SKT Sky Network Television Limited.

[cyclist]

Gut feel says this is another bad move.

Mine too. Wouldn't be surprised to see Spark get a wee lift on the back of this, but not Sky. We will see.

[676767]

I really don't see how this is a good move. Id bet a majority of current lightbox sub's come for free with spark broadband, and the content isn't exactly good enough for people to subscribe once they stop this

[Well Endowed]

I really don't see how this is a good move. Id bet a majority of current lightbox sub's come for free with spark broadband, and the content isn't exactly good enough for people to subscribe once they stop this

As a spark broadband customer - this is exactly how I feel. I think in the past 12mths outside of the handmaids tale, I haven't watched anything on Lightbox in months. I cant see myself paying for a specific subscription to this

[RupertBear]

I really don't see how this is a good move. Id bet a majority of current lightbox sub's come for free with spark broadband, and the content isn't exactly good enough for people to subscribe once they stop this

I agree. I get “free” Lightbox with my Spark Broadband and I wont be subscribing to it in the future thats for sure

[bull....]

light box is rubbish as a past user when it was provided free. would never pay for it and i doubt sky will ever be able to make it a competitor to netflix or any of the big competitors due to enter NZ next year. prediction sky subscribers leaving will accellerate when the big competitors arrive next year and by then as well disney will have begun ramping up with there original content.

[TideMan]

For a while Lightbox was good. It had all the ScandiNoir stuff like The Bridge, etc, but nowadays it seems to be only American crap on there.

[Entrep]

Gut feel says this is another bad move.

I agree also and I think the reason is that Sky's brand is absolutely poisoned in New Zealand.

That said, consolidation of the local players to compete against Disney, Netflix, etc seems smart versus a disjointed offering, and if they really nail the proposition to VF and now Spark broadband subs it could work. Spark customers were previously off limits for Sky so to speak.

[mistaTea]

Interesting comments above.

Two comments from me:

1) Sky are investing in upgrading their NEON platform. I believe they will most likely move the Lightbox content over to the refreshed NEON. This will mean that NEON will not only have HBO/Showtime/FX etc but also some of the great content Lightbox have from Hulu etc.

2) Sky is going to have a wholesale agreement with Spark. So Spark customers will get access to the new NEON for "free" (just as they currently do with Lightbox) if they have a qualifying broadband or mobile plan.
Spark benefit because they are offering their customers an even better SVOD service if they use their internet or mobile services.

Sky benefit because their subscription numbers are about to Sky rocket.

[bull....]

Interesting comments above.

Two comments from me:

1) Sky are investing in upgrading their NEON platform. I believe they will most likely move the Lightbox content over to the refreshed NEON. This will mean that NEON will not only have HBO/Showtime/FX etc but also some of the great content Lightbox have from Hulu etc.

2) Sky is going to have a wholesale agreement with Spark. So Spark customers will get access to the new NEON for "free" (just as they currently do with Lightbox) if they have a qualifying broadband or mobile plan.
Spark benefit because they are offering their customers an even better SVOD service if they use their internet or mobile services.

Sky benefit because their subscription numbers are about to Sky rocket.

lightbox was never going to survive as a stand alone service nor was neon , looks like a convenient marriage to last a little longer. i imagine when the streaming wars get into full swing between the international majors sky will lose more content as they all take it in house to promote there own services.

[mistaTea]

SP just dropped to 69c. Unreal!

They just announce that they are merging a competitor’s content with their own.

They just announce that their subs are about to Skyrocket as they will have a wholesale agreement with the countries largest telco.

And after an early (very small bump) in SP in earlier trading...the stock is now about to close at its lowest price ever.

How can Sky possibly be worth LESS today than it was yesterday?

[boysy]

Might be time to remove those rose tinted specs - sky are moving far to late and far too slowly they will continue to lose content and viewers I think mr market is valuing this one correctly

[mistaTea]

Might be time to remove those rose tinted specs - sky are moving far to late and far too slowly they will continue to lose content and viewers I think mr market is valuing this one correctly

If ‘everyone’ is correct about Sky being on a path of certain failure, with no hope of prosperity (apparently no matter what they do!) then the current SP makes even less sense!

It should be $0.00!!

[bull....]

If ‘everyone’ is correct about Sky being on a path of certain failure, with no hope of prosperity (apparently no matter what they do!) then the current SP makes even less sense!

It should be $0.00!!

probably will be one day

[bull....]

see apple in talks with MGM so if sucessful skt might lose the mgm content

[mistaTea]

I wonder if the new service will be based on the NEON platform...or if they will stick with Lightbox.

Some people I know have reported issues with Lightbox...but I have never had any. And they have a great AppleTV app - so that fulfils my selfish requirements

Will also be interesting to see what the cost will be for the new service.