I’ve written about Sky quite a bit recently, mainly because… things are beginning to improve.
The return of Sky One feels like a good move, and the addition of bundled apps that include the new HBO Max helps in part. There have also been a bunch of smaller tweaks that, taken together, make the overall experience feel like it’s heading back in the right direction.
But… it’s not quite there yet.
It does feel like Sky are still recovering from a run of decisions that didn’t exactly scream “premium experience”. So naturally, that got me thinking… what’s still missing?
Here’s my Sky Stream wishlist, the things that would genuinely take the platform up a level:
Make the Sky News app ad-free for subscribers
Watching ads before short news clips just feels wrong when you’re already paying. At least tone it down and give subscribers less ads if signed in.
Add a proper Sky News app to Sky Stream
The news rail is hit and miss and when it appears, is mainly podcasts. A dedicated app would fix that instantly.
Give Ad Skip and/or Ultra customers equivalent HBO Max premium offering
In other words, give us a version without ads. Must be possible as Now customers who pay for boost or ad free get the premium offering that matches.
Bring 4K to Sky Store
This feels like a no-brainer in 2026.
Offer faster hardware (a “pro” puck, maybe?)
The current one works, but apps can feel sluggish. Give us a premium option.
Fix the “Continue Watching” rail
Sometimes it’s great, sometimes it forgets what you were even watching. The ability to delete shows would also be useful. And let us pin what we actually care about, whether tv shows or films for quick access. And let us delete shows from the rail also that we have lost interest in.
Sort the Sky Go app for Sky Stream users
It’s been “coming soon” for far too long now. Though now confirmed as happening, we need the ability to add to our playlists etc from our phones.
Proper Apple AirPlay support
Proper AirPlay for Sky Stream is long overdue.
Expand Apple integration
Apple Music and access to purchased Apple TV films would be useful for Apple users.
Two remotes, one puck
Sounds niche, but in real homes, this would be genuinely useful. No workarounds like at present, proper support for two remotes.
Better ad-skipping options
Skipping is good. Removing entirely? Even better. Unlikely though as Sky but maybe worth paying for.
More control over sleep settings
The box is a bit too eager to nod off. Really annoying.
Rethink Sky Cinema offering
Right now, standalone cinema passes (e.g Cineworld Unlimited) often feel like better value. Sky cinema is rammed with old films and not that many premieres these days. Then Sky Original films are shown at the cinema first. Now I haven’t personally got an issue with this, as a Cineworld Unlimited subscriber, I get to see these films before Sky subscribers. However, if I was a Sky Cinema subscriber only, I would probably have an issue with this.
Fix account management quirks
Upgrading features works fine. Removing them? That’s where it is a headache and you get errors (conveniently).
None of this is unrealistic. In fact, most of it feels like the kind of stuff Sky should already be doing if it wants Sky Stream to feel like a true flagship product.
What would be on your wishlist?
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