I for one cannot afford to upgrade to Sky Sports so Im assuming that only thing that will be free to watch is repeats of previous programmes/games on 861. What a shame oh well it seems always the same as soon as something gets really successful and enjoyed it goes. Thank you everyone for great shows and I will definitely miss you all. Good luck in the future Nannypat66 Posted by Nannypat66
Hi Nannypat66
Don't worry, as per the OP we expect to be on Challenge TV (freeview). There will also be content on skypoker.com, youtube, social media etc. All of these are free.
In Response to Re: Changes to Sky Poker TV : Hi Maggiesdad We'll help Tommy out with that one. The legal changes effectively revolve around the comment in the OP where we said we'll be a separate company, part owned by Sky rather than wholly owned by Sky. Thanks Sky Poker Posted by Sky_Poker
Thank you for your reply.
So what is it about being a separate company that does not allow you to run the channel as is?
In Response to Re: Changes to Sky Poker TV : Hi Tsarina, Pardon me, but I'm not sure what that means. Sky Poker is a small part of a huge Business, it won't be going anywhere just because the Poker TV channel is changing to a different format. Posted by Tikay10
quite true teeks, but Skybet loans are now regarded as "junk", whereas Sky is an investment grade company. I think it's important people understand that. Do you know if our cash balances are held in segregated accounts or part of working capital?
London, 12 January 2015 -- Moody's Investors Service has today assigned a B2 corporate family rating (CFR) to Cyan Blue Holdco 2 Limited (Sky Bet, or the company) as well as a probability of default rating (PDR) of B2-PD. Concurrently, Moody's has assigned a B2 rating to the GBP340 million term loan B due 2022, to be issued by Cyan Blue Holdco 3 Limited, a subsidiary of Sky Bet, and a B2 rating to the GBP50 million revolving credit facility, to be issued by Cyan Blue Holdco 3 Limited and Cyan Bidco Limited, an indirect subsidiary of Sky Bet. The outlook on the ratings is stable.
Proceeds from the debt issuance will be used to partially finance the acquisition of a controlling stake in Sky Bet by funds managed by CVC Capital Partners (CVC), and to pay transaction costs. CVC will acquire a circa 78% equity stake in Sky Bet from Sky Plc (Sky, Baa2, stable), with Sky retaining an interest in the company through a circa 21% equity interest, a vendor loan of GBP70 million and an earn-out of up to GBP50 million.
When I initially heard the news about 861 closing I did think it was the beginning of the end for Sky Poker. After having read Tikays comments and Ryan being especially positive about Sky Pokers future I'm a bit more hopeful. I joined Sky Poker after watching the channel like so many others and it will be interesting to see what opportunities are taken to promote the site in future
I am not hopeful at all. for me SKYPOKER was all about the channel/live shows and SPTS. All are now gone. What we seem to be getting now is a fragmentation of the platform through varying social/media platforms.We all new where to get our poker fix and that was 865/861, now its going to be all over the place, Challenge,skysports4, youtube, etc etc. Such a shame, but well done to all for the past,was a great viewing experience.
In Response to Re: Changes to Sky Poker TV : quite true teeks, but Skybet loans are now regarded as "junk", whereas Sky is an investment grade company. I think it's important people understand that. Do you know if our cash balances are held in segregated accounts or part of working capital? London, 12 January 2015 -- Moody's Investors Service has today assigned a B2 corporate family rating (CFR) to Cyan Blue Holdco 2 Limited (Sky Bet, or the company) as well as a probability of default rating (PDR) of B2-PD. Concurrently, Moody's has assigned a B2 rating to the GBP340 million term loan B due 2022, to be issued by Cyan Blue Holdco 3 Limited, a subsidiary of Sky Bet, and a B2 rating to the GBP50 million revolving credit facility, to be issued by Cyan Blue Holdco 3 Limited and Cyan Bidco Limited, an indirect subsidiary of Sky Bet. The outlook on the ratings is stable. Proceeds from the debt issuance will be used to partially finance the acquisition of a controlling stake in Sky Bet by funds managed by CVC Capital Partners (CVC), and to pay transaction costs. CVC will acquire a circa 78% equity stake in Sky Bet from Sky Plc (Sky, Baa2, stable), with Sky retaining an interest in the company through a circa 21% equity interest, a vendor loan of GBP70 million and an earn-out of up to GBP50 million. Posted by GELDY
Hi Geldy
A heavy and complex area. However, quoting a section of our T&Cs...
'Funds exceeding the value of active customer balances are held in a specific bank account separated from the company’s other operating bank accounts to ensure that there are always sufficient funds available for customers to withdraw their balances, even in the highly unlikely event of the insolvency'
In Response to Re: Changes to Sky Poker TV : Hi Geldy A heavy and complex area. However, quoting a section of our T&Cs... 'Funds exceeding the value of active customer balances are held in a specific bank account separated from the company’s other operating bank accounts to ensure that there are always sufficient funds available for customers to withdraw their balances, even in the highly unlikely event of the insolvency' Hope that helps. Thanks Sky Poker Posted by Sky_Poker
In Response to Re: Changes to Sky Poker TV : On the two points above, certainly. We're obviously actively discussing this but if you (or anyone else) has thoughts on this, do feel free to post them. Posted by Sky_Poker
I have contributed to a few show threads on this.
My favourites being
Monkey Poker The Hitman and Hhyr
I think there may even be some serious ones in those threads somewhere.
Alhtough if Dave and Jon aren't available for Hitman and Hhyr then I am sure Tikay and Sky Kirsty would make it as the 2010's equivalent to Pete Waterman and Michaela Strachan of the 90's - Touring the UK Casinos and reporting on live events.
In Response to Re: Changes to Sky Poker TV : I have contributed to a few show threads on this. My favourites being Monkey Poker The Hitman and Hhyr I think there may even be some serious ones in those threads somewhere. Alhtough if Dave and Jon aren't available for Hitman and Hhyr then I am sure Tikay and Sky Kirsty would make it as the 2010's equivalent to Pete Waterman and Michaela Strachan of the 90's - Touring the UK Casinos and reporting on live events. Posted by Phantom66
Must admit, we never expected the words 'Monkey Poker' to appear on this thread!
In Response to Re: Changes to Sky Poker TV : Must admit, we never expected the words 'Monkey Poker' to appear on this thread! Posted by Sky_Poker
You mean Rich Orford didn't pass that one on? Watch out he doesnt take it to another production company and cut us out of the action. I even wrote a screenplay.
Sad news, best wishes to all the presenters and crew... easily my most watched TV channel... and even gave me the chance to play poker on TV (although that episode will be long consigned to the cutting room floor!!)
I suppose there is way more gambling revenue to be made from daily live roulette than poker, can't blame a gambling company for that.
Look forward to seeing what the new (free) programming involves!
In Response to Re: Changes to Sky Poker TV : Hi Geldy A heavy and complex area. However, quoting a section of our T&Cs... 'Funds exceeding the value of active customer balances are held in a specific bank account separated from the company’s other operating bank accounts to ensure that there are always sufficient funds available for customers to withdraw their balances, even in the highly unlikely event of the insolvency' Hope that helps. Thanks Sky Poker Posted by Sky_Poker
Possibly one of the most important points of this whole thread. Last thing the industry needs is another Howard lederer situation
Last time I felt like this was when Johnny & Denise left The Big Breakfast! Breakfast TV was never the same again, and I still go to Youtube to watch all the clips. About 14 years later.
The best of the five hour shows reminded me of that. The education was great - I certainly learned a lot - but the entertainment was priceless. I have enough stress & misery day to day and this provided a relief, so yeah I'm really going to miss it.
All the best wishes to everyone involved, I hope things work out well for all. And penguin too if he's still hiding somewhere in the studios.
I have read through every single post on this thread, and agree with most of the people, that losing channel 861 is a disaster. Playing poker online is usually a one-person affair, sitting behind your PC and just playing. With the poker channel streaming while you're playing, it suddenly changes into a two way street, with hilarious comments from Anna (is she real??), Tikay (he is real!!), RyeRye (lovely man), MrAmbo (he IS funny), Stapes (Mr weirdo) and all the others I haven't mentioned.
I have been itching to write a post (even though I don't write that many), to let everyone know, that the 5 hour live shows are top class. I certainly hope we don't lose the live shows, as if we do I certainly will be playing a lot less poker.
As for where we go from here is a bit like driving in Japan: you can see all the signs, but have no idea where the trip ends up. For now, all we hear from SkyPoker is fairly vague intentions of what is going to happen next. I understand that with everything changing so fast, no final 'plan' can be shared, but surely the new company should be able to share their intentions in a bit more detail then 'Challenge TV, Sky Sports, no live stream, etc. etc. Looking forward to hearing some commitments, rather then plans/visions/ideas.
To finish off, I sincerely want to thank everyone on the SkyPoker channel (including stingy producer Dan) for the many, many hour I have enjoyed watching - no participating in the shows.
And finally, finally, I do appreciate this thread and the fact, that Tikay and others from SkyPoker take the time to answer, and discuss these matters with their customers.
Just dropped in for a quick browse and found this thread unfortunately As said by many before on the thread, Sky Poker TV's live shows attracted me to the game of Poker. I stumbled upon the show by accident and I was hooked. The live shows were informative, entertaining and more importantly for me... funny! It seems silly but you got a buzz when seeing your hand on TV, the buzz didn't last long when you made a mess of it
So many excellent presenters and analysts over the years (Tikay, the Lord, Lisa Marie, Sarah, Michelle, Ed Giddens, Trevor, D.P., Mark Banin, Carlo...and many more) . The interaction with the community and the show made it special.
Things change and hopefully there is a bright future for Sky Poker TV. Thank you for the laughs and entertainment.
I've had many great times on the show in the past......my god, eight years!
The plan going forward with more preplanned content looks like a viable one to me, especially if a lot of that is on Sky Sports, Challenge and other much easier to find channels than one being very near to, ahem, those phone lady channels.
I've had many great times on the show in the past......my god, eight years! The plan going forward with more preplanned content looks like a viable one to me, especially if a lot of that is on Sky Sports, Challenge and other much easier to find channels than one being very near to, ahem, those phone lady channels. Posted by ButtonDonk
Hmmmm, I imagine the bulk range of poker players fit into the 'male, 18-60' demographic. I'd suggest 861 was easily found for most!
Especially if married and its past 10pm, as her indoors reads their book in bed upstairs
Was always good to have you on the show Mr Carter....assuming your alias is who I think it is?
In Response to Re: Changes to Sky Poker TV : Hmmmm, I imagine the bulk range of poker players fit into the 'male, 18-60' demographic. I'd suggest 861 was easily found for most! Especially if married and its past 10pm, as her indoors reads their book in bed upstairs Was always good to have you on the show Mr Carter....assuming your alias is who I think it is? Posted by hhyftrftdr
Yep thats me.
Honestly though I do think it makes sense. As a marketer the best way to get new people to see your content is to put it somewhere where your target audience already are. You kinda have to 'find' Channel 861, whereas people are already on Challenge and Sky Sports. Obviously it would be awesome if 861 could be there too but I'm all for putting all your efforts into the thing that's working the most.
sticking 861 on to complement game play anytime day or night was key - the live show was an added bonus, being able to interact on twitter etc - guess there will still be elements of that subscription only.
the recent promotions have certainly kept me interested in sky poker, although having most of the month off on a rival site at the minute just to play something different. will be back I'm sure, but this does feel like a backward step, especially in light of these recent positive moves I mentioned.
I sit on the fence and wait to be convinced... the reduction of the tv element however you look at it isn't a good thing. won't be having you tube on in the background when playing that's for sure!
Comments
So what is it about being a separate company that does not allow you to run the channel as is?
My favourites being
Monkey Poker
The Hitman and Hhyr
I think there may even be some serious ones in those threads somewhere.
Alhtough if Dave and Jon aren't available for Hitman and Hhyr then I am sure Tikay and Sky Kirsty would make it as the 2010's equivalent to Pete Waterman and Michaela Strachan of the 90's - Touring the UK Casinos and reporting on live events.
Sad news, best wishes to all the presenters and crew... easily my most watched TV channel... and even gave me the chance to play poker on TV (although that episode will be long consigned to the cutting room floor!!)
I suppose there is way more gambling revenue to be made from daily live roulette than poker, can't blame a gambling company for that.
Look forward to seeing what the new (free) programming involves!
The best of the five hour shows reminded me of that. The education was great - I certainly learned a lot - but the entertainment was priceless. I have enough stress & misery day to day and this provided a relief, so yeah I'm really going to miss it.
All the best wishes to everyone involved, I hope things work out well for all.
And penguin too if he's still hiding somewhere in the studios.
Much love! Elliot
I have read through every single post on this thread, and agree with most of the people, that losing channel 861 is a disaster. Playing poker online is usually a one-person affair, sitting behind your PC and just playing. With the poker channel streaming while you're playing, it suddenly changes into a two way street, with hilarious comments from Anna (is she real??), Tikay (he is real!!), RyeRye (lovely man), MrAmbo (he IS funny), Stapes (Mr weirdo) and all the others I haven't mentioned.
I have been itching to write a post (even though I don't write that many), to let everyone know, that the 5 hour live shows are top class. I certainly hope we don't lose the live shows, as if we do I certainly will be playing a lot less poker.
As for where we go from here is a bit like driving in Japan: you can see all the signs, but have no idea where the trip ends up. For now, all we hear from SkyPoker is fairly vague intentions of what is going to happen next. I understand that with everything changing so fast, no final 'plan' can be shared, but surely the new company should be able to share their intentions in a bit more detail then 'Challenge TV, Sky Sports, no live stream, etc. etc. Looking forward to hearing some commitments, rather then plans/visions/ideas.
To finish off, I sincerely want to thank everyone on the SkyPoker channel (including stingy producer Dan) for the many, many hour I have enjoyed watching - no participating in the shows.
And finally, finally, I do appreciate this thread and the fact, that Tikay and others from SkyPoker take the time to answer, and discuss these matters with their customers.
Thanks,
Dirk
Especially if married and its past 10pm, as her indoors reads their book in bed upstairs
Was always good to have you on the show Mr Carter....assuming your alias is who I think it is?
the recent promotions have certainly kept me interested in sky poker, although having most of the month off on a rival site at the minute just to play something different. will be back I'm sure, but this does feel like a backward step, especially in light of these recent positive moves I mentioned.
I sit on the fence and wait to be convinced... the reduction of the tv element however you look at it isn't a good thing. won't be having you tube on in the background when playing that's for sure!