Sky Stream on AppleTV

[IansF]

Whilst on to a Sky representative recently I mentioned the issues I’d had with the Sky Stream service (lip sync, software update issues…etc) and mentioned that i thought an Apple TV app (full Stream, not Sky Go) was in my opinion the way to go. I was told that this may well be in the offing. Has anyone else heard that an Apple TV version of the Glass/Stream service is in the pipeline.

[TimmyBGood]

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@IansF wrote:

Has anyone else heard that an Apple TV version of the Glass/Stream service is in the pipeline.

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That would be a huge change in direction for Sky, which has historically always used its own branded hardware for its premium television service.  If there was going to be any such development, everyone involved would be NDA'd to their eyeballs and beyond as that's the kind of announcement which has the potential to seriously shifts stock prices and the SEC has strong views about that sort of thing.

Perhaps worth noting that Glass/Stream isn't a simply a 'service': it's a full Comcast software stack from server-side through to the 'Entertainment OS' running natively on the television set and pucks.

Also perhaps interesting to observe that the much-hyped EE TV on Apple 4K doesn't seem to have made much of an impression.

[IansF]

Not sure I see that as big a deal as you suggest. An AppleTV app would'nt wholly replace the Sky Stream Puck as Client side hardware merely be an alternative. 

Additionally from a software perspective it would simply be another client side UI (this time built on TVOS) integrating to the backend server side gubbins (assuming there isnt some crazy proprietary protocol managing client server interactions). 

Basically ATV is superior hardware and has significantly more reliable software. Also has the additional advantage of cable simplification and standby power consumption. Ie a better user experience. 

[TimmyBGood]

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@IansF wrote:

Not sure I see that as big a deal as you suggest.

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I'd say Apple and Comcast co-operating to that extent would be a medium size deal at the very least  ; )

Worth remembering that Stream (and Glass) here is also Xumo in the US and Hubbl in Australia, both running Entertainment OS on dedicated boxes: where Sky before 2018 was focused on the UK and some of Europe (basically limited to the Astra 28.2E satellite footprint), Comcast very definitely has global ambitions.

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@IansF wrote:

(assuming there isnt some crazy proprietary protocol managing client server interactions). 

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Comcast seem to suggest that's exactly what they have and would presumably be a little bit reluctant to give that up.

[Mister_Dalek]

I agree with @TimmyBGood  - Comcast will want to keep their own platform to themselves, exclusively on their own hardware.

In the UK I think there's more likelihood of there being some sort of collaboration between Apple and EveryoneTV, the owners of the Freely platform. Integrating live channel streams from the UK free-to-air channels into Apple's tvOS (in much the same way as EE attempted) would give a very good alternative to Sky Stream for those that don't need the whistles and bells of Sky's Entertainment OS. 

[IansF]

It's a shame that the clever money is on this being a non starter. 

The Sky Go app proves the principle albeit with a raft of limitations/compromises...only HD, not all channels availble and a funtional but industrial UI that resembles EntertainmentOS UI but without the bells and whistles.