David Farnor | On 22, Aug 2014

If you liked Netflix’s recommendation engine, you might like Sky’s new TV guide.

Yes, the signature feature of Netflix’s intricate suggestion-based system has now been given its own Sky equivalent. From today, Sky customers will see recommendations on their Sky+ Electronic Programme Guide (EPG), suggesting TV shows and movies that a customer might enjoy based on recent recordings and downloads in their Sky+ Planner. If a customer has a recording of The Following in their planner, for example, Sky will pop up with Luther, Hannibal or The Blacklist. So far, so standard – but Sky+ boxes will do the smart thing of combining both linear TV and on-demand content.

Sky customers will also be able to see movie DVD cover art for Sky Movies On Demand and Sky Store so they can quickly recognise the movies they are looking for. There will also be SD and HD options, making it easy to choose between HD & SD when downloading TV shows or movies from any on demand section. Meanwhile, TV viewers can also rely on Smart Series Link to remember to record not just the current season of a show, but also the next one – and all subsequent ones after that.

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.”

These updates to the Sky+ homepage are the second tranche of major improvements this year following a major overhaul in March when On Demand and the Sky+ Planner were moved alongside channel listings as equal options, and a brand new enhanced Search function was launched. Since then, Sky says the number of searches has increased dramatically with around 1.6 million every day.

This software update is rolling out to customers starting from today and will be available to over 8 million customers with compatible Sky+HD boxes by the winter this year.

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