Sky

Sky UK Limited (formerly British Sky Broadcasting or BSkyB) is a British telecommunications company which serves the United Kingdom. Sky provides television and broadband internet services and fixed line telephone services to consumers and businesses in the United Kingdom. It is the UK’s largest pay-TV broadcaster with 11 million customers as of 2015.
It was the UK’s most popular digital TV service until it was overtaken by Freeview in April 2007. Its corporate headquarters are based in Isleworth.

Formed in November 1990 by the equal merger of Sky Television and British Satellite Broadcasting, BSkyB became the UK’s largest digital subscription television company. Following BSkyB’s acquisition of Sky Italia and a majority 90.04% interest in Sky Deutschland in November 2014, its holding company British Sky Broadcasting Group plc changed its name to Sky plc.
The United Kingdom operations also changed the company name from British Sky Broadcasting Limited to Sky UK Limited, still trading as “Sky”.
Sky UK Limited is a wholly owned subsidiary of Sky plc.

Sky+ HD is the brand name of the HDTV service launched by BSkyB on 22 May 2006 in the United Kingdom and Ireland to enable high definition channels on Sky to be viewed.
All HD channels are broadcast in 1080i format (though the box can be set to scale this to 720p if the user wishes), using the H.264/MPEG-4 AVC compression standard, from the Astra 2E, Astra 2F and Astra 2G satellites, using the DVB transmission standard, DVB-S2.

Sky’s standard definition broadcasts are in DVB-compliant MPEG-2, with the Sky Movies and Sky Box Office channels including optional Dolby Digital soundtracks for recent films, although these are only accessible with a Sky+ box.

Website: www.sky.com

Sky Glass

Sky Glass combines a QLED TV screen, a seven-speaker soundbar, and an integrated Sky TV box into a single device. It runs on the Sky OS (operating system, previously known as ‘Entertainment OS’), allowing users to stream live TV, on-demand content, and various apps over Wi-Fi.

Details:

• All-in-One Solution: Integrates the TV, soundbar, and Sky TV services, removing the need for separate devices and cables.
• 4K Quantum Dot Display: Offers high picture quality with 4K HDR and Quantum Dot technology.
• Dolby Audio: Provides an enhanced audio experience through the built-in soundbar which supports Dolby Atmos.
• Voice Control: Allows you to control the TV and search for content using voice commands.
• Playlist Function: A feature that lets users add shows, movies, and sports events from various services into one consolidated watchlist.

Reviews and User Experiences
Expert and user reviews for Sky Glass have been mixed, but the more recent Gen 2 model has received positive upgrades.

• Picture Quality: According to reviews from outlets like What Hi-Fi? and TechRadar, the Gen 2 model offers a brighter screen and improved picture quality compared to the original version. However, some reviewers note it still cannot compete with more advanced OLED technology in the same price bracket.
• Sound Quality: The built-in soundbar is generally praised for its powerful and rich audio, providing a good sound experience without the need for additional speakers.
• Streaming Experience: Some users have reported occasional stability issues with the streaming pucks (extra devices for other rooms) or occasional stuttering, although the overall user interface is lauded for being intuitive.

See: www.sky.com/glass

Sky EPG (Electronic Programme Guide)

Sky maintains an electronic programme guide (EPG) which provides information about upcoming programmes and a list of channels. Channels available on Sky are assigned a three-digit logical channel number which can be entered on a remote control to access the channel and determines in what order channels are listed.

The EPG differs depending on the viewer’s location due to limited regional availability of certain channels or conditions relating to their must-carry status.
For example, this ensures that viewers get access to the correct BBC or ITV region or that S4C gets a prominent listing in Wales.

All channels are grouped into categories depending on their content. What section of the EPG a channel gets allocated is determined by rules set up by BSkyB.

BSkyB has no veto over the presence of channels on their EPG, with open access being an enforced part of their operating licence from Ofcom. Any channel which can get carriage on a suitable beam of a satellite at 28° East is entitled to access to BSkyB’s EPG for a fee, ranging from £15–100,000.
Third-party channels which opt for encryption receive discounts ranging from reduced price to free EPG entries, free carriage on a BSkyB leased transponder or actual payment for being carried. However, even in this case, BSkyB does not carry any control over the channel’s content or carriage issues such as picture quality.

Sky Broadband

Sky Broadband offers a variety of fibre-based internet packages, including Full Fibre and part-fibre (FTTC) options, often bundled with Sky TV and mobile services. Deals and availability are postcode-dependent and the provider is generally well-regarded for reliability and customer service.
Key Features and Services
Network: Sky Broadband primarily uses the Openreach network, which has extensive coverage across the UK. Full Fibre connections run fibre optic cables directly to the home for faster, more reliable service, while Superfast connections use copper for the final stretch from the street cabinet.
Bundling Options: A major strength of Sky is the ability to bundle broadband with other services like Sky TV (including Sky Atlantic, Netflix, and sports channels), Sky Glass smart TVs, and Sky Mobile for a single monthly fee.

Speed Guarantee: Sky offers a minimum speed guarantee, promising money back if your service doesn’t meet the promised speeds, provided it cannot be fixed within 30 days.
Equipment: New customers typically receive the Sky Broadband Hub router, which utilizes the 5GHz band for better performance.
WiFi Max Add-on: For an additional monthly cost, you can add WiFi Max (or Sky Broadband Boost with Sky Q) for an enhanced “wall-to-wall” Wi-Fi guarantee, advanced security features, parental controls, and back-up mobile data during outages.

Customer Reviews
Overall, customer surveys rate Sky reasonably well for reliability and customer service, with a low number of complaints compared to many other major UK providers.
Pros: Customers often praise the comprehensive bundles, the low level of complaints to Ofcom, the minimum speed guarantee, and the inclusion of extras like free public Wi-Fi hotspots.
Cons: Drawbacks often mentioned are the potentially high cost of full TV bundles and extras, the lack of short-term contracts (typically 24 months), and the possibility of mid-contract price rises. Some customers report that Wi-Fi range from the standard router can be an issue in larger homes without the WiFi Max add-on.