Sky’s satellite TV isn’t ready for retirement just yet: today, Sky has extended its satellite deal until 2029, throwing a lifeline to Sky Q users across the UK.
However, this extension is also important for Freesat, which relies on the same satellite infrastructure as Sky to deliver free-to-air channels to about 1 million homes.
Despite the streaming revolution, it seems the trusty satellite dish will keep beaming TV shows into our homes for a bit longer – even though most customers now choose Sky’s streaming platforms.
The Streaming Revolution and Sky Q’s Survival
For years now, we’ve been watching Sky gradually shift its focus towards streaming services like Sky Glass and Sky Stream.
These broadband-based offerings have been gaining serious traction, with Sky reporting that a whopping 90% of new TV customers are opting for these streaming products.
So, where does that leave good old Sky Q?
The satellite-based box that’s been a staple in many UK homes, has been living on borrowed time, with job cuts already underway.
As more viewers embrace the flexibility of streaming, industry watchers (ourselves included) have been predicting the eventual phaseout of satellite services (even though Sky Q also includes streaming apps – but its core Sky offerings still come via satellite).
But it seems Sky Q isn’t ready to bow out just yet: even if most new customers prefer streaming, Sky Q is still used in quite a few households across the country.
The New Deal: A Lifeline for Satellite Services
Today’s announcement reveals that Sky has extended its partnership with SES, the satellite operator that beams Sky’s channels into millions of homes across the UK and Ireland.
Here’s what the new deal entails:
- Sky will continue to use SES satellite capacity to deliver channels to Sky Q subscribers in the UK and Ireland.
- The agreement extends the use of multiple transponders (essentially, the satellite’s broadcasting capacity) until 2029 (the previous deal’s deadline was 2028)
- SES will provide back-up services to Sky until the end of 2027.
Nick Herm, Chief Business Officer at Sky, emphasised the company’s commitment to all customers, whether they’re watching via Sky Q or the newer streaming-based products:
“This contract renewal provides us with the reliability we need to continue to deliver our market-leading TV offer and broad mix of channels to Sky Q customers across the UK and Ireland.”
What This Means for Freesat and the BBC
The satellite extension doesn’t just affect Sky Q users – it also has implications for Freesat, the free-to-air satellite service, and public service broadcasters like the BBC.
Freesat, which serves about 1 million homes, relies on the same satellite infrastructure as Sky.
The platform’s future has been uncertain, with concerns that if Sky were to abandon satellite completely, the cost of maintaining the infrastructure might become too high for Freesat and public service broadcasters to bear alone.
This extension provides a bit of breathing room for Freesat and the BBC.
It suggests that the satellite infrastructure will remain viable until at least 2029, giving these services more time to plan for the future and potentially transition to internet-based delivery methods.
The BBC, in particular, has previously suggested that Freesat could serve as a “nightlight” service during the transition from broadcast to internet distribution.
This extension gives more time for such plans to be developed and implemented.
So, while this satellite deal extension might seem like a step back from the streaming future, it’s more likely a move by Sky to ensure a smooth transition for all its customers.
The reality is that not everyone is ready or able to switch to streaming services. Some areas still lack the broadband infrastructure needed for reliable streaming, and some viewers simply prefer their familiar satellite setup.
By extending the satellite deal, Sky is giving itself and its customers more time to adapt – it’s a balancing act between embracing the future of streaming and ensuring no one gets left behind.
As for existing Sky Q users, this news means you can relax – your service isn’t going anywhere anytime soon, even though Sky may eventually stop offering Sky Q to new customers, even before 2029.
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The article says that Sky are reporting 90% of new customers are signing up to streaming services, not surprising since SkyQ is no longer being offered to new customers! So surely it should be 100%, otherwise what are the other 10% using?
Sky Q is still available on Sky’s website for new customers.
The problem with streaming is the tv apps go out of date and we will have to keep buying new tvs or boxes. These can go out of date after about 3 years. The trouble I have on a Sony tv from 2017 apps always playing up.
I used to have now tv boxes until they shut them down . Bought another one and guess what they shut that down as well. We will have to spend more money in the future and paying to stop advertising rather than skipping them on a recording. Not a great idea in my mind.
Most new people will be sucked into this as they won’t want to be bothering about getting dishes and aerials put up costing money. They will just pay out later.😢
Moving to a streaming service leaves me cold. With my current set up I have multiple TVs each receiving freeview and freesat and, in addition, my TV in the lounge is able to receive foreign channels from a number of satellites. I can record most channels onto SSD, HDD, DVD and, believe it or not, VHS.
Sky And Freesat work together yet how?
Long may it continue. You can record and watch as free stuff in high quality picture and sound without constant and invasive content monitoring, as it broadcast not interactive and varying levels of subscription.
It not for nowt people have been returning to blu ray, DVD and CDs to prevent interrupted and monitored consumption.
I’ll keep using my sat box to watch the FTA channels which bring FA Cup, Internationals and more because the fact remains the streaming options from those services aren’t atleast on-par with their DSAT versions (50fps, DD & 5.1 audio ect)
The paid-streaming platforms such as Sky Stream are good, but rely on several factors, such as current subscription, crisp broadband which hasn’t gone down ect. DSAT is the more reliable by a long way still, so this deal is good in my opinion!
Kicked the can down the street me thinks, that said, will freeview end their terrestrial service via an aerial, once the Internet infrastructure is in place, isn’t this what freely is eluding too? How do costs compare I wonder all those TV transmitters and their staff v one satellite in space v Internet.
And Sky HD boxes like I use a DRX595 as my freesat box