Sky forced to release update for new Glass TVs to fix ‘flickering’

Sky is poised to release a software update for its new streaming television just weeks after launch following customer complaints over “flickering” screens.

The pay TV giant unveiled Glass last month in an attempt to put Sky on the front foot in the global battle for eyeballs, but the rollout has faced teething problems.

Customers on Sky’s community forum have reported issues with a flashing square on the screen, out-of-sync sound, video lag and a patchy picture when using the “puck” device that streams Glass to TVs in another room.

Some customers on the forum said they had returned their TVs after becoming frustrated by problems with the technology.

A Sky spokesman said there had been huge demand for Sky Glass since the launch and positive feedback from many customers.

“A very small number of customers have reported some flickering and we have a software update scheduled this week that will resolve this. We’ll be following up as always with regular releases to add features and fix any issues,” he said.

Sky Glass used broadband and wifi in a departure from nearly three decades of dominating the pay TV market with its satellite dishes.

The television, which features an Ultra HD screen, Dolby Atmos surround sound and voice activation, comes in 43, 55 and 65 inch sizes and five colours.

Sky offers monthly payments like mobile phone plans starting at £13 a month for the 43-inch TV. The Sky Ultimate TV package that includes Netflix is £26 a month, bringing the total to £39 a month.

The issues come after The Telegraph revealed that Sky’s chief executive has been regularly commuting 3,500 miles by private jet from her home in the United States despite the company being one of the main sponsors of the Cop26 climate conference.

Dana Strong was appointed in January but remained based in Philadelphia, close to the headquarters of Sky’s owner, Comcast.

The long-distance arrangement has meant frequent trips for Ms Strong on a Comcast jets every few weeks until she moved to the UK in June, according to industry sources.

She appeared on a discussion panel at Cop26 where she called for the creative industries to work together to cut carbon emissions.

Sky defended her use of the private jet, stating: “Many CEOs leading multinational companies have schedules that mean it is appropriate to use different modes of transport. “It is critical to counterbalance this, that is why we offset carbon emissions caused by the business travel of Sky employees.” Telegraph