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Anonymous User
Not applicable

IDEA: Remove 1 device change per month restriction

Modern families have multiple devices and want to be able to consume content wherever and on whatever device they have. When you include devices like NowTV, Roku, AppleTV, Chromecast, games consoles, smart phones and tablets, it's very easy for a typical family to have 10+ devices all capable of watching NowTV content.

 

I fully understand the need to limit the number of active devices and also the need to limit the number of devices that can be used simultaneously. However the restiction to change 1 device per month is an inconvenience too far. I subscribe to multiple streaming services and none have this restriction.

 

Let me describe just how easy it is to get unstuck.

 

Both my NowTV box and Roku box are registered. As a family this is the main way we watch NowTV content. My two kids also have NowTV on their tablet devices so they can watch a different programme in their bedroom. That's all 4 slots taken for registered devices (you can spot an immediate problem if we had 3 kids!).

 

I now go away on business and want to catch up on missed programmes while away. But I can't register my tablet because all 4 device slots are filled. No problem, the kids are in bed so I remove one of the tablets so that I can add my own. Great... I enjoy my movie and all is good... that is until my daughter tries to watch her programme the next day and cannot! Again, no problem... I just remove my tablet and add hers... except now there is a warning message that I have exceed the number of allowed changes and have to wait until the first day of the next month before I can make any more changes!

 

In fact I can delete all 4 registered devices, but not be able to add a new one!

 

SERIOUSLY??

 

The support team will reset the count, but not without the obligatory, "We'll make an exception for you just this once"... like they are doing you, a paying customer, a huge favour!

 

Most services like Netflix have no device registration restriction... just a restriction on the number of simultaneous viewers. Some do have a limit on device registration, but when the limit is reached and a new device is added they simply automatically deregister the device that has not been used for the longest time. But no-one is as draconian as NowTV with their one change/month limit.

 

Hopefully NowTV will recognise that this limitation, instead of being an attempt to stop the sharing of accounts, is seriously inconveniencing genuine customers and adding an unnecessary burden to their support team. There are hundreds of related messages in the forum on this topic. Hopefully sense will prevail.

 

Thank you.

23 REPLIES 23
Anonymous User
Not applicable

Hi @Anonymous User 

 

Thanks for your taking the time to write such a detailed post and welcome to the forum.  You're not the first member to comment on the device limit and the monthly addition rule, however, I've done a quick search of the Ideas Section and I can't find it listed.  I know from past responses by the NOW TV Team that it's all around rights negotiated by Sky with content providers to stream content over the internet.  However, if you're suggestion is feasible, Community Manager @Anonymous User will add it as a suggestion to that board so other members can give kudos and add comments.

Anonymous User
Not applicable

Your post is as bad as the limitations.

caseyb1993
Legend 5
Legend 5

Hello @Anonymous User 🙂

 

If you go on to live chat and explain the situation, they may reset the slots for you to re add the devices.

 

http://help.nowtv.com/article/Managing-Devices

 

Click the link and click the green contact us button at the bottom. Then select "live chat". Smiley Happy

Best on a PC/Mac.

I am not staff, I am a customer that likes to help,
so please click the Thank You/Thumbs Up button if I helped you out and maybe even accept it as a solution? 🙂
Anonymous User
Not applicable

Last night was another one of those nights where I jumped into bed to watch the rest of a movie I'd been watching earlier, only to find out my limit had been reached, why? Simply because I purchased two new Roku Express sticks to replace the slower aging ones we had earlier in the week. I removed the other two spare slots for the obsolete devices thinking "I know have two spare!" and there was my problem - March the 18th 2018, now I had to wait until April 1st 2018. Nuts!

 

This is the second time this has happened and it makes no sense, at least not to me. Remove a device, add another - it should be that simple! Just as it is with Netflix and Amazon Prime. I can't concieve why it should be an issue, especially in this day and age. Only having 4 slots, means you may need to juggle them around to different devices on a regular basis, i.e. phones, tablets, PC, sticks, TVs etc. But only being allowed to do this once a month?

 

Of course it can be sorted, you have to go onto Live Chat and they always fix it for you, at least so far, but it's such a common inconvenience to customers that even the Chat person stated this. It's also an inconvenience to have to locate the Chat Link and discuss the whole issue at length, when it's plainly obvious what the problem is, all NowTV customers have the same problem at one time or another.

 

It's about time this was sorted.

 

When I asked the Chat person today why this was imposed, I was given a link to the Devices Options page and they signed off without even saying bye.

 

Makes me wanna scream!

Anonymous User
Not applicable

I'm having similar issues, My PC stopped streaming now TV, then one of the XBOX's signed out, signing back in says you exceeded the number of device changes (I haven't changed any), so I deleted the XBOX's (a second doesn't work as Now TV doesn't work on the preview program) and I removedan android device (that never worked), apparently I now have -1 changes.

What a crock of ****, what the hell am I paying for and why is Now TV forgetting my devices my issue?

Anonymous User
Not applicable

Sorry, you have exceeded your permitted number of simultaneous streams
Anonymous User
Not applicable

Hi @Anonymous User 

 

Thanks for getting in touch.

 

Have to checked this Help article: http://help.nowtv.com/article/Simultaneous-Streams? 

 

Let me know if this does not work.

 

Kind regards,

 

Birgit

NOW TV Team

Anonymous User
Not applicable
I have removed ever device that is on the account and still I can't watch nothing it just keeps saying the monthly stuff still
Simon-J
Community Manager
Community Manager

Hi @Anonymous User ,

 

The simultaneous streams error is different from the number of registered devices or changes

 

That message occurrs when you're trying to watch more than 2 streams at once this can be one separate devices or the same device. So for instance if you're watching NOW TV on a NOW TV Box downstairs and a laptop upstairs you'll see that message if you're trying to watch on another device. 

 

If your seeing the message in error it should stop occurring after 15 minutes - if you're still getting it let us know and we'll reset your devices.

 

Thanks

 

Simon

NOW TV Team