SKY is offering full refunds to customers affected by the closure of a TV product less than three years after launching.
But telly fans should also watch out as the soon-to-be useless device has already started popping up on shopping sites like eBay and Facebook Marketplace.
The broadcaster revealed yesterday that it is discontinuing Sky Live in a month’s time.
Sky Live was designed to “transform the way you use your TV” when plugged into a Sky Glass.
The camera gadget unlocked bonus games that rely on physical movement, such as Peppa Pig, as well as the ability to watch football matches on Sky Sports with friends remotely via Teams, and even fitness workouts that guide your form.
But only 28 months after launching, Sky has announced the service will end on December 4.
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Fortunately, the firm is offering full refunds – meaning some will get up to £290.
But there are a number of factors to consider to determine just how much you’ll get.
How much refund for Sky Live will I get?
Sky Live was available to buy up front or on a monthly subscription.
Upfront, it cost £290 with no further costs.
There were two pay monthly options:
- £6 per month for 48 months
- £12 per month for 24 months
Sky is offering a full refund for the amount you’ve paid.
While an inconvenience for those loved using Sky Live, a full refund is quite generous – most tech companies only offer a partial refund when products stop working sooner than expected.
It will essentially mean you got access to Sky Live for free all this time.
Now, if you paid upfront, you’ll get a full refund within three weeks automatically to the saved payment method on your Sky account.
For those who paid monthly, Sky will cancel any future payments outstanding and refund everything you’ve paid so far.
One important caveat for both – if you owe Sky money on your bill for other services like TV or broadband, the refund total will pay for this first and what ever is left will go back into your bank account.
DON’T GET CAUGHT OUT
Another important thing to note is you can only get a refund if you bought the device directly from Sky.
So if you bought it second hand, you’re out of luck.
At times like these, people will also try to sell off old tech on sites like eBay and Facebook Marketplace.
So if you don’t own a Sky Live device and are tempted, do not bother, as this will be a waste of money.
From December 4 it’ll stop working and will be completely useless.
Do I have to return Sky Live?
No, you don’t need to go through the hassle of returning your Sky Live kit to be eligible for refund either.
It won’t be any use to you though, as the gadget only works when plugged into a Sky Glass TV.
If you can it’s best to recycle the Sky Live camera.
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You can return it to Sky for free via Royal Mail with instructions on how to do it on Sky’s website.
Or, you can use a local recycling centre.
SAD BUT NOT SURPRISING
By Jamie Harris, Assistant Technology and Science Editor at The Sun
I tried Sky Live when it first launched and was super impressed with how fun it was – you had major names like Peppa Pig on board to keep the family entertained.
Sadly, I did not know anyone who actually used it.
It felt like something developed with Covid-19 lockdowns in mind, allowing you to chat and even do workouts.
As other tech giants who banked on “stay at home” gadgets have come to realise, people do actually like going out and seeing mates in the flesh.
More than 90 per cent of Sky’s new TV subscriptions are for Sky Glass or Sky Stream.
But I believe the cost of Sky Live ultimately put people off, especially during a cost of living crisis and ever-increasing bills in general.
