Now TV's 'Sky Sports' Channel Comes to Apple TV in UK

[SBlue1]

The main reason that no one has NFL on their TV is because the NFL is in love with exclusive partnerships. They gave DirectTV (a television sattelite company) exclusive rights to selling a package for all of the teams, all of the games. This means no one else can offer this package.

However, the exclusive deal is set to expire soon, and Apple was named as a potential buyer of the rights, to REALLY make a splash with Apple TV.
Can you imagine, the NFL season pass, only on Apple TV? They would sell a lot more then, and would be a nice splash to their updated and long rumored Apple TV.

That old story is here:
https://www.macrumors.com/2010/12/15/nfl-sunday-ticket-coming-to-new-apple-tv/

EDIT: I realized you're in Europe and the NFL broadcast rules are probably different there. Nonetheless, if it did come to Apple TV, they should allow it there too.

I can buy the season pass and watch the NFL on my iPad or Mac but not on my Apple TV. There is no Airplay possibility when watching, they block it. The only way to see the game on my big TV is to mirror the screen. But then its not 1080p and feels laggy and has a bad resolution.

I just want an app for Apple TV like the other channels. I would pay. No idea why they don't allow it.

 

[farleysmaster]

Where the heck is iPlayer, give us something useful dangit!

I emailed BBC iPlayer support to check if there was anything on the cards. I suggest you all do too.

Thank you for contacting the BBC iPlayer support team.

I understand you would like to see a dedicated BBC iPlayer app for Apple TV.

We’re aware of demand for BBC iPlayer on Apple TV and aiming to widen support for BBC iPlayer however we’re unable to specify if and when it may become available.

Your suggestion has been used to form a report which is sent to the BBC iPlayer team, including the head of BBC iPlayer. All feedback received, whether positive or negative is always appreciated and can help with future decisions on how to improve the service offered.

I hope this has been helpful, and once again thank you for contacting us.

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Boy would I love to be able to get the BBC here in the US. I'd gladly pay the TV tax to be able to get it here. I've never understood why they don't expand availability. Seems like there would be lots of buyers.

Is there not a paid option on the iPlayer app? Have you investigated UnBlock Us?

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I like all the apps but being in the UK doesn't allow me to use the American apps etc.

I've used the you tube tutorial for changing DNS and using the american netflix which is great but the DNS setting doesn't trick the ABC and other apps into thinking I'm in America for some reason?

is there another way to use the american apps? unfortunately you can't set up a VPN on the apple tv.

Tried this: http://www.unblock-us.com? (I'm not a shill, it's just a good service).

In order to make US apps show up, though, you have to change Apple TV's region.

 

[nick_elt]

Boy would I love to be able to get the BBC here in the US. I'd gladly pay the TV tax to be able to get it here. I've never understood why they don't expand availability. Seems like there would be lots of buyers.

Do you have an ipad? Get filmon app

 

[kaldezar]

I like all the apps but being in the UK doesn't allow me to use the American apps etc.

I've used the you tube tutorial for changing DNS and using the american netflix which is great but the DNS setting doesn't trick the ABC and other apps into thinking I'm in America for some reason?

is there another way to use the american apps? unfortunately you can't set up a VPN on the apple tv.

Very simple just open an american iTunes account, all you need is a prepaid US credit card for say $25 and a US address (it can be a friends as there is any connection between the card and address). There are many people selling these and US dollar iTunes gift certificates on Ebay which you will need to top up your account. I have two accounts and I get all the american ATV apps and all the UK ones....simple and Apple movie rentals are cheaper and there is more choice than the UK sites, just switch back to the UK account for Sky etc.

 

[SpinalTap]

There is another option....

Sky offer SkyGo on a non continuing contract basis. So, for example, if like me you have a Mac Mini permanently hooked-up to your television, £36 per month will get all six Sky Sports channels - plus 15 Sky channels from their general lineup.

Sure, it won't be in HD, but if you're into Cricket for example you can enjoy the whole season and then terminate the agreement without issue.

 

[Ballis]

Its probably not happening because no matter how talented these people you refer to may be, they probably don't have multimillion dollar TV and movie content to deliver. I don't think Apple want this box full of to-do and weather apps, or even worse, media viewing apps that help users enjoy less than legal content streams.

The lack of iPlayer is odd, but it matches my suspicions that Apple is doing individual revenue deals with all the content providers, and with no deal there's no app. They're not going to consider 30p commission on an app sale to be adequate compensation for Sky to deliver a £90 per month subscription via Apple TV. It may be the BBC and Channel 4 aren't playing along because neither has profits which it can share with Apple.

Yea, you are probably right. I do realize Apple knows what they are doing and that from a business perspective, this all probably makes sense, but I still think its sad cos I now find myself using the sluggish and horrible Samsung smart-tv interface more than im using my Apple-TV.

 

[zen]

Ah dammit. Sky Sports F1 is the only reason I still have a satellite attached to my house. I always hoped it'd end up on Apple TV then I'd be able to ditch Sky/Virgin altogether. Never thought it would happen.

It's half done, but to watch F1 via Now TV would cost me more in a weekend than I pay for the whole package currently. Also doubt it'd be HD.

Really? Sky F1 is the only reason we have satellite too - our TV package is £34.75 a month, which is the basic service with HD and no additional packages.

With F1 running March to November, that's nine months, or £312.75. For 19 individual F1 races watched via the Apple TV, that's £189.91.

How are you paying less than £9.99 for Sky TV with F1 HD?

 

[neilmacd]

Really? Sky F1 is the only reason we have satellite too - our TV package is £34.75 a month, which is the basic service with HD and no additional packages.

With F1 running March to November, that's nine months, or £312.75. For 19 individual F1 races watched via the Apple TV, that's £189.91.

How are you paying less than £9.99 for Sky TV with F1 HD?

Sorry I was slightly over exaggerating. I'm paying the same as you, but at £9.99 per day over three days (all practice sessions, qualy and race, all live when possible) it's less, but pretty close to the package price.

Then add in back to backs or the usual two races per month and it becomes totally unfeasible.

Edit: A total cost in my case would be £569.43. Or 1 month at £29.97, 6 months at £59.95, 2 months at £89.91.

 

[GreginNJ]

Bbc

Boy would I love to be able to get the BBC here in the US. I'd gladly pay the TV tax to be able to get it here. I've never understood why they don't expand availability. Seems like there would be lots of buyers.

That would be heaven. I'd gladly open my wallet for that. BBC could make so much money!