Sky airlifts HD boxes but too late for some

Sky TV's HD decoder. Photo / Brett Phibbs

Sky TV plans to fly in new HD decoders so they will arrive in time for the Rugby World Cup - but it is still unlikely they will get to customers until after the tournament starts.

The Herald reported yesterday that fans wanting to upgrade their basic package for some high definition decoders were told they would have to wait until at least 10 days after the Cup tournament starts, on September 9.

Sky spokesman Tony O'Brien said the company was expecting stock to arrive by air in about a fortnight.

He said customers on the waiting list would be contacted with new installation dates - but a call to customer services showed those dates would be after the start of the Cup.

A representative said September 25 at the earliest - a week later than the date being given by the company on Tuesday.

Mr O'Brien said Sky had enough My Sky+, My Sky and legacy decoders to meet customer demand

He said the reason for the shortage of My Sky HDi decoders was that most subscribers who had upgraded to the new My Sky+ had opted to keep their old decoders for another room, instead of handing them back.

"We normally keep a three-month decoder stock in our warehouse," he said. "We will now increase this to four months."

HIGH DEMAND

Trying to upgrade to My Sky HDi?

* September 7 - My Sky HDi decoders due to arrive.
* September 9 - Start of RWC.
* September 19 - The date given by sales rep for installation early this week.
* September 25 - The date given by a sales rep for installation yesterday.