Newbie Question re choice.

Hi.
I recently cancelled my Sky Family Package, due to repeats overdose, and am now
watching the free to air programs using the expired Sky card.

Apart from Classic FM TV, the available "extra" channels seem to be repeats of
3rd rate, mainly american stuff or non-stop advertisements.

Am I missing something?

Are these the only programs available or would I get a better selection with a
different set top box?

To finish on a smile, here's a quote from a Sky phone sales person who was
trying to flog me the Family Package at half price.
When I said no thanks, it wasn't worth paying 50p a month for because it was
nearly all repeats he said:

"But the news channels aren't repeats, they're different every day."

Regards
Mel S

On 13 Mar 2004 13:24:23 GMT, (SharpeMel) wrote:


Hi.
I recently cancelled my Sky Family Package, due to repeats overdose, and am now
watching the free to air programs using the expired Sky card.

Apart from Classic FM TV, the available "extra" channels seem to be repeats of
3rd rate, mainly american stuff or non-stop advertisements.

Am I missing something?

Are these the only programs available or would I get a better selection with a
different set top box?

To finish on a smile, here's a quote from a Sky phone sales person who was
trying to flog me the Family Package at half price.
When I said no thanks, it wasn't worth paying 50p a month for because it was
nearly all repeats he said:

"But the news channels aren't repeats, they're different every day."

Regards
Mel S

He is right of course. And the same can be said about current
affairs, sport and some documentaries. Television was never intended
to provide only wall-to-wall entertainment. BTW I have never
understood the argument against repeats. With five terrestrial
channels not to mention digital channels, I don't see how anyone can
watch all the programmes first time round. Anyone who does should
seriously consider whether they are getting out enough!

For people with jobs to go to and normal social lives to live, there
is not enough time to watch all the interesting programmes and the
opportunity to see them on repeat is valuable. I liked the idea of
BBC Choice which explicitly provided an opportunity to catch up with
programmes I had missed.

Scott

Hi Scott
I don't think I said anything about wanting "wall-to-wall entertainment" in my
posting.

I only watch television (usually while also working on the computer) in the
evening. During the day I am out at work or in my own workshop preparing for an
activity that gets me out into the countryside much too often for my partner's
liking.

Even so I'll admit I did enjoy watching a range of entertainment programs:
crime fiction, Mash, DIY etc. when I first subscribed.

However, after a year it became a race to see who in the family said, "Seen
it!" first when a program started.

The channels I mainly wanted Sky for originally were the documentary /
Discovery type.
I started suffering from the repeats problem after 6 months with these.

With regard to your response about news, sports and current affairs not being
repeats,
they would hardly be NEWS if they were. However, these areas are already well
covered by the terrestrial channels, so they are hardly a justification for
paying extra.

So as an individual who does: have a daytime occupation, have many interests
and activities beyond the box, have an interest in current affairs; but does
not want wall to wall entertainment, but who can remember whether he has
already seen something on the television during the past six months. I will
repeat my original criticism of the Sky package.

Too many of the programmes are repeats..

Regards
Mel S

Yes I quite agree about repeats. When you have watched a programme once a
few weeks ago and you remember it then that's a problem. I remember watching
"The Sweeny" and the same 10 episodes were re run and re run. I don't know
how may were made but I bet there was at least 50 . Also some programmes
were NEVER shown. In my mind a real problem is BBC shows that are now shown
on UK GOLD but should be shown on BBC 3 or 4. After all we paid for them
once . The BBC should get out of bed with UK Gold and enhance their channels
which did not exist when they signed up with Gold.

John

On 13 Mar 2004 15:06:25 GMT, (SharpeMel) wrote:

Hi Scott
I don't think I said anything about wanting "wall-to-wall entertainment" in my
posting.

I only watch television (usually while also working on the computer) in the
evening. During the day I am out at work or in my own workshop preparing for an
activity that gets me out into the countryside much too often for my partner's
liking.

Even so I'll admit I did enjoy watching a range of entertainment programs:
crime fiction, Mash, DIY etc. when I first subscribed.

However, after a year it became a race to see who in the family said, "Seen
it!" first when a program started.

The channels I mainly wanted Sky for originally were the documentary /
Discovery type.
I started suffering from the repeats problem after 6 months with these.

With regard to your response about news, sports and current affairs not being
repeats,
they would hardly be NEWS if they were. However, these areas are already well
covered by the terrestrial channels, so they are hardly a justification for
paying extra.

So as an individual who does: have a daytime occupation, have many interests
and activities beyond the box, have an interest in current affairs; but does
not want wall to wall entertainment, but who can remember whether he has
already seen something on the television during the past six months. I will
repeat my original criticism of the Sky package.

Too many of the programmes are repeats..

Regards
Mel S

Well, I congratulate you on your ability to organise your TV viewing.
I end up missing quite a few of the programmes I would like to have
seen, then think 'It would be damn handy if this was repeated'!

Scott

Get out more

"SharpeMel" wrote in message
...
However, after a year it became a race to see who in the family said,
"Seen
it!" first when a program started

BBC makes money outta them, as people have to subscribe to see good old
comedies every night.... BBC owns the uktv network, so they'll milk it for
what they can

"John" wrote in message
...
Yes I quite agree about repeats. When you have watched a programme once a
few weeks ago and you remember it then that's a problem. I remember
watching
"The Sweeny" and the same 10 episodes were re run and re run. I don't know
how may were made but I bet there was at least 50 . Also some programmes
were NEVER shown. In my mind a real problem is BBC shows that are now
shown
on UK GOLD but should be shown on BBC 3 or 4. After all we paid for them
once . The BBC should get out of bed with UK Gold and enhance their
channels
which did not exist when they signed up with Gold.

From ??? (No name)
Get out more


Hi ???.
Did you actually read, and understand, my second posting?
If we got out more than we do now, there would be no point in having a
television.

My original query has still not been answered.
Am I receiving all the available free to air programmes with the Sky box or
would I get a better selection with a new set top box?

BTW and OT, why do some individuals feel the need to be anonymous when posting?

Regards
Mel S

On 13 Mar 2004 13:24:23 GMT, (SharpeMel) wrote:

I recently cancelled my Sky Family Package, due to repeats overdose, and am now
watching the free to air programs using the expired Sky card.

Apart from Classic FM TV, the available "extra" channels seem to be repeats of
3rd rate, mainly american stuff or non-stop advertisements.

Am I missing something?

Are these the only programs available or would I get a better selection with a
different set top box?

To answer your question, "yes" these pretty much are the only programs
available FTA/FTV from the satellites used by Sky Digital and "no" a
differnet STB won't get you anything significantly different.

You could get more channels (mostly in languages other than English)
with a different STB and a re-aimed dish, but I don't think this is
what you're asking about.

--
QrizB

"On second thought, let's not go to Z'Ha'Dum. It is a silly place."

Apart from Classic FM TV, the available "extra" channels seem to be
repeats of
3rd rate, mainly american stuff or non-stop advertisements.

Am I missing something?

No. IMHO, Freeview is a bag of ****e. I can't get analogue Five, and never
will, but can get digital Five with Freeview (which I am not supposed to be
able to receive). There is nothing whatsoever to recommend on Freeview. On
ITV2 on Sunday, they showed Coronation St and Emmerdale from 12:45 pm to
9:00 pm.


Are these the only programs available or would I get a better selection
with a
different set top box?

depends on reception, but Setpal (In Radio Times) and Daewoo are supposed to
be the best for reception.

To finish on a smile, here's a quote from a Sky phone sales person who was
trying to flog me the Family Package at half price.
When I said no thanks, it wasn't worth paying 50p a month for because it
was
nearly all repeats he said:

"But the news channels aren't repeats, they're different every day."

Priceless. I knew someone who worked in Sky call centre in Livingston in
1994, and they were told "Unanswered phones : on the 4th ring, someone is
sacked at random "!