5 ways Sky has revolutionised the way we watch TV
Sky's 20 today. And love it or loathe it, the pay TV service has spent a hefty chunk of that time revolutionising the way you kick back in front of your gogglebox, whether you fork over a monthly fee to Murdoch's empire or not. Here's how.
Paying for the privilege
In 1989, most Brits would rather have listened to an entire Rick Astley album than pay for their daily dose of TV. What was the point? Now, no one baulks at choking up for the service, whether it's Sky, Virgin or Tiscali. For movies, football and hour after hour of shark docs, paying a monthly fee is now standard for most of us. And it means endless channel surfing that Freeview just can't offer.
24 hour rolling news in the UK
Headlines taken directly from The Day Today? Check. Slightly confused reporters yabbering over rolling shots of closed doors or nameless celebs? Check. Sky News was the first 24 hour news channel in the UK. Without it, we wouldn't have everyone from BBC to Al–Jazeera serving up rehashed headlines all day long. Or, for that matter, on the spot coverage of the biggest happenings around the globe.
Extravagant sports coverage
Sky's exhaustive (and sometimes tiresome) coverage of the Premier League is renowned the world over, spawning its own dedicated news channel and a massive 4,800 games since launch. Plus there's the first live coverage of an overseas England cricket tour, box office boxing bouts and, of course, world darts. And of course they gave the world Jeff Stelling. Where Sky leads, the BBC and ITV follows
Recording TV made easy
"Can you set the video player for 8?" These dreaded words were happily consigned to history thanks to Sky Plus. Now EPGs on myriad services mean we can snag whatever shows we want and store them a hard drive, without having to make sure the tape's in the right place, the VCR's clock's right and the Video Plus number checks out.
HD TV shows in Blighty
Freesat might offer a cheaper way for Joe Public to get HD, but it exists precisely because Sky handed over a paying alternative first. Sure, it's pricey, even with the box now at £49, but with 31 channels and the crucial offering of Premier League football and more movies than your local Odeon gets in a year, it takes some beating.
For more on Sky, check out our first thoughts on their 3D TV service.
Comments
The_Corporal
3 years ago
I signed up to sky hd at the weekend excited at the prospect of watching my favourite shows in hd.
I got an email from sky on Monday saying Good News! We expect to complete your order in about 4 months !!!!!
WTF!! Way to look after your existing customers sky, you know , the ones who are acually generating revenue for you.
monkeybill
3 years ago
When is the new user interface on Sky HD meant to be coming...anyone from STUFF know, story seems to have disappeared and my interface is the same old one. Was it not meant to be out last October/November?
weird
3 years ago
corporal, dont worry.....i got the same message then 2 days later they phoned me back to say they had about 10 slots this week....i ordered on sun and its being installed this saturday...
good luck
Drunken Max
3 years ago
It was the first 24 hour nes channel in Europe. I remember watching GW 1 on it, mesmerised.
Sky leads the way and Setanta is about to go out of business when ESPN and Sky grab the last two Premier League bundles for 2010 to 2013
Joe M
3 years ago
I've never been much of a fan of pay TV, especially Sky nabbing the Ashes and denying cricket to everyone.
But that said, I'd rather watch football there than ITV (esp after last night's debacle), or Setanta.
The Prem's deal with the latter has gone counter to the whole idea of breaking the monopoly, making people pay even more. Here's hoping ESPN does a better job. And that Spurs are still in the top flight so I don't miss out!
Joe
paul.e
3 years ago
i remember getting sky back in 1989 when you had 2 boxs one for your card to go in and a receiver now i still have 2 boxs one sky plus and one sky plus hd oh how times have changed
MonTheFish
3 years ago
Tivo was there long before sky+ was....and it was and is 100 times better!!!
johnfu
3 years ago
where's my rick astley album?