Sky content coming to mobile devices by Xmas

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Ham

462 posts

Ultimate Geek

# 133529 25-Oct-2013 11:17

I saw this in the news yesterday and it made me wonder whether it will be selected on-demand shows or real time video on all channels you're subscribed to...? Either way, it's progress.
Also, I wonder if Vodafone subscribers will be able to access this or a similar service...?
Now just TV3 needs to announce an app and we're sorted for TV viewing.

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1168 posts

Uber Geek

# 921577 25-Oct-2013 11:52

OK, I have Sky and I believe the subscription fee also buys the right to moan about them.

Seriously? They think this is significant? Have they been asleep since the 90's?

If they made it everything from all the channels you are subscribed to then it wouldn't be an addition to Sky it would be a replacement for it.

If it is anything less it is pretty much pointless. Most people have PVR already.

If it could include sport that might be useful, except if you are wanting to view games over a mobile network when it is going to be mega expensive. Oh, unless you have that amazing Telecom Wifi deal... hmm.

Didn't anybody tell you I was a hacker?

Handsomedan

2242 posts

Uber Geek

Subscriber

# 921602 25-Oct-2013 12:25

I think it'll be access to iSky via HTML5...can't see it being a live streaming service.

Handsome Dan Has Spoken.

Ham

462 posts

Ultimate Geek

# 921617 25-Oct-2013 12:36

crackrdbycracku: OK, I have Sky and I believe the subscription fee also buys the right to moan about them.

lol. sounds like reasonable logic

TwoSeven

1387 posts

Uber Geek

# 921658 25-Oct-2013 13:52

Ham: I saw this in the news yesterday and it made me wonder whether it will be selected on-demand shows or real time video on all channels you're subscribed to...? Either way, it's progress.
Also, I wonder if Vodafone subscribers will be able to access this or a similar service...?
Now just TV3 needs to announce an app and we're sorted for TV viewing.

It will probably be what is offered in the UK. Basically, these days when you get a mobile data plan you can get sky channels as well. I think a common one is Sky Sport. It should be live TV, however, the smart Telco would probably also have a 'On Demand' capability as well.

Personally I would expect it to be a free service (and no data usage) from the Telco's for those people who already have a cable box with the same Telco, since at the end of the day, they are just passing on Sky's service.

Software Engineer

JimmyH

2644 posts

Uber Geek

# 922234 26-Oct-2013 21:32

Live streaming to mobile devices is doable now, fairly easily and inexpensively, and has been for some time.

I picked up a Hauppauge Broadway in a sale, because it looked interesting. TV aerial connects to it, AV leads connect to Sky box, and there is an IR blaster if I want to control the channel on the SKy box. It connects back to my main router.

I can now stream Sky and FV TV to any PC in the House, as well as to my tablet and phone. It also lets me set it up to stream across the internet so I can access it from anywhere in the world should I feel the need.

Main use is to stream news to my study PC so I can listen to the audio, and maximise the browser window to watch if anything sounds interesting. It was an impulse buy, but for around $130 I am pretty happy with the unit.

loceff13

802 posts

Ultimate Geek

# 922504 27-Oct-2013 15:38

I can't talk about what I've heard of coming, but Sky are on the right track if it happens..

NonprayingMantis

6434 posts

Uber Geek

# 922530 27-Oct-2013 16:29

One person supports this post

well it might be cool, but I won't hold my breath expecting anything too amazing given how utterly dogpoo iSky has been since it was first launched.

crackrdbycracku

1168 posts

Uber Geek

# 922551 27-Oct-2013 17:18

One person supports this post

It's a simple problem. Anything Sky comes up with runs the risk of cannibalizing the existing user base.

If you can get the content online and on demand how long before you ask why you need 'normal' Sky. Then you're going to be asking why you are paying for a bundle including stuff you don't want and that road leads to something like Netflix.

Sky very carefully made sure Igloo wasn't a viable replacement for Sky. They will do the same thing here.

Didn't anybody tell you I was a hacker?

Jas777

581 posts

Ultimate Geek

# 923388 29-Oct-2013 09:29

crackrdbycracku,

I hope it isn't like netflix as I don't want to wait a month till I can watch a live sports game.
But I jest sorry, I think us on here overestimate the number of people who watch SKY or really want to on devices other than their big TVs.

crackrdbycracku

1168 posts

Uber Geek

# 923393 29-Oct-2013 09:39

Jas777:

I hope it isn't like netflix as I don't want to wait a month till I can watch a live sports game.

I think that is a very important point. On the one hand I know that sports represent possibly the most important part of Sky's business. I know people who complain they pay for Sky just for the All Blacks and people who used to complain the paid only for the EPL. On the other hand I don't watch sport on TV at home, sometimes I'll go to the pub to watch a game, so I think of Sky as all the other stuff which isn't really time dependent.

But I jest sorry, I think us on here overestimate the number of people who watch SKY or really want to on devices other than their big TVs.

Again, a good point. If you think of Sky as Sky Sport then you would probably want to watch it on your big TV. If you think of Sky as movies, TV series, documentaries and such then you would probably like to watch it on other devices. But then your going to start wondering what you need the broadcast side of things for.

Didn't anybody tell you I was a hacker?

Jas777

581 posts

Ultimate Geek

# 923405 29-Oct-2013 10:05

Crackrdbycracku,

Sports has to be their core business as that was why it was formed in the first place. But I take your point about other users.

I can understand TV series and documentaries but why would users want to watch movies on a mobile device? Doesn't it defeat the whole point of movies? Even a laptop is getting a bit too small?
But hey I am old style a bit I guess.

vexxxboy

2924 posts

Uber Geek

# 923437 29-Oct-2013 10:44

i did a survey on this months ago and they did ask questions like would you pay $15 extra a month and full live streaming of sports etc i just said that i wouldnt pay to watch it on mobile devices, so will be interested in what they decided to do.

Common sense is not as common as you think.

NonprayingMantis

6434 posts

Uber Geek

# 923460 29-Oct-2013 11:09

Jas777: Crackrdbycracku,

Sports has to be their core business as that was why it was formed in the first place. But I take your point about other users.

I can understand TV series and documentaries but why would users want to watch movies on a mobile device? Doesn't it defeat the whole point of movies? Even a laptop is getting a bit too small?
But hey I am old style a bit I guess.

watching in bed, watching on your ipad whilst your partner watches something else on the big screen, watching from the toilet, watching from work, watching in the garden.

All use cases for watching a movie (or anything really) on a screen other than your main 46"+ TV

crackrdbycracku

1168 posts

Uber Geek

# 923477 29-Oct-2013 11:26

NonprayingMantis:

watching in bed, watching on your ipad whilst your partner watches something else on the big screen, watching from the toilet, watching from work, watching in the garden.

Also watching when you are not actually at home but have an internet connection, potentially on the move over a 3 or 4G connection.

There are use cases.

I doubt many people would want to watch sport on a mobile device, movies maybe, TV shows definitely.

I don't have evidence to base this on but I'm guessing it is to do with the format the content comes in, SD Vs HD and how intensely you want to watch the content. Sports fans tend to watch very intently.

Mind you I could be wrong and would welcome other thoughts.

Didn't anybody tell you I was a hacker?

NonprayingMantis

6434 posts

Uber Geek

# 923497 29-Oct-2013 12:27

crackrdbycracku:
NonprayingMantis:

watching in bed, watching on your ipad whilst your partner watches something else on the big screen, watching from the toilet, watching from work, watching in the garden.

Also watching when you are not actually at home but have an internet connection, potentially on the move over a 3 or 4G connection.

There are use cases.

I doubt many people would want to watch sport on a mobile device, movies maybe, TV shows definitely.

I don't have evidence to base this on but I'm guessing it is to do with the format the content comes in, SD Vs HD and how intensely you want to watch the content. Sports fans tend to watch very intently.

Mind you I could be wrong and would welcome other thoughts.

I would suggest that the fact NFL gamepass (and other similar services) all have ipad, iphone, android apps suggests that there are people who want to view on the small screen.

a small screen held a foot away from your face is not different really to watching a big screen 3m away.

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