Lightbox being removed Spark Plans from 7 July 2020.

Forums › Sky, Neon, Lightbox › Lightbox being removed Spark Plans from 7 July 2020.

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762 posts

Ultimate Geek
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#2496664 2-Jun-2020 12:41

not too bad overall... considering they're waiving fees to those unhappy with the change/s.

just that, you either lose lightbox for nothing, or pay $9.95 monthly to gain neon (in essence retaining your 'old' lightbox).

the only thing that's a bit salty is:

If you've never used Neon and have a Lightbox account, after 7 July just use your Lightbox login to check out the new Neon. If you watch more than
three hours before 26 July, we’ll automatically add it to your Spark account for $9.95 a month from then on. If you don’t want new Neon to be added to your Spark bill at the end of your trial, make sure you let us know before 26 July.

changes-to-lightbox

3 hours... whereas, neon would normally give you 14-days free trial. that's the $4/monthly cost difference i guess.

GregV

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Ultimate Geek
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#2496667 2-Jun-2020 12:50

You can watch all the Neon you want from July 7th to 25th, as long as you opt-out before July 26th.

Dingbatt

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#2496670 2-Jun-2020 12:56

tdgeek:

From Stuff

https://www.stuff.co.nz/business/121694180/no-price-rise-but-some-hassles-for-neon-subscribers-when-sky-tv-adds-lightbox-content-in-july

Merge is uisng Lightbox platform, recoloured to Neon green

Neon's price unchanged at $13-95, but now including all Lightbox content

"Spark said that after July 20, Spark customers would be able to add Neon to their Spark bill at a discounted price of $9.95 a month."

Interesting that it doesn’t talk about existing Spark customers (mentions those joining after 20 June). Hopefully something will be forthcoming from Spark. Newsflash for them though, I’m not paying any extra.

Since I am a Sky customer (not Neon) will the content previously on Lightbox be available on a Sky channel (such as Soho) as well?

Im starting to get sick of organisations taking my patronage for granted. There is a rationalisation coming soon.

Edit: I see some of my questions were answered by @nitro (two above). I am just annoyed it is an ‘opt out’ rather than ‘opt in’ for existing customers. I believe it is dishonest to add anything to a bill without express permission. “Watch Neon (Lightbox) for more than 3 hours and consider yourself signed up (paraphrased)” doesn't cut it in my book.

“We’ve arranged a society based on science and technology, in which nobody understands anything about science technology. Carl Sagan 1996

ShinyChrome

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#2496671 2-Jun-2020 13:13

tdgeek:

Its using Lightbox to provide Neon and Lightbox content under the Neon brand. Neon settings will need to be re added, same for watchlists

as per my Stuff link

Noice, that was the scenario I was hoping for: Sky's content library on Lightbox's platform.

BuzzLightyear

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Ultimate Geek
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#2496675 2-Jun-2020 13:19

ShinyChrome:

tdgeek:

Its using Lightbox to provide Neon and Lightbox content under the Neon brand. Neon settings will need to be re added, same for watchlists

as per my Stuff link

Noice, that was the scenario I was hoping for: Sky's content library on Lightbox's platform.

I guess it means that Neon finally gets an Apple TV app!

sailedpeep

83 posts

Master Geek
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#2496716 2-Jun-2020 13:24

For $10 a month, newNeon is actually a pretty good deal in comparison to Netflix with all the added HBO content, alongside everything that Lightbox already has.

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BuzzLightyear

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Ultimate Geek
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#2496717 2-Jun-2020 13:35

sailedpeep:

For $10 a month, newNeon is actually a pretty good deal in comparison to Netflix with all the added HBO content, alongside everything that Lightbox already has.

Suspect I'll be a seasonal subscriber if that will be possible. Will pay for Better call Saul, Vikings and possibly Westworld. Compared to the cost of HBO now or Max it is very good value.

CrashAndBurn

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Ultimate Geek
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#2496718 2-Jun-2020 13:42

https://www.nzherald.co.nz/business/news/article.cfm?c_id=3&objectid=12336554

So it looks like people on contract can exit with no termination fees?

"Because we have made this change all customers are entitled to exit their Spark plan or leave Spark entirely if they would prefer until 15 July, without paying an early termination fee (for fixed-term plans) or a notice period fee (for pay monthly plans)," a Spark spokeswoman told the Herald.

Dingbatt

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#2496720 2-Jun-2020 13:47

I’ve actually never used Neon. Is it some, most or all the content available on Sky’s Satellite or OnDemand platforms? If that is the case then being a Sky customer and getting ‘New Neon’ would be like having a dog and barking myself.

So I assume I can delete the Lightbox Apps off everything, not look at Neon, and just let my Lightbox subscription die.

I’m still waiting for something from Spark with the “changes to Lightbox” link in it. (Edit: And rename their Unplan Entertainment package).

“We’ve arranged a society based on science and technology, in which nobody understands anything about science technology. Carl Sagan 1996

halper86

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#2496765 2-Jun-2020 14:18

I wonder what will happen with all the 2 month free vouchers for lightbox when people purchased a new Vodafone tv?

ShinyChrome

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#2496823 2-Jun-2020 14:57

sailedpeep:

For $10 a month, newNeon is actually a pretty good deal in comparison to Netflix with all the added HBO content, alongside everything that Lightbox already has.

The content will definitely be competitive, but the lack of support for HDR or multi-channel audio content keeps it from going to the next level up against the big players like Netflix, Disney+ etc.

Like others, I imagine it will draw me back for a look though, and its definitely a win for NZ consumers. It will be interesting to see how long that lasts once services like Hulu and HBO Max launch internationally though.

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nitro

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Ultimate Geek
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#2496825 2-Jun-2020 15:02

Dingbatt:

I’m still waiting for something from Spark with the “changes to Lightbox” link in it. (Edit: And rename their Unplan Entertainment package).

i got one from 'The Lightbox Team', with a link to Lightbox and Neon,

which has a link to features-and-devices-on-new-neon,

which has a link to changes-to-lightbox.

Dochart

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Ultimate Geek
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#2496830 2-Jun-2020 15:26

Any ideas if subtitles will be available. I know with Lightbox there were some shows with subtitles whereas Neon didn’t support subtitles?

Benoire

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#2496832 2-Jun-2020 15:35

nitro:

Dingbatt:

I’m still waiting for something from Spark with the “changes to Lightbox” link in it. (Edit: And rename their Unplan Entertainment package).

i got one from 'The Lightbox Team', with a link to Lightbox and Neon,

which has a link to features-and-devices-on-new-neon,

which has a link to changes-to-lightbox.

Weirdly the features and devices page doesn't mention Android TV, only the Smart Vu X boxes and Sony Tvs between 2014-2016... does this mean my current Sony X95G with Android TV is no longer supported despite it being supported by Lightbox presently?

allan

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#2496835 2-Jun-2020 15:40

Benoire:

Weirdly the features and devices page doesn't mention Android TV, only the Smart Vu X boxes and Sony Tvs between 2014-2016... does this mean my current Sony X95G with Android TV is no longer supported despite it being supported by Lightbox presently?

Was wondering that myself. There is a Neon app for the Smart Vu series at present, but sideloading it into an Xiaomi MiBox doesn't work, whereas there is a working Lightbox app.

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