Netflix etc coming to Freesat

TheIrishGrover

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/journalists/katherine-rushton/9515879/Threat-to-BSkyB-as-Freesat-partners-with-Netflix.html

The company, which allows customers who buy its set-top boxes to access satellite TV services for free, will announce the partnership when it unveils a hi-tech new set-top box tomorrow . The new device will give users direct access to Netflix and other on-demand services, which allow viewers to rent films and programmes by downloading them over the internet direct to a TV.

The move is likely to ruffle feathers at BSkyB, which already identifies Netflix as a significant threat. BSkyB also has a history of clashing with the BBC where it believes the corporation is behaving in an overly commercial manner.

Freesat’s new set-top box is hailed as the company’s biggest step forward since it launched four years ago. As well as on-demand downloads, it will allow viewers to scroll backwards through programme listings to watch programmes up to eight days after they air. Similar services are offered by Virgin Media and YouView, but Freesat will be the only satellite television company to offer such a service.

Freesat launched in 2008 to offer homes with satellite dishes free-to-air television, in much the same way that Freeview does to houses fitted with ariels. It has sold 2.6m set-top boxes or Freesat TVs to date, and directly targets BSkyB customers who are looking to cut their monthly bills.

Wonder what this will mean to us here in Ireland?

PogMoThoin

This Freesat box will most likely be locked down to Uk Netflix. The Uk Netflix selection is very poor compared to the USA. BSkyB have the rights to show the latest seasons of lots of TV shows, meaning it's years before they appear on Netflix. For instance, UK Netflix has only 2 seasons of Breaking Bad.

TheIrishGrover

Yeah, I assume that Netflix will be region locked but it was this what I found interesting

..........As well as on-demand downloads, it will allow viewers to scroll backwards through programme listings to watch programmes up to eight days after they air. Similar services are offered by Virgin Media and YouView, but Freesat will be the only satellite television company to offer such a service.

PogMoThoin

What makes that and different to any iplayer? Netflix isn't being delivered by satellite but over the net like any on demand service

maggy_thatcher

PogMoThoin wrote: »

This Freesat box will most likely be locked down to Uk Netflix. The Uk Netflix selection is very poor compared to the USA. BSkyB have the rights to show the latest seasons of lots of TV shows, meaning it's years before they appear on Netflix. For instance, UK Netflix has only 2 seasons of Breaking Bad.

Netflix IE has 4 seasons of it - are you sure the UK version only has 2?

PogMoThoin

maggy_thatcher wrote: »

Netflix IE has 4 seasons of it - are you sure the UK version only has 2?

Sorry, it was the case a few months back. Season 3 was added in May and Season 4 not so long ago
http://www.tvwise.co.uk/2012/08/netflix-uk-ireland-sets-premiere-date-for-breaking-bad-season-4/

It's probably a bad example now but the idea is that it won't get added to Netflix until BSkyB have shown it. The same goes for movies

evilivor

PogMoThoin wrote: »

This Freesat box will most likely be locked down to Uk Netflix. The Uk Netflix selection is very poor compared to the USA. BSkyB have the rights to show the latest seasons of lots of TV shows, meaning it's years before they appear on Netflix. For instance, UK Netflix has only 2 seasons of Breaking Bad.

No UK network is showing Breaking Bad. Channel 5 had the first two seasons but didn't renew it.

PogMoThoin

evilivor wrote: »

No UK network is showing Breaking Bad. Channel 5 had the first two seasons but didn't renew it.

I've already said it was a bad example, my bad. Any show exclusive to BSkyB will take ages to get on Netflix. Have a look at the USA Netflix selection and you'll find it's miles better.

brinks_18476

Will software updates be available for older boxes to make them netflix compatable? Or just new boxes? I hope not...

touts

TheIrishGrover wrote: »

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/journalists/katherine-rushton/9515879/Threat-to-BSkyB-as-Freesat-partners-with-Netflix.html



Wonder what this will mean to us here in Ireland?

Not much. In a year or so the government will probably just appoint a firm of consultants to examine the feasibility of on demand tv. They will take 18 months to draft a report which will then gather dust until after the next election at which point the new minister will appoint the same consultants to review the report and bring it up to date. So expect the rte player to officially come to saorview sometime around 2018.

In the meantime keep coming to this forum for actual advice on unofficial solutions (you know its what the governments consultants will do).

homer911

brinks_18476 wrote: »

Will software updates be available for older boxes to make them netflix compatable? Or just new boxes? I hope not...

Unlikely. This is the G2 spec that is being launched tomorrow

galtee boy

Also, the backwards Epg on these new boxes, needs an internet connection, so most likely, this function will be geo blocked as well as the other on demand services. Unfortunately, these boxes will be no great advantage to us in Ireland by the looks of it.

gtg60

Thanks for that OP, that's quite interesting and as a non geo-locked Netflix subscriber it's a welcome addition