The end of Sky Q...

[SlenderRobert]

So it would seem that Sky's newest ad campaign is heralding the death of the dish, and therefore the end of Sky Q... 

I wonder how long it'll be before they stop new installs completely?

https://youtu.be/2AXZOU_SY1o 

[Ben1980]

I wasnt sure what you were referring to until the last 10 seconds. 

Does seem a bit strange to put that bit in - especially as the dish is the fall back for those who want TV when internet goes down or recordings. 

That said the whole add is bloody stupid and actually spends most of the time not telling you about what Stream can actually do. 

What is it with modern day marketing ads. All pointless and trying to be funny and miss the point. 

[TimmyBGood]

@SlenderRobert 

I'd suggest it's targeting a generation for whom home ownership (or even guaranteed long term tenancy) is essentially impossible, which makes a dishless system far more attractive.

[TimmyBGood]

@SlenderRobert 

As I've suggested elsewhere, it would probably be sensible for Sky to go further: a monthly Stream subscription shouldn't be tied to a particular postal address at all, and having multiple pucks on different subscriptions should be possible behind a single public IP.

[SlenderRobert]

@TimmyBGood 

Good point. The whole 'join the cult' vibe isn't particularly attractive though. Oh, and the 'complicated' description of everything that's come before, kind of goes against the whole 'all in one place, easy' description of Sky Q in the current branding. 

Advertising is such a crazy industry. 

[nigea99]

After the launch of SKY Stream I think it was enevitable that SKY's focus would be on that for many reasons - cost of engineers needed to support Satellite I suspect being a major one 

Those of us with a deeper interest in Satellite TV also know that the Satellites have a finite lifespan - albeit a few years yet

I am sure Satellite will remain a part for those who want it for  quite a while  but I think many will like the freedom that being without a dish and more importantly the fixed cables & the main user base will switch

[SlenderRobert]

@nigea99 

Yes, it'll be interesting to see how they play this. It's not like when they stopped selling Sky+HD - it had a similar replacement in the form of Sky Q for customers to switch to. Sky engineers just had to learn how to replace LNB's and install a new type of PVR. Their role carried on. Stream doesn't have a role for them. 

When the day comes that they decide to stop selling new installs of Q, how long do they keep Sky engineers employed for to maintain existing subscribers' equipment? 

[nigea99]

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@SlenderRobert wrote:

@nigea99 

Yes, it'll be interesting to see how they play this. It's not like when they stopped selling Sky+HD - it had a similar replacement in the form of Sky Q for customers to switch to. Sky engineers just had to learn how to replace LNB's and install a new type of PVR. Their role carried on. Stream doesn't have a role for them. 

When the day comes that they decide to stop selling new installs of Q, how long do they keep Sky engineers employed for to maintain existing subscribers' equipment? 

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I think over time they will just reduce the number of engineers who may end up covering larger areas.

At some point the cost of transmission via Satellite vs number of subscribers may be the deciding factor 

[TimmyBGood]

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@nigea99 wrote:

 I think many will like the freedom that being without a dish and more importantly the fixed cables & the main user base will switch

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And as I said, for millions of people forming 'households' of private renters on insecure tenancies the notion of an 18 month minimum term tied to a single named person for cabled hardware based primarily in a shared living room at a particular address is just laughably (or tragically) outdated.

In 2020 to 2021, the Private Rented Sector accounted for 4.4 million (19%) households (65% are owner occupied and 17% are social housing), housing over 11 million people.

While the sector has doubled in size since the early 2000s, the proportion of PRS households has remained stable at around 19% or 20% since 2013 to 2014.

Private renters are younger than those in other tenures. In 2020 to 2021, those aged 16 to 34 accounted for 43.5% of private renters in England, with 25 to 34-year-olds the most common age group of private renters at 31%.

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/a-fairer-private-rented-sector/ 

[bob1234]

And I thought they were going to sell a "smart toaster"

Seriously if they are trying to sell stream they need to get their act together, I am going to have to change to stream as I am having some building work done and there will be no where to put my dish, however if you go on line to try and change there is a link to buy stream now however if you try to use the link it changes to Glass which I don't want. I will phone anyway but just trying to build a package to see the standard price for what I want. If you are not a customer and use an anonymous browser you can build a stream package. Works out about the same as Q once I have added everything I want.

[Ben1980]

For a very similar reason we are having to look at Stream again. Same as you, try to order and wants to sell me Glass. 

Called yesterday and because of discounts on Q package, the same subs will be £13 more per month with no offer to match. 

I really am reluctant to take another 18 month contract and they also advised they cant offer the rolling or mirror the Q end date. 

Not sure what to do. Was planning on going back to Apple TV and Now but still have the Q bill in the meantime and dont want to double up. 

[bob1234]

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@Ben1980 wrote:

For a very similar reason we are having to look at Stream again. Same as you, try to order and wants to sell me Glass. 

Called yesterday and because of discounts on Q package, the same subs will be £13 more per month with no offer to match. 

I really am reluctant to take another 18 month contract and they also advised they cant offer the rolling or mirror the Q end date. 

Not sure what to do. Was planning on going back to Apple TV and Now but still have the Q bill in the meantime and dont want to double up. 

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@Ben1980They certainty offer the 31 day rolling contract to new customers I can see it if I use an anonymous browser, a couple of £ a month dearer.

[Ben1980]

@bob1234  I asked the question. Only offer to Q customers if contract ended or on 31 day notice period. 

[stereohaven]

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@nigea99 wrote:

I think over time they will just reduce the number of engineers who may end up covering larger areas.

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I read somewhere that the ones that stay will become more focussed on broadband installation and connectivity. Openreach already have a deal with Sky for their engineers to start doing the last part of FTTP installations in customer homes.

Typically I can't find the link to the story currently.

[stereohaven]

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@Ben1980 wrote:

Called yesterday and because of discounts on Q package, the same subs will be £13 more per month with no offer to match. 

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My current Q contract with recent price increase is £82.50. Once discounts finish (end of May), I will be looking at £117.50. Replicating on Stream is £113. 

I will likely give notice this weekend or sometime next week. My dilemma as usual will be that I don't value Sky's services at anything like the same level they do, sadly those around me who don't even pay the bill, do!

£1356 a year for TV is really not a road I think I am willing to go down, despite the aggro I'll get. 

As an existing customer, I too only get offered Glass if I explore options, have to use ingognito to get Stream pricing.