"EPG Background Music."

[itvblocks]

Don't know if this is the right place to put this topic, but let's see how this goes.

On the older Sky boxes, you could add other channels to your channel list by entering a code (Frequency, Polarization.etc)

At the start of this video, which has all (or most) of the EPG tracks from 2002-2005? - the user is seen selecting the "Other Channels" section where we could see a channel named "EPG Background Music."

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VB0aPWLUXxc

This channel could be reserved for the EPG, but it's not in sync with the track that was playing in the EPG and the track that was playing when the channel was selected. (Plus, I don't think you could have a channel playing with the EPG running at the same time)

Another theory is maybe when a channel closed down, it would tune in to this channel? (I think somebody pointed this out in the comments of this video)

This brings back a lot of memories, especially hearing the tracks from yesteryear, I would have loved a channel like this when I was really young! :lol:

[StevieB]

IIRC on the first generation Sky Digi boxes you didn't have the current channel continuing in a smaller window as part of the EPG. You essentially left the channel you were watching.

When I think back, I think there was music playing in the background, otherwise there would've been just silence.

[Neil Jones]

IIRC The option of the mini TV wasn't an option on Sky+(HD) (it may have used the same music for the EPG) when it launched, though it was later added and the music for that platform abandoned. All the EPG music looks like it was scrapped in January 2018.

https://www.olddigibox.com/museum/epgs/background-music seems to have a collection of the music going back to 1998, including a few Christmas variations.

Also suggests there was a Sky Shop Music selection too, though that was before they launched My Sky on Sky+HD boxes,

[i.h]

Don't know if this is the right place to put this topic, but let's see how this goes.

On the older Sky boxes, you could add other channels to your channel list by entering a code (Frequency, Polarization.etc)

At the start of this video, which has all (or most) of the EPG tracks from 2002-2005? - the user is seen selecting the "Other Channels" section where we could see a channel named "EPG Background Music."

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VB0aPWLUXxc

This channel could be reserved for the EPG, but it's not in sync with the track that was playing in the EPG and the track that was playing when the channel was selected. (Plus, I don't think you could have a channel playing with the EPG running at the same time)

Another theory is maybe when a channel closed down, it would tune in to this channel? (I think somebody pointed this out in the comments of this video)

This brings back a lot of memories, especially hearing the tracks from yesteryear, I would have loved a channel like this when I was really young! :lol:

the EPG music channel was only when you were in the EPG - remember that unless you had Sky+ you would have had one tuner and the boxes had very limited memory, so that needed to be tuned to the transponder carrying all the EPG data (which also had the music channel on it).

It didn't play if a channel had closed down, you'd get "this channel is currently unavailable" or something similar, though Sky were usually hot on removing it when bills hadn't been paid!

This was also true for Sky HD in its earlier days, where the EPG was a lift and shift from the SD boxes. It took a couple of years for it to get modernised with new firmware that offered the mini TV.

[Isonstine]

I absolutely loved the EPG music you got with Sky in the very early digital days. Although it was actually to cover a limitation, at the time, it only added to the futuristic feel of the platform. A programme guide? On your own TV? With music? In 1998 it really did feel like a leap forward compared to a copy of Sky Guide or the Radio Times.

[Markymark]

Don't forget also 'Music Choice Europe' which was a package of jukebox audio only music stations that ran on Sky.
I think you paid a fiver a month for them ?

They had a couple of test streams not on the EPG that I had manually set in Other Channels. They were quite good.

[Bennyboy84]

I also remember you could tune in some shop radio stations such as ASDA on the early boxes, accessed in the same way via other channels.

[Steve in Pudsey]

Anybody going to admit to being the person who bought a Sky Gnome?

[Blubatt]

IIRC on the first generation Sky Digi boxes you didn't have the current channel continuing in a smaller window as part of the EPG. You essentially left the channel you were watching.

When I think back, I think there was music playing in the background, otherwise there would've been just silence.

You recall correctly. The original digiboxes did not have the channel show on the EPG. It was just your menus, and that's it. And part of me misses the old days, when you could play interactive games on your old sky boxes, the new ones don't do that (and haven't for a long time)

[IanJRedman]

IIRC on the first generation Sky Digi boxes you didn't have the current channel continuing in a smaller window as part of the EPG. You essentially left the channel you were watching.

When I think back, I think there was music playing in the background, otherwise there would've been just silence.

You recall correctly. The original digiboxes did not have the channel show on the EPG. It was just your menus, and that's it. And part of me misses the old days, when you could play interactive games on your old sky boxes, the new ones don't do that (and haven't for a long time)

I have so much nostalgia for the old days of Sky, from the original Digiboxes through to the early days of Sky HD. Sky boxes these days have evolved into a different beast, but we all pine for our childhoods, don't we?

Beehive Bedlam on Sky Interactive was great fun!

[tomholt]

You recall correctly. The original digiboxes did not have the channel show on the EPG. It was just your menus, and that's it. And part of me misses the old days, when you could play interactive games on your old sky boxes, the new ones don't do that (and haven't for a long time)

Sky Q has recently added quite a number of games to the platform in the 'Apps' section, including Beehive Bedlam, which you can play in a picture in picture style with the game down the right hand side whilst your programme still continues on the left.

[Blubatt]

You recall correctly. The original digiboxes did not have the channel show on the EPG. It was just your menus, and that's it. And part of me misses the old days, when you could play interactive games on your old sky boxes, the new ones don't do that (and haven't for a long time)

Sky Q has recently added quite a number of games to the platform in the 'Apps' section, including Beehive Bedlam, which you can play in a picture in picture style with the game down the right hand side whilst your programme still continues on the left.

That is all well and good...but its never quite the same. I say this, and Im still only in my 20's, but I am nostalgic. No Shrek sidescroller you had to pay to play after a certain level, alas.

[i.h]

Don't forget also 'Music Choice Europe' which was a package of jukebox audio only music stations that ran on Sky.
I think you paid a fiver a month for them ?

They had a couple of test streams not on the EPG that I had manually set in Other Channels. They were quite good.

At least later on they also had a "free" version - part of the Sky sub. Pre-spotify it was very welcome, no ads and no talking. IIRC the £5 a month version was "Music Choice Extra" - never had it myself.

IIRC in the early days the MC channels appeared in the radio section? Eventually became available under an interactive app.

[Spencer]

You recall correctly. The original digiboxes did not have the channel show on the EPG. It was just your menus, and that's it. And part of me misses the old days, when you could play interactive games on your old sky boxes, the new ones don't do that (and haven't for a long time)

Sky Q has recently added quite a number of games to the platform in the 'Apps' section, including Beehive Bedlam, which you can play in a picture in picture style with the game down the right hand side whilst your programme still continues on the left.

It’s just not the same without the music. And have you tried playing it with the Touch Remote?! :?