Sky

BASEBALL

MAJOR LEAGUE BASEBALL: TEAMS & VENUE TBA, ESPN, 11.00am Join ESPN for Major League Baseball. Teams And Venue TBA.

RUGBY

AIR NEW ZEALAND CUP: NORTHLAND V TARANAKI, SKY Sport 1(HD) & RUGBY CHANNEL (WS), 7.30pm Join SKY Sport for coverage of the 2009 Air New Zealand Cup match between Northland and Taranaki from Okara Park in Whangarei.

From June 1st, TV One and TV2 will be available to all My Sky HDi subscribers in High Definition (HD).

There is no change to the channel numbers or their position on the Electronic Programming Guide; however they will be renamed TV One HD and TV2 HD.

The addition of these channels has had an impact on the Series Link function for these channels and to continue using the feature for TV One and TV2, on the 1st of June you will need to cancel and rebook any programmes that are “Series Linked”.

To reinstate series linked programmes please follow the following steps using your My Sky HDi remote control.

1. On June 1 (or as soon as possible thereafter), make a list of programmes on TV One and TV2 only that are series linked in your planner.

2. Delete those programmes from the planner.  You do not need to delete previous recordings.

3. Rebook a recording of the programmes on your list and the rebook the series link using the green button in the normal way.  Your recordings will now be in HD.

If you have any questions, please visit sky.co.nz/tvnz

Just after we got our MySky HD box installed we started having issues with the remote control.  Sometimes it would work.  Other times it wouldn’t.  While trying to watch a show and fast forward through the ads, we’d have to go right up to the unit with the remote before it would pick up the signal.

Initially we thought it was the batteries.  We replaced them but that didn’t change anything.  We called Sky and they came around and switched out the box.  That didn’t fix it either.  In fact, while the technician was around Murphy’s law came into play and everything worked fine.  Very frustrating.

Anyway, we talked to our friends at Sky yesterday who put us on to one of the senior technicians who had the solution.  You’ll never guess how simple it was.  Watch your TV in the dark!

As it turns out, the first batch of MySkyHDi boxes and the UHF receivers are prone to issues where households have energy saving lightbulbs.  Apparently they give off a radio frequency that interrupts the signal.  They’re sending out a filter which we’ll have to stick over the infrared receiver on the box which will solve the problem. (Apparently some Plasma and LCD TVs also affect the UHF receivers.)

So, if you’ve been having problems with your Sky remote then a filter can be requested from Sky’s customer service number.

Via email today:

“I’m new here, but was advised to sign up by Lars at the Freeviewshop to tell you about my petition to get Sky TV to put Prime on FreeView.

I set up the petition less than 24 hours ago and already well over 100 people have signed it.  I think if we all get behind this, we have a real chance of bending Sky’s ear.

If you think you’d like to support this idea, you are welcome to sign the petition here.

If you’d like to share this with friends and family, the link is http://www.gopetition.com/petitions/prime-tv-on-freeview.html

I’m committed to getting support for this any way possible and will personally be seeing this through, even if it means actually knocking on Sky’s door myself.

Best regards,
Bill Ruys.”

Don’t bother getting sky installed in the next 2-3 weeks.

On Sunday evening, I was flipping between shows on TV when suddenly, the remote stopped working completely. For no apparent reason at all. The batteries were fine, I tried resetting the MySky box about 3 times, but the remote wouldn’t even cause a single flash of light on the MySky box at all.

After hearing about possibly interference due to laptops etc, I tried someone else’s remote. Worked perfectly fine.

OK, simple solution – ring Sky and get it replaced. Then again, what did I expect; dealing with a company on the phone is always a waste of time.

I call them on Monday.

Firstly I had to be told about three times that they couldn’t do anything since I’m not the account holder. I told them three times that was stupid, as the account holder wasn’t going to be back for 3 weeks. Eventually, they gave in, and told me they’ll send out a new remote. Problem solved?

Tuesday, Wednesday, nothing. How long does it take to send a remote? I wanted it done by easter, so I call just to check they haven’t stuffed something up. Yes, I’m told, the remote has been sent.

Thursday, nothing. I call again, and am told they’ve run out of remotes, and
there is going to be a delay of two to three weeks.

Are you serious? All of the MySky remotes in the country have suddenly disappeared and a new one won’t be available for 2 to 3 weeks?

I now have no choice but to wait for the Planner to completely fill up, as whoever designed the Sky box was stupid enough not to put any of the important buttons on it like ‘delete’.

Don’t expect Sky to be installed any time soon if you’ve just ordered it, since there aren’t any remotes left. Sorry.

While TVNZ and Sky have announced a new partnership that will see HD broadcasts of TV One and TV2 on MySkyHDi from June 1st and TVNZ 6 and TVNZ 7 being made available to pay TV subscribers from July 1st, Sky is not reciprocating with its free to air channel Prime on Freeview.

Sky Television’s Tony O’Brien told Throng that it made no economic sense for Prime to be on Freeview at the current point in time as the costs outweighed any benefits from ad revenue.  Sky aren’t convinced that the Freeview audience would justify those costs and, of course, noted that Prime is available already on Sky and free to air on UHF (analog).

What are your thoughts on this decision?

TVNZ and SKY Television have signed a new agreement making all TVNZ channels available to SKY’s more than 2 million viewers.

The agreement provides for HD versions of TV ONE and TV2 to be available to MYSKYHDi viewers from 1st June, for TVNZ 6 and 7 to be available to all SKY viewers from 1st July, and for TVNZ to provide regional advertising on TV ONE from 1st July.

The two networks had a carriage contract for TV ONE and TV2 which was scheduled to expire at the end of 2011. The new agreement provides certainty for both parties until 2020 and beyond.

TVNZ’s Chief Executive Rick Ellis said the national broadcaster wanted to secure a strong foothold for all TVNZ channels to protect the network well into the future.

“To truly fulfil our strategy of “Inspiring on Every Screen” we want all our channels to be available on as many platforms as possible,” Mr Ellis said.

“We believe SKY subscribers will welcome access to TVNZ 6 and TVNZ 7, and MYSKYHDi subscribers will welcome TV ONE and TV2 in HD.

The introduction of regional breakouts for TV ONE will provide new opportunities for some advertisers, and incremental revenues for TVNZ,” he said.

SKY Chief Executive John Fellet said that he was pleased to have reached the new agreement with TVNZ which will deliver more viewing options to over 2 million New Zealand viewers.

The new agreement not only increases the number of channels available through SKY by adding TVNZ 6 and TVNZ 7 to our digital channel line-up but also increases the appeal of our High Definition package through the addition of HD versions of TV ONE and TV2, supporting our strategy of providing subscribers with everything from one box” said Fellet.

At the end of December 2008, there were 105,007 HD boxes in peoples homes.  Of that, 51,485 were MySKY HDi units while 53,522 were Freeview units.

When Sky TV launched their HDi PVR in august 2008 they expected reasonably good uptake of the life changing device.  However, the device which enables TV viewers to record, playback and pause live television has proven so popular that there is currently a backlog of orders waiting to be filled.

Sky’s Tony Obrien told Throng that there had been “very heavy demand” for the High Definition Personal Video Recorder which had placed a backlog in their system which should be cleared within 30 days as the increased weekly shipments started to arrive.

MySkyHDi, which can be bought outright for $599 or leased at $15 per month, dramatically changes TV viewing habits as it enables users to watch one channel while recording another or watch a pre-recorded show while recording two other channels.

Standard Sky Digital installations still take approximately 3-4 days so you shouldn’t fret if you’re hoping to be up and running in time for the Super 14.

A statement is expected to be issued from Sky on the 20th of February disclosing the number of homes fitted with the MySkyHDi unit.

In January and February SKY Movies, E! Entertainment Channel and VIBE are taking you around the globe and into front row seats for all the glitz and glamour of the 2009 awards season.

THE 66th Annual golden globe awards

Exclusively LIVE on VIBE JANUARY 12 FROM 2pm

Duration 3hours

The writers strike may have made 2008 a non-event, but the GOLDEN GLOBE® Awards are back with a vengeance in 2009.

The GOLDEN GLOBE® Awards is a star-studded show that features film clips and stars from some of the most important motion pictures and television shows of the year. For more than 60 years, the Hollywood Foreign Press Association has honoured outstanding achievement in both motion pictures and television, making the GOLDEN GLOBE® Awards one of the few ceremonies to cover both industries. 

The awards coverage will then re-air in primetime on Vibe from 8.30pm, following the premiere of an exclusive red carpet special at 7.30pm.

LIVE FROM THE RED CARPET: THE 2009 GOLDEN GLOBE AWARDS SPECIAL!

LIVE on E! JANUARY 12 FROM 12noon

E! is the ultimate destination for Red Carpet Coverage.  From the Academy Awards to the Emmys, E! will give you an insider’s view of arrivals, exclusive interviews and of course fabulous fashion.

THE 15th SCREEN ACTORS GUILD AWARDS® (sags™)

Exclusively LIVE on SKY Movies Monday 26 January 2pm /SM2 4pm

Duration 2hours

Replay in primetime 8:30pm/SM2 10:30pm

Duration 2hours

Replay on Sky Movies February 1st 2pm/ SM2 4pm

Duration 2hours

Lauded by critics for its style, simplicity and genuine warmth, the Screen Actors Guild Awards® has become one of the industry’s most prized honors. The only televised awards shows to exclusively honor performers, it presents thirteen awards for acting in film and television in a fast moving two hour show

THE 2009 ORANGE BRITISH ACADEMY FILM AWARDS® (BAFTA’S)

Edited Highlights

SKY Movies Saturday 21st February 1:15pm /SM2 3:15pm 

Duration 2hrs 

LIVE FROM THE RED CARPET: THE 2009 GRAMMY AWARDS SPECIAL!

LIVE on E! FEBRUARY 9 FROM 12noon

Join Ryan Seacrest and Giuliana Rancic as they welcome the stars on the red carpet at the 2009 Grammy Awards.

LIVE FROM THE RED CARPET: THE 2009 academy AWARDS SPECIAL!

LIVE on E! FEBRUARY 23 FROM 12noon

Join Ryan Seacrest and Giuliana Rancic as they welcome the stars on the red carpet at the 2009 Academy Awards.

THE 81st ANNUAL ACADEMY AWARDS® (OSCARS®)

MONDAY 23rd FEBRUARY

LIVE SKY MOVIES – Begins with RED CARPET 2:00pm (30 mins)

OSCAR®CEREMONY Begins 2:30pm

Duration 4hrs

The Oscars! Every January, when the calendar has turned to a new year, the attention of the entertainment community and of film fans around the world turns to the upcoming Academy Awards. Oscar Fever hits, building to the crescendo of the annual presentation of golden statuettes, when hundreds of millions of cinema lovers glue themselves to their television sets to learn who will receive the highest honor in filmmaking.

Hugh Jackman will host this years event.

SKY MOVIES 2 – Red Carpet 4pm

OSCAR® CEREMONY 4:30pm 

Duration 4hrs

Edited Highlights Replay Sunday 1st March 1:30pm /SM2 3:30pm

Duration 1hr 30m