What Is Sky Q?

Sky Q is Sky's flagship set-top box platform, launched in 2016 as a successor to the older Sky+ and Sky+HD models. It serves as a central entertainment hub that combines live satellite TV, on-demand content, and popular streaming apps such as Netflix, Disney+, and YouTube into a single, unified interface. Key features include voice search via the touch-sensitive remote, the ability to record up to six programmes simultaneously, and support for Ultra HD 4K content on compatible televisions. Sky Q also enables multi-room viewing through wireless Sky Q Mini boxes, allowing household members to watch different channels in separate rooms without additional cabling. New customers or those who require a device replacement will receive the Sky Q box and service as standard, rather than the older model.

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What Do You Get With Sky Q?

Base service Sky Signature costs €30/month with approximately 300 channels, including roughly half Sky exclusives. Key capabilities include up to 1TB storage (500 hours recording), updated UI, touchpad remote, and full live TV control with pause/rewind functionality.

Sky Q base packages
Package Name Monthly Price Contract Length What's Included
Sky TV (Signature) €25 12 Months Standard Freeview Channels, Over 100 Sky Channels
Sky TV & Broadband with Netflix €55 12 Months Standard Freeview Channels, Over 100 Sky Channels, Superfast Broadband, Netflix

Does the Sky Q Box Still Need a Satellite Dish?

Yes, the primary Sky Q set-top box still requires a satellite dish to receive live TV channels, just like earlier Sky models. During installation, a Sky engineer will fit or verify the dish and connect it to the main box using a coaxial cable. However, Sky Q Mini boxes used for multi-room viewing do not need their own dish connection; they link wirelessly to the main Sky Q box over your home Wi-Fi network. This means you can place a Mini box in any room with a power socket and a television without running additional cables. For customers who cannot install a satellite dish, such as those in certain apartments or rental properties, Sky's streaming-only service, Sky Glass or Sky Stream, offers an alternative that delivers content entirely over broadband.

Is Sky Q Better Than Sky+?

Sky Q represents a significant upgrade over the older Sky+ platform in almost every respect. The box features a faster processor, a redesigned user interface, and up to 1 TB of storage, which allows you to record around 500 hours of standard-definition content compared to the more limited capacity of Sky+. Sky Q also supports Ultra HD 4K resolution, a feature that was never available on Sky+ boxes, and integrates streaming apps like Netflix, Disney+, and YouTube directly into the home screen so you can search across all services at once. The voice-enabled touch remote makes finding programmes faster, and the built-in Wi-Fi capability enables multi-room viewing through Sky Q Mini boxes, something Sky+ could not offer without separate hardware. Existing Sky+ customers are not required to upgrade immediately, but when it comes time for a repair or replacement, a Sky Q box will be supplied as the standard equipment.

How Much Does Sky Q Cost?

Can You Add Channels to Sky Q Ireland?

Sky Q add-on channel packages
Sky Q Package Price Per Month Contract Length
Sky Cinema €12 12 Months
Sky Sports €20 31 Day Rolling Contract
Sky Sports Extra €17 31 Day Rolling Contract
HD €10 31 Day Rolling Contract
Ultra HD + HD €14 31 Day Rolling Contract
Ultimate TV Add On (Netflix) €6 31 Day Rolling Contract
Disney+ €8.99 31 Day Rolling Contract
Kids €8 31 Day Rolling Contract

Sky Q mini boxes cost €19/month for multi-room access.

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What Is the Sky Q Booster Box?

Place the booster roughly halfway between your set-top box and where your signal becomes poor to extend coverage. It is not available online; it requires calling customer service.

How Can I Get a Sky Q Booster?

Only Sky Q boosters are compatible with Sky Q boxes. Available through customer service on a case-by-case basis; pricing is not listed publicly.

My Sky Q Box Not Working, What Can I Do?

Troubleshooting includes restarting via power button or unplugging. For remote issues, press 'Home' and this should reconnect the remote.

What If My Sky Q Remote Isn't Working?

Check if light flashes when pressing buttons. Home button reconnection is recommended if flashing occurs.

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Frequently Asked Questions About Sky Q

No. Although Sky Q has Netflix and Disney+ integrated into its system, you are required to pay for this service as an additional subscription.

Unfortunately not. New customers will be supplied with a Sky Q box.

Equipment remains provider property throughout contract. If you cancel your contract, you may have to return your equipment or pay an amount to retain your devices.

Not quite. Though there initially was a Sky Q app, this has since been replaced with the Sky Go app. Sky Q users can pause across devices and download recordings offline.