Sky's new HD EPG gets peeked

We already received confirmation that Sky would be freshening up its universally frowned upon EPG with something a bit sweeter, and now UKers are getting a first look at what to expect. Reportedly, the new guide will be entirely in HD and launched in August -- unfortunately, the image above may be the only tease you get (from Sky, anyway) all summer.

[(Unverified) Posted Jun 1st 2008 8:03PM]

All of us without HD (not because I don't want it, just cause their offering is so shite to rule out its worth right now) have to stick it out with the current shitty interface then? Great.

[(Unverified) Posted Jun 1st 2008 9:31PM]

That interface looks a LOT like DirecTV's.

Hmmmm

[UnnDunn Posted Jun 1st 2008 11:48PM]

Maybe because both were built by the same company?

[maty Posted Jun 2nd 2008 9:20AM]

Its a blatent copy of Virgin media's TV Guide which has been like since the dawn of time (UK cable - we're talking mid to late-1990s). Everything's laid out the same its just different colours.

Nevermind, its nice UK Sky customers will now get a decent menu to live with.

Next up? Sky need to revamp their On-Demand service, that's also behind.

[drgoodier Posted Jun 2nd 2008 5:46AM]

So regular Sky and Sky+ subscribers have to stick with the shitty EPG that has been used for at least 9 years. That's really annoying, especially as they charge so much for HD.

The box is £200 ($400) and then you have to pay an extra £10 ($20) a month for about 10 HD channels. If they just lowered the price, I'm sure many people would get Sky HD.

[(Unverified) Posted Jun 2nd 2008 8:44AM]

@ benny boy

What has the cost of Sky HD got to do with whether 'ordinary' Sky & Sky+ use the old EPG?

If anything surely the extra costs of Sky HD mean those of us with it ought to be getting a better 'premium' service (first if nothing else)?

My box wasn't £200+ btw.
I got it on a deal 1 year ago for £149 (new not a refurb) with no installation charges
(which, if you have Sky+ already, as I had, merely involves unplugging & reconnecting existing wiring to the new HD box, an outrageous £60 con in anyone's book I reckon)
or requirement to take out a multi-room sub.

If you are observant you can find the deals that make the usual standard terms laughable
(I think they will try & charge up to £249 on their website, it used to be £299).

No way was I paying £200+ for it but £149 all-in was too good to miss; you can wait too long and miss out.

I've been enjoying a year's HD service and think it's well worth it.
The service is improving, we get more channels coming regularly & the quality is good and sometimes genuinely outstanding.

The £10 per mth additional charge to your regular Sky TV service charge is annoyingly petty (they used to do the same thing with the 'plus' service - live pause, rewind & recording) but with a little luch they'll ditch that soon too.

[(Unverified) Posted Jun 2nd 2008 7:49AM]

If I had Sky HD, I would say, "Final-effing-ly!"

But I don't.

I just hope the background soundtrack will stay the same.