Sky TV has missed its target of getting its much-vaunted new Sky box into customers’ homes by the end of June, and it is not yet clear how much longer subscribers will need to wait for the device.

Spokesperson Chris Major said delivery timelines had been impacted by factors outside of Sky’s control, including global chipset shortages and supply chain disruptions caused by Covid and, more recently, the war on Ukraine.

The pay-TV company gave shareholders at its annual general meeting in October a “sneak peek” of the new box, which will be capable of showing programmes in 4K and which will feature a remote control that is able to respond to voice commands.

Subscribers will also be able to use the device to access internet TV services such as Netflix and perhaps Spark Sport.

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Major said it hadn’t offered customers anything as transformational since it launched MySky in 2007.

“Technical trials are now underway with specialist Sky crew and a wider staff trial is to start next week.

“Customer trials will follow before we confirm the precise launch date,” she said.

The delays obtaining the boxes could put Vodafone TV customers in a quandary as they weigh up their options ahead of the withdrawal of that service from September 30.

Vodafone announced in December that it would switch off Vodafone TV on that date, meaning about 100,000 families will need to find another way to watch television.

Switching to Sky TV’s new box would appear to be the obvious option for many Vodafone TV customers, but the delay in their arrival threatens a last minute rush to arrange installations.

Major said Sky was “very aware of the needs of customers on the Vodafone TV platform which are captured in our product roadmap”, but could not immediately say whether customers would be safe waiting for the new box.

Vodafone spokesperson Richard Llewellyn said its intention was still to turn off Vodafone TV from September 30.

“It is a progressive shutdown of platforms, not a ‘done in a day’ type of closure.

“So, some customers may well be able to continue using it for a period of time, but we not be able to commit to any service quality or support beyond September 30,” he said.