Spark sold Lightbox to SKY

Forums › Sky, Neon, Lightbox › Spark sold Lightbox to SKY

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#2378541 19-Dec-2019 13:57

ShinyChrome:

If this actually results in a stronger, more unified service to rival the big players (Netflix, Disney+, Prime Video), I'm all for it. 4k content, 5.1 sound, hiring some UX people; sounds great!

If it's just a quick cash grab for Sky to get more revenue now that it no longer has a stranglehold on content, well then RIP Lightbox.

What makes you think Sky will invest in app improvement. They currently don't. 720P and stereo sound is here to stay :)

Kirk

tdgeek

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#2378546 19-Dec-2019 14:11

MikeB4:

tdgeek:

IMO it makes the Neon product better as it will have a lot more content. As they will partner with Spark, that will allow, with a suitable discount, for Sky to sell more Neon. I assume Neon is small, it may end up being much more used as it might still be cheapish, but a much larger content base, so not bad value

Lightbox was never big on content. I think Sky is more looking at the vehicle as opposed to what is in the trunk.

Looks to be plenty there to me. No its not Netflix with 4000 titles most of which are junk and old and mass produced junk new releases

Unsure how many Neon has, but why would they buy a product just for the vehicle, when they can just tidy up Neon?

networkn

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#2378551 19-Dec-2019 14:25

I suspect Neon has some technical limitations and scalability issues, but I don't know enough about how it operates behind the scenes, but I agree, there is plenty of content on LB.

MikeB4

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#2378560 19-Dec-2019 14:35

networkn:

I suspect Neon has some technical limitations and scalability issues, but I don't know enough about how it operates behind the scenes, but I agree, there is plenty of content on LB.

Sky has more rights than Lightbox and access to considerably more content. I cannot see content being a major driver to purchase. I have been subscribed to Lightbox almost from launch and have only found their content limited.

Spyware

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#2378561 19-Dec-2019 14:38

MikeB4:

My wife is always telling me I should move to Vocus, it's getting harder to resist.

Your wife is an accountant or just frugal??

Spark Max Fibre using Mikrotik CCR1009-8G-1S-1S+, CRS125-24G-1S, Unifi UAP, U6-Pro, UAP-AC-M-Pro, Apple TV 4K (2022), Apple TV 4K (2017), iPad Air 1st gen, iPad Air 4th gen, iPhone 13, SkyNZ3151 (the white box). If it doesn't move then it's data cabled.

MikeB4

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#2378565 19-Dec-2019 14:42

Spyware:

MikeB4:

My wife is always telling me I should move to Vocus, it's getting harder to resist.

Your wife is an accountant or just frugal??

Nah, she is an Account Director

SheriffNZ

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#2378610 19-Dec-2019 14:52

Dingbatt:

The irony that my email app had put the Spark email announcing this ‘improvement’ in the “Junk” folder is not lost on me.

I was slightly worse. I found the email in the junk folder of my Xtra account, which I haven't used (and Spark know this) for over a year...

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Dratsab

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#2378630 19-Dec-2019 15:53

SheriffNZ: The whole reason for the deal might be to get a back door way to get Neon on the Apple TV....

I think partly.

networkn: My gut says Spark Sport will follow (if not sold to Sky, then to someone else or just closed down)

I have a slightly different take on this. which relates to what MikeB4 said a few posts back...

MikeB4: Lightbox was never big on content. I think Sky is more looking at the vehicle as opposed to what is in the trunk.

I think this is a very strategic move by both sides:
- Spark get to divest themselves of Lightbox which doesn't have a particularly compelling offering. Proceeds from this sale can be put towards building up their Sport service.
- Sky get their hands on a proven content delivery system with capability across a number of products. This makes their push into sports (and other) streaming a lot easier.

MikeAqua

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#2378656 19-Dec-2019 17:02

I find Lightbox to be marginally better app then Neon on my Smart TV, so hopefully they go with the Lightbox architecture and ditch Neon's. I guess this marks the eventual end of free Lightbox with my Spark fibre plan after the transitional period.

Mike

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#2378673 19-Dec-2019 17:47

Least finally get an Apple TV app

snnet

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#2378700 19-Dec-2019 19:05

SheriffNZ:

Dingbatt:

The irony that my email app had put the Spark email announcing this ‘improvement’ in the “Junk” folder is not lost on me.

I was slightly worse. I found the email in the junk folder of my Xtra account, which I haven't used (and Spark know this) for over a year...

Just like the price increase notice I got coming up due to Netflix's increase - in my junk folder in Xtra mail

langi27

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#2379028 20-Dec-2019 09:32

a lot of people asking how this will effect their free lightbox subscription, how about my free neon account thats included with my mobile plan though 2degrees? Do i get access to Lightbox now?

networkn

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#2379032 20-Dec-2019 09:35

langi27:

a lot of people asking how this will effect their free lightbox subscription, how about my free neon account thats included with my mobile plan though 2degrees? Do i get access to Lightbox now?

Absolutely guessing, but the agreement likely means those people will remain intact for a reasonable period of time, and that if Spark want to continue to offer it, they will do so on a per-user nominal fee ongoing.

Linuxluver

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#2379056 20-Dec-2019 10:30

Cancelling my LightBox sub now. I don't deal with Sky. Ever.

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matisyahu

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#2379271 20-Dec-2019 17:41

I hope it is a sign that Sky will finally get their online offerings sorted out - SkyGo still dependent on Flash in 2019 should be criminal at this stage, they've talked about live streaming of channels online but that never got anywhere, and Neon is just a horrible mess. In an ideal world Sky would recognise that their whole set up is a dumpster fire and move everything over to the Lightbox platform but knowing Sky there is a good chance that they'll try to merge the two platforms together.

"When the people are being beaten with a stick, they are not much happier if it is called 'the People's Stick'"

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