topic Re: Are Sky discontinuing Sky channels on Sky+ boxes in Sky+

Are Sky discontinuing Sky channels on Sky+ boxes

DurhamE — Wed, 28 Feb 2024 16:24:25 GMT

My 91 year old mum has a perfectly working sky + box but is now receiving messages on screen saying she will soon lose her sky channels. We contacted Sky who said she needs to upgrade to Sky Q but mum would not be able to cope with the changes easily. Does anyone know if Sky are actually discontinuing services to Sky+ or are they just trying to get her to upgrade?

Re: Are Sky discontinuing Sky channels on Sky+ boxes

GD1 — Wed, 28 Feb 2024 16:38:52 GMT

@DurhamE Easiest solution is to purchase a second hand Sky+HD (DRX890 or 895)box aroun £30 ish from ebay etc. the menus would be the same and they would retain access to the SD channels that are changing transmission parameters, the older Sky+ boxes can't see the upgraded format hence the messages you will see.

Do you know which box they have?

Re: Are Sky discontinuing Sky channels on Sky+ boxes

xenon81 — Wed, 28 Feb 2024 16:37:18 GMT

The oldest, non-HD Sky+ boxes will soon start to lose channels.

If she has a Sky+HD box it won't be affected and will continue to receive all channels.

Re: Are Sky discontinuing Sky channels on Sky+ boxes

DurhamE — Wed, 28 Feb 2024 17:15:39 GMT

@GD1 yes it is the original Sky+ box without HD. I may even have on if the sky+ with HD boxes, Donyou know if her Sky card will work with it?

Re: Are Sky discontinuing Sky channels on Sky+ boxes

Mark39 — Wed, 28 Feb 2024 17:22:15 GMT

It should do, but she will need to 'pair' the Viewing Card and replacement box. If the box isn't connected to the Internet, she may be able to do that separatel online, or if necessary give Sky a call and they'll do it.

https://www.sky.com/help/articles/sky-viewing-card-help-activate-plus

Re: Are Sky discontinuing Sky channels on Sky+ boxes

Exiled-in-HH — Wed, 28 Feb 2024 18:57:24 GMT

The menu system on a Sky+ box is very different to Sky+ HD box😉

Re: Are Sky discontinuing Sky channels on Sky+ boxes

TimmyBGood — Thu, 29 Feb 2024 12:24:54 GMT

@DurhamE wrote:

Does anyone know if Sky are actually discontinuing services to Sky+ or are they just trying to get her to upgrade?

Following the lead set by Sky’s German division, Sky is reconfiguring some SD services to run on DVB-S2 transponders. This means that older DVB-S only receivers – i.e. the original generation Sky digiboxes and Sky+ boxes will cease to receive services.

https://cleanfeed.thetvroom.com/19700/news/sky-confirms-wider-switch-off-of-sd-channels-coming-in-2024/

Re: Are Sky discontinuing Sky channels on Sky+ boxes

Richard-B — Sat, 08 Jun 2024 16:58:16 GMT

With the loss of SD channels for sky cinema and sports. I purchased a Sky + HD refurbished box. from one of skys own installers. It works fine except sky will not pair the viewing card so I cannot watch sky cinema or sports. Over the tlephone they insist I must upgrade to eithe sky Q or stream. Is there any way around this?

Re: Are Sky discontinuing Sky channels on Sky+ boxes

Mark39 — Sat, 08 Jun 2024 17:03:05 GMT

@Richard-B you could try pairing the Card yourself, by carrying out a New Install. An Internet connection is required.

Re: Are Sky discontinuing Sky channels on Sky+ boxes

Annie+UK — Sat, 08 Jun 2024 17:10:50 GMT

New Install

See question Q21 in my Sky Plus F⋅A⋅Q

Additional help with your viewing card can be found here

Re: Are Sky discontinuing Sky channels on Sky+ boxes

nigea99 — Sat, 08 Jun 2024 17:17:00 GMT

@Richard-B wrote:

With the loss of SD channels for sky cinema and sports. I purchased a Sky + HD refurbished box. from one of skys own installers. It works fine except sky will not pair the viewing card so I cannot watch sky cinema or sports. Over the tlephone they insist I must upgrade to eithe sky Q or stream. Is there any way around this?

If you didn't switch before SKY cancelled Sports and/or Cinema for SD box users then I think there may be a chance there is no way to get these again without switching to SKY Q or Stream - although the entertainment channels should be OK

Re: Are Sky discontinuing Sky channels on Sky+ boxes

Richard-B — Sat, 08 Jun 2024 17:59:40 GMT

Thanks for an extremely quick response. Sadly I do not think it is as simple as installing as a new box. My guess is that when I connect the box to the internet sky is going to demand a log in with password. I personally am not a sky customer. My son, who lives with me, some 20 years ago added to his package Multi room, so that I could watch sky sports and cinema. He says he does not have a sky login or password as he has on the rare occasions he has needed help always telephoned them. From my memory his sky box went wrong about 7 years ago so that is probably the last time he communicated with them.

Does installing as a new box require a log in?

Re: Are Sky discontinuing Sky channels on Sky+ boxes

Annie+UK — Sat, 08 Jun 2024 18:09:01 GMT

@Richard-B wrote:

Thanks for an extremely quick response. Sadly I do not think it is as simple as installing as a new box. My guess is that when I connect the box to the internet sky is going to demand a log in with password. I personally am not a sky customer. My son, who lives with me, some 20 years ago added to his package Multi room, so that I could watch sky sports and cinema. He says he does not have a sky login or password as he has on the rare occasions he has needed help always telephoned them. From my memory his sky box went wrong about 7 years ago so that is probably the last time he communicated with them.

Does installing as a new box require a log in?

Connecting a Sky+HD box to the Internet does not require a password/log in

Performing a New Install also does not require a password/log in

Re: Are Sky discontinuing Sky channels on Sky+ boxes

nigea99 — Sat, 08 Jun 2024 18:12:37 GMT

@Richard-B wrote:

Thanks for an extremely quick response. Sadly I do not think it is as simple as installing as a new box. My guess is that when I connect the box to the internet sky is going to demand a log in with password. I personally am not a sky customer. My son, who lives with me, some 20 years ago added to his package Multi room, so that I could watch sky sports and cinema. He says he does not have a sky login or password as he has on the rare occasions he has needed help always telephoned them. From my memory his sky box went wrong about 7 years ago so that is probably the last time he communicated with them.

Does installing as a new box require a log in?

hi @Richard-B

Changes to the account need some form of verification.

It sounds a bit like you might become the account holder but that would still need a cancellation from your son with appropriate verification (SKY don;t allow more than one account at a premises)

You may also wish to read some notes I have made for people considering switching from SKY +/HD to SKY Q

SKY +/HD to SKY Q

Re: Are Sky discontinuing Sky channels on Sky+ boxes

Mark39 — Sat, 08 Jun 2024 18:53:28 GMT

@Richard-B wrote:

Does installing as a new box require a log in?

Just to confirm @Annie+UK's reply - no, it doesn't

Re: Are Sky discontinuing Sky channels on Sky+ boxes

Richard-B — Mon, 10 Jun 2024 10:15:33 GMT

Thanks all. The box is now connected and working fine. You may be interested in this the box had not adjusted to summer time so everything was an hour late and the programmes also ran an hour late. How it did that I can only guess. Could not find anywhere where you can adjust the time. Eventually told the box to update the program which took 15 mins and now I have the correct time and everything is working as expected.