See what Sky TV customers think about the Sky Kids app NOW CLOSED

[PoppyMumsnet]

This is the feedback thread for the MN testers who have been trying the Sky Kids app.

What is the Sky Kids app?
Sky say the Sky Kids app is - "a tablet app just for the kids and full of their favourite TV shows like Paw Patrol, Scooby Doo, Octonauts, Ben & Holly’s Little Kingdom, SpongeBob SquarePants and more – all available to watch on demand. The app lets you set up a personalised profile for each of your DCs with shows tailored to their age and their very own homepage with their name on it. And you and your DPs can set time limits and put the app to sleep whenever you want – YWBU not to!"
Find out more here

Testers, please download the Sky Kids app on your Apple or Android tablets and share your views on the following:

• How easy did you find it to use Sky Kids app?
• What was your DC’s favourite show and what did they like about the app?
• What did you think about the range of content available in the app?
• Which shows did your DCs enjoy watching?
• How did you find the personalisation options and which Sky Buddies did you and the DCs choose?
• What did you like most about the app?
• Would you recommend it to other parents and why?

Also, please add a review of the app in the Mumsnet reviews section. Please follow the review guidelines here.

Everyone who takes part and adds feedback as required will be entered into a prize draw where one tester will win a £300 voucher for the store of their choice (from a list - including Amazon, John Lewis, M&S, Mothercare, Argos, Debenhams, Tesco and loads more!).

Standard Insight T&Cs apply

Also did I miss something on the time limits? All I could find was the bit about setting hours it could be used between. I was expecting something that I could set say 60mins then it would need parental approval to continue so was v disappointed in that.

•How easy did you find it to use Sky Kids app? Very easy
•What was your DC’s favourite show and what did they like about the app? All our 3 have their own favourites but writing this with our eldest DS 5y in mind, his favourite show at the moment is Adventure Time, he found the app pretty cool, not quite like YouTube which he often uses through my phone but none the less cool
•What did you think about the range of content available in the app? It's ok, could be wider selection but hopefully the content will update and improve
•Which shows did your DCs enjoy watching? I think so far we've watched a bit of almost all shows listed on the app :D
•How did you find the personalisation options and which Sky Buddies did you and the DCs choose? Not majorly amazing but for kids to have their own profile is already pretty amazing according to them
•What did you like most about the app? It's child friendly and when they're using it I know they can't watch anything non suitable for them
•Would you recommend it to other parents and why? Yes I would, as said before I think it's brilliant, child friendly and easy to use

Non tester - my favourite programme was Ivor the Engine. It was the only childrens programme my mum would watch with us, and I have fond memories of sitting on the sofa together

•How easy did you find it to use Sky Kids app?
It was pretty simple to download and set up. It was incredibly user friendly for kids and adults alike.

•What was your DC’s favourite show and what did they like about the app?
Paw Patrol! My DC enjoyed being able to choose what he wanted to watch very easily.

•What did you think about the range of content available in the app?
The range of content was very good, although some programmes/episodes that were there yesterday may not be there today - which my DC found frustrating.

•Which shows did your DCs enjoy watching?
Paw Patrol and Thomas the Tank Engine

•How did you find the personalisation options and which Sky Buddies did you and the DCs choose?
My DC loved the Sky Buddies and choosing them. The options were straightforward and easy to use/set up.

•What did you like most about the app?
I was incredibly user friendly for my DC and so easy to navigate. Essentially it is like a simplified and personalised kids version of Sky Go.

•Would you recommend it to other parents and why?
Yes, I would definitely recommend this app, if you have the relevant packages.

How easy did you find it to use Sky Kids app?

Very user friendly and easy to use.

•What was your DC’s favourite show and what did they like about the app?

Paw Patrol. DC liked navigating the app and choosing what to watch for themselves.

•What did you think about the range of content available in the app?
It's good. I imagine it could improve as older visiting neices realised some repetition in episodes.

•Which shows did your DCs enjoy watching?
Paw Patrol. Jake and the pirates.
•How did you find the personalisation options and which Sky Buddies did you and the DCs choose?
•What did you like most about the app?
No inappropriate videos (as you would find on YouTube).
Easy to navigate and easy for DC to use. Visiting children can easily pick it up and navigate too without the need for a "tutorial". Good selection of programmes available.

•Would you recommend it to other parents and why?
Yes. Very user-friendly and reassuring to know inappropriate content is not available whilst your child is using the app.

How did you find the personalisation options and which Sky Buddies did you and the DCs choose?
Good. DC choose the blue buddy in a hat.
It would be good to have the option to pick popular show characters as suggested by another tester.

•How easy did you find it to use Sky Kids app?
Quite straight forward, my 7yr old manages it all by him self.
•What was your DC’s favourite show and what did they like about the app?
Freemaker adventures
DC "It has channels and some times they have new programs/channels which they forgot to put on TV"
•What did you think about the range of content available in the app?
Good selection of shows
•Which shows did your DCs enjoy watching?
Paw Patrol
Transformers prime
Tom and Jerry
•How did you find the personalisation options and which Sky Buddies did you and the DCs choose?
Personalisation is alright but limited.
My DC's Sky Buddy is The Red one
•What did you like most about the app?
Content is suitable for children.
Kids can watch their shows on iPad while grownups are watching TV.
Unlike YouTube, you don't have to worry about the suitability of the content or worrying what if children accidentally stumble on some thing inappropriate.
•Would you recommend it to other parents and why?
Yes, it is recommended because of the features offered and most importantly it's content is age appropriate for children.

Thank you to everyone who has posted! Congratulations to GardeningWithDynamite for winning the tester voucher and PigeonPea for winning the non tester voucher!

•How easy did you find it to use Sky Kids app?
Very easy, although would have liked to set the sleep mode at the same time as setting up DS's account.
•What was your DC’s favourite show and what did they like about the app?
Favourite show- Nexo knights.
He like the ability to swipe through the channels.
•What did you think about the range of content available in the app?
There was a lot of shows. Although would love some education games as well.
•Which shows did your DCs enjoy watching?
Too many of them.
•How did you find the personalisation options and which Sky Buddies did you and the DCs choose?
It was nice but very simplistic more for the lower age range. He chose the purple one with a dog.
•What did you like most about the app?
Very quick and he sleep mode is nice
•Would you recommend it to other parents and why?
Yes and no. It's nice if you have sky however, it doesn't allow actual time limits. Just a time zone between which is can be used. It's not really doing anything that other apps aren't already doing sadly.

Oops slightly late.

Tester

How easy did you find it to use Sky Kids app?
Extremely simple

•What was your DC’s favourite show and what did they like about the app?
Sofia the first.
She likes the autonomy of choosing own episode.

•What did you think about the range of content available in the app?
Fantastic! Like that it has Disney shows too

•Which shows did your DCs enjoy watching?
Sofia, Peppa, Dora

•How did you find the personalisation options and which Sky Buddies did you and the DCs choose?
V easy. She has the pink one with glasses

•What did you like most about the app?
Simple set up and use

•Would you recommend it to other parents and why?
Yes, absolutely

Non tester, my favourite show as a child was teletubbies.

I downloaded the app when i rejoined sky with the full package and ditched netflix. I soon returned to netflix. The sky app plays one episode at a time so if they are into a certain programme or character they constantly have to keep selecting episodes to watch at the end of each one whereas netflix continues with the next episode if not stopped. Also, my children complained about all the adverts they had to watch before the programmes started. Fairly poor app in my opinion.

Only just seen this.

So is Mumsnet taking the Murdoch shilling again? After dropping it with such fanfare in 2011?

Or is Sky deemed to be not really Murdoch-y as long as it's only 39.1% owned by Fox? In which case, will MN be dropping it again if Murdoch's latest takeover bid goes through?