July 31, 2024, 9:31 am | Read time: 5 minutes
Sky is launching a new offering called Stream. The goal: to consolidate content and make it available to users in one place.
For those who enjoy getting cozy in front of the TV at home in the evening, the choice is often overwhelming these days. Gone are the days when you just flipped through channels or picked a highlight from the TV schedule. Thanks to streaming services, the offerings are more fragmented than ever. Sky Stream aims to provide a quick and convenient solution. TECHBOOK explains what it’s all about.
Overview
Sky Stream aims to become the home entertainment hub
There are numerous TV channels and an increasing number of streaming services with new movies and series that occasionally switch platforms. This can quickly lead to confusion for viewers. As Sky Deutschland first announced in a press release in March, they intend to change that with Sky Stream. The offering, consisting of a streaming box and content subscription, launched on July 31, 2024.
With the small box, a variety of content can be streamed over the internet. Instead of having to access multiple individual apps and channels, the company aims to consolidate the “best content” in one place with Sky Stream.
The new streaming device is designed to help users find movies, series, and shows as easily as possible–regardless of the provider. According to their own statements, the relevant titles and formats can include premium content from Sky itself, free-to-air TV channels, or the “most popular streaming services.” For example, it was announced in mid-July that Sky would extend its partnership with ProSiebenSat.1 to Stream. This means that the content from the broadcaster group, as well as the streaming service Joyn, will be available via the box–TECHBOOK reported.
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These streaming services and apps are available at launch
Sky announced Stream several months ago. However, it was not clear for a long time which streaming services would be part of this offering. There is now a list of partners whose content will be accessible via Sky Stream in the future. These include:
- Apple TV+
- ARD Mediathek
- Amazon Music
- Arte
- DAZN
- discovery+
- Disney+
- Dyn
- Joyn
- Magenta Sport
- Motorvision
- Netflix
- Paramount+
- Play Works
- Prime Video
- Radioplayer
- RTL+
- Sky Sport
- Spotify
- Vevo
- Wetter
- YouTube
- ZDF Mediathek
This largely aligns with many names also available on Sky Q. Sky Stream consolidates the content of these providers on one device, although accessing them requires a subscription to the respective service.
Available subscriptions and prices
Sky Stream serves as a streaming device, similar to an Amazon Fire TV Stick. However, Sky focuses on its own offerings, which is reflected on the homepage. Additional apps from the mentioned providers are partially pre-installed or can be added as needed. Login is done with the account of the subscribed service.
Sky itself offers various packages for Stream. These include the streaming box and various content combinations that determine the price. The cheapest option is the series package bundled with a basic Netflix subscription. Sky charges 15 euros per month for this. The price applies to the annual subscription and increases to 27.50 euros per month after the first contract year.
Those who want to stream Sky movies in addition to series pay 25 euros in the first year. This also includes access to Paramount+. From the 13th month, the price increases to 41 euros. Entertainment, meaning series and the Bundesliga, is available for 30 euros per month (later 35.50 euros), and the complete package for 40 euros per month (later 58 euros) brings series, movies, sports, and the Bundesliga to customers.
There are no shipping fees, and the box is available at no additional cost. All packages can be upgraded for an additional fee. For example, customers pay 5 euros extra for Netflix Standard and 10 euros extra per month for Netflix Premium. Sky Kids, which provides access to numerous children’s TV channels, also costs 5 euros per month.
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Universal voice search at the center
In response to a request from TECHBOOK, Sky has already announced that there will be an “intelligent, universal search” with voice support. This will allow customers to find all content on demand. For example, you can simply search for all movies with a specific actor or everything related to your favorite soccer team. A similar universal search is already offered by Roku on its streaming devices.
The search is an important feature because voice commands are already very popular. For instance, 64 percent of all Sky customers in the UK and Italy find their content this way. Furthermore, there will be a “content-oriented user interface at the title level.” This will group movies, shows, or games together without having to figure out where the respective content comes from.
Sky Stream initially only in Germany
Sky Stream is initially targeting new customers. “For existing customers, Sky Stream will be available in a few weeks. Currently, work is underway to ensure a smooth transition process,” according to a press release. Customers with a Sky Q IPTV box will automatically receive the corresponding software via update. It is conceivable that the offering will then likely only be called Sky Stream in the future. The market launch in Austria is expected to follow in 2025.