Sky is to put its Sky Stream puck on general release, allowing all customers to stream its service over broadband for the first time.
Previously the device was only available to UK customers that had purchased or rented Sky Glass, the platform’s internet TV display and receiver. It has now been announced the standalone device will be released later this year as part of a standalone internet-based service.
The move will spark speculation as to how long Sky will maintain its satellite service, though the sheer number of dishes pointing towards 28 degrees East suggests the feed will be maintained for many years to come.
The puck is based on parent Comcast’s XiOne global streaming device. The box is already available to Sky Q customers in Italy and Germany and in the United States to Xfinity Flex customers.
The XiOne is a plug-and-play device that features faster processing and increased memory, enabling swift switching and navigation in and out of apps. It supports WiFi 6, 4K UHD, HDR, Dolby Vision, and Dolby Atmos and comes with a new simpler and smaller voice remote designed with streamers in mind.
It will help position Sky against devices and aggregators such as the Amazon Fire TV stick, Apple TV and Roku.
Content is expected to mirror that available on Sky Glass, including Netflix, Disney+, Apple TV+ and the full selection of Sky-branded and third party channels.
Sky Glass went on sale in October offering monthly payment plans starting at £13 a month for a 43 inch TV. Additional pucks have been priced at £10 per month.
No launch date has so far been revealed.
