Sky+HD takes on TiVo with Smart Suggestions and Series Links

Sky+HD users can now see TiVo-style smart recommendations based on their recordings and downloads.

The Smart Series Link will also remember what you recorded in the past and automatically start to record the next series when it arrives, and display DVD cover art in Sky Movies and Sky Store.

Sports fans will be delighted with the new sports tile that shows all live sports on any TV channel at the time, a choice between HD and SD downloads in Sky On Demand, and your Sky box will automatically turn on your TV to the Sky HDMI input.

Luke Bradley-Jones, Sky’s director of TV products, said: “We know customers love the new Homepage as it puts catch-up, box sets and movies at the heart of their TV viewing.

“That’s why we’re introducing even more features to help discover more TV they really want to watch.  Get recommendations for shows we think you’ll enjoy based on your recordings, and never miss a returning season ever again with Smart Series Link. It’s all part of our commitment to make Sky+ the ultimate entertainment experience.”

The new recommendations engine and Smart Series Links bring Sky+HD to a similar level of set-top box smarts seen on Virgin Media’s TiVo, which has been able to recommend shows and watch out for your favourites since it launched in 2010.

The Sky button on your remote control has been re-programmed to allow both your Sky HD+ and compatible TV to go into standby when you tap it, while new viewing cards can be paired up with a box using one push of a button.

Movie buffs will be able to access the Sky Store direct from the Sky Movies section in the EPG, so if there’s nothing you fancy watching on Sky Movies, you can rent one to watch without having to leave the section.

As we reported earlier in the week, the Lifestyle and Entertainment tabs have also be merged in the planner.

The upgrade is being rolled out across the UK and Ireland’s eight million Sky+HD boxes from today, but will take a few weeks to reach every model.

The last Sky Guide upgrade began in March, introducing the tiled front page and an enhanced search, which now attracts more than 1.6 million searches every day.

Bradley-Jones said the Sky+ smartphone app, used by millions of customers to program and manage their Sky+HD boxes, will be upgraded this autumn.