SKY launches FAN PASS 2.0 with new content, pricing plans and improved technology

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Networkn
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#1365664 13-Aug-2015 15:57

dclegg:
networkn:
I think they should have a test on their site which allows them to verify the connnection you are coming from is sufficient before selling you the service. That way they could know beforehand if you at least passed minimum, and could warn if bandwidth wasn't sufficient for a HD stream.

According to their FAQ they do have sample highlights available, but I've not found them yet (admittedly I've not looked that hard; so don't chastise me if they're obvious).

I'm happy enough to give them a chance for the ABs game this weekend, and I ACK what you're saying about people fraudulently claiming failed service. I just hope this one works far better than Sky GO. Ideally I'd like to see them offer a free trial (even 7 days would be OK to gauge its worth/reliability).

The potential for issues is endless. Wireless device moves out of good quality range of Access Point, someone else starts downloading heavily on another device, ISP has an issue, etc.

Not sure how a 7 day trial would work, I could see people signing up under fake addresses to get an event each week.

If it was cheaper, it would be less of an issue. Though PPV for Boxing is like $40 and no guarantee of any length of time. KO in the first round, annoying. At least with Rugby you are guaranteed 80 minutes of entertainment.

kharris

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#1365668 13-Aug-2015 16:07

The NeuLion site says -

"NeuLion is the leader in delivering live sports to every device imaginable including PC & Mac, mobile and tablets, game consoles, Smart TVs and other streaming devices".

Does this mean that the fanpass service will be delivered on the same model?

Kirk

dclegg

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#1365671 13-Aug-2015 16:11

networkn:

The potential for issues is endless. Wireless device moves out of good quality range of Access Point, someone else starts downloading heavily on another device, ISP has an issue, etc.

Sure. But the cold hard reality is that Sky Go has proven itself to be highly unreliable, especially with regards to popular events. And this is in an environment where most of our TV watching is via SVOD services, both local and parallel imported, so I know our infrastructure is up to the task.

networkn:
Not sure how a 7 day trial would work, I could see people signing up under fake addresses to get an event each week.

That's Sky's issue to sort out, not mine. :-)

A trial is the easiest way to determine whether the full technology stack (including my local setup) is up to the task. But because this isn't possible, I'm going to chance my arm this week and give them a go. If it fails to live up to expectation (SD to HD picture, without any significant outages), I doubt I'll be giving them a second chance.

networkn:
If it was cheaper, it would be less of an issue.

I can't see it being too cheap. I understand Sky need to recoup the costs required to license and provide the content. Personally I find $15 for a daily pass to be at the acceptable price point for me. I wouldn't want to pay any more though.

BlueShift

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#1365675 13-Aug-2015 16:15

dclegg:
networkn:
If it was cheaper, it would be less of an issue.

I can't see it being too cheap. I understand Sky need to recoup the costs required to license and provide the content. Personally I find $15 for a daily pass to be at the acceptable price point for me. I wouldn't want to pay any more though.

Sky will be aiming for the sweet spot where casual punters will be happy enough to cough up for it, but current subscribers won't feel that they can cancel their subs now. Much cheaper than $20 a week, there'd be quite a few figuring they can ditch Sky, get Netflix and pay for the sport whenever there's something good on.

dclegg

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#1365681 13-Aug-2015 16:26

BlueShift:

Sky will be aiming for the sweet spot where casual punters will be happy enough to cough up for it, but current subscribers won't feel that they can cancel their subs now. Much cheaper than $20 a week, there'd be quite a few figuring they can ditch Sky, get Netflix and pay for the sport whenever there's something good on.

Yep, that's almost exactly my scenario, although I currently do have Sky but not the Sports package. I do hope to jettison Sky soon. Just need to chase up the sparky to fix an issue with our Freeview antenna (or risk fixing it myself vs gaining the wrath of my wife & kids when I bugger up the currently working Freeview telly ;-))

$15 for the occasional ABs game is fine with me. And in this case I'll also be getting the Netball World Cup final in there too.

Makoura

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#1365682 13-Aug-2015 16:27

I signed up for the week. Figured it was a couple of beers at the pub saved so why not. So far streaming good from phone for airplay from laptop not as good but 720p consistently. Now if only they had an xbox one app or at very least chrome cast support. I guess as others have mentioned the true test will be Saturday Night. But I can see me getting during the world cup if it's any good.

voy1d

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#1365685 13-Aug-2015 16:33

kharris: Does this mean that the fanpass service will be delivered on the same model?

That's what it is already delivered over.

Quic Broadband

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kharris

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#1365690 13-Aug-2015 16:38

voy1d:
kharris: Does this mean that the fanpass service will be delivered on the same model?

That's what it is already delivered over.

Game consoles, Smart TVs and other streaming devices? Really - where do I get the apps from?

Kirk

voy1d

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#1365693 13-Aug-2015 16:43

It already uses the Neulion platform.

Sky obviously havn't paid for those delivery methods.

groynk

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#1365694 13-Aug-2015 16:43

Jas777:
groynk:
tdgeek:
groynk: Great news! Always wanted this possibility.

Pricing is as expected from them: unatractive, but may end up having to pay for convenience at some point.

I just paid $20 to watch ABs on Igloo last week, since my dad and I decided it was less than what we would spend at the pub. =Convenience

BTW, I recently signed up to sky on no contract for the u-20 world cup and canceled after one month $105 grand total, but it's a bit of hassle with arranging installation/cancelation (28 days notice) etc.

So I'm happy with the announcement; eyes and ears open for free trials/promotions now :)

That price is typical of overseas sports sites that have daily, weekly subs.

Monthly would be nice.
But obvious why they don't want to do that.
maybe yearly option or monthly contract to get their feet wet?
They'll get there eventually I guess.
Think back 5 years and you have to give sky some credit for improving their offering (just enough to maintain monopoly)

On demand replays would be good too. Imagine they need to negotiate packages with ABs and other leagues etc. The NRL looks good with plenty of on demand replays.
Wonder if they are working on champions league...?

Two things:

Based on fact SKY showed SuperCup between Barca and Sevilla and it had the BEIN sports logo in top right hand corner I would say they have a deal in place hopefully

Secondly if they did go to a sports only service and offset the cost of purchasing the programming and filming the programming the cost to view might be a lot more than people think it should be. Based on the deals coming up for NRL I would expect the NRL would want around the 40 million mark for the rights. Any deal to get EPL back will be for much more. The rugby rights will be for a lot more etc

Don't disagree, they have to pay lots to rights sellers and have to make money. They have costs in actually filming local stuff too.
But thankfully I don't have to worry about all that, I'm just interested in what I can watch (live) for how much.

I don't see sattelite delivery going away anytime soon.

All I mean is that as deals are renewed they will probably get online streaming provisions added to the agreements, which then enables them to offer them as Fan Passes. (premier league if they get it back, RWC, [name your sport/comp])
Don't expect it to happen overnight though.

I see Video delivery and rights going through the same transition that Music has for the last 10+ years, but seemingly a bit faster.
Live sports is one bracket that will take a bit more thrashing out in the years to come. Business models will change.

kharris

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#1365715 13-Aug-2015 16:50

voy1d: It already uses the Neulion platform.

I know that. That's why I got the quote from their site.

voy1d: Sky obviously havn't paid for those delivery methods.

That was the point of my question.... so they don't deliver via all the quoted methods then - ok.

Kirk

groynk

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#1365718 13-Aug-2015 16:53

Also just occured to me that this is purely in response to everyone sharing SKYgo logins.

'2.0' is a bit of a stretch, haven't they just ported the 1, 2, 3, and 4 skygo streams to the neulion service and started charging?
More like SkyGo 2.0

Not complaining though. Better offering/options for us, and maybe they make some money.

groynk

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#1365724 13-Aug-2015 17:04

kharris:
voy1d:
kharris: Does this mean that the fanpass service will be delivered on the same model?

That's what it is already delivered over.

Game consoles, Smart TVs and other streaming devices? Really - where do I get the apps from?

"NeuLion is the leader in delivering live sports to every device imaginable including..."

How about my imaginary device? :)
(great image but it buffers a bit too much)

Jaxson

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#1365853 13-Aug-2015 19:44

groynk:
kharris:
voy1d:
kharris: Does this mean that the fanpass service will be delivered on the same model?

That's what it is already delivered over.

Game consoles, Smart TVs and other streaming devices? Really - where do I get the apps from?

"NeuLion is the leader in delivering live sports to every device imaginable including..."

How about my imaginary device? :)
(great image but it buffers a bit too much)

Are there apps for PS3?

Or are they expecting the browser to be the display method on these types of things?

Makoura

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#1365867 13-Aug-2015 19:57

Ok so trying to watch rugby now. Impossible stuttering poor quality. Think oh must be connection twitch live stream is fine. Netflix fine. YouTube plays HD instantly. Grrr another let down.

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