Watching Spark Sport (including launch and pricing)

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Networkn
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#2184683 21-Feb-2019 09:20

I have zero interest in watching anything on an 8 to 10" device, unless it's not possible to view another way. Example, when in France year during the Lions tour of NZ, there was NO other way to watch that match, except on my phone. I was super happy I could watch it, but with ANY other option I would have paid to see it on a bigger screen.

I can't really imagine enjoying a match from such a tiny screen.

smcc

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#2184719 21-Feb-2019 10:54

Talkiet:

ockel:

And people think that $20/mth is a pretty decent price for the F1 (c/f F1TVPro - your alternative is an annual F1TVPro for USD50+VPN)). [snip]

I've seen this comment a couple of times here on GZ. (F1 TV Pro for $50)... Presumably that's some super special discount coupon or reseller? Are you able to link it please? All I see (using a VPN to the US) is this...

Maybe another territory only charges $50 USD and doesn't have the monthly charge at all?

Cheers - N

It is no longer pre-season the code has now expired.

ockel

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#2184726 21-Feb-2019 11:01

davidcole:

Yes exactly. Fanpass is not sport unbundled as was suggested above.

If Fanpass is not sport unbundled then what, pray tell, do you have to take as part of the bundle to get sport via Fanpass?

If you are merely quibbling about the price and the breadth of the sports offering via Fanpass then how, in your analysis, does it compare with Spark Sport? What is the value proposition of each offering and how do they stack up - even at your contended price point of $99/mth.

[BTW, when I compare broadband providers should I be ignoring the TCO associated with a contract plan - or should I just focus on the casual monthly price when I make my decision? And if not, why not?]

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tdgeek

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#2184740 21-Feb-2019 11:14

I think David refers to unbundling as paying on a sport to sport basis, not paying one fee for everything. In which case Sky Sport is bundled, Fanpass is just a variation

Dairyxox

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#2184750 21-Feb-2019 11:22

networkn:
tdgeek:

Its not "stuck in the "over the air" broadcast era" Its stuck in the "Netflix is $15, why isn't everything else?"

So So SOOOO much this.

No, its not even this.

That's me, I love netfix and want other services for cheap..

If these people even had Netflix that would be a great start (it would mean they probably have equipment and internet good enough for Spark sport) they might not have even streamed anything before, and the whole prospect seems daunting.

ockel

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#2184752 21-Feb-2019 11:27

tdgeek:

I think David refers to unbundling as paying on a sport to sport basis, not paying one fee for everything. In which case Sky Sport is bundled, Fanpass is just a variation

Oh. Sorry. My misunderstanding. So you mean like paying for the EPL separately at $20/mth and the PGA separately (I dont remember the price) and the Top14 Rugby for $5/mth. How'd that work out for CSM way back when? Not economic - the market wasnt big enough to justify the costs. So lets run away and get 20,000 rugby subscribers in all Asia-ex Japan.

I'm pretty sure that model of "unbundling" has been around for years. Its called direct-to-consumer. And you can get it for a variety of sports (NFL, NBA, NHL, MLB have been doing it for years and years and years). Even possible for F1 if Spark didnt have a monopoly on the rights in NZ.

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#2184757 21-Feb-2019 11:31

Dairyxox:
networkn:

tdgeek:

Its not "stuck in the "over the air" broadcast era" Its stuck in the "Netflix is $15, why isn't everything else?"

So So SOOOO much this.

No, its not even this. That's me, I love netfix and want other services for cheap.. If these people even had Netflix that would be a great start (it would mean they probably have equipment and internet good enough for Spark sport) they might not have even streamed anything before, and the whole prospect seems daunting.

I think thats off on a tangent. Believe me, Netflix prices are standard prices now. Two people that I can recall here wanted all Sky channels for $20

That's not really related to your second point, which I agree with. There will be a smallish subset of non streamers who will need hand holding. But its months away and you would expect there will be some form of support for that.

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#2184770 21-Feb-2019 11:54

ockel:

tdgeek:

I think David refers to unbundling as paying on a sport to sport basis, not paying one fee for everything. In which case Sky Sport is bundled, Fanpass is just a variation

Oh. Sorry. My misunderstanding. So you mean like paying for the EPL separately at $20/mth and the PGA separately (I dont remember the price) and the Top14 Rugby for $5/mth. How'd that work out for CSM way back when? Not economic - the market wasnt big enough to justify the costs. So lets run away and get 20,000 rugby subscribers in all Asia-ex Japan.

I'm pretty sure that model of "unbundling" has been around for years. Its called direct-to-consumer. And you can get it for a variety of sports (NFL, NBA, NHL, MLB have been doing it for years and years and years). Even possible for F1 if Spark didnt have a monopoly on the rights in NZ.

Yes, its not economic. I had a workmate who was paying $1200 a year for 3 sports. Sky had them, also at $1200 per year, and so much more after that, recording etc

WyleECoyoteNZ

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#2184834 21-Feb-2019 14:06

$20 a month doesn't sound too bad.

But If I did subscribe, It would only probably for the duration of the F1 season. Once the F1 is over, there isn't enough there to keep me forking out the dosh. Yes, I've mentioned WRC in other posts, but if it's on i'll watch it, and although I do keep an eye on the EPL, I don't watch a lot, if any, of it.

Although, it'll be interesting to see what other sports Spark pick up the rights too.

As a current Sky sports subscriber, I keep that going all the time as in the past you've had the Supercars\F1\Rugby on during the winter months, and cricket\darts on over the summer\christmas.

I wonder how seasonal the Spark Sport customer base will be

wratterus

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#2184855 21-Feb-2019 14:21

This might be a silly question, or possibly it's already been answered so sorry in advance if that is the case, but how would someone actually get 5.1 audio working with Spark Sport as it will be at launch?

A desktop PC connected to a receiver with HDMI or optical I could see being able to work, but a standard laptop with a HDMI output is normally only 2 channel, and even if it did output 5.1 over the HDMI, that would still require a receiver with HDMI inputs, or a TV to be able to pass through a 5.1 signal to the SPDIF out (mine doesn't seem to be able to).

In my case I have a pre-HDMI receiver with optical and coaxial inputs, this works great for freeview through SPDIF from the TV, or for the BluRay player I've got a coaxial cable, this works great for netflix etc too, as the BluRay player has an app for this, but I can't see how someone in my situation would be able to get 5.1 working without actually getting a device of some sort that has HDMI and coaxial out, or am I missing something here?

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#2184893 21-Feb-2019 15:17

wratterus:

This might be a silly question, or possibly it's already been answered so sorry in advance if that is the case, but how would someone actually get 5.1 audio working with Spark Sport as it will be at launch?

A desktop PC connected to a receiver with HDMI or optical I could see being able to work, but a standard laptop with a HDMI output is normally only 2 channel, and even if it did output 5.1 over the HDMI, that would still require a receiver with HDMI inputs, or a TV to be able to pass through a 5.1 signal to the SPDIF out (mine doesn't seem to be able to).

In my case I have a pre-HDMI receiver with optical and coaxial inputs, this works great for freeview through SPDIF from the TV, or for the BluRay player I've got a coaxial cable, this works great for netflix etc too, as the BluRay player has an app for this, but I can't see how someone in my situation would be able to get 5.1 working without actually getting a device of some sort that has HDMI and coaxial out, or am I missing something here?

I don't believe there are any media players on the horizon for this service with optical outs. The apple Tv4 lost them (the ATV2 and 3 had optical outputs...but obviously can't install apps - but could potentially used airplay), the chromecast only has an hdmi connection. Smart TVs/BluRay players when it comes to them, might be able to decode 5.1, but hard to guess.

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wratterus

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#2184901 21-Feb-2019 15:27

davidcole:

I don't believe there are any media players on the horizon for this service with optical outs. The apple Tv4 lost them (the ATV2 and 3 had optical outputs...but obviously can't install apps - but could potentially used airplay), the chromecast only has an hdmi connection. Smart TVs/BluRay players when it comes to them, might be able to decode 5.1, but hard to guess.

One of the things I loved about Sky was rugby and cricket in 5.1. Really added to the viewing experience. 😋

Does anyone else here have a plan on how to actually get 5.1 audio working?

rugrat

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#2184913 21-Feb-2019 15:51

davidcole:

I don't believe there are any media players on the horizon for this service with optical outs. The apple Tv4 lost them (the ATV2 and 3 had optical outputs...but obviously can't install apps - but could potentially used airplay), the chromecast only has an hdmi connection. Smart TVs/BluRay players when it comes to them, might be able to decode 5.1, but hard to guess.

I have Apple TV HDMI to LG TV and then optical from TV to amp. Works a treat for 5.1

Not sure if all TV’s do 5.1 out optical so I stick with LG, a Phillips one I had had optical but only did two channel through it.

One day may be forced to get HDMI pass through amp, but all good for now.

davidcole

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#2184915 21-Feb-2019 15:53

rugrat:
davidcole:

I don't believe there are any media players on the horizon for this service with optical outs. The apple Tv4 lost them (the ATV2 and 3 had optical outputs...but obviously can't install apps - but could potentially used airplay), the chromecast only has an hdmi connection. Smart TVs/BluRay players when it comes to them, might be able to decode 5.1, but hard to guess.

I have Apple TV HDMI to LG TV and then optical from TV to amp. Works a treat for 5.1

Not sure if all TV’s do 5.1 out optical so I stick with LG, a Phillips one I had had optical but only did two channel through it.

One day may be forced to get HDMI pass through amp, but all good for now.

A 4? I stand corrected, I thought they'd dropped the optical out with the change from 3 to 4....I haven't looked behind mine since I put it in.

wratterus

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#2184916 21-Feb-2019 15:53

Good to know some TVs will pass 5.1 though to the optical...my TV is a bit older now. Will have a good dig through the settings incase I'm missing something.

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