Sky plans to leapfrog its pay-TV rivals when its new set-top developed under Project Ethan is released in the next few weeks.
In time the receiver is expected to be rolled out in the UK, Germany and Italy.
The Daily Telegraph described ‘SkyQ’ as a new ‘Apple and Netflix-style box’. While Netflix doesn’t actually produce a box of its own, there is more than a nod in terms of style with reccomendations between on demand and linear content further blurring the origination of content.
SkyQ will feature at least four tuners that can be used to distribute content throughout the home. Like the new BT YouView box it will also be capable of Ultra High Definition reception.
Content will be beamed to mobiles and tablets on the home network, directly integrating receiver with the Sky Go mobile service.
It’s hoped the new receiver will help Sky regain the technical supremacy it has held for much of its 25 years as a satellite platform. While BT may have announced its own 4K version of the YouView box to be released in time for the new football season, the basic technology and interface behind it is over three years old.
Sky’s own Sky+ HD box has been in the marketplace for the best part of ten years, with the occasional refresh of the EPG, and most significantly the addition of an internet connection that has enabled the successful Sky On Demand.
