I guess the point is more that under the old system there'd have been no problem with putting both games say on Sky Sports 1&2.
Under the new system there's only room for one non-PL football match on a "front channel" in the Sports section.
Ironically the game picked was the game less in need of a prominent EPG slot - it's on RTE2 as well - though I imagine basic pack viewers in Wales are probably glad it's on Mix!
A big disadvantage of the system can be seen tonight. Sky are showing both Republic of Ireland v Serbia and Wales v Moldova tonight. Yet the latter game won't be seen by people looking in the sports section of the EPG, who'll see Ireland v Serbia listed twice, live grayhound racing, and five channels showing prerecorded programming. No pointer to tell you it's on channel 121, Sky Sports Mix.
The EPG is split on SSME and SSF as they are covering the build-up on both Wales and ROL games before splitting at 7:40pm-9:40pm for the ROI game. Sadly for SSM viewers you will only get the match live and that's it.
Although the commentators doing the half time round up is a refreshingly simple approach. Agree though it is a flaw - would surely be better to have one on Main Event and one on SS Football, even if Mix simulcasts one.
Do we think that after a year they'll just have Sky Sports Football 1 & 2 just to make things simpler?
I had a look on BARB at the ratings and a quick calculation I noticed that 70% of the viewing for Premier League matches in on Main Event and 30% on Premier League. I know that BT viewers can only get Main Event but there must be a lot of Sky viewers with the full package who are opting to watch the games on Main Event.
I don't know what that says really but a slightly interesting statistic at this early stage.
I suppose the biggest thing it shows is that people are creatures of habit, and having been dialling 401 on their remote to watch the Premier League, are continuing to do the same thing.
I suppose the biggest thing it shows is that people are creatures of habit, and having been dialling 401 on their remote to watch the Premier League, are continuing to do the same thing.
I suppose that’s the case, especially if there are a good chunk of customers who opt for the full Sky Sports suite.
I understand that Sky are determined to combat the churn rate with people leaving due to the ever increasing cost of the Sky TV service - they’re pushing the new Sky Sports sub packs to attract new customers and those who have left Sky.
But looking at the pricing that Sky has set for its sports channels, £18 feels a bit too steep for one sports channel. And as for picking three sports channels, the difference is almost negligible between that package and the complete package, that some might as well pick the latter.
Sky Sports Extra ... the 'bonus' channel for BT customers has it's first PL fixure scheduled. The first PL match on Sunday is on Extra, whilst Cricket is on Main Event.
I suppose the biggest thing it shows is that people are creatures of habit, and having been dialling 401 on their remote to watch the Premier League, are continuing to do the same thing.
I suppose that’s the case, especially if there are a good chunk of customers who opt for the full Sky Sports suite.
Some of us don't get the chance to "opt" of course - on this side of the water it's either take the full pack at full price or don't take it at all.
I wonder how many people have downgraded from the full package to just the sports they want - bear in mind they didn't make it possible on their website to do this straight away and any downgrade is 31 days to take effect.
I wonder how many people have downgraded from the full package to just the sports they want - bear in mind they didn't make it possible on their website to do this straight away and any downgrade is 31 days to take effect.
I wouldn't be surprised if they didn't bother after finding out it's only saving them a few pound coins.
I can see why Sky have gone down the route they have to some extent the idea a big golf or cricket fan have a dedicated channel is probably attractive to them. But if I were only ever truly bothered about watching my Premiership Rugby side but quite liked watching the other rugby union available through Sky as they do still have some quite big contracts such as England Rugby and the Lions as well as a bit of Pro 14 action it has now been highlighted Rugby isn't a priority so this could lead people to cancel their subscriptions. I also don't think any big Golf or Cricket fan would probably only just have started subscribing because they've now got branded channels as anyone interested will have known it's been pretty much all on Sky for years.
So I think it only serves to highlight what they don't have much of, rather than what they do have which is what didn't really need highlighting. And it also creates scheduling inflexibility.
So at some point they'll either be forced to add more of these dedicated channels for other Sports or they'll back down all together.
We all knew Sky Sports News HQ brand wouldn't last for ever as a brand and I don't think this situation will too.
