Sky cancels Zone channel

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BlueShift

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#215130 13-Jun-2017 14:09

So Sky have decided to replace the Zone channel with some other stuff.

Its not really surprising, I'd imagine that the target demographic for a SF channel skew heavily towards those who are adept at obtaining their entertainment on a more on-demand basis than Sky will offer.

I'm not a Sky subscriber, never have been, but if I was, then Zone and that other channel with GOT on is the only reason I'd have it. But with my Netflix sub, my free-from-Spark Lightbox sub and the occasional "other means" (like my virtual aunty in the US sending me virtual VHS tapes), What use do I have for Sky?

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#1799423 13-Jun-2017 14:45

Meh. So it ends up on other channels. Big deal. S3 of Zoo was already going to The Box at the end of the month (which raised my eyebrows) so its hardly a surprise that Zone is getting rehashed. And S2 of Shannara Chronicles is still to be scheduled - so clearly holding it off for another channel.

So instead it'll be a box set channel (in HD) for those too tight to shell out for the premium drama of Soho. Personally I'd prefer weekly episodes - binge watching usually makes me find a storyline tedious (and poor acting unpalatable) vs a week to week taster.

At least the content will be somewhere rather than having TVNZ shift it around constantly or put on Duke (to be replayed in the dead of night on One or Two some months later) or relying on someone at the RealityTVCompany decide that it might fit into Three's schedule (ha!)

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MikeB4

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#1799427 13-Jun-2017 14:49

I seldom watched Zone but depending on the content I may well watch this new channel, I hope it remains HD. As for Soho tried it once didn't like it, I am not "too tight to shell out for it" I just have no interest in its content.

Here is a crazy notion, lets give peace a chance.

rlevis

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#1799456 13-Jun-2017 15:19

I was watching several series on The Zone but it's been mostly repeats for several months for what I was watching. I've been waiting for series 3 of Dark Matter. I'm not interested at all in watching anything in SD quality so I guess it's back to downloads or something.

fe31nz

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#1799696 13-Jun-2017 21:38

I watch quite a few programmes from The Zone, so I am very annoyed at Sky, but it is pretty much what I expect of them. However, I did find this:

"As such, while THE ZONE brand will be departing the SKY platform, none of its content will."

at the bottom of the press release on their web site. "None" is very strong word for them to have used - but I am not sure I actually believe that though.

https://www.sky.co.nz/-/mk_pressrelease_130617

I will have to unlock all the recording rules I have for The Zone so they are no longer marked as "This channel only" and hope that the ones I want will turn up elsewhere.

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#1799741 14-Jun-2017 06:03

They are also launching Jones!too which will contain some of the ex Zone channel content

quickymart

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#1799743 14-Jun-2017 06:23

Launching Jones? I thought that started up years ago?

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tdgeek

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#1799745 14-Jun-2017 06:43

quickymart: Launching Jones? I thought that started up years ago?

Jones 2, labelled as Jones! too

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#1799748 14-Jun-2017 06:57

tdgeek:

quickymart: Launching Jones? I thought that started up years ago?

Jones 2, labelled as Jones! too

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#1799820 14-Jun-2017 08:47

Pity about The Zone. I thought that was a cool channel. Probably their replacement for not having The Sci-Fi Channel.

Jas777

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#1799821 14-Jun-2017 08:47

I was only watching The Strain and Wayward Pines on Zone so if they are elsewhere it is ok if on others I guess.

I don't tend to watch that much on UKTV or BOX, VIBE etc but I do see promos which are in HD on HD channels but the channels are in SD of course.

As I haven't downloaded anything from those channels I was wondering if even though the channel is SD but the content is HD is the content in HD if you download it (having HD ticket of course)?

ockel

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#1799834 14-Jun-2017 09:03

Jas777:

I was only watching The Strain and Wayward Pines on Zone so if they are elsewhere it is ok if on others I guess.

I don't tend to watch that much on UKTV or BOX, VIBE etc but I do see promos which are in HD on HD channels but the channels are in SD of course.

As I haven't downloaded anything from those channels I was wondering if even though the channel is SD but the content is HD is the content in HD if you download it (having HD ticket of course)?

Doubtful. Check the file sizes for catchup tv (in OnDemand) - 45mins should be 1.1Gb if its 720p and only 600Mb if its SD. Even on the HD channels (like Soho) the amount of HD is hit and miss. Broadcast in HD does not mean streamed in HD - take TVNZOnDemand and 3Now as other examples.

And as for HD promo's but SD playback - try enjoying the Duke sport promos in glorious HD on TV1 and 2 but still only SD on Duke. Eech.

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Jas777

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#1799836 14-Jun-2017 09:09

ockel:

Jas777:

I was only watching The Strain and Wayward Pines on Zone so if they are elsewhere it is ok if on others I guess.

I don't tend to watch that much on UKTV or BOX, VIBE etc but I do see promos which are in HD on HD channels but the channels are in SD of course.

As I haven't downloaded anything from those channels I was wondering if even though the channel is SD but the content is HD is the content in HD if you download it (having HD ticket of course)?

Doubtful. Check the file sizes for catchup tv (in OnDemand) - 45mins should be 1.1Gb if its 720p and only 600Mb if its SD. Even on the HD channels (like Soho) the amount of HD is hit and miss. Broadcast in HD does not mean streamed in HD - take TVNZOnDemand and 3Now as other examples.

And as for HD promo's but SD playback - try enjoying the Duke sport promos in glorious HD on TV1 and 2 but still only SD on Duke. Eech.

Thanks.

I was meaning where you download it to your SKY box not the streaming side of it? Would that make a difference?

tdgeek

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#1799840 14-Jun-2017 09:16

Jas777:

ockel:

Jas777:

I was only watching The Strain and Wayward Pines on Zone so if they are elsewhere it is ok if on others I guess.

I don't tend to watch that much on UKTV or BOX, VIBE etc but I do see promos which are in HD on HD channels but the channels are in SD of course.

As I haven't downloaded anything from those channels I was wondering if even though the channel is SD but the content is HD is the content in HD if you download it (having HD ticket of course)?

Doubtful. Check the file sizes for catchup tv (in OnDemand) - 45mins should be 1.1Gb if its 720p and only 600Mb if its SD. Even on the HD channels (like Soho) the amount of HD is hit and miss. Broadcast in HD does not mean streamed in HD - take TVNZOnDemand and 3Now as other examples.

And as for HD promo's but SD playback - try enjoying the Duke sport promos in glorious HD on TV1 and 2 but still only SD on Duke. Eech.

Thanks.

I was meaning where you download it to your SKY box not the streaming side of it? Would that make a difference?

AFAIK, Skys streaming is like any other non live streaming, you view from the buffer, which is an HDD. Skys buffer doubles as a recording as it keeps the file intact which is a nice bonus for those on lower connections especially

old3eyes

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#1799841 14-Jun-2017 09:18

Maybe with Zone gone all those SciFi programs that Sky has locked up and are on Netflix US will now appear on NF NZ?? Nah will never happen. Thank goodness Ive Got Amazon Prime.

Regards,

Old3eyes

ockel

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#1799871 14-Jun-2017 10:33

old3eyes:

Maybe with Zone gone all those SciFi programs that Sky has locked up and are on Netflix US will now appear on NF NZ?? Nah will never happen. Thank goodness Ive Got Amazon Prime.

You mean like when TVNZ fast tracks something to OnDemand and its suddenly available on other streaming services. Not.

Some properties like the old Star Trek and its spinoffs which are non-exclusive are on both Sky's Zone (probably get shuffled to Jonestoo) and on Netflix. Others like previous seasons of Dark Matter appear on Netflix when the new season starts in the US (ie S3 has started in the US and lo and behold S2 is now on Netflix).

Sky has said that the content will appear on other channels - not that its relinquishing the sci fi genre. So keep dreaming.

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