If you were looking forward to watching festive hits on NOW XMAS, or dancing to classic club anthems on Clubland TV via Sky Glass or Sky Stream this week – you’ll have to wait a bit longer.
The highly anticipated expansion of NOW music channels to Sky’s streaming platforms, which was set to launch on November 20, has been postponed at the last minute.
The move would have brought five additional music channels to Sky Glass and Stream users, who have been dealing with limited music options since Channel 4’s closure of its music channels earlier this year.
But November 20 came and went with no channels appearing and confused customers left in the dark, until eventually Sky provided an explanation.
Sky’s Different Platforms
The delayed launch highlights the ongoing differences between Sky’s various TV platforms when it comes to channel availability – particularly in the music category.
While Sky Q (and older Sky boxes) rely on traditional satellite dishes, Sky Glass and Sky Stream are the broadcaster’s broadband-based offerings.
Sky Glass comes integrated into a dedicated TV set, whilst Sky Stream is a small box that works with any television. Both devices work with any broadband provider – so you don’t have to be a Sky Broadband subscriber (unlike similar devices from Virgin Media TV and EE TV).
Since their launch, these streaming platforms haven’t offered quite the same channel lineup as their satellite-based sibling, Sky Q – and this has been particularly noticeable in the music category.
Music Channels on Sky Stream / Glass
Earlier this year, we saw Channel 4 shutting down its entire Box network of music channels, including 4Music, The Box, Kiss, Magic, and Kerrang!.
Therefore, currently, Sky Glass and Stream users have access to just a handful of music channels:
- MTV (137)
- MTV Music (350)
- MTV Hits (351)
- MTV 90s (352)
- MTV 80s (353)
- B4U Music (712)
Sky Q users have a longer list of music channels, including the NOW music channels, as well as retro music channels from That’s TV.
What Was Supposed to Launch?
The NOW music channels (not to be confused with Sky’s own NOW streaming service), operated by Universal Music UK, have built a strong following through their presence on Sky Q and Freeview.
These were the channels that should have arrived on November 20, at no extra cost to Sky subscribers:
Clubland TV (Channel 354): A paradise for dance music fans, featuring classic club anthems, dance hits, and electronic music from across the decades.
NOW 70s (Channel 355): Taking viewers back to the era of disco and glam rock, with hits from ABBA, Queen, and other 70s icons.
NOW 80s (Channel 356): Dedicated to the decade that gave us synthpop, new wave, and hair metal, playing everything from Duran Duran to Madonna.
NOW XMAS (Channel 357): A seasonal treat featuring festive favourites.
NOW ROCK (Channel 358): Catering to rock music fans with a mix of classic rock, metal, and alternative tracks from across the decades.
What Actually Happened?
As November 20 arrived, Sky Glass and Stream users were left scratching their heads when the promised channels failed to appear.
Adding to the confusion, Sky’s original announcement was quietly edited to remove mention of the channels, initially without any explanation.
Frustrated customers soon flocked to Sky’s community forums, looking for those missing channels.
Eventually, a Sky representative addressed the situation, stating:
“Due to a technical issue, it was not possible to launch the music channels yesterday and the launch has been postponed.
“Once the issue has been resolved, a new launch date will be provided.”
Cord Busters understands that the NOW channels are still expected to launch before the end of 2024, though no specific date has been confirmed.
The last-minute cancellation is particularly disappointing for those looking forward to NOW XMAS as we approach the festive period – but with any luck, it may still launch before the holiday.
- Also See: Sky’s Black Friday 2024 Deals
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