Observed Signal · Jul 5, 2026 · Deprecation · Source: Cord Cutters News · Impact: 2/5 · Sentiment: Neutral
Sky (Comcast) Ends NOW Support on Older Devices
Sky, owned by Comcast, will discontinue the NOW streaming app on a range of older set-top boxes and mobile devices beginning mid‑July 2026 (mobile cutoffs) with selected Roku-based boxes losing support from August 3, 2026. Affected hardware includes original NOW TV Smart Box model 4500SK, Roku Streaming Stick 3500X, and older Roku box models 2700X, 2710X and 2720X. Mobile support will end for iPhones and iPads running iOS 15 or earlier — specifically cited examples include the iPhone 6s, 6s Plus, 7, 7 Plus and first‑generation iPhone SE (2016). Sky says the move follows platform vendors withdrawing support for legacy devices and continues a multi‑year shift away from proprietary NOW hardware (production largely ceased in 2021). Sky is directing customers to upgrade to current streaming devices, built‑in smart TV apps, web browsers, or newer phones able to run iOS 16+. The changes may disrupt households that use legacy boxes or older phones as their primary NOW access points.
Device support withdrawal affects CTV/OTT reach and requires some viewers to upgrade hardware, reducing available legacy inventory and potentially shifting audience distribution — notable for streaming distribution but not industry-shifting.
Track Sky Signals & Market Shifts in Real-Time
Polaris7 autonomous intelligence agents track regulatory filings, primary sources, executive changes, and deal flow 24/7. Create your free Explorer workspace to monitor these entities.
Key Takeaways & Evidence Grounding
- Sky (owned by Comcast) will discontinue the NOW app on multiple older set-top boxes and mobile devices starting mid‑July 2026.
- From August 3, 2026 the NOW app will stop working on NOW TV Smart Box model 4500SK, Roku Streaming Stick 3500X, and Roku box models 2700X, 2710X, and 2720X.
- Mobile access will end in mid‑July 2026 for iPhones and iPads running iOS 15 or earlier, including iPhone 6s, 6s Plus, iPhone 7, 7 Plus, and first-generation iPhone SE (2016).
- Sky ceased most production of proprietary NOW hardware in 2021 and attributes the retirements to platform vendors withdrawing support for earlier device generations.
- Sky recommends upgrade options: current-generation streaming devices, built-in smart TV apps, web browser access, or devices able to run iOS 16 or later.
Connected Companies & Entities
4 Entities mapped“Sky, the leading UK media and telecommunications provider owned by American conglomerate Comcast, has confirmed it will discontinue the NOW ...”
“Sky, the leading UK media and telecommunications provider owned by American conglomerate Comcast, has confirmed it will discontinue the NOW ...”
“The primary hardware affected includes several Roku-based streaming players that Sky once sold under the NOW TV brand as affordable options ...”
“Please add Cord Cutters News as a source for your [Google News feed HERE](https://www.google.com/preferences/source?q=CordCuttersNews.com)....”
Related Market Signals & Shifts
Recent verified developments and strategic activity across this market segment.
Tablo to End Legacy App Support September 2026
Nuvyyo — the maker of Tablo DVRs and a subsidiary of the E.W. Scripps Company — will end support for all legacy Tablo applications on September 1, 2026. Legacy Tablo apps will be removed from app stores and receive no further updates after that date. Eligible older network-connected devices (Tablo DUAL LITE, Tablo DUAL 64GB, Tablo DUAL 128GB, Tablo QUAD, Tablo QUAD 1TB, and original 2‑Tuner and 4‑Tuner models) can be migrated at no cost by updating device firmware to version 2.2.60 and switching to the 4th Generation Tablo app ecosystem. Very old firmware (2.1.0–2.2.8) cannot reach the required update and lost access to an expired trade-in program (expired March 15, 2026). Some legacy features — notably Tablo Connect (out-of-home streaming), Premium Service subscriptions, and Automatic Commercial Skip — are not supported in the 4th Generation apps.
State of Streaming Adds NOW Profile
NOW (branded NOW TV) is Sky’s flexible streaming app operating in the UK and Europe, offering Entertainment, Cinema and Sports passes. The service is part of Comcast Corporation’s corporate family and is headquartered in London, UK; it was founded in 2012. State of Streaming’s publisher page lists NOW’s corporate family (Comcast-related streaming and ad products) and links to topical industry coverage about streaming, CTV, ad technology and related market developments. The page serves as a company/publisher profile and navigation hub (site articles, resources, and related apps) rather than a single news story.
Fox Ends Fox Sports App on Major CTV Platforms
Fox Corporation will discontinue its standalone Fox Sports app on major connected-TV platforms (Roku, Amazon Fire TV, Google TV, and Apple TV) with the change taking effect around May 7, 2026. Affected users were notified by email on April 7, giving roughly 30 days' notice. Fox is consolidating streaming to a single service, FOX One, while mobile apps and the Fox Sports website will remain available in the near term. FOX One offers features such as multiview and cloud DVR and surpassed two million subscribers shortly after launch. The move is intended to reduce app fragmentation, steer viewers to the integrated FOX One platform, and simplify distribution; FOX One’s lineup includes UFL, Saturday MLB games, NASCAR events (e.g., Talladega), and LIV Golf, and is available standalone, bundled with FOX Nation, or via partners like Fubo.
Track Real-Time Market Signals & Shifts
Set up custom watchlists to receive automated, evidence-grounded executive digests whenever material signals or shifts occur across your tracked landscape.