Sky will be bringing 4K sports, movies and other entertainment content to UK screens in 2016.
At the launch event for Sky Q, Andrew Olson, Sky’s director of new products said that: “What’s next? To give you just a peek at a few of the things we’ll be bringing next year; the Sky Q box is Ultra HD ready and we’ll be launching UHD services later in 2016. Not only sports, but movies, entertainment and more.”
Olson didn’t expand on the types of content that would be on offer, but Sky’s CEO Jeremy Darroch closed the press conference with a short recap of what Sky will be bringing to subscribers next year.
What is Sky Q? Prices, release dates and specsDarroch said: “I’m delighted to say that in 2016 is just going to be another great year on screen for our customers.
“We’re bringing together the very best of TV from anywhere in the world. Brilliant original drama, the best of the US including Game of Thrones season six, the latest movies to enjoy wherever and whenever you want to.
“A huge era in sport. All four golf majors, the Ryder Cup will be back and we’ll have more and even better live Premier League football than before.”
It should be noted that while Darroch didn’t confirm that any of the above would be available in 4K, we know that Sky’s been testing 4K equipment at Premier League matches and it filmed last year’s Ryder Cup golf tournament in Ultra HD.
While the Sky Q Silver set-top box is ‘Ultra HD ready’, there won’t be any 4K content available to watch from day one. Darroch said that “a stream of new features that will just keep coming” following that early 2016 launch.
Given that chief rival BT is making hay with its own Ultra HD sports offering it would be surprising if Sky didn’t make 4K happen on the Q Silver before the 2016/17 season kicks off.
For now, Sky’s keeping quiet about its 4K plans, choosing for focus instead on the other benefits of Sky Q, namely the enhanced discovery, multiroom and WiFi hotspot features.
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