Sky updates EPG with recommendations and Smart Series linking

25 Aug 2014

Satellite and broadband player Sky has beefed up its new TV guide with new features that include programme recommendations and a Smart Series link.

The broadcaster revealed some 180,000 Irish customers have connected their Sky box to their broadband service to access On Demand features.

The new recommendations engine provides suggestions of TV shows and movies a viewer might be interested in based on recent recordings and downloads in his or her Sky+ planner.

The new Smart Series link feature not only links favourite TV shows, but will remember to record the next season and subsequent seasons after that.

Sports fans have also been included in the new update. A new Sports tile has been added to the homepage, giving quick access to live sporting events across channels.

Sky will also be displaying movie DVD cover art for Movies on Demand and Sky Store.

Smart HDMI tuning

Other technical changes include SD and HD options, whereby viewers can choose between high definition and standard definition when downloading TV or movie content.

A new HDMI One Touch feature means the Sky button on the remote now turns on the latest Sky+HD box and a compatible TV in one go from standby. It tunes the TV to the correct HDMI input if a user has been using another device so there’s no need to pick up the other remote control. 

And a new simplified card pairing option means viewers will be able to easily pair their viewing card without calling Sky by just pressing one button on the Sky remote.

“We know customers love the new homepage as it puts catch-up, box sets and movies at the heart of their TV viewing,” said Sky’s director of products Ann-Marie Mackay.

“That’s why we’re introducing even more features to help discover more TV they really want to watch. Get recommendations for shows we think you’ll enjoy based on your recordings, and never miss a returning season ever again with Smart Series Link.”

John Kennedy is a journalist who served as editor of Silicon Republic for 17 years

editorial@siliconrepublic.com