Set Top Box Shortage Hits Sky HDTV Launch
Seventeen thousand Sky subscribers may face a delay in getting HD set-top boxes installed for their new HDTV-ready sets, due to a shortage of boxes coming from manufacturers. Many subscribers have upgraded to the new standard to enjoy the World Cup and Wimbledon in high definition.
Sky say enough of the boxes were ordered for installation to take place in time and the broadcaster says it is very sorry to let customers down, but its supplier has failed to deliver enough boxes.
Booking for the new boxes opened on 13th April and Sky reported that they had received 40,000 advanced bookings.
Many subscribers have been told they may have to wait several weeks for installation and anyone subscribing to Sky's HDTV service from next Monday's launch day is being told they must wait until August for installation. The Wold Cup coverage starts on the 9th of June.
Robert Fraser who is Sky's Head of Corporate Presentation said; "We're working hard to resolve the situation. Thousands of customers will have their HD box this week and many more will be installed in time for the start of the World Cup. We'll do everything we can to bring HD to everyone as soon as possible."