No app for SKY GO on Apple TV but SKY SPORT NOW app is on Apple TV

Forums › Sky, Neon, Lightbox › No app for SKY GO on Apple TV but SKY SPORT NOW app is on Apple TV

frednz

1467 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 429
Inactive user

#255914 6-Sep-2019 08:34

I use SKY GO quite a bit on my mobile phone and laptop computer, but I can't find an app for it on Apple TV.

However, there is an app on Apple TV for SKY SPORT NOW (was called Fan Pass), but although I subscribe to SKY SPORT and my overall monthly sub for SKY channels is more than $100, it looks like I can't get access to SKY SPORT NOW unless I pay extra to subscribe to it. The rates are $39.99 per month for 12 months, $49.99 for 31 days access or $19.99 for 7 days access.

If the above is correct, WHY does SKY not make a SKY GO app available for Apple TV? The SKY GO app on my laptop is very good and gives me access to all the sports channels, TV shows, movies, box sets etc, so it's a surprise to me that I can't use SKY GO on Apple TV.

Because my main use for SKY is for sports, I'm thinking of just subscribing to SKY SPORT NOW, has anyone cancelled their full SKY sub and done this?

1 | 2

/dev/urandom
291 posts

Ultimate Geek
+1 received by user: 152

ID Verified

Trusted

Lifetime subscriber

#2311579 6-Sep-2019 08:38

SKY GO, as per the name, is for when you're on the go, so intended for use on cellphones, tablets, laptops etc, but not on larger screens like via your Apple TV.

I doubt they will EVER create an app for it on Smart TVs etc, as their logic will be if you're using the TV, you'll have the STB connected to it.

I have signed up to SSN, and I am evaluating it currently, with the intention of cancelling my full subscription, as like you, my main purpose in having Sky is the sport aspect of it.

Smokeping

Referral Links:

Quic - Use code R536299EPGOCN at checkout for free setup
Contact Energy - Use code FRTQDXB for $100 credit

frednz

1467 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 429
Inactive user

#2311589 6-Sep-2019 08:54

evilonenz:

SKY GO, as per the name, is for when you're on the go, so intended for use on cellphones, tablets, laptops etc, but not on larger screens like via your Apple TV.

I doubt they will EVER create an app for it on Smart TVs etc, as their logic will be if you're using the TV, you'll have the STB connected to it.

I have signed up to SSN, and I am evaluating it currently, with the intention of cancelling my full subscription, as like you, my main purpose in having Sky is the sport aspect of it.

Thanks, but it just doesn't seem logical to me for SKY to make SKY SPORT NOW (SSN) available on Apple TV, mobile phones, tablets, laptops etc, but NOT have an app on Apple TV for SKY GO.

When we are away from home and have access to a large TV screen and unlimited internet, I think it would be very useful to have a SKY GO app available on Apple TV.

Spyware

3818 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 1366

Lifetime subscriber

#2311592 6-Sep-2019 08:59

Sky Go resolution used to be at least 512x288. Who wants that on a TV. Sky want to maximise profit and they do that by pushing STBs. Even the new Vodafone TV IPTV boxes will pose a significant threat to the Sky STBs with people being able to purchase Sky by the month.

myopinion

939 posts

Ultimate Geek
+1 received by user: 112

#2311608 6-Sep-2019 09:34

Agree with FredNZ they are shooting themselves in the foot.

Senecio

2851 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 3159

ID Verified

Lifetime subscriber

#2311617 6-Sep-2019 10:07

Sky go is an app designed to accompany a set top box subscriber to give them access to the service on the go. Sky sport now is a stand-alone alternative, completely separate product. Why do you think you should get it for free?

davidcole

6099 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 1465

Trusted

#2311619 6-Sep-2019 10:13

They should, to cover the use case the OP is after, create another app (or enhance neon) to allow for periodic subscription access to all the other channels not covered by sky sport now.

Previously known as psycik

Home Assistant: Gigabyte AMD A8 Brix, Home Assistant with Aeotech ZWave Controller, Raspberry PI, Wemos D1 Mini, Zwave, Shelly Humidity and Temperature sensors
Media:Chromecast v2, ATV4 4k, ATV4, HDHomeRun Dual
Server Host Plex Server 3x3TB, 4x4TB using MergerFS, Samsung 850 evo 512 GB SSD, Proxmox Server with 1xW10, 2xUbuntu 22.04 LTS, Backblaze Backups, usenetprime.com fastmail.com Sharesies Trakt.TV Sharesight

Geekzone support

Support Geekzone with one-off or recurring donations Donate via PressPatron.

tripp

3848 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 1220

Trusted

Lifetime subscriber

#2311631 6-Sep-2019 10:17

Correct SSN (sky sports now) is designed for people that just want sports and don't have a decoder, skygo is currently setup as a value added service to a sky sub (that has the decoder).

Watch this space however as there is a lot of things changing at sky currently (no i don't have anymore details on things).

kharris

1209 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 327

ID Verified

Trusted

#2311632 6-Sep-2019 10:26

frednz:

but it just doesn't seem logical to me for SKY to make SKY SPORT NOW (SSN) available on Apple TV, mobile phones, tablets, laptops etc, but NOT have an app on Apple TV for SKY GO.

When we are away from home and have access to a large TV screen and unlimited internet, I think it would be very useful to have a SKY GO app available on Apple TV.

The SKY GO app is meant for small screens on the go... the resolution isn't that great on a big screen.

Sky want to make money. They want to either sell you an subscription with a STB or they want you to pay a slightly higher cost for their sport streaming service (higher than the cost of adding sport on your STB). Why would Sky want to give you the ability to play your sky on a large screen everywhere? If they did that then you could just give it to a mate and go halves on the subscription cost.

And for those saying they should get SSN for free just because they have sport on their STB... why? They are the same content but over a completely different medium. The cost structure is different and they are meant to satisfy different market segments.

Kirk

frednz

1467 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 429
Inactive user

#2311669 6-Sep-2019 11:31

kharris:

frednz:

but it just doesn't seem logical to me for SKY to make SKY SPORT NOW (SSN) available on Apple TV, mobile phones, tablets, laptops etc, but NOT have an app on Apple TV for SKY GO.

When we are away from home and have access to a large TV screen and unlimited internet, I think it would be very useful to have a SKY GO app available on Apple TV.

The SKY GO app is meant for small screens on the go... the resolution isn't that great on a big screen.

Sky want to make money. They want to either sell you an subscription with a STB or they want you to pay a slightly higher cost for their sport streaming service (higher than the cost of adding sport on your STB). Why would Sky want to give you the ability to play your sky on a large screen everywhere? If they did that then you could just give it to a mate and go halves on the subscription cost.

And for those saying they should get SSN for free just because they have sport on their STB... why? They are the same content but over a completely different medium. The cost structure is different and they are meant to satisfy different market segments.

I doubt whether many people who have a "full" SKY sub, which includes SKY Sport, would want to pay again for the same sports channels, just to get SKY SPORT NOW, it just doesn't make sense to me!

At present, I have two large TVs in the house, both of which have SKY set top boxes. Now, I could do without set top boxes if SKY GO included all the channels (and in high definition), in an app which would be suitable for use with Apple TV and a large screen.

It seems to me that, although satellite TV has, for the most part, been very good, we are now in an internet age which must surely threaten the future viability of SKY satellite TV? The more that SKY can do to enhance the use of internet TV, the better!

After all, SKY is now in direct competition with Spark Sport, which doesn't need a set top box, and an app for this is available on Apple TV.

kharris

1209 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 327

ID Verified

Trusted

#2311714 6-Sep-2019 12:45

frednz:

kharris:

frednz:

but it just doesn't seem logical to me for SKY to make SKY SPORT NOW (SSN) available on Apple TV, mobile phones, tablets, laptops etc, but NOT have an app on Apple TV for SKY GO.

When we are away from home and have access to a large TV screen and unlimited internet, I think it would be very useful to have a SKY GO app available on Apple TV.

The SKY GO app is meant for small screens on the go... the resolution isn't that great on a big screen.

Sky want to make money. They want to either sell you an subscription with a STB or they want you to pay a slightly higher cost for their sport streaming service (higher than the cost of adding sport on your STB). Why would Sky want to give you the ability to play your sky on a large screen everywhere? If they did that then you could just give it to a mate and go halves on the subscription cost.

And for those saying they should get SSN for free just because they have sport on their STB... why? They are the same content but over a completely different medium. The cost structure is different and they are meant to satisfy different market segments.

I doubt whether many people who have a "full" SKY sub, which includes SKY Sport, would want to pay again for the same sports channels, just to get SKY SPORT NOW, it just doesn't make sense to me!

At present, I have two large TVs in the house, both of which have SKY set top boxes. Now, I could do without set top boxes if SKY GO included all the channels (and in high definition), in an app which would be suitable for use with Apple TV and a large screen.

It seems to me that, although satellite TV has, for the most part, been very good, we are now in an internet age which must surely threaten the future viability of SKY satellite TV? The more that SKY can do to enhance the use of internet TV, the better!

After all, SKY is now in direct competition with Spark Sport, which doesn't need a set top box, and an app for this is available on Apple TV.

Sky don't want to do themselves out of multirooom $$$$ either. Even SSN can only be used on one device at a time.

Kirk

rugrat

3140 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 944

Lifetime subscriber

#2311718 6-Sep-2019 12:56

I have Sky Decoder currently but would prefer better streaming then they have currently,

1. Don’t have to record to watch later. Lot of programs on SoHo that haven’t seen earlier seasons so won’t subscribe to start watch not from beginning. Earlier seasons are on demand, but not prepared to watch low quality and prefer to watch big screen.
2. No watermarks on Screen, with streaming, real noticeable on OLED 55 inch and Sky has bigger watermarks then free to air.

Yep they have on demand for the big TV through the mysky, but the quality just isn’t there. It doesn’t have to be SkyGo just DECENT quality streaming option.

The Vodafone TV option probably still leaves watermarks there, and still doesn’t solve issue if missed earlier programs if haven’t recorded, plus lot of free to air it won’t record last heard.

I will be reducing Sky expenditure as things are going currently, and it will go completely if they don’t get a better streaming product/ make Sky On Demand full broadcast quality.

Edit: The issue for me is not no applic for Apple TV, but there’s no decent streaming applic for entertainment on any service. Neon lacks the sound quality on home theatre systems.

Apple TV

Stream your favourite shows now on Apple TV (affiliate link).

evnafets

567 posts

Ultimate Geek
+1 received by user: 269

Trusted

Lifetime subscriber

#2311731 6-Sep-2019 13:28

Yes Sky Go has been intentionally crippled so that you can't show it on a 'big screen'. Fan pass while it did allow "big screen" viewing, was crippled by its price and the fact it was only a few of the channels That was a decision/strategy of Sky's previous CEO - not wanting to cannibalize the current subscribers. The new guy has been in there 6 months or so now, and from the noises he has been making he is definitely not a fan of that strategy.

My read on this is that the Sky Sport Now upgrade to broadcast more channels on it was an easy thing to do. The app exists - add a few more channels to it, drop the price, and go.

Sky Go however is a harder proposition: writing a new app (for Apple TV) vs adding features to an existing app - and thus will take longer.

The "low hanging fruit" has been delivered as a taster. As has been discussed on other threads, it is likely that subscribers who are sports fans will "downgrade" from the Set top box to the Sky Sports Now app to save themselves some money. That could be offset by "new" subscribers unwilling to pay for the set top box but who will pay for the app. How much? Who knows?

I think he is going in the right direction though.

frednz

1467 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 429
Inactive user

#2311832 6-Sep-2019 15:32

evnafets:
Yes Sky Go has been intentionally crippled so that you can't show it on a 'big screen'. Fan pass while it did allow "big screen" viewing, was crippled by its price and the fact it was only a few of the channels That was a decision/strategy of Sky's previous CEO - not wanting to cannibalize the current subscribers. The new guy has been in there 6 months or so now, and from the noises he has been making he is definitely not a fan of that strategy.

My read on this is that the Sky Sport Now upgrade to broadcast more channels on it was an easy thing to do. The app exists - add a few more channels to it, drop the price, and go.

Sky Go however is a harder proposition: writing a new app (for Apple TV) vs adding features to an existing app - and thus will take longer.

The "low hanging fruit" has been delivered as a taster. As has been discussed on other threads, it is likely that subscribers who are sports fans will "downgrade" from the Set top box to the Sky Sports Now app to save themselves some money. That could be offset by "new" subscribers unwilling to pay for the set top box but who will pay for the app. How much? Who knows?

I think he is going in the right direction though.

I wonder if SKY is taking a long term view and preparing for the time when internet TV really does take the place of satellite TV etc? The potential savings in costs to SKY of switching entirely to internet TV compared with maintaining satellite TV and set top boxes etc, must surely be worth considering?

I realise there are obstacles to be overcome as Spark is finding with its internet sports offerings, but you have to hand it to Spark for giving it a go and showing the way forward.

MadButcher

24 posts

Geek
+1 received by user: 1

#2314515 10-Sep-2019 20:06

evnafets:
The "low hanging fruit" has been delivered as a taster. As has been discussed on other threads, it is likely that subscribers who are sports fans will "downgrade" from the Set top box to the Sky Sports Now app to save themselves some money.

You just described me!

Just wanting to know what the quality of the picture of SSN is before I terminate the decoder and sign up.

It’s always annoyed the hell out of me that I can’t do something simple like stream to the tv in the bedroom without a decoder or hooking up a laptop with an hdmi cable which produces a horrific quality stuttering picture!!!

tripp

3848 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 1220

Trusted

Lifetime subscriber

#2314610 10-Sep-2019 22:50

MadButcher:
evnafets:
The "low hanging fruit" has been delivered as a taster. As has been discussed on other threads, it is likely that subscribers who are sports fans will "downgrade" from the Set top box to the Sky Sports Now app to save themselves some money.

You just described me!

Just wanting to know what the quality of the picture of SSN is before I terminate the decoder and sign up.

It’s always annoyed the hell out of me that I can’t do something simple like stream to the tv in the bedroom without a decoder or hooking up a laptop with an hdmi cable which produces a horrific quality stuttering picture!!!

There is a 7 day pass that you can check it out on.
Decoder + sat just works as sky controls the whole thing. Streaming is a bit harder as it's over IP has access to different devices and depends on your network/wifi/ISP.

Saying that a lot of work has gone into stream from ssn, skygo and neon and a lot more is in the works :)

1 | 2