@Ptcheuchter -- which of Shaw's TV boxes do you have -- Gateway PVR, BlueCurve (with internal disk-drive), or BlueCurve (recording to the "cloud") ?
If the first or second, it could be a failing disk-drive inside the Gateway -- taking far too long to record/playback.
If the third, it could be a "off-spec" network-connection to Shaw's "cloud".
On Friday, can you use Shaw On Demand --> TV --> CityTV -> Hell's Kitchen ? Does it stream properly?
Since this is a peer-to-peer discussion forum, not a path to Shaw Support, I recommend that you contact Shaw, and get them to earn the money that you pay them, monthly, to "trouble-shoot" your setup.