Uswitch comments on Sky ditching the satellite dish

Ernest Doku, tech expert at Uswitch.com, says: “For people watching TV in the 1990s, the idea of being able to pause and rewind programmes would have seemed like wizardry. But it’s about time that Sky sprinkled some magic dust over the out-dated satellite dish.

“Instead of embracing streaming in the same way as Netflix and Disney+, Sky is incorporating its channels and other content into a QLED Smart TV called Sky Glass. This all-in-one solution finally does away with the set-top box and dish, which historically have put off many potential customers.

“A 43-inch TV costs £650, and you’ll still need your monthly subscription on top, making it an expensive way to watch TV. Alternatively, you can pay for the TV through your monthly bill, which adds another £13 a month, and takes Sky's ultimate package to £39 per month.

“Extra TVs in the house can receive the Sky channels by paying £10 a month for a Puck device.

“The subscription and upgrade path means customers are more likely to stay in the Sky ecosystem for longer as the device evolves with them.

“Sky claims the Glass is the world’s first carbon neutral TV. And while details are thin on the ground, that would be an applaudable achievement. However, encouraging consumers to get rid of working televisions in order to get Sky’s version could generate a lot of unnecessary electronic waste.

“Customers wanting to watch Sky content without making such a large commitment can sign up to a NOW TV membership on a monthly basis, with cinema packages as cheap as £9.99 a month.”