Sky is issuing refunds of up to £290 to customers following its decision to permanently discontinue the Sky Live service. The interactive television feature, which launched in 2023, will be shut down for good next week.
What was Sky Live and why is it closing?
Sky Live was an ambitious service that used an interactive camera to create new, social ways of watching television. It allowed users to share their viewing experiences with family and friends in innovative ways.
One of its key features enabled customers to play games using physical movements. Another popular function allowed friends to virtually watch Sky Sports matches together, with a live video feed of each other appearing in a corner of the screen.
The service will stop working completely on December 4, 2025. A Sky representative confirmed that the company is now focusing its investment on areas that matter most to customers, such as faster products, unbeatable content, and improved service.
How much will customers be refunded?
Customers who purchased the Sky Live device are set to receive compensation. The service originally cost £290 to buy outright. Alternatively, customers could opt for a 48-month payment plan at £6 per month, provided they had a Sky Glass subscription.
Sky has confirmed that affected customers will be refunded "for the value they have paid towards their Sky Live device". This means those who paid the full £290 upfront will receive that entire amount back, while those on payment plans will be refunded for the portion they have already paid.
Sky's statement and future direction
When announcing the service's discontinuation, a Sky spokesperson reflected on the company's innovative spirit. "Innovation has always been at the heart of Sky," they stated.
The representative highlighted that Sky Live was part of that innovation journey and that the company is proud of the ambition behind it. The service provided valuable learnings that are now helping to shape future products.
Gaming emerged as the most popular feature of Sky Live, which is why Sky continues to add more games to its Sky Glass and Sky Stream platforms. The company mentioned that titles like Who Wants To Be A Millionaire are now available for family entertainment.
This year, Sky has expanded its Sky Glass range, launched what it claims is the UK's fastest broadband speeds from any major provider, and continued investing in enhancing the overall television experience.
