Sky has announced the imminent launch of the second successor to the Sky Glass TV, which is a more affordable alternative to the Sky Glass Gen 2 TV that debuted in February.
The company’s latest branded television has been christened the “Sky Glass Air”, and like the original Sky Glass TV and Gen 2 version, it comes with the best of Sky’s entertainment baked in and streamed over WiFi, eliminating the need for a satellite dish installation.
One of the best things about the Sky Glass Air TV is that customers don’t have to pay the full amount upfront. They can get it delivered to their homes straight away, with payments as low as just £6 per month when it launches in one week’s time, on June 10. Be warned, though, you’ll also have to add the cost of a Sky subscription on top of that amount.
Sky introduced its novel formula of packaging a 4K HDR TV with an integrated soundbar and Sky streaming subscription with the original Sky Glass TV back in 2021, and the concept has proven to be quite popular, which is why the company is now expanding on it with the Sky Glass Air.
It’s a more affordable version of the Sky Glass Gen 2 TV, but the lower price point does mean that it won’t be quite so impressive. When Sky launched the Gen 2 in February, we were somewhat disappointed to find out that it’s persisting with a regular 4K Quantum Dot panel instead of upgrading to Mini-LED or OLED, and so it’s no surprise that the Sky Glass Air also comes with a standard LCD display.
The company promises a “vibrant picture packed full of colour” anyway, but anyone weighing up the prospect of Sky’s offer should understand that it’s not likely to match the visuals found on today’s higher-end OLED and Mini-LED televisions. Still, the company also promises “rich sound” thanks to the inclusion of a Dolby Atmos sound system – though this is a relatively simple 2.0-channel setup, as opposed to the 3.1.2-channel system found on the Gen 2.
Customers will be able to choose from three size options – 43-inches, 55-inches and 65-inches – as well as three colours, in Sea Green, Cotton White and Carbon Grey. They’ll get the option of a regular TV stand, which can be fitted onto the TV without any tools – it just slots right in, apparently – or there’s also a wall mount for those who would prefer that kind of setup.
Sky Glass Air runs the Sky OS operating system, which bakes in all of Sky’s familiar entertainment options, as well as popular streaming apps like Netflix and Amazon Prime Video. The OS supports voice controls, which can be activated simply by saying “Hello, Sky”, and its integrated AI algorithms will remember what kinds of programmes you like watching, so it can better hone its content recommendations and find more things you might want to watch.
Of course, customers will have to decide if it’s a worthwhile investment or not. Sky said Sky Glass Air will start at just £6 per month for the 43-inch version, rising to £10 for the 55-inch model and £13 for the largest 65-inch screen. They’ll also need to add the cost of a Sky subscription package into their calculations, with the cheapest Sky Essential TV offering costing £15 per month without any add-ons, raising the price to at least £21.
Note that you’ll need to sign a two-year contract if you sign up for Sky Essential TV at that price. For those who’d rather not, Sky also offers the same package at a slightly higher price on a rolling 31-day contract.
You won’t get all of the Sky channels for that price, mind. For unlimited entertainment, you’ll have to upgrade to Sky Ultimate TV, which costs an additional £7 per month and adds channels such as Sky Max, Sky Comedy, Sky Documentaries, Sky Crime, Sky Showcase, Sky History and others. If you’re looking for live Premier League football, that also costs extra, as does Sky’s latest movies.
Sky TV and NOW Managing Director Carli Kerr said Sky Glass Air is all about giving people “better for less” without any compromises on quality. “From the ultimate performance of Glass Gen 2 to the incredible value of Air, there’s now a Sky Glass to suit everyone, whether you’re new to Sky or already with us,” she beamed.
Sky said the Glass Air can serve as the centrepiece of any living room, or also be used as a second display for the bedroom. Those who want a better quality picture are encouraged by Sky to consider the all-new Sky Glass Gen 2 TV, which starts at £14 per month for the smallest 43-inch size, rising to £19 for the 55-inch model and £24 per month for the 65-inch version. You can also put down the cash upfront and buy the Sky Glass Gen 2 outright from the get-go, which is an option that Sky didn’t mention is possible with the Sky Glass Air.
Sky’s offerings can be had with much better TVs, though. While the 4K Quantum Dot displays on the Glass Air and Glass Gen 2 have been improved, the picture quality will surely be surpassed by new premium models from brands like Samsung, LG Electronics, Sony and Panasonic. If you have your heart set on a higher-end TV, you can instead consider buying the Sky Stream device, which plugs into any TV to enable Sky’s content to be streamed over Wi-Fi.
Sky Glass Air will be available to buy at Currys.co.uk, Sky.com and via Sky’s call centres from June 10, as well as Sky’s physical high street stores. It’ll also be available in Curry’s stores from June 18.
