Can You Record on Sky Glass? Complete UK Guide (2026)
Thinking of switching to Sky Glass? One of the first questions UK viewers ask is about recording. After years with Sky Q’s hard drive, the shift to a new system can be confusing.
With more than 12 years of hands-on experience in satellite television, Freeview systems, and UK broadcast technology, Daniel focuses on helping users choose the right satellite receivers, tune Freeview channels, and solve common signal and setup issues across the UK.
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This guide provides a complete, up-to-date answer for 2026. We’ll explain exactly how saving your favourite shows works on Sky Glass, covering everything from live TV to series links, and how it compares to traditional recording.
Can You Record on Sky Glass?
The simple answer is: no, you cannot record on Sky Glass in the traditional way. There is no set-top box with a hard drive like you have with Sky Q. Instead, Sky Glass uses a cloud-based Playlist system.
So, can you still record on Sky Glass? Yes, but it’s called “adding to your Playlist.”
- Traditional Recording: Saves a copy of a programme onto a physical hard drive in your box.
- Sky Glass Playlist: Bookmarks a programme. When you want to watch it, Sky streams it from the cloud (like BBC iPlayer or Netflix).
This means you aren’t using up storage space, but you are dependent on an internet connection and the content rights.
How Does Recording Work on Sky Glass?
So, how can you record on Sky Glass? You use the Playlist feature. It’s a fundamental shift from how we’ve saved TV for decades.
Sky Glass Playlist Explained
Your Playlist is a central hub for everything you want to watch. When you press the ‘+’ button on a programme, you add it to this list.
- For live or future TV: The show is bookmarked. When it airs, it will appear in your Playlist for you to stream.
- For on-demand content: The Playlist simply links you directly to that show on a streaming app (like Sky Atlantic, BBC iPlayer, or ITVX).
- What happens if content is removed? This is the key limitation. If a show is removed from a streaming service (e.g., a Sky Atlantic box set expires), it will also disappear from your Playlist. You can’t keep it forever like a DVD recording.
Can You Record Live TV on Sky Glass?
Yes, you can effectively record live TV on Sky Glass, but the process is different.
If you’re watching a live channel and decide you want to save it, you can add the programme to your Playlist. It will be available to stream from the start once it has finished airing. However, it’s worth noting the limitations compared to Sky Q, where a recording is stored locally regardless of internet speed or rights.
Can You Record Programmes & Shows on Sky Glass?
Yes, you can record programmes and shows on Sky Glass across all types of content:
- TV Shows: Add individual episodes or entire series to your Playlist.
- Series Linking: You can set up series links. If a new episode of a show you follow airs, it will automatically be added to your Playlist.
- Movies: You can bookmark movies to watch later.
- Sports Events: You can add live sports to your Playlist. The event will be available to stream for a limited time after it finishes.
In short, can you record programmes on Sky Glass TV? Yes, as long as you understand it’s a cloud-based bookmark.
Can You Record on Different Sky Glass Models?
The Playlist system works exactly the same way across the entire Sky Glass family. Your recordings are linked to your account, not the specific TV.
Can You Record on Sky Glass TV?
Yes. The original 4K Sky Glass TV uses the Playlist system described above. There is no internal storage for recordings.
Can You Record on the New Sky Glass TV / Gen 2?
Yes. If Sky releases a Gen 2 model, the recording functionality will be identical to the original. The experience is tied to the Sky software and cloud infrastructure, not the hardware revision. So, can you record on the new Sky Glass TV? Absolutely, and it will work exactly the same way.
Can You Record on Sky Glass Air?
Sky Glass Air (the streaming puck for non-Sky TVs) also uses the same Playlist system. Since it has no built-in storage, it relies entirely on the cloud. So, you can record on Sky Glass Air exactly as you would on the main TV.
How Many Programmes & Channels Can You Record on Sky Glass?
There is no fixed limit to how many programmes you can record on Sky Glass. Your Playlist can hold an unlimited number of bookmarks.
- Fair Usage: While Sky promotes an “unlimited” Playlist, it’s subject to a fair usage policy. This is rarely an issue for normal households.
- Channel Restrictions: The main limitation comes from the channels and apps themselves. You can only add programmes from channels that are part of your subscription. Also, you cannot record content from third-party apps (like Netflix or Disney+) into your Sky Playlist—you have to use the apps’ own ‘My List’ features.
How Long Can You Record on Sky Glass?
This depends entirely on the content and its rights agreement, not on a storage limit. So, how long can you record on Sky Glass?
- Standard TV Shows: Usually available for at least 30 days after broadcast.
- Movies: Often have shorter windows, sometimes 7-30 days.
- Sports Events: Typically available for a short period, such as 7 days post-event.
- On-Demand Box Sets: These remain as long as the streaming service (e.g., Sky Atlantic) hosts them. Once removed, they vanish from your Playlist.
Why Can’t You Record on Sky Glass?
You might occasionally find you can’t record on Sky Glass. This is almost always due to one of the following:
- Internet Outage: With no internet, you can’t stream anything from your Playlist. Your saved shows are inaccessible.
- Content Rights: A broadcaster may not allow a show to be saved to a cloud Playlist. In this case, the ‘+’ button will be greyed out.
- App-Based Restrictions: As mentioned, you can’t record programmes from third-party apps like Netflix into your Sky Playlist.
- Subscription Issues: If your Sky subscription lapses or you downgrade, access to certain saved shows from premium channels will be lost.
Can You Pause, Rewind, and Restart on Sky Glass?
Yes, but again, it’s cloud-based. Can you pause and record on Sky Glass? The pause function is separate from recording.
- Pause Live TV: You can pause live TV for up to 30 minutes.
- Restart a Show: If you join a programme late, you can select “Restart” to watch it from the beginning.
- When Rewind Doesn’t Work: You cannot rewind live TV arbitrarily, only pause it. To rewind a show you’ve been watching, you must have added it to your Playlist before it started, or use the “Restart” feature.
Sky Glass Recording vs Sky Q Recording
This is the crucial comparison for anyone considering the switch.
| Feature | Sky Glass (Playlist) | Sky Q (Hard Drive) |
|---|---|---|
| Storage | Unlimited cloud bookmarks | Limited by hard drive size (1TB or 2TB) |
| Offline Viewing | No. Requires internet to stream. | Yes. Can watch without internet. |
| Content Permanence | Content can expire if rights are lost. | The recording stays on your drive until you delete it. |
| Control | Simple ‘add’ and ‘remove’ bookmarks. | Full control over folders, series links, and priority. |
| Dependency | Entirely dependent on broadband speed. | Records even with slow or no internet. |
Is Sky Glass Good If You Want to Record TV?
Sky Glass is best for:
- Homes with fast, reliable fibre broadband.
- Viewers who are comfortable with streaming and on-demand content.
- Those who don’t need to keep recordings forever.
- Users who want a simple, all-in-one interface without managing storage space.
You should choose Sky Q if:
- You have poor or unreliable internet.
- You want to keep a library of recordings indefinitely.
- You prefer the traditional recording experience with total control over your content.
FAQs – Recording on Sky Glass (UK)
Can you record on Sky Glass TVs?
Yes, by adding programmes to your cloud-based Playlist. It doesn’t record to a physical hard drive.
Can you record live TV on Sky Glass?
Yes. If you add a live programme to your Playlist, you can watch it from the beginning once it finishes.
How many programmes can you record on Sky Glass?
There is no fixed limit. You can add an unlimited number of programmes to your Playlist, subject to a fair usage policy.
Can you record on the new Sky Glass TV?
Yes, the Playlist recording system works the same on all Sky Glass devices, including any new models and Sky Glass Air.
Why can’t you record on Sky Glass sometimes?
This is usually due to content rights restrictions set by the broadcaster, an internet outage, or trying to record from within a third-party app like Netflix.
In summary, while you cannot record on Sky Glass with a hard drive, its Playlist system offers a modern, cloud-based alternative that works perfectly for most UK households with a good broadband connection.
