Sky Q or Virgin TV 360 to Stream: what changes

• Sky Q (satellite). Sky's Sky Q page is titled "We've unplugged Sky Q. Plug in Sky Stream for less." Its heading says "Sky Q is no longer available to buy online, but you can get Sky Stream for less", and it still gives a phone number to call if you think Sky Q is the right option for you (checked October 2026).
• Virgin TV 360 (cable). Virgin Media's article of 8 April 2026 says new customers get the Stream box, included with all its current TV bundles. Its TV small print (checked October 2026) says the TV 360 box is not available with full fibre and needs at least M50 broadband; our guide to how Virgin Media's network works explains full fibre versus its cable network.

The "unplugged" wording is about sales: the page says you can't buy Sky Q online any more, not that existing Sky Q boxes are being turned off. ISPreview's report of 11 December 2025 on Sky ending online Sky Q sales (it still appeared to be sold by phone or in store then) gave no date for ending existing services.

So, on the Sky and Virgin Media help and product pages we checked, neither company has given existing customers a date or plan to switch off Sky Q or withdraw TV 360, and Virgin's Stream upgrade page doesn't mention one. If you read of a switch-off, look for it on the company's own website, or in a message to you as a customer, before acting.

Sky's speed guidance for Sky Stream (checked October 2026) starts at 25Mbps (megabits per second) for a single puck. It rises to 30Mbps for a second puck or for UHD (4K) viewing, and to 35Mbps for UHD on Whole Home, Sky's multiroom pack. Sky calls these recommended minimums that may change with your package, says it will recommend speeds before you order, and suggests fibre broadband.

Your current broadband may be fine. If you've kept Sky Q on the dish while your broadband is with another company, you don't automatically need to change it: Sky's Stream help just asks you to check your speeds with your broadband company. Our guide to keeping Sky TV with another company's broadband covers living with two suppliers.

When Sky itself says Sky Q may suit you better. Sky's Sky Q page lists times Sky Q may work better than Stream:

• you don't have access to the internet;
• your internet speed falls below the suggested minimum;
• other devices on your network use a lot of bandwidth;
• your home limits what the connection can do, for example thick concrete walls or interference.

If one fits your home, fix it or talk to Sky first: ordering Stream ends your Sky Q subscription.

Measure where the TV is, not where the router is. Run our broadband speed test on a phone or laptop next to the TV, at the time of evening you usually watch, and repeat it on another evening. As an example only: a result of 20Mbps by the TV is below Sky's 25Mbps for one puck, even if your package is sold as faster. Sky's broadband help notes that the speed reaching a Wi-Fi device is lower than at the hub; our guide to why speed test results differ explains why.

If the line itself is too slow, you can compare broadband deals at your postcode, look at fibre broadband deals, or check Sky broadband deals if you'd rather keep it all with Sky. A move to a different broadband company goes through One Touch Switch: you deal only with the company you're joining, and the one you're leaving has to send you switching information, covering any early termination charges and what happens to other services such as TV.

Virgin's rules are tighter, because its Stream box is tied to its own broadband. According to Virgin's TV small print (checked October 2026), you need:

• a Virgin Media broadband connection of 50Mbps or more;
• a Hub 3 or later (the Hub is the router Virgin supplies);
• an HDMI cable to the TV (the standard lead for picture and sound).

Virgin's Stream set-up guide adds two practical points. If you're getting new Virgin broadband at the same time, install the broadband first, then the Stream box. And the box only works at the address registered on your Virgin Media account.

Leaving Virgin broadband later would mean losing this TV too. If your current Virgin package is below 50Mbps, the Virgin Media broadband deals page lists Virgin's packages at your postcode.

One gap to ask about. Virgin's small print says Sky Cinema and Sky Entertainment in UHD on Virgin Media need a V6 or TV 360 box; it doesn't list the Stream box (checked October 2026). If you pay for Sky UHD on Virgin now, ask Virgin whether it carries on after you move.

Each Stream box can join your Wi-Fi or take a network cable straight from the router, but the details differ.

Sky Stream puck. Sky says the puck has one HDMI port, one Ethernet port (for a wired network cable) and a power port. It joins your Hub, or any Sky Boosters, over Wi-Fi, or takes a cable in the port on the back. Sky notes pucks won't work as Wi-Fi hotspots for other devices.

Virgin Media Stream box. Virgin's set-up guide lists what's in the box: the Stream box, a remote, an HDMI cable, a USB power cable, a power adaptor and an Ethernet cable. It gives three ways to connect: press the Hub's WPS button (a one-press pairing button), type in your Wi-Fi name and password, or plug the supplied Ethernet cable from the Hub into the Ethernet socket on the Stream power adapter, not into the box itself. It may update and restart during set-up, so let it finish.

Which is better? The Stream pages we checked don't pick one, though Sky's general broadband help says a wired connection is more reliable than Wi-Fi and usually faster. Our TV over broadband guide sets out the order to try (a cable if you can, then Wi-Fi close to the hub, then mesh or a booster), and wiring your home with Ethernet and mesh Wi-Fi versus extenders cover the kit. Whichever you choose, test the speed where the box will sit, in the evening.

On Virgin, the Stream upgrade page says having more than one Stream box qualifies you for its WiFi Guarantee, which has conditions and can cost extra; read our guide to what Wi-Fi guarantees promise before counting on it.

Neither move brings your recordings with you, because they live on the old box. Sky says Sky Q and Sky+ recordings are stored on the box's hard drive and so can't be moved to Sky Stream, and Virgin says it can't transfer recordings or settings when you switch to Stream. Both companies say some programmes may be on Catch Up or On Demand.

The cut-off differs. Sky advises watching anything you want to keep before you activate Sky Stream, and keeps Sky Q running until you do; just keep an eye on the 21-day billing clock covered below. Virgin's upgrade page advises watching the shows you need before you request the upgrade, and its set-up guide tells you to unplug the old box before installing Stream.

Other things that don't carry over from Sky Q:

• Sky Store rentals bought on your Sky box can't be transferred, but Buy & Keep purchases appear in the Sky Store app when you sign in with your Sky iD.
• Unlike a Sky Q box, Sky says, Sky Stream doesn't let you watch programmes from your Playlist, or pause and carry on, on the go; for viewing away from home you download from the Sky Go app instead.

On Virgin's Stream box, there's no hard drive, so programmes go on a Watchlist rather than being recorded. Virgin's set-up guide adds that you can pause live TV and rewind up to 30 minutes on any channel.

Cloud recording on Sky Stream: reported, not yet standard. ISPreview reported on 3 October 2026 that Sky OS 2.0, being trialled with customers who opted in, adds a Record button with up to 1,000 hours of cloud storage per home for eligible programmes, kept for up to a year. ISPreview expected roll-out to regular customers before the end of 2026, with no firm date. Sky's help pages don't yet describe it, so don't count on it.

Sky treats Stream as a new TV contract; Virgin's upgrade page describes a free replacement of your box.

Sky. Once Sky Stream is activated, Sky says your old Sky box, remotes and multiscreen mini boxes stop working. They still have to go back:

• Sky's Stream FAQs say to keep the Sky Q equipment for the first 31 days; Sky will then tell you what to return and when, and keeping it after that brings a non-return charge.
• The small print on Sky's Sky Q page sets an outer limit: Sky Q boxes back within 60 days after the Streaming TV cooling-off period ends, or a non-returns charge may apply.
• For customers cancelling Sky Q, Sky's returns help lists Sky Q boxes, Sky Q Mini boxes, remotes, cables and accessories, and Sky Boosters only if you don't have, or aren't keeping, Sky Broadband. Sky warns that not returning equipment can affect your credit score.

The dish. Sky's Stream FAQ section headed "Sky Q or Sky+ box, Sky dish and equipment" says nothing about the dish itself, and it isn't on the returns list above. If you want it taken down, check with Sky who is responsible first.

Virgin Media. Virgin's set-up guide says to unplug any other Virgin TV box before installing Stream and follow the return instructions to send it back. Virgin's TV small print says the Stream box and remote remain Virgin's property. Its Flex terms, for its Flex TV service, say the box must be returned on request, including when you cancel, or a non-return charge may apply. Ask Virgin how returns work on your own package.

The new kit is on loan too. Sky's Stream FAQs say pucks ordered in the UK after 23 February 2023 are on loan, which means returning them if you leave Sky or downgrade, or paying non-return charges. Keep proof of postage for every return.

1. Test the speed by the TV in the evening, and compare it with Sky's 25/30/35Mbps figures or Virgin's 50Mbps minimum.
2. Count who else is online while the TV is on.
3. Choose cable or Wi-Fi for the TV spot. On Virgin, the cable goes into the power adapter.
4. Virgin only: check your Hub is a Hub 3 or later. If it's in modem mode, switch it back or ask Virgin first, as Virgin warns modem mode can cause set-up problems.
5. Watch or note your recordings, and check which are on catch-up or on demand.
6. Plan to activate a Sky puck within 21 days of delivery.
7. Keep the old kit until you're told what to return, then send it back on time and keep proof.

Also ask whether anything you watch now, such as UHD channels, is unavailable on Stream, and check the new package's minimum term in its contract summary before you agree.

For a fuller sum of what everyone at home uses at once, see what broadband speed you need. When you're ready, the broadband and TV deals page shows TV bundles at your address. Those deals come through our comparison partner's widget; you order direct with the provider you pick, and we don't switch you ourselves.