Sky Adds HD Channels By Making Them Lower-Def

Sky TV giveth and Sky TV taketh away.

The satcaster has confirmed it’s been able to launch more HD channels by reducing their bandwidth.

It’s understood Sky’s sports channels and its upgraded Action and Classics movie channels are beaming out in 1440x1080i rather than the 1920x1080i standard.

“Yes, some of our channels have this compression,” Sky spokesperson Kirsty Way says.

“I’m sure you are aware that some content comes to us like this. But it does vary across the platform, as is standard practice internationally.

“With a finite amount of bandwidth and now a time frame/path to unlock more, we have been able to plan and allocate that bandwidth accordingly.”

The reallocation of bandwidth means Sky can squeeze five channels instead of four on to each of its four DVB-S2 muxes.

One industry source says the only long-term solution is for Sky to shift all muxes on sat to DVB-S2 H.264 (or maybe H.265), but that would require replacement of its set-top boxes.

“There are very likely to be more changes before we reach the point of increasing bandwidth availability and we will make announcements at the time,” Way says.

Reducing resolution may not be ideal but the upgraded movie channels still look much better than they did previously, with 95% of their schedules HD-ready.

And Sky has announced it’s investing $125 million investment over the next two years in new software and equipment.

The long overdue overhaul will allow it to double its satellite bandwidth, enabling internet connections for all decoders, more channels and the ability to broadcast ultra high definition. 

“We have firm plans for a major upgrade that will significantly enhance the service we provide to our 865,000 customers,” chief executive John Fellet said in a statement.

“As well as providing customers with the latest technology, a big upside of this project is that it allows us to double the amount of satellite bandwidth we can access, providing a path to ultra-high definition or 4k and the capacity to add new channels.

“By the end of this investment programme, every Sky set-top box will have the ability to be IP connected, providing access to VOD services for all of our customers.

“The simplicity of using My Sky and providing on demand services through the same set- top box will be a winning combination for our customers.”

Sky will also launch an SVOD service targeted at non-Sky customers this year. The service will feature TV shows, including HBO exclusives, and movies for a flat monthly fee and no contractual obligations. 

From March, My Sky decoders will have their operating software upgraded with an HD electronic programme guide (EPG).

Improvements will include an enchanced series link and search functionality that will allow shows from a series to ‘Series Stack’ in the planner under one header and access to a “huge library” of on demand content via an ethernet lead, Wi-Fi or power line device and store to watch at their convenience.

Content will be downloaded progressively, so subscribers can watch shows while the download completes.

Sky says access to VOD content and the upgrade will cost subscribers nothing beyond their connection devices and data usage.

Sky also will replace 460,000 non-My Sky decoders from March with a new decoder that is My Sky-capable with features like personal video recording, high definition and access to on demand content.