Hands-free voice control version of Sky Q to be trialled late 2018, but you’ll have to wait until 2019 for 4K HDR

Sky has developed a hands-free, voice control version of the Sky Q platform that doesn’t require a remote contro to use. While specifics have yet to be announced, a fully voice responsive version of Sky Q would seem a natural evolution, and reflect the growing popularity of voice control Smart speakers.  

“You can’t lose your voice down the back of the sofa,” says Sky's chief executive Jeremy Darroch.

The first trials of the voice control Sky Q system will take place later this year. Other new features planned for Sky Q include personal profiles, driven by the platform’s data-driven recommendations, and a new Kids Mode.

However, you’ll have to wait until 2019 for HDR. The good news is that Sky says it expects to double the amount of Ultra HD content available for subscriber, compared to last year. Sky Italy has been testing HLG HDR since May.

The broadcaster says of its upcoming programme slate, 50 per cent are returning Sky originals like Babylon Berlin, Gomorrah and Riviera. Sky’s first major co-production with HBO, Chernobyl, will air in 2019.

Cumulative hours viewing figures include “nearly 10 million hours” of Bulletproof, and 11.5 million hours of League of their Own. Russell Howard has topped both with 15 million hours viewing.

Sky Q is now in 3.6m households, up 2.3 million year on year. Sky reports that it has 63 million products now in Sky homes.