What Is Sky Glass? Models, Features and How It Works
What Exactly Is Sky Glass?
Historically, receiving Sky required drilling holes in your masonry to mount a satellite dish, running twin coaxial cables into your living room, and connecting a separate set-top box. Sky Glass replaces all of that with a single television and one mains power lead.
How Does Sky Glass Work?
When you turn on the TV, it connects via Wi-Fi or Ethernet to Sky’s UK cloud streaming network. Live broadcast feeds are delivered over internet protocol (IP) directly to the screen. Third-party apps (BBC iPlayer, ITVX, Netflix, Disney+, Prime Video) are unified into a single home ribbon.
Sky Glass Models: Original, Gen 2 and Air
Since launch, Sky has released three iterations of Glass hardware:
| Hardware Generation | Availability | Audio Configuration | Dimming Tech |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gen 1 (Original 2021) | Retired (Discontinued 2025) | 215W 6-speaker Atmos soundbar | Direct LED (no local dimming) |
| Gen 2 (Current Flagship) | Current Active Model | 250W 6-speaker Atmos soundbar | Quantum Dot VA with Local Dimming |
| Sky Glass Air (Budget Line) | Current Active Model | Standard 2.0 stereo audio | Quantum Dot with Global Dimming |
Specifications and Picture Quality
All current models feature 4K Ultra HD resolution (3840 x 2160 pixels) and support Dolby Vision, HDR10, and HLG at 60Hz. The Quantum Dot panel layer provides wide color gamut reproduction. Gen 2 adds local dimming zones for deeper contrast.
Sizes, Dimensions and Weight (Table)
| Model & Screen Size | Width | Height (No Stand) | Depth | Weight (No Stand) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Air 43-inch | 95.5 cm | 55.8 cm | 3.8 cm | 10.5 kg |
| Air 55-inch | 122.4 cm | 71.2 cm | 3.8 cm | 17.0 kg |
| Air 65-inch | 144.2 cm | 83.5 cm | 3.9 cm | 22.5 kg |
| Gen 2 43-inch | 96.2 cm | 64.8 cm | 4.9 cm | 19.0 kg |
| Gen 2 55-inch | 123.1 cm | 80.4 cm | 4.9 cm | 28.2 kg |
| Gen 2 65-inch | 145.0 cm | 92.6 cm | 4.9 cm | 35.0 kg |
Colours, Stand and Wall-Mount Options
Gen 2 is finished in Anthracite Black, Ocean Blue, or Racing Green with acoustic woven grilles. Air is available in Cotton White, Carbon Grey, and Soft Gold. Both support standard VESA wall brackets.
HDMI, USB, Ethernet and Wireless Connections
Every Sky Glass features 3 HDMI ports (one with eARC for external audio), 1x 100Mbps Ethernet, dual-band Wi-Fi, and a digital terrestrial TV aerial input. Gen 2 adds a dedicated USB-C port for the Sky Live camera.
Apps, Playlist and Voice Control
Sky Glass does not use an internal hard drive; instead, shows are bookmarked via the '+' button to your cloud Playlist. Voice search is built into every remote, allowing hands-free or button-dictated search. Read how recording works on Sky Glass for detailed mechanics.
Does Sky Glass Need Broadband?
Yes. A continuous internet speed of at least 25Mbps is required for HD and 30Mbps for 4K. If your broadband line drops, the TV can fall back to standard Freeview through a terrestrial aerial.
Can You Use It Without a Sky Subscription?
Yes. The television is yours to keep. You can use it as a standard monitor via HDMI or Freeview aerial. Learn all the details in our guide on using Sky Glass without a subscription.
Sky Glass vs a Normal Smart TV
Unlike a standard Samsung or LG smart TV where you must manually jump between separate apps (iPlayer, ITVX, Netflix), Sky Glass merges everything into one universal electronic programme guide and search system.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a satellite dish?
No. Sky Glass does not use a satellite dish under any circumstances.
How much does it cost?
Check our full breakdown of current prices and deals.
Still stuck after trying these steps?
Deciding which model suits your room? Read our head-to-head comparison in Sky Glass Gen 2 vs Air or compare against Sky Glass vs Sky Stream.