Sky had briefly updated its streaming box to include the option to watch channels via an external antenna. However, T3 has since learned that it was a glitch and the feature is no longer available.
There's no doubt about it, Sky is slowly shifting the way it delivers TV services to its customers, gradually backing away from satellite broadcasting in favour of streaming. We expect it to launch a new version of Sky Glass at an event in London next month, for example, while the company's managing director of TV, Ben Case, recently told me himself that "the future of Sky is IP delivery".
To that end, Sky Stream is a vital tool to help it transition. The small set-top-box gives you almost the full Sky Glass experience but on your own TV, and as long as your internet connection is speedy enough, it provides a super smooth Sky experience in up to 4K HDR.
There's also an odd additional port on the rear of the device that some believed could be unlocked one day – a UHF input for connection to an aerial. However, that now seems unlikely to ever be the case, even though some reported seeing the feature appear on their boxes.
Earlier, Broadband TV News revealed that Sky Stream received a software update in the last few days that added the ability to access Freeview channels via the aerial port.
It was claimed that a new TV antenna icon showed up in the "Apps & Inputs" section of the homepage allowed users to scan for digital TV channels.
Sadly though, T3 has learned from a Sky spokesperson that the feature was pushed to Sky Stream in error. It has since been removed and is exclusive to Sky Glass.
That does make more sense, to be honest. Surely, if you do have an aerial to hand it'll already be plugged into the same TV as the Sky Stream puck? The box is not quite the same as an all-in-one Sky Glass which needs a separate broadcast source in case of connectivity issues. Your TV is already likely a very capable Freeview set in case of emergencies.
So, while we all got excited about a "hidden feature" for a short while, it not only turned out to be a mistake, we probably never needed it in the first place.
As for the Sky Stream itself, it's one of the best streaming devices we've tested on T3, so Freeview channels or no, we thoroughly recommend you consider it if you are looking for a paid TV solution. It won't even cost you the Earth as Sky recently launched a new, cheaper plan – Sky Essential TV – which includes a Sky Stream puck, 100+ Sky channels, Netflix and Discovery+ for just £15 per month.
Please note: the above article has been updated with new information given to us by Sky. We previously reported on the new antenna connectivity, but it has since been removed from Sky Stream again.
