Sky is reportedly working on the launch of its own Smart TV product, according to a report published by Financial Times Tuesday.
The report said the broadcaster was looking to make up lost ground following the pandemic, which at its height wiped out much of the broadcaster’s sports coverage.
Sky has already invited the press to a news briefing early next month that was widely expected to unveil the UK version of its Sky Q streaming box, replicating the complete Sky experience, but without the need for a dish. It’s already been successfully launched in the German market and there were suggestions the UK version could feature some enhancements.
Last September Brian Roberts, CEO of Sky’s parent Comcast, told an online conference that a smart TV product was on its roadmap. “It’s early days, but we’re looking at smart TVs on a global basis, and we’re wondering can we bring our same tech stack to consumers who are relying more and more on smart TVs,” he said.
In June, TCL Electronics launched a range of RokuTV models in the UK market, they feature Freeview Play and an integrated Freeview tuner, enabling consumers to enjoy live and on-demand TV. Sky was an investor in Roku until its IPO in 2018 and continues to use the company as a manufacturing partner for its NowTV product.
Sky told the FT it doesn’t comment on product rumours.
Source: https://www.broadbandtvnews.com/2021/09/21/ft-sky-planning-smart-tv-launch/