Thinking of Cancelling Sky Stream… But First, Questions

[person2]

I appreciate that this board is populated by helpful users rather than Sky itself. I've had Sky Stream for quite a while now but my frustrations with it have got to the point where I am seriously considering cancelling. At first I gave them some latitude as I thought these were initial teething problems that would be quickly sorted out, but it seems they're not doing that. However, before I cancel, I want to check whether there are any solutions to my frustrations that I have missed.

1. The playlist groups together all programmes, whether or not there are watchable episodes. I.e. when I go into my playlist, it does not distinguish between programmes that I have put on record that have not been broadcast yet (and so cannot be watched), and those with programs are available to watch.

2. The "Continue Watching" rail is completely hit-and-miss with regard to what it chooses to include and what it misses out. Half of the things I watch don't appear on there, so I have to keep a paper list of series I have "on the go". Things on there that I'm not interested in cannot be removed.

3. Searching for anything that happens to be on Netflix takes you straight to playing that programme. This means I am unable to add Netflix programmes and films to the playlist, unless you google the actors or director, searched by that name, and then search through the their films to add.

4. Voice search sporadically doesn't work (it know I've pressed the button but doesn't hear anything) - requiring a reboot.

5. The user interface (searching, scrolling through TV guide) frequently slowing down to an absolute crawl. (Even when my internet speed at the box, measured by Netflix, is very good - around 120 Mbps) - requiring a reboot.

6. Intermittent inability to search or play live channels, even when my Internet speed is excellent, resulting in the need to reboot.
7. When searching for films, it shows numerous films as being on Sky Store, when in reality they are also available via the apps and channels I subscribe to.

8. The box shuts down after 5 to 10 minutes on pause, thereby negating the benefits of being able to pause live TV. Stopping a program for a quick phone call or to go to the loo means that means that the box shuts off and I cannot get back to where I was. This drives me absolutely mad and is a complete retrograde step, since this was something we've been able to since Sky Plus days.

Before I cancel, are there any easy solutions to any of these problems that I am missing?

If not, does anyone have any advice for a similar system that provides most of the functionality that Sky Stream claims to do so? Where I live I cannot get satellite (no line of sight - or I would have taken SkyQ) nor can I get terrestrial reception. I used to have Apple TV which was good however it was always a little clunky to watch live TV (through individual apps) with no TV guide to speak of.

Any advice gratefully appreciated.

[TimmyBGood]

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@person2 wrote:

If not, does anyone have any advice for a similar system that provides most of the functionality that Sky Stream claims to do so? 

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That depends on what you actually want to watch.

A comprehensive streaming subscription channel selection is available either on Sky-branded hardware or into the NowTV app on various devices, over Virgin Media infrastructure where that's installed locally, and on BT/EE TV delivered through BT/EE broadband.

All other services are limited in channel choice.

[2muchTV]

@person2 I have recently cancelled Stream but it was largely for reasons of cost rather than functionality or problems you have.

£68 pm is not worth it 

Currently with Now TV for £34 (incl Sports, Cinema, Entertainment and Ultra Boost)

I started to reuse my first generation  Apple TV 4K and purchased an app called  TV Launcher (£6). This is a TV scheduler and links you to the apps of the programme you want to view.

I was so impressed with the app and the Apple TV, I purchased a  second Apple TV.

[Jon34]

I personally don't see any service with the likes of sky stream being up to scratch for many years.

Apparently when I spoke to a virgin media rep, the virgin flex is pretty much identical to stream as it's simply a ripoff from sky to keep inline with them.

The issues you mention I don't see as fixable, sometimes the stream works great, sometimes not so much.

The only workaround I have done is that I use a broad link rm 4 pro with home assistant and it stops the stream going off, it will stay in all night even if I'm not playing anything.

When the contract is up I'm going to either use the fire sticks that I have or look for something not sub. Bound like apple TV etc