Sky Go On Smart TVs In the UK: Myth or Reality?

Is it possible to use the Sky Go app and cast it to your Smart TV? Some people say it is, while others claim it’s just a myth. So what’s the truth? What about a dedicated Sky Go App for Smart TV. In this blog post, we’ll take a closer look at the Sky Go app and explore whether or not it can be used on Smart TVs. We’ll also provide some tips on how to get the most out of this popular streaming service.

Let’s dive in:

The reality

Good news! Sky Go is now available on Apple TV, and it’s probably the best way to watch Sky Go on Smart TVs. If you have an Apple TV 4K or HD Edition, you can download the Sky Go app from the store and use it to watch Sky Go on your Smart TV. However, it’s important to note that Sky Go on Apple TV is still in the testing stages. The resolution is limited to sub-1080P and does not support UHD or Dolby Atmos.

The requirement to watch Sky Go on Apple TV is either a Sky Multiscreen or Sky Glass Whole Home subscription. You may need to upgrade your membership. Currently, Apple TV is the only streaming box that has a dedicated app for Sky Go. Sky Go is not available on Chromecast, Firestick, or Roku at this time.

Many sites claim that other methods, such as casting via mobile phone/tablet or using an HDMI connection from a laptop, can enable you to watch Sky Go on Smart TVs. However, these claims are merely myths, and these methods do not actually work. We will explain why later on in the article.

We hope that Sky Go will be added to more platforms soon, but for now, using Apple TV remains the best and most reliable option for watching Sky Go on your Smart TV.

Why isn’t there a Sky Go app for other Smart TVs?

While many apps are available for smart TVs, there is not yet an app specifically for Sky TV on other platforms like Chromecast, Firestick, or Roku. This is likely because Sky does not want to cannibalize its multiscreen subscriptions. If there were an app that allowed users to watch Sky content on a second screen, it would likely significantly reduce the number of people who feel the need to pay for a separate subscription. Therefore, it makes financial sense for Sky to continue to sell multiscreen subscriptions instead of developing an app that would ultimately hurt its bottom line. While this may be frustrating for consumers who want to watch their favourite shows on their phone or tablet, it is understandable from a business perspective.

The other reason Sky doesn’t have a Smart TV app on other platforms is to stop sharing Sky subscriptions. Think about it: if the app were available, it would be possible for me to share my subscription with a friend and my friend watch Sky via the app in a different home. While this might seem convenient for consumers, it would ultimately lead to lost revenue for Sky. By making the app unavailable, Sky ensures that each household that wants to watch their programming must have a subscription. This may not be the most consumer-friendly approach, but from a business standpoint, it makes perfect sense.

Sky Go App for Xbox and Playstation

There is a Sky Go app available on Xbox and Playstation. So, this might be the best solution if you’re looking to watch Sky content on a smart TV not connected to Sky Q. The app is free to download and use, but you will need a Sky ID to sign in and access the content.

While the app isn’t perfect, it’s a convenient way to watch Sky content on your Xbox or Playstation. And since it’s free to download and use, it’s worth checking out if you’re a Sky customer.

However, to take advantage of this app, you will need a Sky Go Extra subscription, which in turn requires a multiscreen licence, a Sky Glass Whole Home subscription, or pay extra to use it.

Airplay / Casting Sky Go From Phone?

If you’ve oped Sky Go looking for the casting function, you may have been surprised it’s not there. While many apps allow users to cast content from their phone to their TV, Sky Go does not currently have this feature.

The answer is the rights that Sky holds to its content. Sky doesn’t allow its customers to cast content to their TVs unlike other streaming services. Instead, you can only watch Sky content on the company’s proprietary Sky Q box or a multiscreen subscription, which allows you to watch Sky on multiple devices.

Of course, this isn’t the most convenient solution for everyone. However, it does ensure that Sky can protect its content and prevent unauthorized copying or distribution. So if you’re a Sky customer hoping to cast content to your TV, you’ll need to look into alternative methods or wait until the company changes its policy.

However…

If you’re a Sky customer in New Zealand, you’ll be pleased to know that the company’s app now has Chromecast functionality. This means you can cast content from your phone or tablet directly to your TV, making it easy to enjoy your favorite shows and movies on the big screen. And best of all, the feature is available on both iOS and Android devices. Unfortunately, this casting feature is only available in New Zealand and not in the UK. Sky has not said whether or when it plans to roll out the feature to other markets. But given the popularity of Chromecast, it’s likely only a matter of time before the company makes its streaming service more widely available.

Can I Watch Sky Go on my TV Using a Laptop with an HDMI Cable?

At first glance, it may seem like a simple solution: just connect your laptop or another compatible device to your smart TV using an HDMI cable, and you should be able to watch Sky Go content on the big screen. Regrettably, this method is not a viable option.

Sky Go strictly enforces its Content Rights policies, which prohibit the app from being broadcast on unapproved displays. This measure is in place to protect the intellectual property of the content creators and rights holders. As a result, when attempting to use an HDMI cable to stream Sky Go from your laptop or other devices to a smart TV, you will be met with an error message that reads, “External Display Output Is Blocked.“

This error message is Sky Go’s way of notifying you that it has detected an unauthorized display connection and is blocking the output. The platform employs advanced technologies to detect and prevent such connections, ensuring that its content remains secure and compliant with licensing agreements.

To wrap things up, if you want to watch Sky Go on your Smart TV, your best bet is to use an Apple TV. Sadly, there isn’t a dedicated app for other Smart TVs, and platforms like Chromecast, Firestick, and Roku aren’t supported either. Good news for Xbox and Playstation owners though – the Sky Go app is available for you. If you encounter any issues getting connected to Sky Go, simply reach out to the company for assistance.