If you have a Sky TV subscription, you’re automatically given access to its on-demand service Sky Go, which allows you to watch programmes on a smartphone, tablet, desktop PC or laptop. But not – or at least not any more – if you’re one of the millions of people who use Chrome, Google’s hugely popular web browser.
This is because Sky Go requires a plugin called Microsoft Silverlight in order to work, and Google recently stopped supporting Silverlight as a way of displaying online interactive content, switching to the far more popular HTML 5.
As a result, Sky Go no longer works in the desktop version of the Chrome browser. Sky’s current stance on the matter is that it has no intention of changing Sky Go, meaning that for the foreseeable future it will stay inaccessible on Chrome. We’ve reached out to Sky for a comment and some clarification, but have yet to receive a response.
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How to get Sky Go working on your computer again
Is there any way I can bypass the app and use Sky Go in a browser at all? I am a Sky customer (platinum) and want to be able to watch legitimately, however the lack of compatibility with browsers is making me consider if I should consider alternative ways to watch the games, which I really don't want to do! Jan 08, 2021 Sky Go enables you to access hours and hours of videos right on your FireStick. There is no limitation for the contents that you stream with Sky Go on FireStick. Apart from movies and other shows, it also has a wide range of contents for kids.
So, what can you do about it? Sadly, you’re powerless to get it working in Chrome again. It’s simply not going to happen until Sky decides to change something. That leaves you with two options.
1) Use a different web browser
It’s a pain, we know, particularly if you only ever use Chrome, but it’s a simple enough solution. Just go to go.sky.com as you normally would, but use a browser such as Internet Explorer, Firefox, Opera or Safari. If you’re using Windows 10, be warned that the new Edge browser doesn’t support Silverlight either (yes, Microsoft’s own browser doesn’t support Microsoft’s own plugin).
2) Download Sky Go Desktop
Your other alternative is to download the dedicated desktop app. It offers largely the same functionality as the Sky Go web page with a couple of additional features. It allows you to save programmes to watch offline, and you can also access it via another internet-capable device (like your smartphone) to download programmes when you’re out and about.
Some things are just made to be watched on a big screen. So, when it comes to Sky Go, there are times you want to ditch that laptop, tablet or smartphone and kick back in front of a TV. Here’s how to stream Sky Go on your TV.
Sky Go has been around for some time now and it’s gone through several iterations, including some confusing crossovers with the Sky Q app. The app’s main function is letting you watch your Sky package over the internet – a super useful feature when you’re away from home or just not in the same room as your Sky box.
Related: Read our full Sky Q review
While being able to watch Sky on your Android or iOS device – from a Samsung Galaxy phone to an iPad – will be a marvel for some, sometimes it just isn’t good enough. The heart-pounding action scenes of Game of Thrones or Gangs of London on even the largest mobile device just won’t do.
We’ve put together this handy guide to show you just how to watch Sky Go on a TV.
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How do I stream Sky Go to my TV?
Sky Go On Browser Extension
Kicking things off on a bit of a downer, the simple answer is you can’t. Never fear, you can get Sky Go on a TV using a good ol’ cable.
Unfortunately, Sky is yet to add any kind of casting function to the Sky Go app – as you can do with other streaming services like Netflix or Amazon – and this means there’s no way to shift the app’s mobile content from your phone or tablet to a TV. A lack of a Sky Go app on smart TVs doesn’t help the situation either.
Sky Go Browser Player
Instead, you’ll need to grab your laptop and download Sky Go if you haven’t already. The next step is to check what connections your laptop has and, fingers crossed, it has an HDMI port and you’ve got a handy HDMI cable lying around.
Other solutions include a VGA/DVI connection on some older machines or a more flexible Thunderbolt port, but HDMI is the simplest way of going about things. Here’s exactly how to do it:
Sky Go On Browser Chrome
- Open the Sky Go app on your laptop
- Find what you want to watch and go fullscreen
- Attach the HDMI cable to your laptop
- Plug the other end into a free HDMI port on the back of the TV
- Make sure you are on the correct HDMI input on the TV and you are all set