Neon (service)

File:NeonNZ-Logo.png

In February 2015, Sky launched its Neon streaming service to allow Kiwis (New Zealanders) to stream a range of HBO television shows including Game of Thrones, Crossbones, and True Blood. When Neon was first launched, Sky offered a 30-day free trial period for Neon, with normal subscriptions costing NZ$20 a month.{{cite news |last1=Pullar-Strecker |first1=Tom |title=Sky Television's Neon to launch in hours |url=https://www.stuff.co.nz/technology/digital-living/66093432/sky-televisions-neon-to-launch-in-hours |access-date=19 January 2020 |work=Stuff |date=12 February 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191116100546/https://www.stuff.co.nz/technology/digital-living/66093432/sky-televisions-neon-to-launch-in-hours|archive-date=16 November 2019}} Sky had originally planned to launch Neon in 2014 but was delayed by systems bugs. Neon's February launch was timed to compete with the US-based streaming service Netflix, which launched in New Zealand in March 2015.{{cite news |last1=Puschmann |first1=Karl |title=Karl Puschmann: Sky TV's Neon fails to get with the programme |url=https://www.nzherald.co.nz/opinion/news/article.cfm?c_id=466&objectid=11403340&ref=rss |access-date=19 January 2020 |work=New Zealand Herald |date=17 February 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200614010753/https://www.nzherald.co.nz/opinion/news/article.cfm?c_id=466&objectid=11403340&ref=rss|archive-date=14 June 2020}}

In October 2016, a Roy Morgan poll found that 22,000 New Zealanders subscribed to Neon, which was outranked by the rival streaming services Netflix (264,000) and Spark New Zealand's Lightbox (128,000).{{cite news |last1=Croot |first1=James |last2=Slabbert |first2=Blayne |title=A guide to NZ streaming services |url=https://www.stuff.co.nz/technology/digital-living/84942151/a-guide-to-nz-streaming-services |access-date=19 January 2020 |work=Stuff |date=5 October 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190608144704/https://www.stuff.co.nz/technology/digital-living/84942151/a-guide-to-nz-streaming-services|archive-date=8 June 2019}}

When Neon first launched in 2015, it only offered a TV and Movies package worth $20 a month. In August 2018, Neon launched an additional TV-only subscription package worth $12 a month.{{cite news |title=Sky's NEON launches, new, cheaper package |url=https://www.nzherald.co.nz/business/news/article.cfm?c_id=3&objectid=12098450 |access-date=20 January 2020 |work=New Zealand Herald |date=31 July 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200413184554/https://www.nzherald.co.nz/business/news/article.cfm?c_id=3&objectid=12098450|archive-date=13 April 2020}} In September 2019, Neon replaced these two packages with a combined television and movies package for NZ$13.95 a month in order to compete with Netflix, Lightbox, and Amazon Prime Video.{{cite news |last1=Pullar-Strecker |first1=Tom |title=Sky TV makes movie option compulsory with Neon but at a low price |url=https://www.stuff.co.nz/business/115522340/sky-tv-makes-movie-option-compulsory-with-neon-but-at-a-low-price |access-date=19 January 2020 |work=Stuff |date=4 September 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190926211423/https://www.stuff.co.nz/business/115522340/sky-tv-makes-movie-option-compulsory-with-neon-but-at-a-low-price|archive-date=26 September 2019}}{{cite news |last1=Keall |first1=Chris |title=Streaming wars: Sky slashes Neon pricing – how it stacks up |url=https://www.nzherald.co.nz/business/news/article.cfm?c_id=3&objectid=12264606 |access-date=19 January 2020 |work=New Zealand Herald |date=4 September 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200526121055/https://www.nzherald.co.nz/business/news/article.cfm?c_id=3&objectid=12264606|archive-date=26 May 2020}}

In October 2019, a Horizon Research survey found that 7% of more than 1,000 New Zealanders surveyed used Neon. The survey found that 59% used TVNZ OnDemand, 29% used Sky TV, 28% used ThreeNow, 56% used Netflix, and 18% used Lightbox.{{cite web |title=TVNZ's OnDemand ranks as NZ's most-used streaming service, according to new survey |url=https://www.tvnz.co.nz/one-news/new-zealand/tvnz-s-ondemand-ranks-nzs-most-used-streaming-service-according-new-survey |publisher=1News |access-date=19 January 2020 |date=28 October 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200223235222/https://www.tvnz.co.nz/one-news/new-zealand/tvnz-s-ondemand-ranks-nzs-most-used-streaming-service-according-new-survey|archive-date=23 February 2020}}

In mid December 2019, Sky announced that it would be purchasing Spark New Zealand's streaming service Lightbox with the intention of merging Neon and Lightbox into one combined streaming service in 2020.{{cite web |title=Sky to supercharge its entertainment streaming service with purchase of Lightbox |url=https://www.sky.co.nz/-/mk_pressrelease_1912-1 |publisher=Sky |access-date=19 January 2020 |date=19 December 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200121191136/https://www.sky.co.nz/-/mk_pressrelease_1912-1#/web/20200121191136mp_/https://www.sky.co.nz/|archive-date=21 January 2020}}{{cite news |last1=Ensor |first1=Jamie |title=Lightbox to merge with Neon after Sky purchase |url=https://www.newshub.co.nz/home/money/2019/12/lightbox-to-merge-with-neon-after-sky-purchase.html |access-date=19 December 2019 |work=Newshub |date=19 December 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191219162642/https://www.newshub.co.nz/home/money/2019/12/lightbox-to-merge-with-neon-after-sky-purchase.html|archive-date=19 December 2019}}{{cite news |last1=Pullar-Strecker |first1=Tom |title=Spark sells Lightbox internet TV service to Sky TV, cost to viewers not yet known |url=https://www.stuff.co.nz/business/118317289/spark-sells-lightbox-internet-tv-service-to-sky-tv?cid=app-iPhone |access-date=19 December 2019 |work=Stuff |date=19 December 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200614010340/https://www.stuff.co.nz/business/118317289/spark-sells-lightbox-internet-tv-service-to-sky-tv?cid=app-iPhone|archive-date=14 June 2020}}{{cite news |title=Sky expected to merge Lightbox with Neon streaming service |url=https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/business/405818/sky-expected-to-merge-lightbox-with-neon-streaming-service |access-date=19 December 2019 |work=Radio New Zealand |date=19 December 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191221131129/https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/business/405818/sky-expected-to-merge-lightbox-with-neon-streaming-service|archive-date=21 December 2019}}

On 11 June, Neon experienced technical difficulties that caused users to be locked out of the app.{{cite news |title=Neon Nightmare: TV service appears to be down, users locked out |url=https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=12339233 |access-date=3 July 2020 |work=New Zealand Herald |date=11 June 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200626055125/https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=12339233 |archive-date=26 June 2020}} In mid-June 2020, Sky announced that Lightbox would be merged into Neon, with Lightbox app being replaced by a Neon app on 7 July 2020. The merged service retained the Neon brand but continues to use Lightbox's interface and incorporates content drawn from both Neon and the old Lightbox. Existing Spark customers can receive a NZ$9.95 discount.{{cite web |title=Neon – A new look, 100% New Zealand owned and a new offer for kiwis|url=https://www.sky.co.nz/-/mk_pressrelease_020620|publisher=Sky |access-date=2 June 2020|date=2 June 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200614011133/https://www.sky.co.nz/-/mk_pressrelease_020620|archive-date=14 June 2020}}{{cite news |title=Here's what you need to know about Neon merging with Lightbox |url=https://thespinoff.co.nz/tv/14-06-2020/heres-what-you-need-to-know-about-neon-merging-with-lightbox/ |access-date=14 June 2020 |work=The Spinoff |date=14 June 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200614010109/https://thespinoff.co.nz/tv/14-06-2020/heres-what-you-need-to-know-about-neon-merging-with-lightbox/ |archive-date=14 June 2020}}{{cite news |last1=Keall |first1=Chris |title=No more free Lightbox for Spark customers |url=https://www.nzherald.co.nz/business/news/article.cfm?c_id=3&objectid=12336554 |access-date=14 June 2020 |work=New Zealand Herald |date=11 June 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200611060712/https://www.nzherald.co.nz/business/news/article.cfm?c_id=3&objectid=12336554 |archive-date=11 June 2020}}

On 7 July, Sky formally merged the two streaming services, with the Lightbox app being revamped as Neon. The revamped streaming service allows users to stream on two devices, download films and shows onto devices, rent movies, and create user profiles.{{cite news |last1=Downes |first1=Siobhan |title=The new Neon is here: What does the Neon-Lightbox merger look like? |url=https://www.stuff.co.nz/entertainment/tv-radio/122055159/the-new-neon-is-here-what-does-the-neonlightbox-merger-look-like |access-date=7 July 2020 |work=Stuff |date=7 July 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200707043333/https://www.stuff.co.nz/entertainment/tv-radio/122055159/the-new-neon-is-here-what-does-the-neonlightbox-merger-look-like|archive-date=7 July 2020}} Following the merger, there were reports about technical glitches including users being unable to log into the app and the absence of the watchlist feature. Neon responded that it would address those issues.{{cite news |title=Neon users frustrated by outages as Lightbox merger launched: 'What am I paying for?' |url=https://www.nzherald.co.nz/entertainment/news/article.cfm?c_id=1501119&objectid=12346358 |access-date=7 July 2020 |work=New Zealand Herald |date=8 July 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200707231659/https://www.nzherald.co.nz/entertainment/news/article.cfm?c_id=1501119&objectid=12346358 |archive-date=7 July 2020}}{{cite news |last1=Forrester |first1=Georgia |title=Streaming platform Neon has technical issues on first night after Lightbox merger |url=https://www.stuff.co.nz/entertainment/tv-radio/122066432/streaming-platform-neon-has-technical-issues-on-first-night-after-lightbox-merger |access-date=7 July 2020 |work=Stuff |date=7 July 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200708002809/https://www.stuff.co.nz/entertainment/tv-radio/122066432/streaming-platform-neon-has-technical-issues-on-first-night-after-lightbox-merger|archive-date=8 July 2020}}

On 23 February 2021, Sky reported that its total subscriber base for all of its services and platforms had risen to 990,000 including 154,000 former Lightbox subscribers, who had continued using Neon. Sky confirmed that one third of former "hard-bundled" Lightbox subscribers were using Neon. Sky TV also reported that the number of subscribers to its streaming services including Neon, Sky Sport Now, and RugbyPass had increased from 196,000 in the 2020 half year to 352,000 in the 2021 half year as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic in New Zealand.{{cite news |last1=Keall |first1=Chris |title=Sky TV profit jumps 234 per cent, price increases on table after June |url=https://www.nzherald.co.nz/business/sky-tv-profit-jumps-234-per-cent-price-increases-on-table-after-june/D2YD3SWJPJCC3SR6WOJALMU2UE/ |access-date=22 March 2021 |work=The New Zealand Herald |date=23 February 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210312025501/https://www.nzherald.co.nz/business/sky-tv-profit-jumps-234-per-cent-price-increases-on-table-after-june/D2YD3SWJPJCC3SR6WOJALMU2UE/ |archive-date=12 March 2021|url-status=live}}

In mid April 2021, Sky announced that it would be raising the price of its Neon streaming service to $15.99 a month, citing a growth in subscribers for its streaming services and declining revenue from its Sky Box subscriptions.{{cite news |last1=Keall |first1=Chris |title=Sky hikes the price of Neon streaming service by 15 per cent |url=https://www.nzherald.co.nz/business/sky-hikes-the-price-of-neon-streaming-service-by-15-per-cent/KJ265AODC3MYG3TIX5HRD26TUE/?&ref=topbox |access-date=20 April 2021 |work=The New Zealand Herald |date=16 April 2021}}

In mid July 2022, Neon confirmed that it would be raising the price of its standard streaming service to $17.99 a month and its annual plan to $179.99. In addition, the streaming service announced that it was also introducing a cheaper $12.99 basic subscription service.{{cite news |title=Neon reveals price hike, changes to streaming service |url=https://www.nzherald.co.nz/entertainment/neon-reveals-price-hike-changes-to-streaming-service/PJ472BXGUH6I3AN2UDX463TF6Q/ |access-date=8 August 2022 |work=The New Zealand Herald |date=17 July 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220717125002/https://www.nzherald.co.nz/entertainment/neon-reveals-price-hike-changes-to-streaming-service/PJ472BXGUH6I3AN2UDX463TF6Q/ |archive-date=17 July 2022|url-status=live}}

In late April 2023, The Spinoff ranked Neon as the top-ranked streaming service in New Zealand, citing its suite of major release titles, solid collection of local content, deep library of HBO content, and its ability to rent new releases.{{cite news |last1=Schultz |first1=Chris |title=All the TV streaming services available in New Zealand, ranked |url=https://thespinoff.co.nz/pop-culture/28-04-2023/all-the-tv-streaming-services-available-in-new-zealand-ranked |access-date=29 April 2023 |work=The Spinoff |date=28 April 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230429041355/https://thespinoff.co.nz/pop-culture/28-04-2023/all-the-tv-streaming-services-available-in-new-zealand-ranked |archive-date=29 April 2023|url-status=live}}

On 11 January 2024, Neon introduced advertising and raised prices for its standard plans. Neon raised its Standard Plan from $17.99 to $19.99 per month and its annual plan to $179.99 to $199.99 a year.{{cite news |last1=Bevan |first1=Darren |title=NZ to introduce ads into streaming service in January 2024, hikes prices |url=https://www.newshub.co.nz/home/entertainment/2023/12/neon-nz-to-introduce-ads-into-streaming-service-in-january-2024-hikes-prices.html |access-date=21 January 2024 |work=Newshub |date=6 December 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231206003841/https://www.newshub.co.nz/home/entertainment/2023/12/neon-nz-to-introduce-ads-into-streaming-service-in-january-2024-hikes-prices.html |archive-date=6 December 2023|url-status=dead}}{{cite news |last1=Taunton |first1=Esther |title=Streaming service Neon rolls out ads, higher prices |url=https://www.stuff.co.nz/business/133547667/streaming-service-neon-rolls-out-ads-higher-prices |access-date=21 January 2024 |work=Stuff |date=11 January 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240111015355/https://www.stuff.co.nz/business/133547667/streaming-service-neon-rolls-out-ads-higher-prices |archive-date=11 January 2024|url-status=live}}

On 22 October 2024, Sky New Zealand and Warner Bros Discovery confirmed a new partnership that would allow Sky to remain the exclusive distributor of HBO and Max content in New Zealand. Under the partnership, Neon would begin hosting the Max hub from 30 October 2024.{{cite web |title=Sky New Zealand and Warner Bros Discovery announce new partnership |url=https://stoppress.co.nz/news/sky-new-zealand-and-warner-bros-discovery-announce-new-partnership/ |website=StopPress |access-date=23 October 2024 |date=22 October 2024}}{{cite news |last1=Keall |first1=Chris |title=Sky TV heads off local launch of HBO's direct-to-consumer Max app with new Warner Bros Discovery deal |url=https://www.nzherald.co.nz/business/sky-tv-heads-off-local-launch-of-hbos-direct-to-consumer-max-with-expanded-warner-bros-discovery-deal/JLZKAOARHZCK3MVMVJRCTXVKRU/ |access-date=23 October 2024 |work=The New Zealand Herald |date=22 October 2024}}

During its initial launch in February 2015, Neon was available on computers, iPhones, iPads and televisions that supported AirPlay. The service was later made available on Android smartphones and tablet computers. As of 2020, Neon is available on a range of devices including newer Samsung Smart TVs, Panasonic Smart TVs, Sony Android TVs, Freeview devices, PlayStation 4, Vodafone TV boxes, Chromecast devices, iOS devices and Apple TV via AirPlay, personal computers and MacBooks equipped with Adobe Flash Player, and selected ioS and Android phones and tablets.{{cite web |title=What devices can I watch NEON on? |url=http://neontv.custhelp.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/2723/session/L3RpbWUvMTU3OTQyOTg3NS9nZW4vMTU3OTQyOTg3NS9zaWQvZlU0WG16YXJsZ3k2YVJGOUVHakRUR2FqSTljSDN0emt5ekp4bHRTMnl5c2I4SyU3RUJoUWt4UHZnbmdmbmFGN3EyOEVTazR2VFhqUDlSVTQ5NUJKQTRlSnpROUpzZk1oejc1ZVp2MnB4Tjd5OXdDR0NaSm8wVmRKVGclMjElMjE%3D |publisher=Neon |access-date=19 January 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200614012548/http://neontv.custhelp.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/2723/session/L3RpbWUvMTU3OTQyOTg3NS9nZW4vMTU3OTQyOTg3NS9zaWQvZlU0WG16YXJsZ3k2YVJGOUVHakRUR2FqSTljSDN0emt5ekp4bHRTMnl5c2I4SyU3RUJoUWt4UHZnbmdmbmFGN3EyOEVTazR2VFhqUDlSVTQ5NUJKQTRlSnpROUpzZk1oejc1ZVp2MnB4Tjd5OXdDR0NaSm8wVmRKVGclMjElMjE=|archive-date=14 June 2020}}{{cite web |last1=Plesa |first1=Alexandra |title=Neon review: price, features and content |url=https://www.finder.com/nz/internet-tv/neon |publisher=Finder.com |access-date=19 January 2020 |date=30 July 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191116100544/https://www.finder.com/nz/internet-tv/neon|archive-date=16 November 2019}}

Following the merger of Lightbox into Neon on 7 July 2020, the revamped Neon allows users to stream on two devices. It also has a download feature which allows users to download a maximum of five movies and 25 television shows onto mobiles and tablets. It also allows users to create five profiles and to add favourites to a watchlist. Neon also allows users to rent movies for a fee ranging between NZ$4.99 and NZ$25.00.

Drawing upon Sky's New Zealand-exclusive contract with HBO, Neon has exclusive distribution rights for several HBO television shows including Game of Thrones, Big Little Lies, Chernobyl, Westworld, His Dark Materials, Watchmen, and the movie First Man.{{cite news |title=HBO's His Dark Materials and everything else streaming on NEON this November |url=https://www.flicks.co.nz/news/hbos-his-dark-materials-and-everything-else-streaming-on-neon-this-november/ |access-date=21 November 2019 |work=Flicks.co.nz |date=25 October 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200614012715/https://www.flicks.co.nz/news/hbos-his-dark-materials-and-everything-else-streaming-on-neon-this-november/|archive-date=14 June 2020}}{{cite news |last1=Brooks |first1=Sam |title=What you need to know before you watch Watchmen |url=https://thespinoff.co.nz/tv/neon/24-10-2019/what-you-need-to-know-before-you-watch-watchmen/ |access-date=16 January 2020 |work=The Spinoff |date=24 October 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191227023207/https://thespinoff.co.nz/tv/neon/24-10-2019/what-you-need-to-know-before-you-watch-watchmen/|archive-date=27 December 2019}}

Following the merger of Lightbox into Neon, Neon acquired the distribution rights to The Handmaid's Tale, Homeland, Outlander, and Breaking Bad for New Zealand.

In early March 2021, Neon confirmed that it would distribute Zack Snyder's Justice League in New Zealand.{{cite news |last1=Croot |first1=James |title=Neon's Justice League, Disney's Raya, new Godzilla among March's must see movies |url=https://www.stuff.co.nz/entertainment/film/300242782/neons-justice-league-disneys-raya-new-godzilla-among-marchs-must-see-movies |access-date=3 March 2021 |work=Stuff |date=3 March 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210303032947/https://www.stuff.co.nz/entertainment/film/300242782/neons-justice-league-disneys-raya-new-godzilla-among-marchs-must-see-movies|archive-date=3 March 2021|url-status=live}}

In early October 2021, The New Zealand Herald reported that Neon and Sky's SoHo channel would distribute the Game of Thrones prequel series House of the Dragon.{{cite news |title=Games of Thrones prequel House of the Dragon drops first trailer |url=https://www.nzherald.co.nz/entertainment/games-of-thrones-prequel-house-of-the-dragon-drops-first-trailer/ZF7IEKLBYT45TSCNUYPJHHCXFE/ |access-date=7 October 2021 |work=The New Zealand Herald |date=6 October 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211006232700/https://www.nzherald.co.nz/entertainment/games-of-thrones-prequel-house-of-the-dragon-drops-first-trailer/ZF7IEKLBYT45TSCNUYPJHHCXFE/ |archive-date=6 October 2021|url-status=live}}

In early March 2024, Dark City: The Cleaner, an adaptation of New Zealand crime fiction author Paul Cleave's 2006 novel The Cleaner, was released simultaneously on Neon, Sky Go and SoHo.{{cite news |title=Secrets and tragedy lurk in Christchurch crime thriller Dark City: The Cleaner |url=https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/on-air/the-sunday-session/audio/cohen-holloway-and-chelsie-preston-crayford-kiwi-actors-ahead-of-the-release-of-dark-city-the-cleaner/ |access-date=14 March 2024 |work=Newstalk ZB |date=3 March 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240305062330/https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/on-air/the-sunday-session/audio/cohen-holloway-and-chelsie-preston-crayford-kiwi-actors-ahead-of-the-release-of-dark-city-the-cleaner/ |archive-date=5 March 2024|url-status=live}}{{cite news |last1=Greive |first1=Duncan |title=Review: Dark City is an eerie, pitch black and totally original Christchurch crime drama |url=https://thespinoff.co.nz/pop-culture/01-03-2024/review-dark-city-is-an-eerie-pitch-black-and-totally-original-christchurch-crime-drama |access-date=14 March 2024 |work=The Spinoff |date=1 March 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240309020123/https://thespinoff.co.nz/pop-culture/01-03-2024/review-dark-city-is-an-eerie-pitch-black-and-totally-original-christchurch-crime-drama |archive-date=9 March 2024|url-status=live}}

Following a renewed partnership agreement between Sky and Warner Bros Discovery, Neon began a Max content hub from 30 October 2024.

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