The €5 a Month RTE TG4 only Sky Sub

Sky should make the current bonus mix a numbered mix, ie no. 7 or no. 2 for example which you can subscribe to separately and have the charge something like €10 or 12 a month including sky plus facilities. everything my house watch and tape is on mainly the irish and main english channels we can live without the likes of gold,living,comedy central the list is endless.


When a simple DTT PVR comes out that may put more pressure on Sky as many people will use that with their humax etc..

ftakeith wrote: »

I have the humax freeview HD+ connected to a outdoor tv aerial and I receive saorview channels fta, I have the uk freesat channels connected to a satellite tv dish and use the the humax freesat+ for use

why would I pay sky €5 per month alongside the tv licence fee for sky+

Different strokes for different folks, there are a lot of people who would rather spend €60 a year to have the PVR functionality on a single box they already own than fork out €500+ (9 years subs!!) for the 2 Humax's and possibly an aerial too.

We are canceling this week and are considering the humax pvr system but if sky offer the €5 euro option then that would be tempting. Main reason were canceling is the cost. Also not having recording access to bbc 1 hd.

Recording & playing FTA programs on a PVR you own is not an optional service. The box is crippled if you cancel sub.
It's more crippled than it used to be. I originally used a Sky box with manual switch for FTA on 13E and 19E also. That's not really possible anymore.

gtg60 wrote: »

It'd be well worth €60 a year to have one of these cards for the reliable twin tuner, EPG all in one solution with equipment you'd probably already have (and God knows I'm not the biggest Sky fan!).

No. Because the gaol is keep you hooked and gradually get you up to their target €600 a year. Nor are Sky likely to have all the Irish Channels any time soon. Even if RTE offers then HD feed free tomorrow, Sky will not add RTE 2 HD any time soon. That triples Sky's Carriage costs for RTE2. Same when TG4, RTE1 and TV3 eventually go HD. I can't see Sky carrying Children's Channel, Film Channel, RTE News Now or Oireactas Channel. You don't get the extra actually FTA UK channels such as BBC3, BBC4, ITV1..4 on Sky Irish Sub?

Also the box is crippled. Anything not on EPG works badly. Anything not on EPG won't record. Also while Humax "multi-satellite" is awkward, unlike Sky it works.

Really unless SkySports is a must have, ANY Sky sub is wasted money.

However if "Real Digital TV" Launch and don't fail after 6 months, expect Sky to do a Irish TV + Skyports sub for €5 cheaper than "Real Digital TV" Skysports Sub. Or a same price package with more in it.

I have no problem with that.

But most people don't actually know what the options are. That's why PayTV is 80% here and about 54% in UK.

watty wrote: »

No. Because the gaol is keep you hooked and gradually get you up to their target €600 a year.

But nobody forces you to upgrade. My existing point still stands, €60 a year for full PVR functionality from a box you already own (i.e familiar with) is a great option for many people.

It's all good saying to people you can get a few extra free channels and never have to pay a penny in subs but it's €500 of equipment up front and the hassle of 2 boxes.

gtg60 wrote: »

But nobody forces you to upgrade. My existing point still stands, €60 a year for full PVR functionality from a box you already own (i.e familiar with) is a great option for many people.

It's all good saying to people you can get a few extra free channels and never have to pay a penny in subs but it's €500 of equipment up front and the hassle of 2 boxes.

Much less than €500 even using a do everything Windows 7 PVR with dual sat and single USB stick dual DTT tuner.

If you only do occasional recordings then a cheap freesat HD Box and Soarview/Irish DTT compatible TV might be fine (some TVs record).

gtg60 wrote: »

Just face it, this sub is ideal for more than half of current Sky subscribers. All the regular posters, who are hobbyists anyway, are aware of the free alternatives and other solutions out there but they are not the ones I am saying this is suited to.

No, it's a rip off because the Irish consumer has ZERO protection and has been misled about options for TV by retailers promoting Sky and by Sky & UPC advertising. Useless regulators and ASAI.

Nor will this be generally offered, unless "Real Digital TV" launches.

I wasn't suggesting awkward linux solutions. In fact though one of the more technically competent people here I have consistently written against non-consumer friendly solutions such as boxes that need patched and designed for hobbyist or weird payTV use.

I'm inhernetly opposed to people being conned into paying for what is free, which is why I directly opposed Currys "simple guide" and press statements in paper recently justifying continuing selling of incompatible TVs to "lock" in subscribers to Sky and UPC, who are NOT making an Educated choice to save money buying a "monitor". I think too Powercity alone may have been selling over 100 Irish DTT compatible TVs a day just since Christmas!

A pay TV operator in Ireland needs NO succour or support here. They are already doing 50% better subscriber base than anywhere else in Europe or UK, typically.

Consumers need help and education so they can make their own informed decisions, not get ripped off by unscrupulous marketing.


Anyway your €500 is grossly inflated and a tiny fraction of Sky subscribers will end up paying less than €300 to €600 a year in long term. The only cheap low cost solution is to stop feeding the Monster. Cancelling.

gtg60 wrote: »

But nobody forces you to upgrade. My existing point still stands, €60 a year for full PVR functionality from a box you already own (i.e familiar with) is a great option for many people.

It's all good saying to people you can get a few extra free channels and never have to pay a penny in subs but it's €500 of equipment up front and the hassle of 2 boxes.

Are you sure you can get the full PVR functionality for 5 Euros per month and not only the irish channels.
In the UK the people have to pay 10 english pounds per month for the privilege to use the PVR functionality at a Sky+ box without a regular sky subscription.