ITVX, the new streaming service from ITV that’s replacing ITV Hub, is now available on Sky TV’s devices. But, for now, only on Sky Glass and Sky Stream.
Although ITVX’s “official” launch date is December 8, a soft roll-out is already underway (it began on November 17), and more devices are being added every week.
Today, it’s Sky’s turn, with the company’s streaming devices getting the new app first (this also means ITVX will now be ITV’s new catch-up and on-demand platform on Glass and Stream – see more on that below).
Customers with Sky’s broadband-based devices, Sky Glass and Stream, should be seeing their ITV Hub app “transform” into an ITVX app today (Monday).
If you’re not seeing the new app yet, it may help – in some cases – to unplug your Glass/Stream and then plug it back in, forcing a restart – and the ITVX app may appear at that point.
Since the roll-out is ongoing, some devices may still show the ITV Hub icon, even though it’s already loading ITVX. Furthermore, it seems that as of this writing, the “ITVX” voice command isn’t working yet – and instead, you still need to say “ITV Hub” – but that will probably get resolved shortly.
ITVX On Sky – What Do You Get?
ITV’s new streaming app, ITVX, is a free-to-watch (with adverts) service that’s replacing the long-running ITV Hub app.
ITV aims for ITVX to become more than a “catch-up” service, and more of a streaming destination: it launched with more than 10,000 hours of on-demand content, including 35 flagship shows (which will be coming from December 8), 200+ series and 250+ films.
In addition to the on-demand content, you can also stream all of ITV’s live channels via the app, as well as several “themed” ad-supported live channels that are dedicated to a single series or theme.
While ITV is focusing heavily on the ad-supported free tier, ITVX also has a paid Premium tier, which removes all the adverts when you’re watching on-demand content.
Premium tier subscribers will also get access to the entire content library of BritBox, which includes more than 4,000 hours of classic British shows and films.
The Premium tier currently costs £5.99/month or £59.99/year.
However, Sky Glass and Sky Stream users already have the Ad-Skipping add-on. It’s free for the first 18 months, so most Sky customers should still have it at this point – after which it’ll cost £5/month.
While Sky’s Ad-Skipping service does work on ITVX (when you’re watching on your Sky device), it’s a bit different from ITVX Premium, as it doesn’t eliminate the adverts – but instead lets you fast-forward them when you’re watching content on ITVX.
You won’t, however, get access to the BritBox content without the direct ITVX Premium subscription.
ITVX – Sky’s New ITV On-Demand Tool
Unlike Sky Q, Sky Glass (see our review) and Sky Stream (see our review) don’t use satellite dishes, and instead, rely on broadband.
Furthermore, they don’t have any local storage and recording capabilities. Instead, for most of the streaming services and channels, they rely on streaming content from the broadcaster’s app.
So when you watch a BBC show, you’re getting it through BBC iPlayer. And when you watch an ITV show (on demand), you’ve been getting it from the ITV Hub app.
Now, with ITVX replacing Hub, every time you pick an ITV on-demand show/film to watch – ITVX is the app that will now run, instead of ITV Hub.
In addition to having more content than before, ITVX offers a new and improved user interface, and better streaming quality (but there’s no 4K content on ITVX yet).
For now, however, it seems ITVX is still suffering from a lot of early-day issues on other devices – we’ll have to wait and see how it performs on Sky’s devices.
Is ITVX Coming To Sky Q?
The full ITV Hub app was never available on Sky Q – instead, only a limited selection of ITV’s catch-up shows were available on Sky Q (and even that selection was cut down this year).
Before ITVX launched, ITV repeatedly said that they were hoping to make ITVX available on Sky Q at – or near – the official launch date.
We’re still days away from that date (December 8), so that may still happen – but at this point, it looks like that Sky Q launch may get delayed.
We reached out to Sky for more information on this, and will update the article accordingly.
Like all these other people I would like to getITV X on Sky Q the Dramas are just what I would like to see would like the app soon please Jennifer
Why do you advertise itvx but people who have sky q can’t receive the Channel
When and how do I get ITVX on skyq box?
Absolutely Gutted ITV X is not on Sky Q – ridiculous when you think how much Sky Q customers pay for the service!!!!
Very disappointing Sky for Q customers
Don’t know whether to go elsewhere pay them £127.50 a month already and they also had to charge me a mobile bill for£53.62 for getting in touch with them because their landline was down with them hence a quick exit on the mobile pay only £6.00 a month with O2.
I have sky movies, sports and broadband for 95 per month – call them !
If I move to sky glass will I still be able to record? Also will itvx be available?
ITVX is indeed available on Sky Glass. But as for recording – not really, recording works differently on Sky Glass (compared to Sky Q), as there’s no local storage for recordings and everything streams from the cloud. Read more about Sky Glass’ recording here.
It do not have a hard drive it is done by a playlist there a plus button the remote you use that to make to record your program
Yes I’ve just subscribed to sky , disappointed that I can’t get ITVX. I thought having updated I should receive more channels.
The biggest cash cow of all for Sky – Q Customers – are once again ignored at launch of a new channel in favour of their own vanity project Sky Glass.
I’ll be moving off Sky next year. Over 100 pounds a month and all i do is watch the free channels and netflix
Was looking forward to the lauch of ITVX today (8/12/22) only to find it’s yet available on Sky Q 😡
Disappointed that ITVX is not available on Sky Q, so as of 8/12/22 we will be getting less for our money, as the ITV Hub will be rendered redundant! 👎
I have a Manhattan T3R, at the moment it’s still ITV Hub, any idea when or if it will be updated ?
Is ITVX coming on skyhd+ devices like peacock and paramount+ did.
I’d like to know this too. I really hope so, as I was waiting for today to come and disappointed ITVX not showing up! C’mon Sky, when will this become available to us please?