Broken box

[Cowman]

Our box is failing. Change channels and the message comes up

There is a technical fault on this channel. 

Switching off corrects it but that time is getting shorter 

I'm after a replacement before it fails altogether 

[Annie+UK]

You cannot replace a Sky Plus box for another box as the viewing card is locked to the broken box

Please Note: Sky+ is now a legacy/obsolete service that Sky are replacing with their newer services: Sky Glass, and/or Sky Stream.

Satellite TV is on its last legs and is being replaced due to the lack of any new satellites being launched to replace the existing ones that are at the end of their service

[Daniel0210]

@Cowman 

Sky no longer support Sky+ set ups and boxes. They won't supply a replacement box and if you purchase one second hand it won't work as your viewing card won't work in it.

[Cowman]

Thank you for the advice.  Any suggestions on which replacement I'm just an ordinary customer who wants to to keep watching

[Mark39]

@Cowman best for you to research. Sky Q is their most recent satellite based TV system which would see you through to around the end of the decade. Thereafter or now if you so choose, their internet based streaming plarform, Sky Stream, will be the only platform to choose.

Sky Q is somewhat different from Sky+. @nigea99, a fellow Superuser has put this guide together a note on the differences: https://helpforum.sky.com/t5/Sky-Q/Switching-from-SKY-SKY-HD-to-SKY-Q-some-points-to-note/td-p/44700...

Sky Stream is fundamentally different with no local recording service, all programmes live and 'on demand' being streamed. Not all the channels available on sky+/Sky Q are available on Sky Stream: https://www.sky.com/help/articles/tv-channel-list-sky-glass 

[Annie+UK]

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@Cowman wrote:

Thank you for the advice.  Any suggestions on which replacement I'm just an ordinary customer who wants to to keep watching

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Only you have the full information that can be used to workout the best solution, all we know is you currently have Sky Plus so can only make wild guesses

[HotStuff3]

You can send your Sky+ box to a 3rd part repairer.

[Cowman · Accepted solution]

Thanks everyone. I finally managed to speak to a human at sky and will be getting a new sky q box soon. As a countryside dweller our broadband isn't up to sky stream.

However we'll be moving nearer to town and (hopefully) a better broadband service

Thanks everyone for your advice