Sky announced performance numbers and drops HD Ticket Fee

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#2192982 7-Mar-2019 13:29

tdgeek:
MikeB4:

About a year ago I dropped Sky and was using Freeview (Freeview recorders are the work of Satan, they are all an abomination), Netflix, Prime a little Lightbox and Google. It was a total pain in the butt, one seem to be never ending searching for content (worth watching) and trying to remember if the series you were watching was on Freeview, Netflix or what ever.

I returned to Sky in the last month and oh the relief, I generally use one remote where as before there was always where is the &&^%$^ remote. No more spending/wasting time hunting for content. The small extra I pay per month is worth it 100%

I agree, its a good system, not bad for 1980's tech. And I don't need to use a 2019 phone to ask for help! I was going to drop it and get Fanpass for F1, $100 to $30, good saving. But no replays, no SkyGo, no popups. $70 is $17 a week, so what.

It’s a lot of money to some people, difference of having $800 around Christmas time if saved, but people have other costs to living as well, even at 1 hours pay a week

If people want to minimise cost even further you could take it down to cost per day, alter the time number the cost number changes accordingly.

I wouldn’t like to Light $70 on fire every month, if you’re spending it and feel getting value from purchase fine.

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Rikkitic

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#2192993 7-Mar-2019 13:50

MikeB4:

About a year ago I dropped Sky and was using Freeview (Freeview recorders are the work of Satan, they are all an abomination), Netflix, Prime a little Lightbox and Google. It was a total pain in the butt, one seem to be never ending searching for content (worth watching) and trying to remember if the series you were watching was on Freeview, Netflix or what ever.

I returned to Sky in the last month and oh the relief, I generally use one remote where as before there was always where is the &&^%$^ remote. No more spending/wasting time hunting for content. The small extra I pay per month is worth it 100%

It is good to see a viewpoint like this. I certainly don't expect everyone to think the way I do. People should go with what works for them. Different people have different needs and I don't doubt that Sky works best for some. I was simply trying to articulate why it doesn't work (any more) for me.

I am sure some of my Sky frustrations would be solved or at least reduced if I had the right gear and used it properly (as in @networkn's example of recording and then fast-forwarding to skip commercials). There are always tricks and techniques to improve your particular experience.

For example, I use a Chinese Android box for Freeview. Recording is a breeze because it is not a pathetically designed and crippled built-in app. I have the box, the TV, the separate sound system, the Kodi streaming box, and various accessories like the HDMI switch, all programmed into my Harmony remote. It was a bear to set up initially, but I only had to do that once, not every time I want to change channels. It all works automatically. It doesn't matter which device is being controlled. The Harmony figures that out. All I have to do is point and click. Admittedly this is a little harder with some streaming sites, but not much. I also have mouse functions programmed into the Harmony for when I need them. It all works very well.

The only point I am trying to make here is that there are different ways of doing things and different things work for different people. For me, going to the trouble once to customise my system the way I want it was preferable to paying Sky to do it for me with a lot less flexibility. But it is a matter of choice and what works for you.

Plesse igmore amd axxept applogies in adbance fir anu typos

tdgeek

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#2193000 7-Mar-2019 14:02

Rikkitic:

MikeB4:

About a year ago I dropped Sky and was using Freeview (Freeview recorders are the work of Satan, they are all an abomination), Netflix, Prime a little Lightbox and Google. It was a total pain in the butt, one seem to be never ending searching for content (worth watching) and trying to remember if the series you were watching was on Freeview, Netflix or what ever.

I returned to Sky in the last month and oh the relief, I generally use one remote where as before there was always where is the &&^%$^ remote. No more spending/wasting time hunting for content. The small extra I pay per month is worth it 100%

It is good to see a viewpoint like this. I certainly don't expect everyone to think the way I do. People should go with what works for them. Different people have different needs and I don't doubt that Sky works best for some. I was simply trying to articulate why it doesn't work (any more) for me.

I am sure some of my Sky frustrations would be solved or at least reduced if I had the right gear and used it properly (as in @networkn's example of recording and then fast-forwarding to skip commercials). There are always tricks and techniques to improve your particular experience.

For example, I use a Chinese Android box for Freeview. Recording is a breeze because it is not a pathetically designed and crippled built-in app. I have the box, the TV, the separate sound system, the Kodi streaming box, and various accessories like the HDMI switch, all programmed into my Harmony remote. It was a bear to set up initially, but I only had to do that once, not every time I want to change channels. It all works automatically. It doesn't matter which device is being controlled. The Harmony figures that out. All I have to do is point and click. Admittedly this is a little harder with some streaming sites, but not much. I also have mouse functions programmed into the Harmony for when I need them. It all works very well.

The only point I am trying to make here is that there are different ways of doing things and different things work for different people. For me, going to the trouble once to customise my system the way I want it was preferable to paying Sky to do it for me with a lot less flexibility. But it is a matter of choice and what works for you.

Fair enough. What I see though is a bias much stronger than matter of choice. Its quite a heavy anti Sky bias. Ive always seen this as people being miffed about it. Miffed that they are paying too much, or can't afford it, or can afford it but can't justify it. My basis is that's its easily proven not to be ripping anyone off

Ive been watching TV3 OD last few nights. The app is fine, like any other grid based OD app. I can only FFW in 10 second increments, or have to fudge with the scroll bar and which some apps don't have scrubbing thumbnails. Then an ad comes on and its LOUD. 2019 tech? SVOD has its points but its often not easy and its hard to find anything. I am watching a series on Netflix, it cant remember where I was up to or which ep. neither can TV3. Sky does. Its not all beer and skittles

MikeB4

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#2193026 7-Mar-2019 14:25

@Rikkitic It boils down to this, when I am in pain I don't need more pain to escape pain. I use movies and TV as an escape and distraction for a while.

tdgeek

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#2202850 21-Mar-2019 13:23

The latest news article on Sky

https://www.stuff.co.nz/business/111416957/sky-tv-will-remain-the-home-of-sport-new-boss-martin-stewart-vows

Reading between the lines, he has spent time really looking at NZ and the people. There will be NO price reduction, adding value instead. Bit more TV, bit more sports shows, that type of thing.I feel the added value of a broadband based STB, a full app must be being pushed hard, that is added value, added convenience, Sky where ever you are. Multi room galore

Spark Sport is already out, worked very very well in F1 last weekend, so Sky needs to release something sooner than later

networkn

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#2202878 21-Mar-2019 15:10

Most of you will be well aware that I think Sky is actually reasonably good for what is it, which isn't competition for Netflix. Having said that, this article concerns me and I have been trialling a number of other sports options over the past two weeks including Kayo and Spark Sports. Neither is a replacement right now for Sky, but if they mature a little there is a possibility I could use them. Right now I'll probably run Sky and one of these packages.

One thing that has become clear to me during my testing is that I am no longer happy to be tied to my Sky Box. I don't want to get rid of it, but I require access to my sport, in other rooms in the house, on my big tv's and ideally when I am out and about, or even at work, via an App or similar.

If Sky doesn't offer me something to meet these needs, then I expect this will lower what I am prepared to pay or potentially increase what I am prepared to go without with Sky to switch to another solution.

I am actually reasonably confident that Sky is aware that people feel this way and I believe they are intending to solve for that demand, but they best get on with it quick or they will have missed another boat.

One thing I will say, however, is that with Sky, there is almost never a quality drop, or buffering, or interruption, which I can't say with any of the VOD Sport Streaming services I've tried. Moving forward and backward is markedly better, and the Sky Sport commentary team are more knowledgable and far less biased than the South African or Australian teams.

tdgeek

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#2202884 21-Mar-2019 15:40

networkn:

Most of you will be well aware that I think Sky is actually reasonably good for what is it, which isn't competition for Netflix. Having said that, this article concerns me and I have been trialling a number of other sports options over the past two weeks including Kayo and Spark Sports. Neither is a replacement right now for Sky, but if they mature a little there is a possibility I could use them. Right now I'll probably run Sky and one of these packages.

One thing that has become clear to me during my testing is that I am no longer happy to be tied to my Sky Box. I don't want to get rid of it, but I require access to my sport, in other rooms in the house, on my big tv's and ideally when I am out and about, or even at work, via an App or similar.

If Sky doesn't offer me something to meet these needs, then I expect this will lower what I am prepared to pay or potentially increase what I am prepared to go without with Sky to switch to another solution.

I am actually reasonably confident that Sky is aware that people feel this way and I believe they are intending to solve for that demand, but they best get on with it quick or they will have missed another boat.

One thing I will say, however, is that with Sky, there is almost never a quality drop, or buffering, or interruption, which I can't say with any of the VOD Sport Streaming services I've tried. Moving forward and backward is markedly better, and the Sky Sport commentary team are more knowledgable and far less biased than the South African or Australian teams.

I agree. When I was internally and externally testing Spark Sport, being able to use my multiple IPads, including my "TV" 12.9" and on any TV I really like. Im stuck with Sky for other sport as you are for Super 14, so I how they get that app out sooner than later. I guess your medium term issue is who gets Super 14? The production is excellent at Sky Sport. RWC will give a taste of Scotty Stevenson and other guys, I assume TVNZ will manage that production

Re VOD sport, the F1 last weekend rocked, quality wise. It was a tickle better than Sky (1080p vs 1080i) but the main issue was it looked great and RAN great.

MikeB4

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#2202885 21-Mar-2019 15:43

I have recently returned to Sky after a year away trying a bunch of disjointed and convoluted alternatives. I believe that Sky is the still the best one stop shop for viewing in the home. Secondly it is NZ based and pays tax here and salaries here something the alternatives don't or wont do I believe but correct me please if I am wrong on this point.

I have no real desire to skip from this service to that service, to the other service trying to find something to watch or try and remember if it was on that service or this service that I was watching it on.

networkn

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#2202890 21-Mar-2019 15:47

MikeB4:

I believe that Sky is the still the best one stop shop for viewing in the home.

Same applies in my home. It has by far the best reach to everywhere in NZ and all infrastructure is already in place.

networkn

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#2202894 21-Mar-2019 15:57

Sky has the rights to most of the Rugby through to 2022 I think, so Spark could only contend for it after that. I believe the new CEO has made clear they are prepared to fight for sports rights. He has drawn a line in the sand saying Sky==Sport.

Spark has deep pockets, but even they need to be able to justify what they pay vs revenue generated.

Fragmentation of the market will ultimately mean that consumers will start deciding on what sports they watch and will drop the other platform potentially, so there will be the same number of customers generating the same income across two platforms. I believe it unlikely that Spark would continue to chase Rugby unless they could get all Rugby. The RWC is an anomoly as it's a 6 week event.

Having tried Spark Sport via Chromecast, it's not viable right now. I had no end of issues with it, and I am not convinced they are all fixable by Spark. I will not be happy if this is my viewing experience, and I remain hopeful that they might sub distribute the games to Sky.

There is time for them to fix what they can and get an Android TV app, and that may be what I need, but until I see it....

DjShadow

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#2202896 21-Mar-2019 15:59

Another news story about where the CEO basically rubishes Fanpass

https://www.nzherald.co.nz/business/news/article.cfm?c_id=3&objectid=12214820

Stu1

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#2202966 21-Mar-2019 18:07

DjShadow:
Another news story about where the CEO basically rubishes Fanpass

https://www.nzherald.co.nz/business/news/article.cfm?c_id=3&objectid=12214820

He makes sense at least he recognises their failures not like the last plonker. If they had a decent app more sports channels and better price I would consider going back to fanpass

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#2202973 21-Mar-2019 18:24

networkn:

If Sky doesn't offer me something to meet these needs, then I expect this will lower what I am prepared to pay or potentially increase what I am prepared to go without with Sky to switch to another solution.

Moderator, please check, it appears someone has spoofed networkn's account (-;

On a serious note, it is good to see that Sky finally has a strategy. Personally, I don't think it will help stem the demise, but props to the the new CE for at least talking about about the importance of the customer and the need to improve quality.

tdgeek

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#2202983 21-Mar-2019 18:50

DjShadow:
Another news story about where the CEO basically rubishes Fanpass

https://www.nzherald.co.nz/business/news/article.cfm?c_id=3&objectid=12214820

What he has said us Fanpass will get more channels, and be cheaper, and use it on your tv. As many as you have: that’s huge. He emphasised sport so Sky will be ALL about sports. Plus the other stuff. A role reversal

tdgeek

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#2202987 21-Mar-2019 18:53

dafman:
networkn:

If Sky doesn't offer me something to meet these needs, then I expect this will lower what I am prepared to pay or potentially increase what I am prepared to go without with Sky to switch to another solution.

Moderator, please check, it appears someone has spoofed networkn's account (-;

On a serious note, it is good to see that Sky finally has a strategy. Personally, I don't think it will help stem the demise, but props to the the new CE for at least talking about about the importance of the customer and the need to improve quality.

It will stem the demise. IMHO those who like or have Sky , like Sky but not the price. Those who hate Sky, like Sky but not the price

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