Sky Glass Gen 2

A big upgrade and a very compelling all-in-one TV, soundbar and TV service solution

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Quite remarkably, it has been three and a half years since Sky Glass launched. It was a big deal for Sky: not only the brand's first TV, but also the first time Sky was made available without the satellite dish with which it was synonymous.

Over that period, it has essentially been a success, and there's no doubt it is the future of the service, with the satellite-based Sky Q seemingly destined for eventual discontinuation.

But three and a half years is a long time in TV land, and the original Sky Glass is creaking a bit. Good news, then, that Sky Glass Gen 2 is here.

The concept is unchanged - it's a TV with a soundbar and the Sky service built in - but Sky has upped the specification and improved usability. The price is the same as for the now-discontinued original model: £699 for the 43in version, £949 for the 55in version, and £1199 for the 65in model.

So far, so simple. But one of the most appealing aspects of Sky Glass has always been that the cost can be split, interest-free, over 24 or 48 months. Opt for the 48-month contract and you're looking at £14 per month for the 43in Sky Glass Gen 2, £19 per month for the 55-incher and £24 per month for the 65in model (you also have to pay a £20 upfront fee with any of the pay-monthly options). That covers only the cost of the hardware, though, and you will also need to subscribe to the Sky TV service to get the intended Sky Glass experience. Subscriptions now start at £15 per month but can quickly balloon to much higher figures once you start adding sport and/or movie channels. You also have to pay an extra £6 per month if you want to add 4K and Dolby Atmos, which seems like a bit of a mickey-take. It all adds up.