Sky eyes online-only Sky Q box for UK

Sky is reportedly eying a launch of a streaming-only version of Sky Q for the UK market. 

The concept was initially proposed by former Sky UK CEO Stephen van Rooyen in 2017 and was scheduled to launch in 2018 but talk of such a product then went quiet. 

After several years, UK paper The Sunday Express reported that Sky is testing an internet-only version of Sky Q for the market. It will reportedly support UHD at an additional monthly cost while also including 1,000 hours of cloud recording. 

The launch would not be without precedent, with Sky launching a streaming-only version of Sky Q in Germany earlier this month.

The service, which starts from €12.50 per month, includes access to over 80 channels, including the main free TV services and the full range of Sky and partner channels.

But while a streaming-only version of Sky Q makes sense in the German market, a launch in the UK would raise questions over the future of Now, Sky’s OTT offshoot that offers access to a range of packages at cheaper than a regular Sky subscription. While Now is available via third-party devices, Sky also sells its own streaming devices for the service. A standalone version of the arguably superior Sky Q experience may eat into this aspect of Now’s business.