Fans fume as Sky app won't Go

The big screen at Apia Park received its feed from a source other than Sky Go. Photo / Mark Mitchell

Rugby fans are fuming after missing much of yesterday's All Blacks match in Samoa because of a glitch in Sky TV's app, which allows customers to stream the game on smartphones and tablets.

Sky Go is an online streaming service that allows customers to watch Sky when they are away from their television. Customers can watch programmes on any compatible PC, Mac or laptop, as well as on tablet or smartphone via the app.

The game was screened on Sky and many customers tried to use the service to watch the action from work.

During the first half, users complained Sky Go was not working.

Sky responded via Twitter and Facebook posts, saying it was aware of "some issues with streaming" on the Sky Go website and was working urgently to fix them. It recommended customers use the app.

However soon after, there were problems with the app.

Similar issues occurred with Sky Go during the final stages of the Cricket World Cup in March, which customers mentioned yesterday.

"Do you guys copy and paste this every time there is a major event on that would require a high demand? You knew the game is on at 2pm when most people would be working and require Sky Go to watch the game yet once again it doesn't work," said Matt Weldon-Smith on Sky's Facebook page.

In the second half, with the site and app still not working, Jayne Stephenson described Sky as the "worst service out".

"I'm cancelling my subscription, can always watch at the pubs. This always happens during events that people actually want to watch. Maybe if enough people do the same they'll fix it," said Ben Smith.

Just before 4pm yesterday Sky posted: "We believe the issues with the Sky Go app are now resolved. If you're still having trouble with this please try restarting the app."

Sky TV spokeswoman Kirsty Way said there had been a technical issue identified during the first half.

"We rely on services from a number of third party suppliers," she said. "We narrowed the issue down to one supplier and remedied it. We apologise profusely for it."

The main Sky TV feed had no issues, so the service they paid for was not compromised.

"We are apologising and we will continue to keep working to improve stability," she said.