Sky Technical Services Survey - Non EPG Channels

SkySter

I just got contacted by someone from Sky Technical Services saying they were doing a survey about my use of the extra channels (non-epg ones) on my Sky HD box. She asked me the number of channels I added, what ones and why. She also asked about my model number, card serial number etc. Obviously I was a bit suspicious about the possibility of them blocking access to these channels in some way, but she was at pains to point out that if anything it would be the opposite. She also alluded to the fact that the survey may be related to Sky responding to competitive offerings (i.e. Chorus/NTL).

Caller ID showed a UK number and the lady had a Scottish accent. Other calls I had from Sky before originated from Scotland. So I assume this wasn't a scam. Has anyone had such a call and does anyone know what really might be behind all this?

Mossy Monk

Sky got a kick up the backside when UPC added all those channels this week?

veronica

the war has just begun no way are Sky going to allow UPC pull the rug out from under their feet can only be good for us the customers!

Wizard007

I don't think it's such a big deal UPC adding those channels. They are available on a Sky box and how in Gods name anyone would go for UPC over Sky or Sky HD is beyond me.

modrover

Skyster, I received a similar call this evening from a lady with a scottish accent. I asked her to quote my card number to confirm that it was a bonafide Sky enquiry.
She was able to confirm my card number and similar questions were asked re what "Add Channels" was I able to recieve on my HD box or was I experiencing problems getting add channels via the HD box, because some viewers were experiencing difficulties!! On checking my call back, her number was 004420862770.

modrover

By the way I declined to give out my Sky box details.

Ranicand

Wizard007 wrote: »

I don't think it's such a big deal UPC adding those channels. They are available on a Sky box and how in Gods name anyone would go for UPC over Sky or Sky HD is beyond me.

Triple play UPC offer broadband and phone and mush cheaper multiroom.

I changed from Sky to UPC and one of the things I like is I have the EPG data and being able to record the extra BBC channels and now all the ITV channels.

When I had Sky I never watched the extra BBC channels or the ITV ones because I could not plan the viewing on them.

I have to say I watch BBC 3 quite a bit and BBC HD and ITV 4 has a few things I watch and she likes the womens stuff on ITV 2.

John mac

Thats all very well if you live in an area with good cable,

what about the rest of us?

(like the gas price reduction what about the people using bottled gas?)

Ranicand

John mac wrote: »

Thats all very well if you live in an area with good cable,

what about the rest of us?

(like the gas price reduction what about the people using bottled gas?)

If UPC have them it will add pressure for Sky to add them everyone wins.

That was my point.

Kristopherus

Wizard007 wrote: »

I don't think it's such a big deal UPC adding those channels. They are available on a Sky box and how in Gods name anyone would go for UPC over Sky or Sky HD is beyond me.

Well my current sub to sky which includes sky sports, setanta & ESPN comes to 92 yoyos per month. UPC digital + with the same premium channels is 64 yoyos AND that includes multiroom. If my area is suitable, and I'll know tomorrow, I'll be gone like a shot to UPC. To me its a no brainer.

lord lucan

Ranicand wrote: »

Triple play UPC offer broadband and phone and mush cheaper multiroom.

I changed from Sky to UPC and one of the things I like is I have the EPG data and being able to record the extra BBC channels and now all the ITV channels.

When I had Sky I never watched the extra BBC channels or the ITV ones because I could not plan the viewing on them.

I have to say I watch BBC 3 quite a bit and BBC HD and ITV 4 has a few things I watch and she likes the womens stuff on ITV 2.

I'd imagine that it's for this reason that they're canvasing Sky Ireland customers about what other channels they use that are non-EPG. They obviously don't want to come right out and say it but it would appear that they're looking at it. Whether it's a reaction to UPC or not is another story.

loyatemu

I hope its true, its my one real gripe about Sky+ that I can't record ITV or the extra BBC channels.

JDxtra

This “other channels” nonsense for FTA channels has gone on far too long. Sky have always insisted that it’s up to the individual broadcasters themselves if they want to appear in our EPGs or not.

However all it takes is a little effort by Sky, and they could have this sorted easily. But I think they are too monolithic to listen to their customers in little old Ireland. Our complaints and suggestions just get lost and probably never show up any “need attention” reports.

But a hungry UPC is exactly what we need to get their attention…!

redout

I think Sky should add them to be honest.

In my house the ITVs are watched and recorded off every day as they show all the old tv series from the 70s and 80s which the older generation still have a great fondness for. We got so sick of using the extra channel option that we just bought a freesat box.

Jimmyboss

I hope it's not off-topic, but I keep having to re-install the non-EPG BBC's and ITV's on my Sky+ box, any ideas please?

Owenw

Yep they charge broadcasters to add channels to the EPG - something like £8k per channel per annum (i heard that figure 4-5 years ago, imagine what it is now.)

This sounds like Sky are trying to:

a) prevent UPC getting ads out saying they have all these extra FREE channels not available on Sky

b) up the subscription fee (as they did when BBC 1 & 2 NI were added)

c) drum up sales now that significant numbers in the UK have jumped ship to FreeSat and savvy Irish viewers are starting to follow .

200motels

I got the same phone call earlier, and basically the same questions, but I asked her what do Sky really want to know for? She said it's just a survey blaa blaa, then I asked her will we in Ireland eventually be able to record the extra channels? She said Sky were working on the idea that all customers in Ireland should be able to record the extra channels in the near future. Then I said what's near? She said she couldn't answer that. That's about it. Just said I'd pass it on for what it's worth. Could be a load of bull.

loyatemu

Owenw wrote: »

Yep they charge broadcasters to add channels to the EPG - something like £8k per channel per annum (i heard that figure 4-5 years ago, imagine what it is now.)

this is the nub - mostly broadcasters have to pay to get on the EPG, but if Sky wanted to add the extra BBC channels they would (presumably) have to pay the Beeb for this, something they're not willing to do unless it makes commercial sense to them.

(UTV is slightly different - AFAIK they want to join the Irish EPG but there are issues regarding ITV's licensing of programmes to TV3).

SkySter

There are two separate issues here. Having a channel on the EPG and having the ability to record a non-EPG channel. I would be satisfied with simply being able to manually record a non-EPG channel (similar to manual record) and park the idea of having a channel on the EPG which comes with a lot of political baggage and delay.

mike2084

SkySter wrote: »

There are two separate issues here. Having a channel on the EPG and having the ability to record a non-EPG channel. I would be satisfied with simply being able to manually record a non-EPG channel (similar to manual record) and park the idea of having a channel on the EPG which comes with a lot of political baggage and delay.

A function to record non-EPG channels seems to be the best solution.

Liam Byrne

A proper box that allows you to add the "other" channels to the main EPG and dump the unwanted crap would be the best solution.

I'd say there's less than 20 channels on Sky that I ever tune in to.

Maybe we should list the channels here so that Sky can actually read what people want ?

My list is as follows:

RTE1
RTE2
TV3 for Corrie the odd time
TG4 the odd time
BBC1
BBC2
BBC3
ITV2
Channel 4
E4
FX
Dave
Alibi
Sci-Fi
Comedy Central
Living
Bravo
S4C for Heineken Cup
Film4

new world man

i get a call from these people about once a week.normally when i pick the phone up i say hello 4 times before somebody answers.usually the person sounds like an indian lady but on monday it was an irish man.1471 said the number was not available.they keep saying my sky repair plan is about to expire and they can do me a better deal on a repair plan.on monday i told the man to update his records as i have not had sky for almost a year..which is of course not true.hope this helps.

Minstrel27

That wasn't Sky that called you.

new world man

yes,i realised that after a few minutes.i told them that unless they were part of sky then to never call me again.