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Freesat has pulled the plug on a clever Sky Q-like feature that enabled its viewers to schedule recordings from EVERYWHERE in the world. The subscription-free satellite platform said “a change to our internal systems” was behind the decision to remove the functionality, which has been part of the Freesat package for years.
Before last month’s dramatic shake-up, Freesat viewers could schedule recordings on their Freesat set-top box from an iPhone, iPad, Android phone or tablet from anywhere. via the Freesat mobile app. This is something that Sky Stream, Sky Glass and Sky Q subscribers have been able to do for a long time.
On the Google Play Store, Everyone TV still advertises the ability to schedule recordings remotely with the companion Freesat app as one of the benefits – despite this feature being removed last month
ALL TV | GOOGLE PLAY STORE | GBN
Virgin TV 360 and EE TV — both popular rival set-top boxes with many of the same features — also allow viewers to schedule recordings remotely via a companion app on their phone or tablet.
Explaining the decision, the Freesat team shared an update on her websiteposting: “Due to a change in our internal systems, we will be removing Freesat ID accounts from our platform from mid-June 2024. As a result of this change, the Remote Record feature on the Freesat mobile apps on iOS and Android will not it will work longer.”
The decision affects everything Freesat models, including the latest generation of Freesat set-top boxes equipped with 4K Ultra HD, released by Humax in recent months.
Frantic Freesat viewers have flooded the listing for the mobile app with negative reviews. Post in the Google Play Storeone Freesat viewer wrote: “The app is now useless as it will no longer send recordings to your inbox or update your recording list. According to Freesat there was an update on June 24th that removed the accounts, making the app meaningless.
“Now everything should be done right out of the box. So don’t bother downloading it and you can remove it from your phone like I will. I don’t see the point of developing an app if you” will make it useless for using intended.”
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Another echoed the same frustration, leaving a one-star review with the comment: “Freesat have deliberately removed the best feature of this app. The recording from app feature no longer works and there are no plans to bring it back.. . WHY ??? The app is just a channel guide.”
Freesat viewers, who were disappointed by the shock, have also complained on social media about the removal of remote recordings.
@freesatadvice hi very disappointed about removing registration facility from android and ios devices. It is such a retrograde step. I can’t believe you got it. Surely getting your systems up and running again should be high on your priority list? Why did you get it?
— John Smith (@bogallan1) June 28, 2024
I totally agree with you, Matt. I just spent £229 on a new box and inside the box was this lovely advert for the freesat app. What do you have to say about this? @freesat @freesatadvice ?
Do I take it back and get one @FreeviewTV box? Or worse, go to @skytv ? pic.twitter.com/GdCZtHJhc1— Gavros2000 (@GavParf) June 26, 2024
Anyone who wants to schedule a recording for an individual program, TV series or movie will have to pick up their remote and manually press the button.
It comes after Everyone TV – the organization behind Freeview and Freesat supported by the UK’s biggest broadcasters, including the BBC, ITV, Channel 4 and Channel 5 – launched a new free-to-air platform in the UK earlier this year , known as FREELY.
Unlike Freeview and Freesat, this all-new proposition broadcasts linear channels and box sets on demand over a wired or wireless internet connection. This is similar for solutions like Sky Glass, Sky Stream, Virgin Media StreamAND The rebooted EE TV launched last year. Relying on a broadband connection means you’ll be able to position your TV anywhere in your home with a good Wi-Fi signal – not where the antenna goes into the wall.
Strong reviews of the Freesat mobile app can be found on the Google Play Store after the developers’ decision to withdraw the remote recording feature
GOOGLE PLAY STORE | FREE | GBN
However, this industry-wide trend has some experts warning that those without a good internet connection could be left unable to watch live television by 2040.
Freely is not available as a software update for existing Freeview or Freesat viewers. Since it requires new equipment, you will only be able to start benefiting its new features — like the ability to access all episodes on demand from a show’s listing in TV Guide and the ability to restart a show from the beginning with a single tap — when you switch to a new TV.
As it stands, six different TV manufacturers have launched brand new Smart TVs with Freely as the default way to watch free channels. However, Samsung remains the biggest absentee.
