Sky OS 2.0 brings proper PVR and AI voice to UK Sky Glass and Stream TV users

Sky has revealed that the future release of their next Sky OS 2.0 software (firmware) for the provider’s broadband-based Sky Glass and Sky Stream pay TV streaming devices and service will bring some major enhancements, including revised cloud recording (PVR) capabilities and AI-powered voice search.

At present Sky’s partial solution to PVR on their modern Glass and Stream platforms has been to use the ‘Playlist’ feature (in Sky OS 2.0 this will become ‘My Library‘). So instead of recording, you would have added shows to a Playlist using the ‘plus’ button. This bookmarks the content and streams it on-demand from catch-up apps or cloud servers. But it’s not true PVR in the traditional sense.

The good news is that Sky OS 2.0, which is currently in trial with some existing customers, introduces a dedicated ‘Recordings’ section and a proper Record button. The service, once live, should provide up to 1,000 hours of cloud storage (online) per home for eligible programmes.

However, as this will use the cloud then such recordings only have a maximum lifetime of 1 year and, if you use up 1,000 hours, then the system will automatically start to delete your oldest content (some may view this as a negative). Content that cannot be directly recorded will simply continue to be bookmarked and linked to the relevant catch-up apps.

The enhanced PVR feature being described above is, funnily enough, more or less the same as how Sky were promoting it would eventually work all the way back in.. 2021, when Sky Glass first launched. But back then nobody expected this once “coming soon” feature would take another FIVE YEARS to properly materialise.

Otherwise, Sky OS 2.0 will also introduce a visual update to the User Interface (UI), such as via a redesigned top navigation bar and improved TV guide, which is aimed at reducing the amount of clicks you need to reach what you want. On top of that they’ll be adding a smarter (conversational) AI voice assistant and closer integration of the mobile Sky Go App with all these changes and systems.

Sky OS 2.0 will also bring lots of little but clever enhancements, such as the ability to add your favourite actors or sports teams to your profile, so related content for either will also appear to you. One other interesting change of note is that, when you first turn your TV on, the new update will immediately begin showing you live TV from the last channel you watched in the first tile. Some may welcome this, while others will not, but we hope Sky gives users an option to choose.

The first official roll-out of the new update to regular Sky Glass and Sky Stream customers is expected to start before the end of 2026, although a firm date has not yet been revealed (expect it sooner, rather than later).