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.
Connecting an external display (e.g. A large TV) via HDMI and mirroring the screen to display the BT Sport app works perfectly. I was hoping for the same results from Sky Go, but sadly not. The app and video works great, but connecting an external display makes the video go black. I get audio, but no video at all. Follow these steps to Cast Sky Go using Chrome on a PC: Open Google Chrome on your PC. Now open Sky Go on your Chrome. Play any video which you are willing to cast. The official YouTube channel for the Chrome browser, OS, Web Store, and Chromebooks.
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How to get Sky Go working on your computer again
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.
Zoom
Chrome allows you to adjust the size of web page content. There are multiple methods available to do so.
- Go to the Chrome menu and select the Make Text Larger or Make Text Smaller option.
- Press Ctrl + + (plus key) to zoom in.
- Press Ctrl + - (minus key) to zoom out.
- Press Ctrl + 0 (zero) to return to default size.
- Hold Ctrl and mouse scroll wheel up to zoom in.
- Hold Ctrl and mouse scroll wheel down to zoom out.
Chrome will apply the chosen zoom level to all web pages on that domain, for example all pages on sky.com
You can also press F11 to enter or exit Full Screen mode, or find the option in the Chrome menu.
Adjust Font Size & Style
You can make changes to how text appears in Chrome. To do so:
- Select Settings in the Chrome menu.
- Next, select Appearance.
- There is an option here to change the Font Size. By default it is set to Medium.
There is also a button to open another section to further customise fonts. Here you can set a minimum font size, change the font style, and set a fixed width.
Colour Schemes
Chrome allows you to change the colour scheme of your browser through a feature called Themes.
- Go to the Chrome menu, select Settings, then Appearance followed by Themes.
Explore the library and find one that suits you. Some may only effect the menu bars etc, while others may effect the web pages themselves.
Chrome also responds to system level changes such as dark mode, though again the web pages themselves may not be affected.
Extensions
Chrome allows you to download and install browser extensions.
These are add-ons for the browser which change how it behaves or looks.
Sky Go Chrome Ost
You can search online for extensions, and manage them by selecting the Chrome menu, selecting Settings, then Extensions.