New Sky Q Box Allows 'Fluid TV Viewing'

Sky, the owner of Sky News, has unveiled a new entertainment system, called Sky Q.

Sky Q is a range of set-top boxes, hubs and apps that combine satellite and internet TV viewing.

The system is based on the notion of 'fluid viewing', so that customers can watch programmes across a number of screens - for example, pausing a show in one room, then watching it in another.

Customers will also be able to download programmes to their tablet, to watch on the go.

Interactive apps including YouTube and Vevo will also be available through the system.

Sky's chief executive Jeremy Darroch said: "We wanted to reimagine TV so that it's flexible and seamless across different screens."

The television industry has become increasingly competitive with US technology companies like Amazon, Apple, Google and Netflix all offering on-demand products through the internet.

Asked whether a set-top box was old-fashioned in an age of online streaming services, Sky's director of new products, Andrew Olson, told Sky News: "What we found is that the experience is something that you just can't create without really controlling all the pieces of hardware and software, so we've brought all of that together into this new experience."

Sky Q boxes will also double as Wi-Fi hotspots, connected through in-home electrical wiring, as well as Wi-Fi.

David Mercer, from Strategy Analytics, commented: "Sky customers watch 20% of programmes on connected devices and Sky Q is squarely targeted at the most demanding of this on-demand generation.

"And it needs to be; premium customers are the best bet for increasing revenue, as many people are looking to reduce TV bills.

"Sky Q, alongside Now TV's 'buffet' model, means Sky now covers consumers at opposite ends of this spectrum."

:: Sky Q will be available in the UK and Ireland in early 2016. Its pricing has not been confirmed.