It's taken over seven years to roll out to Sky Q, but viewers can finally access thousands of hours of exclusive TV shows and films from the dedicated Channel 4 app
Better late than never, Channel 4 finally brings its complete on-demand library and ad-free viewing to Sky Q
Channel 4 is finally bringing its streaming service, previously known as All4, to Sky Q viewers — the app arrives over seven years after the satellite set-top box launched in the UK.
Known simply as Channel 4, the app is available on your Sky Q box now and arrives packed with thousands of hours of fan-favourite boxsets such as Gogglebox, The Inbetweeners, Married at First Sight, and The Great British Bake Off.
Until now, Sky TV negotiated bespoke dealswith Channel 4 to bring its library of on-demand shows to Sky Q viewers without the need for a separate app. The last deal struck between the broadcasters in 2021 added 1,000 hours of exclusive on-demand content from Channel 4 to Sky TV customers.
With the arrival of the Channel 4 app, Sky Q viewers can finally access the full library of content.
Channel 4’s app also brings several new features previously unavailable to Sky Q users, including personalised recommendations based on your viewing history.
There’s also a My List feature that lets you bookmark TV shows and films to watch at a later date. Your list will be synchronised across your devices, so you can pick up and resume a new series from any of your gadgets.
And there’s more to come. Channel 4 has confirmed plans to introduce its Live Restart feature for all Sky Q viewers, which lets you time-travel to the beginning of any show if you’ve missed the start. Until that feature arrives in a future software update, you’ll need to keep setting an alarm ...or watch on-demand when the broadcast has finished
Channel 4 (née All4) was available on Sky Glass and Sky Stream at launch. However, despite being released back in early 2016, Sky Q boxes are only getting support for the streamer now.
Speaking about the overdue launch, Karla Berry, Distribution and Partnerships Leader, Commercial Innovation, Channel 4, commented: “With today’s launch we’rebringing the very best, personalised Channel 4 streaming experience to millions of Sky Q customers across the country. Over the coming months, viewers can expect to see us continue to enhance our presence across multiple platforms.”
Channel 4 rebranded its streaming service earlier this year, unifying its on-demand, streaming and linear services under the same brand. The broadcaster says this one-name-fits-all approach reflects the fact that viewers “no longer distinguish between digital and linear content.”
That’s certainly a trend across the television industry ...but it’s a little confusing that Channel 4’s live channel and its streaming service have the same name.
Jon Simkin, Sky Managing Director of Channels & Partnerships, commented: “We aim to give our customers the best entertainment experience, so we’re thrilled to be expanding Channel 4’s offering on Sky Q just in time for the Christmas period.
"Adding to the huge selection of content and apps already available on Sky Q and through our on-demand library, the launch of the Channel 4 app makes it even easier for viewers to access the content they love, all in one place.”
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Like rival streamer ITVX, Channel 4 also offers an optional paid subscription that removes ad breaks and unlocks early access to new shows and films.
