Are Sky discontinuing Sky channels on Sky+ boxes

[DurhamE]

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?

[GD1]

@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?

[xenon81]

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. 

[DurhamE]

@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?

[Mark39]

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

[Exiled-in-HH]

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

[TimmyBGood]

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@DurhamE wrote:

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

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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-20... 

[Richard-B]

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?

[Mark39]

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

[Annie+UK]

New Install

See question Q21 in my Sky Plus F⋅A⋅Q

Additional help with your viewing card can be found here

[nigea99]

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@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?

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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

[Richard-B]

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?

[Annie+UK]

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@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?

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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

[nigea99]

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@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?

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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 

[Mark39]

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@Richard-B wrote:

Does installing as a new box require a log in?

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