topic Re: Paramount Plus Buffering in Sky Q

Paramount Plus Buffering

GlennisJ — Sat, 12 Aug 2023 15:23:08 GMT

Paramount Plus buffers far to often and when it does, the screen dims and the age restriction banner appears (Star Trek SNW). Completely spoils all programs. All other apps are fine. My download speed averages over 60 Mb. Why is Paramount Plus so poor.

Re: Paramount Plus Buffering

Tom-W19 — Sun, 13 Aug 2023 08:16:19 GMT

Hi @GlennisJ

Your post has been escalated to our Community Messaging team who will invite you to a private chat shortly and help you with this.

Just look out for the chat bubble to start the conversation.

Here's more information on how Community Messaging works - https://community.sky.com/t5/Did-you-know/Escalating-a-post-to-a-Sky-expert/ba-p/3711147

Re: Paramount Plus Buffering

Dweeber — Sun, 13 Aug 2023 18:25:54 GMT

I am suffering the same issues, I have updated software, reregistered, but this is spoiling what is a fantastic platform please help.

Many thanks

Kev

Re: Paramount Plus Buffering

GlennisJ — Tue, 15 Aug 2023 09:11:36 GMT

Took some time but finally persuaded Sky that the problem is Paramount's streaming speed not the equipment in my house. They say they will work with Paramount to improve this. Hands up all those that believe it. Two series of Star Trek SNW ruined so far. We'll done guys.

Re: Paramount Plus Buffering

SlenderRobert — Tue, 15 Aug 2023 09:22:42 GMT

@GlennisJ wrote:
Took some time but finally persuaded Sky that the problem is Paramount's streaming speed not the equipment in my house. They say they will work with Paramount to improve this. Hands up all those that believe it. Two series of Star Trek SNW ruined so far. We'll done guys.

It's got nothing to do with 'Paramount's streaming speed' - it's to do with the fact that Sky's apps are hosted on a server, not stored on the Q box itself. This adds extra latency to what's already a slow and under-powered box for streaming apps. The Q box was designed first and foremost as a satellite PVR which it works extremely well for - the hosting of apps on it was always secondary.

If you want a smooth Paramount+ experience then you need to use the app on a different platform which is more dedicated to streaming. An Amazon Firestick, a Roku Streaming stick, or an Apple TV box for example, all will run Paramount+ and a whole host of other apps not on Sky's platform without any fuss.

Sky advertises as having everything in one place, easy. Which in some sense it does. You can get a much better streaming experience using better hardware from other sources though.

Re: Paramount Plus Buffering

nskinner — Sat, 26 Aug 2023 21:49:11 GMT

It's definitely a P+ issue and not a Sky issue.

I've tried various permutations of Sky, P+, Ethernet and wi-fi, various TVs, laptop and phone They all buffer P+ and that's on full fibre.

ive found It's actually slightly better through Sky than direct through the P+ app.

Re: Paramount Plus Buffering

best+of+the+best — Sun, 27 Aug 2023 06:07:04 GMT

@SlenderRobert wrote:
@GlennisJ wrote:
Took some time but finally persuaded Sky that the problem is Paramount's streaming speed not the equipment in my house. They say they will work with Paramount to improve this. Hands up all those that believe it. Two series of Star Trek SNW ruined so far. We'll done guys.
It's got nothing to do with 'Paramount's streaming speed' - it's to do with the fact that Sky's apps are hosted on a server, not stored on the Q box itself. This adds extra latency to what's already a slow and under-powered box for streaming apps. The Q box was designed first and foremost as a satellite PVR which it works extremely well for - the hosting of apps on it was always secondary.
If you want a smooth Paramount+ experience then you need to use the app on a different platform which is more dedicated to streaming. An Amazon Firestick, a Roku Streaming stick, or an Apple TV box for example, all will run Paramount+ and a whole host of other apps not on Sky's platform without any fuss.
Sky advertises as having everything in one place, easy. Which in some sense it does. You can get a much better streaming experience using better hardware from other sources though.

Some have the issue some don't I watched Dungeons and Dragons via P+ app on Sky Q box without any issues

Re: Paramount Plus Buffering

Josh182 — Thu, 07 Sep 2023 18:45:07 GMT

@GlennisJthanks for posting this, it's happening to me too and driving me nuts. And yes, it's only Paramount Plus that it happens on - or at least that's the only one I notice because of the irritating dimming behaviour. Not sure why they thought that was a good design choice.

Re: Paramount Plus Buffering

Invisiblename — Thu, 07 Sep 2023 19:55:42 GMT

I know this doesn't help those of you that have the buffering issue, but I've never experienced it, not even when watching STSNW. I only have BT FTTC and get around 23Mbps, with the Sky Q linked via WiFi. I only posted this to show that P+ can work successfully via the Sky app, so must be very frustrating for those of you that it doesn't

Re: Paramount Plus Buffering

User+1 — Mon, 18 Sep 2023 07:34:15 GMT

Same problem, tried watching dungeons and dragons movie.. totally ruined it.

Re: Paramount Plus Buffering

Neilyqwe — Wed, 20 Sep 2023 19:59:39 GMT

Just tried to watch the last episode of lioness and it was a total waste of time constant buffering despite my q box being hard wired and getting well over 200mb per second. Absolute joke.

Re: Paramount Plus Buffering

Dohrider — Fri, 22 Sep 2023 20:23:01 GMT

I'm also suffering from this issue, on shows such as STSNW and films like Lost City, running on 120M Virgin, so unlikely to be my broadband. No other apps suffer from this issue.

Re: Paramount Plus Buffering

GlennisJ — Sun, 24 Sep 2023 12:16:46 GMT

Dear Tom, why have Sky done nothing about Paramount Plus buffering. Enough people have complained. You said someone would be in touch. They haven't. Paramount is unwatchable.

Re: Paramount Plus Buffering

Sigh-Man — Sun, 01 Oct 2023 11:32:12 GMT

Adding my name as another SkyQ suffering from this problem. SkyQ box is connected via Ethernet to 400mbps. Perversely there's no problem with P+ on an AppleTV box connected via Wi-Fi repeaters.

Currently thinking of kicking Sky to the curb come renewal based on this and SkyQ Mini constantly losing connection (despite being hardwired)

Re: Paramount Plus Buffering

HCW59 — Fri, 06 Oct 2023 18:07:57 GMT

Mine is also constantly buffering, dimming and the age banner coming up.

Just registered for it, watched 5 minutes of Top Gun and turned it off...no wonder sky's giving it away free !

Re: Paramount Plus Buffering

cbl1974 — Fri, 06 Oct 2023 21:47:18 GMT

Same here! Was about to call BT and rant at them about their Internet but speed test was fine so thought I'd see if it could be a Sky issue! Husband heavily into Yellowstone, but its currently unwatchable, hes not happy! Only been an issue for us for a few days so far though was fine for weeks. And keep coming down in the morning and the sky box fan is full pelt which is also new!

Re: Paramount Plus Buffering

paulmadscot — Sat, 07 Oct 2023 13:32:25 GMT

Yep still an ongoing issue , only place it does not buffer is on my 4g phone ,.paramount plus is unwatchable on Sky Q.

Tried TV app , laptop , I have. 63mb connection and no issues with anything less...

Re: Paramount Plus Buffering

KDR1 — Sun, 08 Oct 2023 09:32:11 GMT

Want to add my name to this thread as an unhappy customer experiencing the same issues on my Sky Q box when watching Paramount+.

Could a Sky Employee please respond with solutions or updates to how the issue is being addressed by Sky please?

Re: Paramount Plus Buffering

SBB123 — Sun, 08 Oct 2023 11:18:25 GMT

I have full fibre @900mb and it still does the same. But if i use the Paramount App on a smart TV there is no issue.

I also use a 1gb full http 1gb Synchronous at work. Connected outside lan i get 1024mb/1024mb and still get the same buffering issue.

However, if i log directly in to Paramount Plus via a browser there is no issue.

This is definitely a Sky issue and i wish i could find a resolution.

Re: Paramount Plus Buffering

LukeT — Thu, 12 Oct 2023 20:13:55 GMT

I have the very same issue. My internet speed is fine usually between 60-85mb. No buffering on any app other than when using paramount + through Sky.

Sky and paramount need to find a fix soon as it is seriously annoying and ruins the content your watching.