Please Sky - Can we have an EPG Update

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DickDastardly

227 posts

Master Geek

#133536 25-Oct-2013 14:54

Sky, As you are keen to roll out the MySky units with the bigger hard drives, there are im sure more, and more people including myself who are recording more and nicely filling up their hard drives.

This means that when you go to the planner to find a show to watch, you are sometimes scrolling through 10-12 pages of shows before you find the one you need - this can be problematic as you can miss earlier episodes of shows, and watch a later show when an ealier one has been missed.

Having been in the UK when they rolled out a fantastic new HD EPG guide, the highlight of this EPG was something called 'Series Stacks' whereby shows from a series are stacked together which makes it so easy to find not only the show you want but the episode of the show meaning they are all watched in the order you intend.

The current NZ Sky EPG seriously looks like its from the 1980's - i keep thinking of the Dire Straits Money for Nothing video - its SO prehistoric looking - Sky - you REALLY need to roll out a more contemporary EPG - the current one not only looks rubbish, functionality wise its rubbish too!

Sky bosses - have a look at some screenshots of the latest UK EPG - even call them and get a similar EPG rolled out here - you are seriously falling behind the rest of the worlds Sky customers!

Rant over!

Screenshots

A shot of the planner with "Series Stacks" - these are beyond useful when your planning what to watch!

Come on SKY NZ - give us a new EPG - your getting left behind!!

I don't want no sugar in it - thank you very much

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4244 posts

Uber Geek

#921722 25-Oct-2013 15:07

do you use the search feature, by pushing 0 in the planner you can arrange your shows by genre, time recorded and alphabetical a big help

Common sense is not as common as you think.

DickDastardly

227 posts

Master Geek

#921733 25-Oct-2013 15:37

Thanks...

I didnt know of that particular feature - so will have a play this weekend....

Im not sure its the complete answer though and i really do think an overhaul of the vintage EPG would definately be a good thing!

I don't want no sugar in it - thank you very much

vexxxboy

4244 posts

Uber Geek

#921763 25-Oct-2013 15:59

DickDastardly: Thanks...

I didnt know of that particular feature - so will have a play this weekend....

Im not sure its the complete answer though and i really do think an overhaul of the vintage EPG would definately be a good thing!

your right though , it's nothing like your pictures and it needs to be more user friendly in design and layout.

Common sense is not as common as you think.

surfisup1000

5288 posts

Uber Geek

#922457 27-Oct-2013 14:14

Sky are a monopoly. There is no need to do anything to the epg.

One thing annoys me -- I set series record, but it records the repeat screenings too. So , I end up with duplicate recordings. Why can't sky set this so it just records the programs in the selected sequence. That is the beauty of recording, you don't need the repeat episodes.

NonprayingMantis

6434 posts

Uber Geek

#922524 27-Oct-2013 16:07

sky NZ are now nothing to do with Sky UK ever since news corp sold their shares. that means they dont have access to any of the newscorp stuff (like the UK Sky+ box and EPG)

I get what you meanabout the series stack feature though. thats one thing the TiVo has going for it vs MySky.

DickDastardly

227 posts

Master Geek

#923522 29-Oct-2013 13:10

surfisup1000: Sky are a monopoly. There is no need to do anything to the epg.

That does seem a not particularly relevant point.

There are lots of compnaies in NZ who are a monopoly, that are actually trying to enhance their customer experience and make it better - not just sitting back on their hands while the rest of the world makes strides forward.

The fact of the matter is that the current EPG is pretty old in the tooth, and not particularly customer friendly.

Take for example the search facility - here in NZ you can only search on the first letter of the TV show - mobile phone text style.

Other international EPG's you can actually type the entire show name in thus not still scrolling through pages of potentials that Sky EPG thinks you might want - for example - here you can only type "D" for Deadliest Catch - on other EPG's - you can type Deadliest Catch - surely it cant be that much of a leap for Sky NZ to modernise their EPG??

A further example, here in NZ - when you have found something on your TV guide you want to record, or even using the on screen banner to find something you want - once that show is selected if you want to record the series - you need to go into the planner and press the green series link button. In other territories - going through the same process of selecting a show - an on screen banner pops up asking if you want to record once or record series - its these little things that are quick wins for Sky NZ that just make the whole customer experience a little better....

Come on Sky NZ - give us a better more user friendly EPG - i know we are only a small island - but you must have some software developers sitting in Sky HQ that are bored and need a fresh challenge!

I don't want no sugar in it - thank you very much

surfisup1000

5288 posts

Uber Geek

#923546 29-Oct-2013 14:07

DickDastardly:
surfisup1000: Sky are a monopoly. There is no need to do anything to the epg.

That does seem a not particularly relevant point.

There are lots of compnaies in NZ who are a monopoly, that are actually trying to enhance their customer experience and make it better - not just sitting back on their hands while the rest of the world makes strides forward.

I absolutely disagree. Although, there could be some anecdotal examples were monopolistic companies behave better in the short term but ultimately they revert.

You say there are lots of monopoly companies in NZ that behave more like private companies yet cannot name any.

Sky have no incentive to improve the epg -- it will cost them money and not gain any new customers. Nor will inaction lose customers.

If I were a Sky shareholder, I'd demand they do nothing until the next generation of 4k boxes comes along. As a sky customer, i'd like them to innovate without increasing my monthly fees.

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DickDastardly

227 posts

Master Geek

#923614 29-Oct-2013 15:46

For the basis of my previous post I didn’t mention any specific companies was for the expedience of writing the post - seeing as you would like specific examples, two companies, both monopolistic (although State/Crown owned) would be Kiwirail and NZTA. Both striving to enhance the customer experience - look at the revamped NZTA website for example? Also Kiwirail - they know people don’t have to use their freight or passenger services - but on board their passenger trains there are power point for each seat and hot food and beverages amongst other features - all of these examples are designed to win more passengers - thus more revenue. These companies are in the position where people have no option - they either use them in the case of Kiwirail - or complain if they don’t like the service in the case of NZTA. Both companies have realised that even in their positions, customers are at the heart of their service and trying to better the customer service should be something that should be embraced. Off the topic of Sky I know...but you did ask.....

The same goes for Sky NZ - yes people don’t have to use the service - but those that do should be provided with a service that’s contemporary, innovative, comparable with the rest of the world and much more user focussed. I totally agree that any revamped service shouldn’t mean increased subscription, that’s ridiculous.

With regards to the point about why shouldn’t a new and contemporary EPG be compatible with these Ultra High Def Boxes - why can’t a new EPG be developed now that will roll out onto any new boxes? It seems a rather blinkered view that potentially useful Sky development and customer enhancements need to wait until the roll out of a next generation box - and realistically with the speed NZ moves on things - how long is that going to be until the 4K boxes are rolled out here - nearly 10 years? Does that mean we should have to have a useless EPG for the next decade?

It’s a shame that the desire for progression has been stifled in this post - are you REALLY happy with the EPG? Is there a part of you that wishes it could be a little better? Embracing change, future innovation and doing the right thing for the customer shouldn’t be so shied away from.....Why would you demand Sky sit on their hands? Don’t you think they coin in enough with monthly subscriptions? Don’t you think some of that could be ploughed into improving OUR services?

I don't want no sugar in it - thank you very much

shrub

775 posts

Ultimate Geek

ID Verified

#923630 29-Oct-2013 16:13

You think that one is bad try using t-box epg....

kiwisoma

46 posts

Geek

#923644 29-Oct-2013 16:19

Sky have announced the introduction of content delivery via the MySky2 Ethernet nic sometime next year. Perhaps this middleware change will also include a new EPG?

surfisup1000

5288 posts

Uber Geek

#923657 29-Oct-2013 16:41

DickDastardly:
It’s a shame that the desire for progression has been stifled in this post - are you REALLY happy with the EPG? Is there a part of you that wishes it could be a little better? Embracing change, future innovation and doing the right thing for the customer shouldn’t be so shied away from.....Why would you demand Sky sit on their hands? Don’t you think they coin in enough with monthly subscriptions? Don’t you think some of that could be ploughed into improving OUR services?

1. sky's objective is to maximise shareholder returns -- on that basis, it would be irresponsible not to exploit their monopoly position and spend needless money on R&D .

2. Embracing change/innovation = programmers = expense.

3. I don't know if sky make excessive profits (assume you mean this when you say coin). Regardless of revenue/profit, sky have no obligation to spend up on R&D. Their obligation is to shareholders.

I do agree with you though from a customer viewpoint. Sky are hopelessly slow to innovate/upgrade. I suspect, the only drivers for sky to upgrade will be where there is more money to be made.

JonnyCam

643 posts

Ultimate Geek

ID Verified

#924108 30-Oct-2013 11:47

just use the android or ios app......
Much nicer.

The Sky EPG accomplishes the bare minimun, and agree it needs an upgrade - but guess most people don't notice.

I like that stacking idea,
I have recorded all of the vintage doctor who, and need to find time to watch them all, so it's pages of doctor who.

DickDastardly

227 posts

Master Geek

#924111 30-Oct-2013 11:54

JonnyCam: just use the android or ios app......
Much nicer.

The Sky EPG accomplishes the bare minimun, and agree it needs an upgrade - but guess most people don't notice.

I like that stacking idea,
I have recorded all of the vintage doctor who, and need to find time to watch them all, so it's pages of doctor who.

Can the IOS app control your planner? I know its good for remote record etc - but want aware it play shows already recorded on your sky box? I havent downloaded the app - but suppose i could!

Most people dont notice becuase they dont know what they are missing! For anyone who has used an overseas EPG, they can see what a modern customer/user focussed EPG can do and it really makes the Kiwi one look prehistoric!

I don't want no sugar in it - thank you very much

JonnyCam

643 posts

Ultimate Geek

ID Verified

#924456 30-Oct-2013 22:30

DickDastardly:

Can the IOS app control your planner? I know its good for remote record etc - but want aware it play shows already recorded on your sky box? I havent downloaded the app - but suppose i could!

Most people dont notice becuase they dont know what they are missing! For anyone who has used an overseas EPG, they can see what a modern customer/user focussed EPG can do and it really makes the Kiwi one look prehistoric!

Sorry, wasn't clear - this is for the episode searching, so limited in other regards but easier than the stb for finding stuff.

It would be great to be able to interact with the box via ethernet / wifi, but maybe that will happen when they start using the ethernet port with UFB.

Kim587

128 posts

Master Geek

#924468 30-Oct-2013 23:02

DickDastardly:
surfisup1000: Sky are a monopoly. There is no need to do anything to the epg.

That does seem a not particularly relevant point.

There are lots of compnaies in NZ who are a monopoly, that are actually trying to enhance their customer experience and make it better - not just sitting back on their hands while the rest of the world makes strides forward.

The fact of the matter is that the current EPG is pretty old in the tooth, and not particularly customer friendly.

Take for example the search facility - here in NZ you can only search on the first letter of the TV show - mobile phone text style.

Other international EPG's you can actually type the entire show name in thus not still scrolling through pages of potentials that Sky EPG thinks you might want - for example - here you can only type "D" for Deadliest Catch - on other EPG's - you can type Deadliest Catch - surely it cant be that much of a leap for Sky NZ to modernise their EPG??

A further example, here in NZ - when you have found something on your TV guide you want to record, or even using the on screen banner to find something you want - once that show is selected if you want to record the series - you need to go into the planner and press the green series link button. In other territories - going through the same process of selecting a show - an on screen banner pops up asking if you want to record once or record series - its these little things that are quick wins for Sky NZ that just make the whole customer experience a little better....

Come on Sky NZ - give us a better more user friendly EPG - i know we are only a small island - but you must have some software developers sitting in Sky HQ that are bored and need a fresh challenge!

Wow, have we finally found something the T-Box does better than MySky?
The T-Box has always had that, I just assumed it would be a standard feature. Mind you, it's not much to get excited about given the T-Box's other issues.

An app like the Xbox SmartGlass app would be cool, where you pretty much use the app as a remote which makes it quite a bit easier to navigate menus compared to using a controller/standard remote, especially for typing in a search bar.

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