topic Re: Sky Stream is at best a beta release. in Sky Stream

Sky Stream is at best a beta release.

AndrewC — Fri, 03 Jul 2026 18:10:18 GMT

Sky Stream was sold as a Sky Q replacement. IT IS NOT! Multiple channels missing (+1 etc). Transmission keeps freezing requiring multiple resets. Contents of on screen boxes blanked (currently playing, TV guide). Apps and Inputs vanish unless a complete power cycle is carried out. Noticable volume differences between programme (low) and adverts (high). Inability to identify latest episode as the playlist shows every episode broadcast with no transmission dates. Complaints to Sky do not get answered with the people responding trying to defend this sub-standard software while not addressing the issues raised. They cannot blame the Internet connection as this is also with Sky. One response I received was "That is the way Stream works. Get used to it!"

Re: Sky Stream is at best a beta release.

Mark39 — Fri, 03 Jul 2026 19:07:18 GMT

@AndrewC Sky Stream is an alternative to Sky Q, which is currently still available. I don't see any of the issues you mention, though I agree the way Playlists work takes some getting used to.

Re: Sky Stream is at best a beta release.

Nigelb1972 — Fri, 03 Jul 2026 19:10:45 GMT

Based on Comcast offering variations of the product worldwide, it's pretty safe to say that it's not in Beta...

Re: Sky Stream is at best a beta release.

AndrewC — Fri, 03 Jul 2026 19:15:25 GMT

I disagree. It is in no way an alternative or replacement for Sky Q. When I enquired about moving Sky Q to my new address I was told that no new Sky Q connections would be possible, forcing me down the much degraded Sky Stream route. Pay more, get less seems to be the Sky ethos.

Re: Sky Stream is at best a beta release.

AndrewC — Fri, 03 Jul 2026 19:16:23 GMT

I agree. It hasn't yet got to Beta release level.

Re: Sky Stream is at best a beta release.

Mark39 — Fri, 03 Jul 2026 19:49:22 GMT

@AndrewC wrote:

I disagree. It is in no way an alternative or replacement for Sky Q. When I enquired about moving Sky Q to my new address I was told that no new Sky Q connections would be possible, forcing me down the much degraded Sky Stream route. Pay more, get less seems to be the Sky ethos.

Unless things have changed very recently, you were misinformed. Sky Q is still available (hence Sky Stream is an alternative), but you have to call to sign up.

Re: Sky Stream is at best a beta release.

AndrewC — Fri, 03 Jul 2026 20:07:44 GMT

This information was from Sky customer service. Are you telling me they lied?

Re: Sky Stream is at best a beta release.

Mark39 — Fri, 03 Jul 2026 20:15:27 GMT

@AndrewC wrote:

This information was from Sky customer service. Are you telling me they lied?

No, I'm telling you they may have got it wrong.

Re: Sky Stream is at best a beta release.

AndrewC — Fri, 03 Jul 2026 20:19:13 GMT

So Sky customer service do not know their own systems? You are beginning to sound like them, justifying incorrect information.

Re: Sky Stream is at best a beta release.

Mark39 — Fri, 03 Jul 2026 20:21:51 GMT

Follow it up or don't. It's up to you.

Re: Sky Stream is at best a beta release.

AndrewC — Fri, 03 Jul 2026 20:29:45 GMT

That is the problem. I have tried to follow it up but Sky never answer a direct question. I ask "why", their answer is "do it another way" but never say what "the other way" is. Apparently this is my problem and nothing to do with Sky software or hardware.

Re: Sky Stream is at best a beta release.

AndrewC — Fri, 03 Jul 2026 20:39:29 GMT

Suddenly the superuser goes quiet. As I assume this person has no access to Sky internal systems, why do they presume to answer on behalf of Sky?

Re: Sky Stream is at best a beta release.

AndrewC — Fri, 03 Jul 2026 20:46:13 GMT

Hello! Does anyone from Sky monitor this group? If so, would you like to comment on why this offering is so much worse than Sky Q? I will wait, with no expectation of a reasonable reply!

Re: Sky Stream is at best a beta release.

mr.tickle — Fri, 03 Jul 2026 21:37:25 GMT

@AndrewC wrote:
This information was from Sky customer service. Are you telling me they lied?

Yes if that is how they phrased it. Sky Q is very, very much available. It's ONLY online signups that have stopped. All other avenues remain open.

Re: Sky Stream is at best a beta release.

Angel_Aka — Sat, 04 Jul 2026 08:43:37 GMT

@AndrewC wrote:
Hello! Does anyone from Sky monitor this group? If so, would you like to comment on why this offering is so much worse than Sky Q? I will wait, with no expectation of a reasonable reply!

Sky aren't going to comment on whether one of their products is better or worse than another.
TV service provision & general TV viewing habits have changed dramatically in the past few years.
If you don't like what Sky are offering in the age of streaming then just leave and get your TV service elsewhere. There are plenty of alternative means of getting the same content.

Re: Sky Stream is at best a beta release.

MarkGoldsmith — Sat, 04 Jul 2026 09:32:50 GMT

@AndrewC wrote:
Suddenly the superuser goes quiet. As I assume this person has no access to Sky internal systems, why do they presume to answer on behalf of Sky?

@AndrewC Why would you need access to Sky's internal systems to know that Sky Q is still available to purchase but over the phone only?

For starters, when the move was made, it was reported on in the media, e.g (https://www.ispreview.co.uk/index.php/2025/12/sky-uk-stops-selling-sky-q-online-as-users-nudged-to-glass-and-streaming.html).

As others have alluded to, the streaming platform is a Comcast product/service and has been used for several years in numerous territories that Comcast operate in. It's not an "upgrade" on the satellite platform; it's a completely different platform to replace the satellite platform, as the satellite platform is due to end towards the end of the decade when the satellites running the service reach end of life. Streaming is where the broadcasting industry has clearly been going in for the past several years, and there are certainly groups of customers who are so used to streaming they actually prefer the way the streaming platform works over the satellite platform.

The term 'upgrade" is clearly a sales term to try and encourage people to switch to the platform; it's a very common sales technique to use words like that.

Re: Sky Stream is at best a beta release.

Gincap — Sat, 04 Jul 2026 10:52:51 GMT

Often customers believe Stream being the latest to be an update to Q it isn't it's a completely different system. Problem, people do not do their homework in advance 🫣

Stream is for sure marmite but like it or not streaming is going to be the norm and there are several platforms available to choose from if Sky is not for you.

It does take a while to get into how stream works and I agree Playlists are a weak feature of the system, they could learn a lot from the slick Apple playlist tracking so you always know where you are and continue watching is problematic too but there are workarounds.

It can feel beta at times but in reality as with any software it has issues. Good strong internet and wifi are key a weak signal and you will constantly live with problems so check your wifi in the Netflix app under settings.

You have 31 days to change your mind so use that time to gain familiarity with how it operates and if still not for you walk away.

Apple is stable covers all apps has Now TV and even the much missed Talking Pictures TV not available on Sky stream.

As always horses for courses.

Re: Sky Stream is at best a beta release.

AndrewC — Sat, 04 Jul 2026 11:24:56 GMT

This does not explain why, when I add a Sky SciFi programme to my playlist, it is NOT added. Instead the playlist shows Paramount+ for which an extra subscription is required. When I add a Channel 4 programme to my playlist it is NOT added. Instead the playlist shows Sky Sports for which an extra subscription is required.

Sky customer service tell me "that's just the way the system works" without offering a solution. It appears the community response is to mirror Sky. "That's just the way the system works". No useful suggestions. Only platitudes defending a second rate system with multiple problems which it seems cannot be resolved by Sky. Disappearing menu items, disappearing Apps and Inputs items. The necessity to power cycle the puck at least daily to restore a modicum of functionality.

Re: Sky Stream is at best a beta release.

Gincap — Sat, 04 Jul 2026 11:47:44 GMT

Having read your posts it appears your mind is made up so walk away get something else. I'm no Sky fan read my posts I'm just explaining how it is in my experience.

When adding an item to playlist it does select an image and where it can be viewed generally just below that image it also links alternative apps where that item can be viewed but your right this does not always happen.

If responses mirror Sky, that's how it is then what can others say pointless posting what it isn't what good is that to anybody 🤷‍♂️

Apple TV is very stable excellent playlist and continue watching listing all options where you can view an item, take a look at that. Now is a great app you need TV Launcher for the UK a one off £5.99 could be what you're looking for if you can't get Q

Re: Sky Stream is at best a beta release.

TimmyBGood — Sat, 04 Jul 2026 12:27:04 GMT

@AndrewC wrote:

It appears the community response is to mirror Sky. "That's just the way the system works". No useful suggestions.

Perhaps readers feel there isn't anything particularly useful to suggest?

Some previous forum posts indicate Sky will agree to end a minimum contract term (as is required by consumer rights legislation) where customers are persistent in logging issues.