Sky outbid for EPL rights (Premier League Pass discussion)

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32 posts

Geek
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#882899 22-Aug-2013 16:36

StarBlazer: Wow - I'm really glad you doom merchants weren't around when Mr Bell was working on his telephone - we'd still be sending stuff by Morse Code or worse - paper!!!

The introduction of the phone didn't stop me from sending stuff by Morse code, or paper for that matter.

StarBlazer: To launch to 10s if not 100s of thousands of people on one day in a very narrow window of connection is no small feat which I think they pulled off reasonably well. Is it perfect? No. Will it get better? Yes. The Android app has flawless quality.

Still an inferior product for someone that supports one of the more popular clubs and already has Sky.

StarBlazer: If you want to complain, write to Sky and tell them how disappointed you are that they were unable to secure the rights to the EPL.

I agree, Sky screwed up with the rights and I've made it known to them.

StarBlazer: Ask them why they are not able to offer a service for EVERY game in the EPL.

To be fair, the coverage the past few seasons was pretty good. For every time slot where there was a game, they showed it, and had delayed coverage for overlapping games. On some nights, games were shown concurrently. Not the same as what PLP offers, but it was good enough for me.

StarBlazer: Also ask why they are not able to provide a service where you can select which sports you want and only pay for that rather than paying for 20+ sports that you are not interested in!

I'm on the fence on this one. One one hand, I'd love to be able to pick and choose. On the other it would mean the less popular sports will never get shown because there wouldn't be the numbers to support it.

StarBlazer: The status-quo has to be removed - we need genuine options other than Sky.

Again, I'm on the fence on this one. Yeah, it'd be nice if it wasn't a monopoly, but I wouldn't want to have to subscribe to x number of providers and have to worry about x number if devices to watch something.

dwl

371 posts

Ultimate Geek
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#882923 22-Aug-2013 17:04

MePLUR:
kipkip: I'm teaching my 70+ years old dad on how to use a HTPC to watch the games when I'm not around.

That's what pisses me off about the situation we're in. I'm going through the same thing as you. I even subscribed to the platinum package so my dad, who is retired, can watch the highlight shows and other features. If having to fire up the HTPC, controlled by a mouse and keyboard, on a TV, from the couch, didn't put him off, seeing me struggle to get a good feed, just to watch a game certainly did.

Because of PLP, he will not watch anything if I'm not here, which sucks for him. With Sky. he knew when the games and highlight shows were on, and all he had to do was plonk himself in front of the TV, pick up a remote and he was good to go.

I'm guessing there are many older people out there, like my dad, who will miss out on the Premier League because it's just too difficult. These would also be the people who don't jump on forums, or Twitter or Facebook to voice their discontent.

I agree it is just too difficult now for many people. I accept the Alexander Bell argument, and some suggestions that iSky could have been used would also require new technology, but the current offering is falling short by not even allowing for an iPad to be used - this is a big issue and even if outside their control it is doing damage. It is asking a lot for many people to use a HTPC or laptop directly connected when they are used to turning on and navigating with a TV remote. I have seen the howto videos and it isn't just a matter of a cheap cable - the ergonomics are quite different. At NetHui the guy from Telecom was saying how they realised it was an issue.

It sounds like the Android app is working ok but I believe Apple currently has a big edge with Airplay. Has anyone got the Android app working well with this app with DLNA or similar?. Has anyone had any luck with an Android stick because navigation may also be an issue?

A tablet is definitely a change in the way we consume content but it is a simple process for personal consumption and should provide a feature rich remote if relaying to the big screen. It is very easy to put the tablet down and look at the big screen once the streaming starts but I find it a pain trying to use the laptop to the TV. We are still waiting for the real test of how well the iPad app works once it finally comes out and what quality is achieved via Airplay. Rant over.

schmichael

61 posts

Master Geek
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#882930 22-Aug-2013 17:08

I agree with MePLUR's response to StarBlazer.

The claim that this is all a part of progressing the viewing options doesn't wash with me as most of us prefer the convenience of watching on TV with remotes, couches and lazy boys!!

The better option would have been for the League to sell the rights to both Sky & PLP. They may have even been able to get more revenue like that (maybe??). Then, the consumer really could vote with their wallet. As it is now, consumer's are reluctantly forced into subscribing to PLP as there is no live (legal) alternative, leading to a false indication of support for PLP.

And, I have contacted Sky to record my disappointment. I also tried to contact the league a few weeks ago, but their website wouldn't load!! Ironic.....

StarBlazer

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#882933 22-Aug-2013 17:14

I am a believer that things will change. First the iPad app (does anyone know if that will natively work with Apple TV3) then I understand the Samsung TV app will follow - then it will be like real TV - even my wife can watch on-demand TV now!

Yes I agree connecting a laptop/PC to the TV is a pain - I ended up taking my work laptop home because it has HDMI - 1 cable for video and sound. The other option of VGA and 3.5mm jack/RCA into the amp is option 2.

They should have had enough time to get their ducks in a row and offer the apps on launch and with the delivery bugs ironed out - unfortunately they didn't and now they are suffering with the negative publicity.

Procrastination eventually pays off.

StarBlazer

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#882941 22-Aug-2013 17:25

schmichael: The better option would have been for the League to sell the rights to both Sky & PLP.

The only time I've seen this happen successfully is for international games.

I go back to my comment that this would never happen because Sky are too greedy and the EPL are also too greedy.

There is no way Sky would allow a competitor to offer a service that may impact on their profits or potentially make them look bad. Unfortunately the only way to give Sky a wake-up call was for them to be beaten.

The other issue is whether EPL would allow a "shared rights" bid - they also want the maximum money possible. If the only two companies that were interested got together to put a bid in then there would be all sorts of cries of "foul-play" from the EPL - accusations of price fixing or cartel behaviour or something else (probably quite true too).

Who knows, Neulion may go for the Rugby rights in NZ when they come up for renewal! That will change everything.

Procrastination eventually pays off.

Benoire

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#882942 22-Aug-2013 17:26

I don't believe the tablet revolution is the next big thing for TV, with wireless transmissions becoming more prevalent, it doesn't take much to interfere with Airplay or DLNA over Wi-Fi. In fact, imagine you're watching TV (from the tablet) and the missus grabs the tablet to look at something and this disrupts the playback, how people would complain then. How cumbersome is that, now Tablets as a remote is more feasible.

At the very least I would expect Google TV / Apple TV to be the leading platforms of the future as they do the same as a tablet but are designed for TV usage with a remote control!!!!

What happened to the days of content through a simple easy to use interface with a remote control?

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Benoire

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#882944 22-Aug-2013 17:28

@Starblazer

If a consortium got Rugby union or league (and all blacks) as an online service, I would expect to see Sky Sports fold as a subscription... There is not enough people in NZ to support the other sports if Rugby is not shown in my honest opinion.

If that happens, expect complete unbundling and lots of money per month!

schmichael

61 posts

Master Geek
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#882947 22-Aug-2013 17:29

The irony of the tablet revolution is that people are then forced to purchase a tablet!!! so much about offering a cheaper alternative.

Plus, as has been mentioned, the older generation aren't interested in any of this. Most of them never figured out how to pause live TV on MySky. I work with one...

Kim587

130 posts

Master Geek
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#882962 22-Aug-2013 17:55

I can't see SKY folding anytime soon because they produce most NZ content too which would make it pretty difficult for new players. I suppose someone could try to buy rights for games not played in NZ? I don't really know how all that works!
Its pretty obvious Sky got complacent with the EPL if, as is rumored, even Sommet put in a higher bid. Sure they did the rant about how they placed their highest ever bid, but anyone with even a basic understanding of inflation can see why that doesn't necessarily mean much.

MePLUR

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#882981 22-Aug-2013 18:31

dwl: Has anyone got the Android app working well with this app with DLNA or similar?. Has anyone had any luck with an Android stick because navigation may also be an issue?

Been playing around with an Android stick, and the playback was very choppy using the site and the app. I think it's more of an issue with the stick I have though (newest revision, unstable stock firmware, no custom firmware available at the moment). Waiting on the IR remote to arrive (ordered separately), and have been navigating using a mouse + keyboard and my phone, so at the moment, it's like navigating a HTPC.

I would have liked to test this on Chromecast, but the next shipment is only due in October and the prices on eBay are ridiculous.

Benoire

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#882993 22-Aug-2013 19:21

@Kim587,

I didn't mean Sky itself, just the sports. If they lost the rugby, which is the main supported sport in NZ, I'd imagine other sports are simply watched as they're also on and therefore dispensable. For me, if Sky Sports lost Rugby and F1, I would cancel as while I watch lots of others, they're not my passion and I only watch them cos there included in the package.

How much of Sports base subs are for Rugby I wonder?

Chris

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JarrodM

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Ultimate Geek
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#882998 22-Aug-2013 19:36

Benoire: How much of Sports base subs are for Rugby I wonder?

Probably the whole lot plus half of the basic subscription... (Only half joking)

Benoire

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#883003 22-Aug-2013 19:50

Jarrod i wouldn't actually be surprised if that wasn't far off the mark!

dougierydal

340 posts

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#883033 22-Aug-2013 20:43

Just caught up with the highlights from Monday night on TV1. So nice watching a decent picture, Tim Martin was saying people are watching TV1 and realising they're missing live football and buy PLP.

I'm sure in some cases the opposite would be true. Picture quality quite different between the two platforms.

dwl

371 posts

Ultimate Geek
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#883061 22-Aug-2013 21:51

From a posting on Yellow Fever forum: Coliseum Sports Media boss Tim Martin is the studio (from Tuesday morning). http://www.radiolivesport.co.nz/Tim-Martin/tabid/454/articleID/15348/Default.aspx Starts by saying baptism of fire and teething issues but positive feedback - perception now is any time, any device and HD - little bit later says pretty soon it will all be in high definition.

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