Sky might rule the roost when it comes to TV but there’s something new coming from an unlikely rival. EE is best known for its speedy 5G mobile network but the firm is now trying to transform itself into a one-stop-shop for broadband, mobile and entertainment.
The company has already confirmed the release of 1.6Gbps broadband – the fastest currently available in the UK – and now it wants to take over your TV as well.
In the coming months, EE says it will launch a new device called the EE TV Box Pro. This set-top gadget features full access to a swathe of services including Freeview, Sky Sports, TNT Sports and Netflix. It can access content through an aerial or via your broadband and features a sleek black design that fits neatly under your telly.
That may all sound pretty familiar but there is the return of another feature that could prove hugely popular to some UK consumers.
Tucked inside the plastic casing is an internal hard drive that can store up to 600 hours of content.
Although Sky Q includes something similar, all of the firm’s more recent gadgets – such as Sky Steam and Sky Glass – have ditched physical recordings and switched to cloud services instead.
Although there are some advantages of streaming, when things are removed by content providers they are lost for good. That’s not the case with a physical recording on a box which stays until it’s deleted by the user.
Along with that internal storage, there are a number of other features including search, 7-day scroll back from the TV guide, Dolly Atmos support and full compatibility with 4K. EE is also teaming up with partners such as NOW, Prime Video and TNT to offer flexible viewing of premium content.
As well as offering a main box, EE there’s also a mini device on its way which can be placed in other parts of the home for multi-room viewing.
Unlike Sky, which charges extra for its mini devices, EE says this will be included in the price with no additional payments being made.
If you don’t want new equipment clogging up your living room there’s more good news with EE also launching a dedicated app on Apple TV devices.
The firm says this will offer a bespoke TV guide and live TV experiences.
More news on pricing and availability is expected soon.
