthly pass at £24.99 per month.
The price hike was attributed to DAZN’s “enhanced sports offering,” which now includes over 150 fights per year.
However, the announcement was met with frustration from many subscribers, who took to social media to express their concerns and threaten to cancel their subscriptions.
It’s also worth noting that despite the increased subscription costs, many of the most highly anticipated fights on DAZN still require additional pay-per-view fees.
DAZN App Is Finally Live On Sky
As of May 30, 2024, the DAZN app is now available on Sky’s platforms in the UK and Republic of Ireland, including Sky Q, Sky Glass, and Sky Stream.
The app sits in the app section of Sky’s devices, alongside other popular streaming services such as Netflix, Amazon’s Prime Video, and Disney+.
DAZN says Sky customers will be able to sign up for DAZN’s service directly through their Sky Q, Sky Glass, or Sky Stream devices. However, as of this writing, I only see an option to sign in with an existing subscription – or pay for the PPV event – so perhaps the direct subscription option will be added later.
For now, users can sign up directly via DAZN’s website, and then sign in via the app on their Sky device.
In addition to the regular content, users can access a host of sports entertainment services, including betting and gaming, e-commerce, interactive features, and social media integration.
It’s important to note that DAZN streaming subscribers will be able to access the service not only on Sky’s devices but also on any other device that supports the DAZN app, as the subscription is the same across all platforms.
That’s unlike DAZN’s linear channel on Sky, which requires a separate subscription.
DAZN Group CEO, Shay Segev, commented on the launch, stating, “DAZN’s distribution strategy is to be as accessible to as many sports fans as possible, and Sky’s great technology through Sky Q, Sky Glass and Sky Stream, will help us get into more homes across the UK and Ireland.”
Upcoming Boxing Event
To celebrate the launch of the app on Sky, DAZN is offering a highly anticipated boxing PPV event, “5 vs 5,” on Saturday, June 1, 2024.
The event will feature top fighters from British promoters Frank Warren of Queensbury and Eddie Hearn of Matchroom, competing across four weight classes in a battle for bragging rights and one-upmanship in their long-running feud.
The card is headlined by former WBC heavyweight champion Deontay Wilder, adding to the event’s star power. The action is set to begin at 7 pm BST, 9 pm local time in Riyadh, and 2 pm ET.
As with all PPV broadcasts – the 5 vs 5 event won’t be available to regular subscribers, but instead incurs a one-time cost of £21.99 (which then also gives you a free month of DAZN).
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This evening I’ve received an email saying
“The way you watch DAZN on Sky is changing.
From 6 July 2024, DAZN channel 429 will no longer be available as a standalone channel within your Sky TV guide, so you’ll need to access the DAZN app on your Sky device.”
I found this link confirming this, although different date.
https://stage-help.dazn.com/hc/en-gb/articles/18977973202333-Decommission-of-SSSL-Channel-429-495-and-DAZN-Subscription
Hi Goren
I have Sky Q via our communal dish, how much longer will this format be available, before Sky will only broadcast online?
What will I have to do, or what tech will I have to get to carry on watching Sky TV?
Best wishes
John Kilvert.
Sky Q will likely stay around for at least a few more years. After that – it’s mostly a matter of having fast broadband, and a compatible device (Sky Stream, for example, or getting Sky’s NOW TV via your smart TV or a streaming stick like the Roku)