Sky Q launches in the UK and Ireland

Sky’s next generation home entertainment system, Sky Q, is now available for TV viewers in the UK and Ireland to buy.

New and existing Sky customers can order Sky Q online or on the phone from today, or purchase it in-store from Friday. The first Sky Q customers will be installed at the end of the month, according to Sky.

Sky first unveiled Sky Q at a launch event in London in November, claiming that the new service “completely reinvents the viewing experience” by giving users the option to pause content in one room and carry on viewing in another, and access programme recordings while on the move.

Sky said that set-up costs for Sky Q will start at £99 (US$142.80) – its lowest ever set-up cost for a brand new premium product launch – and that the typical monthly cost for existing Sky+ customers will “only be around an extra £12 compared with their current Sky+ package”.

Customers can choose from two new bundles – the Sky Q Silver Bundle or the Sky Q Bundle. For new customers joining Sky, the monthly cost for Sky Q will start from £42.

“The new family of products, Sky Q, Sky Q Silver, Sky Q Mini, the Sky Q touch remote, the Sky Q Hub and the Sky Q app, all connect wirelessly to create an ecosystem that makes TV viewing seamless – called Fluid Viewing,” said Sky.

“With 12 tuners, the Sky Q Silver box gives customers the ability to record four shows while watching a fifth live, putting an end torecording clashes. The all-new Sky Q touch remote makes it easier than ever to find your favourite shows with no need to point at the screen.”

Sky said that the launch of Sky Q will be supported by the company’s “biggest and most ambitious advertising campaign ever,” starting this Friday.