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Anonymous User
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Update Now TV app for apple TV

Will the Now TV app for Apple TV ever get an update?

 

The current version is complete rubbish and makes me regret ever getting a Now TV pass.

 

Unless there is an update my Now TV experience will be very short indeed.

2,752 Replies
Anonymous User
Not applicable

I noticed on the apple shop app they have an image of an Apple TV screen with the updated Now Tv logo. I'm an optimist and I think it's a good sign.
moroboshi
Expert


@Anonymous User wrote:
I noticed on the apple shop app they have an image of an Apple TV screen with the updated Now Tv logo. I'm an optimist and I think it's a good sign.

I wouldn't get your hopes up.  Sky don't even bother to monitor this forum anymore which shows their level of interest in the platform.

 

I see Channel 5 have finally released their My5 app for the ATV, and they've done a pretty solid job. Atractive design and a favourites list. I realise having a favourite anything on Channel 5 is a stretch, but hey ho. 

 

Anonymous User
Not applicable

I've literally just cancelled my passes after waiting so long for a decent app with 1080p support on TVOS.  Since the recent app launches I can get 90% of the films and series I want to watch between iPlayer, iTVhub, 5player, Prime and Netflix in better quality, with a decent app interface for less money.

 

Shame, but they had a more than fair chance.

jon_s
Mentor

Deficiencies of the NowTV app:

 

Blank screen after a program ends

doesnt keep track of episodes that have been watched

 

now the TV app is here:

 

lack of integration with the tv

 

ALso as a consequence of the new TV app and the Amazon Prime Video app, ITV hub etc appearing, there is more content available and less justification to keep paying for NowTV. 

 

If, as was previously stated by the NowTV staff, Apple is responsible for producing updates, then I believe Apple would have updated it to integrate with the TV app. Therefore I believe that the NowTV staff thinking its updated by Apple is simply a misunderstanding. 

Anonymous User
Not applicable

I’m liking the new TV app (running on a new AppleTV 4K) and the fact that NowTV doesn’t integrate with it at all only means it’s a matter of time before I stop watching Sky’s content and ultimately stop paying for it.

It’s already started feeling like a chore to use with issues like the blank screen at the end of a stream, which has got worse since the tvOS 11.2 added the ability to match the video settings to the content. With everything else (Netflix, Amazon, my5, ITVhub and iTunes) tracking where you are so well, NowTV’s app feels outdated and little has really changed since I first used it on the original AppleTV.

When you consider all that has changed around it, no update since October 2015 is staggering and suggests to me that there must be some under the table deal going on to keep it limping along when tvOS 11 required solid updates from other providers.

I have no interest in adding another box to the system to support NowTV and now only have the AppleTV and a PS4 under the TV and stream everything we watch (no sat, cable or Freeview even), so please NowTV, up your game!
moroboshi
Expert

I recently tried contacting Now TV "support" over this farce. I knew full well it would be a waste of time, so it was more out of morbid curiosity.

The response was an adamant insistence I reinstall the app as that would fix the problems with it. After putting up a fight I did as asked, which of course, was every bit the waste of time I said it would be.

After that matter was passed to "technical support" and I was told that the Apple TV team was aware of the issues and would fix them ASAP. I wonder what Sky's Apple TV team looks like. An empty chair perhaps? Or a corpse?

It's strange to see such a large company behave in such a deceitful, offensive way. Perhaps it's the Murdoch way, who knows. I'd love to know what the subscriber numbers are between Netflix, Amazon, and Now TV are. I bet they're amusing.
nickmorc
Expert 2

Its a great shame, I too have started to wind down my reliance on Now Tv. I have started by cancelling the Cinema Pass. I am now using the Apple Tv all the time. The black Now Tv box has been removed.

 

So there you have it, a loyal subscriber from the start is moving on, due to Now Tvs reluctance to make a decent app.

Anonymous User
Not applicable

The new Apple TV TV app is a bit of a game changer. Really fast and convenient. I’m pretty sure that any service that doesn’t integrate into the new platform is going to lose apple customers. If ITV, BBC and Channel 5 can manage it you would have though Sky would want to as well.
Anonymous User
Not applicable

There is a recent article in Forbes that shows the phenomenal success of Amazon Video's updated app on Apple TV. NowTV should see this as justification for updating their app on Apple TV.

"Amazon has revealed today that the recently released Apple TV version of Amazon Video has enjoyed more downloads in its first week than any other app in the history of tvOS. 

The fact that this has happened on a platform which has long boasted both Netflix and its own iTunes collection of TV shows and movies shows just how important the presence of Amazon Video has become to any video streaming device."

Apple TV Amazon Video App Is A Record Breaker

Anonymous User
Not applicable

Agree with most posts here, I’ve cancelled Cinema and Entertainment, also sorely tempted to cancel Sport - the current Apple TV app is an embarrassment and not worth my money.
Anonymous User
Not applicable

"I wonder what Sky's Apple TV team looks like. An empty chair perhaps? Or a corpse?"

I have it on good authority that one of those options is in fact entirely accurate.

 

As for Amazon doing well: great. I subscribe to Prime, and although the Fire TV stick is fine, I'm happier using just one device. Once Channel 4 get their ###### in gear, that's telly largely sorted. Well, apart from NOW TV, but I'll spend my money elsewhere until they actually seem to give a toss about their users.

Anonymous User
Not applicable

According to the app store, This app was last upadated in 2015.. The lack of support is just not worth subscribing for.. 

 

To be honest i'd subscribe to the service if it was integrated into the TV app on the Apple tv.. for now i'll just stick with Netflix, Amazon Prime, iplayer, ITV OD and My5..

Tracie50
Mentor

My local Sainsbury supermarket has a load of vouchers for sale so ive bought 2 £15 now tv card vouchers, 1 card gives 3 months entertainment, at a fiver a month its worth the hassle on the apple app but not for full price, I have done online searches and there is a lot of deals around with vouchers etc for now tv. I wont be paying full price again. Another tip if you are subscribing if you go to cancel and on the options say you can't afford it they always give you a deal to stay, I've done this a few times to in the past and then just cancelled when that deals ends, in the past 18 months Ive only paid full price 3 times 🙂
Anonymous User
Not applicable

Just as another question..

 

is is the Apple TV app still only 720p with stereo sound.?

 

Rich.

 

moroboshi
Expert


@Anonymous Userwrote:

Just as another question..

 

is is the Apple TV app still only 720p with stereo sound.?

 

Rich.

 


Yep, and at 4mbit in SDR. 

 

As a comparison, Netflix is 25mbit 4K Dolby Vision HDR with Dolby Atmos.

 

It's like a Robin Reliant vs a Tesla. 

Anonymous User
Not applicable

That’s really just appalling considering the other services on offer..

Anonymous User
Not applicable

I was actually seriously considering subscribing which lead me back to this forum.. but considering the following:

 

No Full HD option (let alone 4K & HDR)

No surround sound

No user options (watched lists, favourites, episode tracking, etc..)

Out of date app

No Apple TV app integration

 

I think I’ll pass for a while longer.. it really is a poor service all round.. the Channel 5 app is better than this, and the service is free.!! Lol..

 

Tracie50
Mentor

My voucher has nearly expired so I logged into my acount to cancel, and they have offered me 4 months entertainment pack for £3.49 a month, so I clicked yes. For this price the poor quality of the app is worth it but not a full price. I f you really want NOWtv look for the deals, I still have a £15 voucher to use that allowa 3 months entertainment.

Anonymous User
Not applicable

Since Now tv have pretty much abandoned the Apple TV boxes I’ve deliberately stopped watching any new series on Sky the last few years. Happy days, I’m at that point where I can grab the few remaining shows I watch off iTunes instead, and Now Tv can be cancelled. I didn’t want this, I just wanted to have a bit of respect as a customer, but apparently Now Tv think they’re omnipotent. Sorry, I’ve taken my money elsewhere. I wonder just how many others have done the same over the last few years because you’ve failed to give us a half decent app that we deserved as paying customers. (I certainly bet it was certainly enough to cover the minor costs of developing a new app!)

nickmorc
Expert 2

Its a great shame that Sky continue to snub their Apple Tv customers Smiley Sad. It would be great if somone at Now Tv could just give us an honest answer as to why they will not update the app. Smiley Wink

 

I have been with Now Tv almost since the start and would love to have a better app, even it just allowed the option of My Tv. So not asking much.Smiley Very Happy

 

So the qustion today from a loyal subscriber is - what is the reason for Now Tvs unlove of the app.

 

On a happier note looking forward to watching The Hurricane Heist tonight. Smiley Happy

nickmorc
Expert 2


@nickmorcwrote:

Its a great shame that Sky continue to snub their Apple Tv customers Smiley Sad. It would be great if somone at Now Tv could just give us an honest answer as to why they will not update the app. Smiley Wink

 

I have been with Now Tv almost since the start and would love to have a better app, even it just allowed the option of My Tv. So not asking much.Smiley Very Happy

 

So the qustion today from a loyal subscriber is - what is the reason for Now Tvs unlove of the app.

 

On a happier note looking forward to watching The Hurricane Heist tonight. Smiley Happy


The Hurricaine Heist was excellent, well done Sky Cinema. Intrestingly the Apple product placement was everwhere in the film LOL