NOW Boost and Ultra Boost

[DavidHalford]

I fail to understand why I can’t pay the upgrade to get the NOW app Boost or Ultra Boost. It says it not available to EE customers but is availble to an independent NOW customer. Also I understand that Sky customers can get the TNT HDR channel. This doesn’t seem very reciprocal. 

[Northerner]

Hi @DavidHalford 

This is a question posted many times before. Read this thread:

https://community.ee.co.uk/t5/TV/Now-tv-4k/m-p/1414512

Simply put the service is not available to EE customers. If or when the service is available then it will be announced by EE. 

Thanks 

[Midnight_Voice]

@DavidHalford 

How do you mean, you can’t pay the upgrade to get the Boost? Call up EETV and request this be added to your plan, at the list price quoted.

But no, you can’t get UltraBoost. Now entirely wrong-footed EETV by launching this, when EETV devices can’t support it, and even if they could, EETV has no means of selling it to us.

There’s obviously a story behind this, but I doubt EETV would want to explain how they were caught with their trousers round their ankles on this one 😛

And EETV carry TNT Sports Ultimate HDR on channel 465. I’m looking at it right now.Though it doesn’t show up on the EETV app on my iPad, and I don’t know why. Maybe it doesn’t show up on devices that don’t support it, and your TV and my iPad are two such? But it ought to be on the iPad, in case I want to set a recording from it 😢

However, despite its presence, I don’t know what sort of reciprocality with Sky you are expecting? It’s not like Sky own TNT, or anything like that?

[SwannyD2]

To be clear, Ultra Boost is coming, but no details have been announced on when.

EE’s multicast network has been carrying Ultra HD versions of Now’s sport channels since August.

The delay has largely been attributed to updates required to the Now app, rather than actual changes to device firmware - likely made more complex by Sky, EE and YouView all having a stake.

For context, the BBC have said they allowed IP recording until recently because EE needed more time to make changes to integrate iPlayer streams - and it’s been a good few years since IP mode was introduced! 

There’s also the task of changes to EE’s billing system - after all, there’s now 3 different versions of some channels. 

Technically, I don’t see why they couldn’t launch the linear channels tomorrow. EE/YouView is already capable, but that would mean a different experience than what’s offered by Ultra on other platforms.

so, the wait continues… 

[paulacp]

My new EE package says 4k streaming is included via the boost I'm paying for, but it doesn't work on the app. I'm hoping this is a sign it will work soon.

[Midnight_Voice]

@paulacp 

Your 4K streaming works now, on other 4K channels carried by EETV.

This doesn’t yet include any of the Now channels in 4K though.

[SwannyD2]

If we only had a pound for every time this question comes up…

I’m surprised they’ve not simplified how they sell packages with add-ons for multi room and 4K/HD.

Along with Virgin Media, EE are bottom of the table for complaints with Ofcom.

People love to complain about complaining, but I’d love to see if the starting problem is because of confusion around package structuring.

[zulu17]

the cross supply agreements that Sky and Bt announced  would indicate that the NOW products ie (Ultra Boost) should be available to those whose accounts are managed by EE/BT. Not all NOW services function on all devices but that in itself should not be a barrier to a NOW addon being subscribed to allowing the customer to use on devices that do support the feature.

So @DavidHalford  question is very relevant and deserves attention.

[zulu17]

@DavidHalford  As far as I aware currently Ee not allow now Ultra boost add on to be ordered. Now boost is available but there is a peculiarity it that if you have a  ee Tv package the way you get it varies.If you have Full Works Now Boost is included in that package. if you have Sports Now Boost is available as an orderable addon if you take any Now membership addons.  If you have Big Sports , Entertainment or Big Entertainment packages then NOW Boost is orderable as part of the combi HD or HD/4K add on rather than in its own right.

[Midnight_Voice]

@zulu17 

I don’t think any of that is disputed, and nobody is waiting for any commercial agreement between Sky or Now and EETV to be finalised.

We’re just waiting for EETV to finish writing the bloody software!