Sky's HD TV service looks set to get off to the worst possible of starts, with thousands of customers not receiving systems before the World Cup kicks off on June 9.
The Register is reporting that supply shortfalls of Sky's new HD box mean that 17,000 installation dates are having to be rescheduled - the result, Sky is apparently saying, of "an unforeseen and very late hold up in the manufacturing process".
Sky told The Reg,
"Sky HD is launching on
time next week [May 22] but
we are having to change some installation dates because of delays to HD
box deliveries. We ordered more than enough boxes to meet demand and
we're ready to install them but they're not arriving from our supplier
as fast as we agreed.
"We think the fairest approach is to change the dates of some installations while keeping the original order. This means that those who requested Sky HD first will still be amongst the first to receive it.
"We're very sorry for any disappointment this has caused and we're working hard to resolve the situation. Thousands of customers will have their HD box next week and many more will be installed in time for the start of the World Cup. We'll do everything we can to bring HD to everyone as soon as possible."
"We think the fairest approach is to change the dates of some installations while keeping the original order. This means that those who requested Sky HD first will still be amongst the first to receive it.
"We're very sorry for any disappointment this has caused and we're working hard to resolve the situation. Thousands of customers will have their HD box next week and many more will be installed in time for the start of the World Cup. We'll do everything we can to bring HD to everyone as soon as possible."
The Reg also reckons that:
Customers have reported
that they've
already booked time off so that they are at home for their Sky HD
install appointment and that changing dates at with just days to go is
proving inconvenient.
One customer told El Reg that he was due to have his HD service installed next week but that this had now been put back to the middle of June. And if he can't make that date, then the next available slot is in August. The date changes come even after customers received letters guaranteeing their install date.
Asked whether Sky could guarantee that punters would get their HD for the start of the World Cup, a Sky spokesman replied: "We will install thousands of Sky HD boxes before the start of the World Cup and we expect that every customer who was due to have their box for the World Cup will have Sky HD for at least part of the tournament." [our italics - Bob C]
One customer told El Reg that he was due to have his HD service installed next week but that this had now been put back to the middle of June. And if he can't make that date, then the next available slot is in August. The date changes come even after customers received letters guaranteeing their install date.
Asked whether Sky could guarantee that punters would get their HD for the start of the World Cup, a Sky spokesman replied: "We will install thousands of Sky HD boxes before the start of the World Cup and we expect that every customer who was due to have their box for the World Cup will have Sky HD for at least part of the tournament." [our italics - Bob C]
So, having been beaten to the punch by Telewest to be the UK's first HD broadcaster, then trumped again just two days ago when the Telewest announced it would be showing in HD all World Cup games (ITV's as well as the BBC's), Sky now finds itself unable to supply enough Thomson-made PVR boxes to meet demand - hacking off thousands of punters who will have been pushed to sign up by the prospect of enjoying World Cup football in HD.
Presumably Telewest's top brass, including Mark Horley - see interview published yesterday - will be enjoying a rather more relaxed weekend than their Sky counterparts.
Got any thoughts about this unforeseen and very late hold up in the manufacturing process? Well, let us hear them over in the HEXUS.community.
HEXUS.headlines
The Register - Sky HD installs delayed
Sky claims 40,000 HD advance sales; sets May 22 for kick-off
Sky to transmit all its own HD channels in 1080i
Sky HD goes on sale next Wednesday (April 12)
Telewest to show all World Cup Games in HD
HEXUS.HD interview - NTL Telewest's Mark Horley
BBC to broadcast World Cup football in high def
