Sky customers, take note: you might need to upgrade your box or risk losing your channels. The company has announced it's phasing out SD (standard definition) broadcasts of its Sky channels via satellite, as the industry moves towards HD-only content. The BBC and ITV are already turning off their SD channels on satellite, with most people now having access to HD TVs.
Sky has previously removed some of its SD channels, such as Sky Cinema, and is now warning that customers with older Sky box models that don't support HD will need to upgrade. But there's good news: Sky is offering its latest Sky Q kit for free to replace old boxes. However, if you don't make the switch, you'll find your service disconnected come October.
It also warns: "If you don't contact us or upgrade, your Sky TV will be cancelled and you'll lose access to these services on your payment due date in October."
For those using other platforms like Freeview, there's no need to worry SD channels will remain available for the time being. But when it comes to satellite, Sky is saying goodbye to SD broadcasts of its channel lineup.
For the majority of households, these changes won't cause a problem - only older Sky boxes will need to be replaced. A number of models can't handle HD broadcasts, meaning they'll essentially lose access to Sky's channels.
Which Sky Box Models Are Affected?
Express.co.uk reported in May that Sky was removing access to many standard definition (SD) channels to make way for high definition (HD) channels across the board. It means that anyone with an older Sky set top box has already lost access to Sky Sports, Sky Cinema and other popular channels as Sky winds things down.
Satellite access to BBC and ITV channels was also restricted in January as part of the move to HD.
By the end of August, Sky will remove access to all its own channels from certain old SD boxes which will leave customers on these first-generation boxes with barely any channels.
As spotted by RXTVinfo, Sky has now confirmed it will cancel any remaining legacy Sky subscriptions in October.
“If you don't contact us or upgrade, your Sky TV will be cancelled and you'll lose access to these services on your payment due date in October,” Sky said on a help page on its website, addressing those affected.
You'll need to contact Sky directly to rectify the situation, as the firm will not be automatically upgrading customers.
If you are unsure if you are one of these customers, here is a list of the affected Sky boxes:
Digibox
- 4F01 to 4F08 (Amstrad)
- 4E01 to 4E05 (Grundig)
- 9F01 to 9F08 and 9F0A (Pace)
- 0F01 to 0F05 (Panasonic)
- 4E06 to 4E08 (Thomson)
Sky+
- 4F2001 to 4F2006 (Amstrad)
- 4F2101 to 4F2118 and 9F2101 to 9F2137 (Amstrad or Pace)
- 9F2001 to 9F2024, PVR2, 9F2201 to 9F2235, 9F2301 to 9F2339 (Pace)
- 4E2101 to 4E2141 (Thomson)
To check the number of your box:
- Press Services on your Sky remote.
- Then tap the 4 key, followed by 5.
- Here you'll see the version number.
How To Upgrade To Sky Q
If you are affected, Sky says you can upgrade to its newer Sky Q service for free. This will return all of the channels you have lost and provide you with the company’s latest HD satellite services, including a new set-top box. The upgrade may require an engineer to visit your property to install the service.
You can upgrade here online or by calling 0333 759 5121. If you don’t think Sky Q is right for you, you can discuss other subscription options such as moving to Sky Stream, Sky's TV service that delivers all channels streamed over a broadband connection rather than traditional satellite.
Don't Delay, Upgrade Today!
Sky will soon cancel the subscriptions of customers using older equipment, they have confirmed.
Anyone with an older Sky set top box has already lost access to Sky Sports, Sky Cinema and other popular channels in recent months as Sky removes access to many standard definition (SD) channels to make way for more high definition (HD) channels across the board.
Satellite access to BBC and ITV channels was also restricted in January as part of the move to HD and now it has been confirmed that more changes are afoot.
By the end of August, Sky is set to remove access to all of its own channels from SD boxes, which will leave customers with barely any channels.
As spotted by RXTVinfo, Sky has now also confirmed it will cancel any remaining legacy Sky subscriptions by October.
On their website it states: “If you don't contact us or upgrade, your Sky TV will be cancelled and you'll lose access to these services on your payment due date in October.”
Customers wanting to stick with Sky will have to get in contact directly themselves, as the firm will not be automatically upgrading customers.
But not all Sky boxes are affected. Here is what we know.
Those that will be cut off have the following serial numbers:
Digibox
- 4F01 to 4F08 (Amstrad)
- 4E01 to 4E05 (Grundig)
- 9F01 to 9F08 and 9F0A (Pace)
- 0F01 to 0F05 (Panasonic)
- 4E06 to 4E08 (Thomson)
Sky+
- 4F2001 to 4F2006 (Amstrad)
- 4F2101 to 4F2118 and 9F2101 to 9F2137 (Amstrad or Pace)
- 9F2001 to 9F2024, PVR2, 9F2201 to 9F2235, 9F2301 to 9F2339 (Pace)
- 4E2101 to 4E2141 (Thomson)
To check the number of your box:
- Press Services on your Sky remote.
- Then tap the 4 key, followed by 5.
- Here you'll see the version number.
Sky will be cutting off your box in October.
However, if you are affected, and want to stay with the service, Sky says you can upgrade to its newer Sky Q service for free. This will return all of the channels you have lost and provide you with the company’s latest HD satellite services, including a new set-top box. The upgrade may require an engineer to visit your property to install the service.
If you don’t think Sky Q is right for you, you can discuss other subscription options, such as moving to Sky Stream, Sky's TV service that delivers all channels streamed over a broadband connection rather than traditional satellite.
For more information on the options available, you can upgrade here online or call 0333 759 5121.
