New SkyTV CEO and Possible New Services?

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#2135238 27-Nov-2018 13:23

surfisup1000:

Rikkitic:Maybe they just don't want to be ripped off by Sky.

On what do you base 'ripped off by sky'?

Sky have over 1200 employees, so a pretty sizeable company. 1.5 billion in assets, on which they make about an 8% return.

This is not a huge return by any standard. In fact, it is dangerously low and almost non-viable given declining subscriber numbers.

This and more. The job they have done bringing live outside broadcasting has been excellent. It is hugely complex and expensive something Spark will soon learn.

networkn

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#2135240 27-Nov-2018 13:30

The issue I have with Rikki's arguments is *she* doesn't see value in Sky, but then believes that no-one does. This isn't the case. Plenty of people do and I believe, will for the forseeable future. Sky made the mistake of "dabbling" in online SVOD services instead of biting the bullet and committing to it fully and properly, this resulted in a far less than stellar launch which hurt them and delayed the full committment they might otherwise have made. In the meantime SVOD has become very popular which means Sky is lagging behind. It's not unrecoverable in my opinion, but they have made things harder than they might have been.

eracode

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#2135243 27-Nov-2018 13:40

tdgeek:

Going off topic

The topic is Sky's new CEO and new services. The CEO seems to have an excellent pedigree. The new services look great. Might there be a price decrease for these new services? How many devices can I have the app installed on? The app only will be later, I wonder how much later. Once we see these answers, and probably other answers, and Sparks details for us sport watchers, it will all be a lot clearer. I am picking some incentives by Sky to help churn

As OP - thank you - but nobody's listening. Now just another bloody stupid Sky-hate rant thread and hopelessly OT.

I would like to think some of these so-called 'Trusteds' should know better - but no.

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networkn

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#2135246 27-Nov-2018 13:58

My main question regarding the ability of Sky to innovate and continue, is how much of the old thinking will be pervading the new CEO's actions with the prior CEO still heading the board. I don't think Fellett has made the decisions he has alone, and with that in mind, I wonder how much resistance to change the new CEO will face, if any.

I do not think it's too late for Sky to enter the SVOD market and make a competitive offering.

Rikkitic

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#2135247 27-Nov-2018 14:00

I'm trying to stay out of this but people keep dragging me back. To be perfectly clear, I don't think I have ever said that I believe no-one sees value in Sky. If I did, that was wrong. I personally don't see value in Sky at this time, and I didn't for a long time before we finally dropped our subscription. However, I also don't personally see much value in the sports coverage but I know others do, so that is an important point of difference.

When I was a subscriber, there were a number of things that annoyed me. These have been gone into in detail in other threads. I felt that Sky charged way too much for a great deal of pretty mediocre content. I didn't like the ads that popped up everywhere (except during films, I will give them that). I absolutely loathed the interminable, constantly repeated promos on the documentary channels. I hated the marketing ploy of making you subscribe to a heap of crap you don't want in order to get something (at extra cost) that you do. I don't like Sky tactics like trying to control what people are able to view by other means as a way of protecting their market share. I don't like that they killed ISP geo-unblocking with legal threats, though it was not illegal. I think their corporate behaviour, where they can get away with it, is ruthless and underhanded. There are a lot of things about them that I just don't like, but these don't come from nowhere.

I am keeping an open mind about the new CEO and I hope there will be a real change in Sky's direction that benefits everyone. I look forward to future developments. And with that I really am out of here.

Plesse igmore amd axxept applogies in adbance fir anu typos

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#2135248 27-Nov-2018 14:01

networkn:

The issue I have with Rikki's arguments is *she* doesn't see value in Sky, but then believes that no-one does. This isn't the case. Plenty of people do and I believe, will for the forseeable future. Sky made the mistake of "dabbling" in online SVOD services instead of biting the bullet and committing to it fully and properly, this resulted in a far less than stellar launch which hurt them and delayed the full committment they might otherwise have made. In the meantime SVOD has become very popular which means Sky is lagging behind. It's not unrecoverable in my opinion, but they have made things harder than they might have been.

Sky certainly has the talent in house and with new leadership coming I believe that proposed changes will happen and in the first stage will stem the churn rate. If they market the changes right and offer good incentives I also believe they can win back a lot of customers. The next few months could be quite interesting.

MikeB4

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#2135253 27-Nov-2018 14:07

Rikkitic:

I'm trying to stay out of this but people keep dragging me back. To be perfectly clear, I don't think I have ever said that I believe no-one sees value in Sky. If I did, that was wrong. I personally don't see value in Sky at this time, and I didn't for a long time before we finally dropped our subscription. However, I also don't personally see much value in the sports coverage but I know others do, so that is an important point of difference.

When I was a subscriber, there were a number of things that annoyed me. These have been gone into in detail in other threads. I felt that Sky charged way too much for a great deal of pretty mediocre content. I didn't like the ads that popped up everywhere (except during films, I will give them that). I absolutely loathed the interminable, constantly repeated promos on the documentary channels. I hated the marketing ploy of making you subscribe to a heap of crap you don't want in order to get something (at extra cost) that you do. I don't like Sky tactics like trying to control what people are able to view by other means as a way of protecting their market share. I don't like that they killed ISP geo-unblocking with legal threats, though it was not illegal. I think their corporate behaviour, where they can get away with it, is ruthless and underhanded. There are a lot of things about them that I just don't like, but these don't come from nowhere.

I am keeping an open mind about the new CEO and I hope there will be a real change in Sky's direction that benefits everyone. I look forward to future developments. And with that I really am out of here.

Sky has a small market in which to operate, circa 4.7 million. I have no issues with them energetically protecting their market. Sky is not the only one using legal means to do this, Spark for example has been very busy with the Commerce Commission etc and has been successful blocking Sky and Vodafone initiates and as it turns out protecting their then unannounced plans.

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tdgeek

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#2135270 27-Nov-2018 14:42

This move is a long term plan, soon coming to fruition. It could have been sooner, but while churn has clearly been there, its been a low percentage, they still turn a profit, and the last result was an increase due to cost cutting. Its been no more than a gradual and small slow slide. Ive no doubt that the new app setup in Feb will work well. Convenience wise we could have easier and full multi room soon. price wise I can't see a big change, maybe some small decrease, but they would need to add value. Maybe contracted savings, maybe more channels for each package, more as in remove some extra pay channels such as Soho, Rialto, Rugby Channel and include them free. Maybe buy the puck, save MySky rental. Free movie once a week or fortnight, those sorts of creative ideas

EDIT

I dont see Fellett as being on the board will matter, this Feb move isnt a new CEO idea, its been in planning for a year, and more than that. Fellet knows Sky NZ, the new guy knows his overseas TV and sport experience, probably a good combo, than a new guy coming in fresh wanting to reinvent based on his overseas knowledge which may not always match a small country environment

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#2135329 27-Nov-2018 16:23

MikeB4:

Sky has a small market in which to operate, circa 4.7 million. I have no issues with them energetically protecting their market. Sky is not the only one using legal means to do this, Spark for example has been very busy with the Commerce Commission etc and has been successful blocking Sky and Vodafone initiates and as it turns out protecting their then unannounced plans.

The problem would have been the sheer size of the Sky/Voda combo. It was a pure market domination play to lock out everyone else.

There's no way Spark would be turning up the heat in the pay TV space if that one had gone through. Seems like a reasonable decision to have blocked it.

Nothing to stop Sky buying a small/medium sized ISP if they want to take on Spark at the telco game.

tdgeek:

This move is a long term plan, soon coming to fruition. It could have been sooner, but while churn has clearly been there, its been a low percentage, they still turn a profit, and the last result was an increase due to cost cutting. Its been no more than a gradual and small slow slide. Ive no doubt that the new app setup in Feb will work well. Convenience wise we could have easier and full multi room soon. price wise I can't see a big change, maybe some small decrease, but they would need to add value. Maybe contracted savings, maybe more channels for each package, more as in remove some extra pay channels such as Soho, Rialto, Rugby Channel and include them free. Maybe buy the puck, save MySky rental. Free movie once a week or fortnight, those sorts of creative ideas

The idea of a monthly "rental" fee for a STB or an extra charge for the privilege of being able record/time shift is pretty anachronistic these days. That's definitely got to go!

tdgeek

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#2135365 27-Nov-2018 16:33

evilengineer:

The idea of a monthly "rental" fee for a STB or an extra charge for the privilege of being able record/time shift is pretty anachronistic these days. That's definitely got to go!

Its a great revenue stream! Buy it for say $200, deprecate it to a residual value of cents over a short number of years, charge me $240 p.a. forever!

But there will be a lot of wastage as well for them/ Bung boxes, transporting them around, managing the storage, replacing grubby cables and remotes.

Id hope, in this time of great need, that they will give us a $50 box, on contract for a year. $15 or $20 per month is a pseudo price reduction, a start.

MikeB4

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#2135380 27-Nov-2018 16:42

evilengineer:

MikeB4:

Sky has a small market in which to operate, circa 4.7 million. I have no issues with them energetically protecting their market. Sky is not the only one using legal means to do this, Spark for example has been very busy with the Commerce Commission etc and has been successful blocking Sky and Vodafone initiates and as it turns out protecting their then unannounced plans.

The problem would have been the sheer size of the Sky/Voda combo. It was a pure market domination play to lock out everyone else.

There's no way Spark would be turning up the heat in the pay TV space if that one had gone through. Seems like a reasonable decision to have blocked it.

Nothing to stop Sky buying a small/medium sized ISP if they want to take on Spark at the telco game.

tdgeek:

This move is a long term plan, soon coming to fruition. It could have been sooner, but while churn has clearly been there, its been a low percentage, they still turn a profit, and the last result was an increase due to cost cutting. Its been no more than a gradual and small slow slide. Ive no doubt that the new app setup in Feb will work well. Convenience wise we could have easier and full multi room soon. price wise I can't see a big change, maybe some small decrease, but they would need to add value. Maybe contracted savings, maybe more channels for each package, more as in remove some extra pay channels such as Soho, Rialto, Rugby Channel and include them free. Maybe buy the puck, save MySky rental. Free movie once a week or fortnight, those sorts of creative ideas

The idea of a monthly "rental" fee for a STB or an extra charge for the privilege of being able record/time shift is pretty anachronistic these days. That's definitely got to go!

Fair points.

Sky maybe interested in acquiring an ISP but I am not sure who. I don't think the Commerce Commission would look favourably on say a Sky/ Vocus Group or Sky/2Degrees. It doesn't leave many more options.

tdgeek

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#2135381 27-Nov-2018 16:43

MikeB4:

The next few months could be quite interesting.

Very.

Here is a question.

SKY OLD

$100 per month for sport, Starter, Basic, MySky, HD, SkyGo, OnDemand.

SKY NEW (Estimated)

A free puck or just an app. Starter, Basic, Sport, HD, SkyGo, OnDemand. But you can say have up to 5 devices, 3 at once. $100 less MySky for me = a $20 saving.

Will the extra benefit of every channel being OD, not just the 26 on OD, and extra devices at once, plus a $20 rental saving be seen as good? Im sure many will read the new Sky services and also be assuming a BIG price drop, (which I can't see happening) The masses will hear of Skys changes and the first thing they will think of is less cost and more content, whereas its really a technology update, which my estimated extra couple of benefits. Maybe they may add extra free channels such as SoHo, Rugger, Rialto.

The kicker here is its not just the need to update, Spark for those that watch sport is another problem. Right now that is just F1, F2, GP3, Porsche Cup, plus I think soccer and hockey, so its not a biggie yet, apart from us F1 fans.

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#2135386 27-Nov-2018 16:54

tdgeek:

Very.

Here is a question.

SKY OLD

$100 per month for sport, Starter, Basic, MySky, HD, SkyGo, OnDemand.

SKY NEW (Estimated)

A free puck or just an app. Starter, Basic, Sport, HD, SkyGo, OnDemand. But you can say have up to 5 devices, 3 at once. $100 less MySky for me = a $20 saving.

Will the extra benefit of every channel being OD, not just the 26 on OD, and extra devices at once, plus a $20 rental saving be seen as good? Im sure many will read the new Sky services and also be assuming a BIG price drop, (which I can't see happening) The masses will hear of Skys changes and the first thing they will think of is less cost and more content, whereas its really a technology update, which my estimated extra couple of benefits. Maybe they may add extra free channels such as SoHo, Rugger, Rialto.

The kicker here is its not just the need to update, Spark for those that watch sport is another problem. Right now that is just F1, F2, GP3, Porsche Cup, plus I think soccer and hockey, so its not a biggie yet, apart from us F1 fans.

I would like to see a complete smorgesboard where the subscriber can select the product that want and mix and match. For example,

1. Free to air plus 4 x Sport

2. Free to air plus Movies and documentary

3. Food, Soho, 2x Sport

4. 2 x Sport, Soho , CNN, Disney

Sky could put a value on each channel of say $10 per month for Premium channels, $5 per month for marginal channels, $10 permonth per Sport channel and allow the subscriber to pick as the wish and have control over their monthly spend and what the watch.

eracode

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#2135391 27-Nov-2018 17:03

Quote @MikeB4 “Sky maybe interested in acquiring an ISP but I am not sure who. I don't think the Commerce Commission would look favourably on say a Sky/ Vocus Group or Sky/2Degrees. It doesn't leave many more options.”

One of the big opening headings in Sky’s March presentation was “Sky does not need to be a telco to succeed”.

I guess that also means not an ISP - so looks like they’re not planning it.

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#2135399 27-Nov-2018 17:07

MikeB4:

I would like to see a complete smorgesboard where the subscriber can select the product that want and mix and match. For example,

1. Free to air plus 4 x Sport

2. Free to air plus Movies and documentary

3. Food, Soho, 2x Sport

4. 2 x Sport, Soho , CNN, Disney

Sky could put a value on each channel of say $10 per month for Premium channels, $5 per month for marginal channels, $10 permonth per Sport channel and allow the subscriber to pick as the wish and have control over their monthly spend and what the watch.

Thats a good idea, especially if it can be altered at any time, more or less in real time. But, they would need to hold the ARPU in place. You could not have me spending $80 this month and $5 the next etc. If the bill was $x and fill up that $x with content, thats a good idea. But the $x would still need to be the standard bill.

I also feel they should price sport correctly rather than maintain the Basic subsidy. If you want sport it still costs the same, but if you just want Basic, that needs to be super cheap, and that make it good value. Families would like Basic with docos, to satisfy the FTA, each adult, kids. At $30 for Starter and Entertainment thats a good price for general viewing. Even $20

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