Last year, pay-TV provider Sky announced the “television revolution”. It remains uncertain when the novelty will also come to Germany.
In October 2021, the UK provider launched its own television under the name “Sky Glass”. Glass – a CO2-neutral television – is intended to make the receiver superfluous. The start in Germany has already been postponed – now it is uncertain whether the television will come at all.
Start in Germany uncertain
Glass started in the UK at the end of 2021. In Germany, the introduction of the television was not planned until 2022, but was then postponed to 2023. Industry insider now reports “DWDL.de‘ that Glass might not appear at all. The website for Sky Glass in Germany can no longer be accessed – so there is no official information in German. One reason for this could be the uncertain future of Sky Germany. one Bloomberg report According to the parent company Comcast, the idea of selling the German branch of Sky is playing.
What makes Glass different from traditional TVs?
The TV works completely via WiFi. Sky repeatedly emphasizes how easy it should be to set up. You only need a cable for the connection. But somehow this is not really new and for devices such as game consoles you still need additional cables.
Sky Glass comes with voice control. Sky is already using this technology in the remote controls of Sky-Q receivers and is continuing to work on it.
Sky Glass design and sizes
At the announcement in Munich, where TECHBOOK was there live, Sky emphasized the design of the glass TVs. There is no visible logo so that the TV blends in well with the interior. The five different colors of the case can be further adjusted in the form of magnetic bars on the underside of the screen. Here Sky puffs up quite a bit. We don’t find the look really outstanding.
Sky Glass comes in three sizes – small, medium and large. Translated, these are the popular sizes 43 inches, 55 inches and 65 inches.
Also read: Sky integrates two US streaming services into its offer
Only available with subscription
Sky announced that Sky Glass is only available in combination with a Sky subscription. The new television is not offered individually. In the UK, you can pay for the device monthly, like a smartphone contract. It should start from as little as 13 pounds. You can also buy the TVs complete. 43 inches for 649 pounds, 55 inches for 849 pounds and 65 inches for 1049 pounds.
Our impression of the Sky TV
The presentation of Sky Glass is reminiscent of an Apple event. The device in parts too. In contrast to smartphones and tablets, there is little scope for new functions in the TV market. In the end, it is a television and of course the picture and sound quality are what count most. If Sky manages to score here, the TV could become the iMac of the TV industry. But what Sky Glass will probably not achieve: conquer the mass market. Sky Glass remains a niche product, if only because it’s tied to a subscription. The big advantage lies in the low prices of Sky Glass. If the TV really has an excellent picture, then the devices are definitely competitive.