My other main concern is how they plan to integrate this all in to HDTV land. If they allow the sports to be implemented in to open source media software (or WMC at a push) then I could deal with that, but realistically they'll release their own STB, piggy back on Sky OR online via a browser... I don't want to have to constantly flick inputs or load browser to watch something that was deisgned for TV!
In due course it's as simple as having an app on your TV for EPL or the channel. Then there's the benefit of being able to watch any game you like ie follow your team, at any time you like.
The bottom line is the bottom line. The loss of subscriptions will be far less than the cost of getting the EPL. Conversely, if they had of won that bidding war, they would have had to have increased prices.
That is what I hope, but how many people honestly have smart TVs?
I am actually really worried what will happen to the rights as I do not feel NZ has the population to support two sport providers, why would I pay for an additional service (serving one sport) when I get many sports on a service that appears at the moment to be not that much more? Of course this is all speculation and I await with baited breath the full PR release explaining what they're planning on doing.
Radio Live has just tweeted "Internet co. Coliseum EPL - new rights holders for English Prem League - in talks to show feature games on a major "free to air" channel."
So maybe a Football Focus type show on Prime or Maori TV?
Personally I think it will be PPV streaming live, can't see the value in delayed coverage on FTA as most games are in the middle of the night so people watch them delayed anyway.
I think the value proposition is excellent if you are currently paying for Sky and only watching the EPL, which plenty of people do. It can't be that hard to undercut Sky.
Best case is that this is the first step in an actual alternative to Sky. Partnerships with QuickFlix, network TV on demand that doesn't disappear after 2 weeks. I'd pay for that and again it can't be that hard to undercut Sky.
Dam, that has really put the cat amongst the pigeons for me, the main reason i have sky was initially at least the premier league, tho i do enjoy watching most other sports. Couldn't give 2 hoots about the sky basic package, would ditch that in a flash if i could.
So i guess i have to sit tight to find out the EPL will manifest itself for NZ viewers. I just hope its got some delay options, i very rarely watch a game live, its normally recorded on sky and watched on a Sunday morning prior to knowing the score.. I could live with doing it on the internet. Either way i still want to watch it, so Sky will be on the chopping block before the EPL for me..
Would miss the mysky box if i got rid of it.. might be time to start looking at alternatives for that..
As an interesting sideline the same thing happened in Thailand. The new rights holder paid 432% more for the rights. They are going to sell a 800 baht a month package to watch EPL which works out to be about $35 a month. Considering the average wage in Thailand is around the 10000-12000 baht range that is a lot to fork out.
The other inetresting thing they are doing there to cover costs is selling the logo spot on the screen to advertisers. And also maybe inserting adverts into the actual playing time not just in breaks.
The previous rights holder had a dedicated HD channel, the new rights holder only shows in HD if regional partner has ability to show
i am the one who cried the loudest when i heard this. for the past 7 years, i have not got sky cz it was too expensive for me (i was a student). I used to go to the pubs and friends places to watch the games. I am an avid football fan and used to watch the games at 2am.
This year, i finally make enough money and just last week, i signed up for the sky package (sky basic + 2 free premium channels for 1 year). Naturally I took sports and took movies as another.
But i just got this news last night... it hurts soo much! i just got sky installed literally not even a week ago, and i hear that there are not going to be EPL games being shown. I called up sky right away this morning and asked for an update and if i can just cancel my subs. they said no, you are on a contract..
As fun as it will be watching United fall without Whiskey Nose and Chelsea achieve less under the 2nd coming. Given Liverpools poor status at the moment, we are no longer considered a feature game :-(
Looks like it's Foxtel online with EPL pass for me if it's Feature game only, rather than the smarter viewer choice option.
SKY actually should be smart about this and do a deal to on sell it on their network. Much like what FOXTEL and US PAYTV companies do.
This will do 3 things.
1) Keep some exisiting customers happy (if the price is right) 2) Keep those that don't use internet or have slow speeds thus can't watch in HD 3) Keep the govt happy as it shows SKY is doing things in a non monopoly way.
This really annoys me. One of the major reasons I pay a stupid amount for Sky is the sports. I'm a sport lover and will happily sit down and watch a day of cricket or a couple of rugby/football games. Hell, I'll sit down and watch any old sport if it looks like fun.
Overall though I watch the EPL. The annoying thing with this is, is that the games are on from 12am-8am. Hardly times that I'm awake watching TV. With MySKY I can record any of these fixutes and or watch the replays that play throughout the next few days.
I don't have a smartTV so I can't just install an app. Will this new service have DVR abilities or will they show replays or will it run ondemand? Unless they have these options it's a fruitful waste of time imo. Also the mention of showing feature games free to air. Oh horray we'll get 1 game a week that won't interest many people in the slightest. A lot of the lower ranked teams won't even get a look-in unless they're playing the top 4-5 teams.
Yes good Sky are losing the monopoly and hopefully it'll improve the market some what, but I can't afford to go out and buy a internet streaming app capable TV. I guess we'll just have to wait and see exactly what happens.
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