Cable Forum - General Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2014) Vol. 4

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Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2014) Vol. 4

Quote:

Originally Posted by telegramsam (Post 35749159)

Thanks for that. I agree,I think Virgin slow down the speeds too.

Have a look here (although it's possible there's a more up to date list)

http://my.virginmedia.com/traffic-ma...hresholds.html

---------- Post added at 15:56 ---------- Previous post was at 15:53 ----------

Quote:

Originally Posted by johnasimmons (Post 35749151)

I have no problems with my Now TV - I do have a 152mb connection though... :)

When I was on 16mb ADSL I didn't have any problems with NOW TV

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2014) Vol. 4

The only problems I've had with Now TV have been acknowledged by them as being their fault and have been compensated accordingly. To be fair they've been very good in this regard, but I've found the service unreliable for live sport. I have had a movie pass over Christmas, however, and it's been faultless.

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2014) Vol. 4

Quote:

Originally Posted by Anypermitedroute (Post 35749077)

And I disagree with pretty much all that you said here

I fail to see how you have concluded that these negotiations take a long time, if any negotiation are even taken place, I don't think it well known because negotiations take as long or as short as possible depending on co operation of side. Based on official releases sky reckon they gave a "fair" price , VM thinks not (and neither does any other provider). In that scenario I reckon talks are had but certainly not involving SA.

I fail to see what this channel sky bravo anything to do with this; the missing HD channels that have arrived or about to arrive have demonstrated agreements can be made without SA let alone a mystery non existent channel that was Rumoured to be starting, I fail to see that's it's non agreement with VM would fail to launch, ITV encore can without VM why not this bravo

I fail to see how NowTV is as you describe a last ditch attempt; TV over Internet is very much the future and sky is using this as a method to ensure its presence in this new(ish) market in light of new competition against its traditional model. Now offers a new market audience who don't wish to take expensive contracts.

i give you the fact that no one knows, and maybe deals with missing HD might see a new light of co operation but unless advertisers or regulation force sky hand to ensure bigger coverage or HBO requires it they ain't going to budge soon on this

I am amazed, frankly, that people believe that a negotiation with Virgin Media in these circumstances do not take a long time!

In actual fact, both Sky and Virgin have stated at various times that there are virtually continuous discussions between the two companies about the carriage of Sky Atlantic on Virgin.

The Broadcast report did say that there was a greater degree of realism between the two companies on the commercial price of Sky Atlantic and your view that Sky Bravo could not possibly be a consideration in this scenario is just your opinion. Why would you think that different channel discussions cannot be linked? That is definitely tunnel vision thinking.

If you were a Sky negotiator and you had a new channel that could not be financially viable unless VM took it, and VM said, well if you give us Sky Atlantic as well, we can discuss that, then why wouldn't Sky discuss it?

The new Sky Bravo was 'reported', not 'rumoured' to be starting.

ITV Encore is nothing to do with this. An agreement already exists to ensure exclusivity for the first 12-18 months of the start date of this new channel. We will almost certainly get it at the end of that period.

Now TV was a further means of extracting as many people as possible to part with their cash to get Sky Atlantic and the other advantages that would be attractive to some on the functionality of that box. It would have been obvious to Sky that if they couldn't get any more people from Virgin Media to sign up via that method, they may as well give it to them because at least that would increase advertising revenue at a time when they were about to invest more money in the content for that channel.

You seem to have set your mind against the appearance of this channel on Virgin Media. Like so many people, you seem to think that the fact we have not got it yet means that we will never get it.

However, that's your view, we will soon enough see who is right.

---------- Post added at 18:18 ---------- Previous post was at 18:15 ----------

Quote:

Originally Posted by theone2k10 (Post 35749061)

I wouldn't get too excited if i were you from what i've heard apart from skysportsnews and newshd only international channels are launching.[COLOR="Silver"]

If we are indeed getting Sky Atlantic, theone, none of us will know until Sky wants us to know.

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2014) Vol. 4

Quote:

Originally Posted by OLD BOY (Post 35749187)

Just let Sky Atlantic go mate for your own sanity :p:

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2014) Vol. 4

Quote:

Originally Posted by theone2k10 (Post 35749190)

Just let Sky Atlantic go mate for your own sanity :p:

Well, we needed something to liven up the Christmas period! :D

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2014) Vol. 4

Quote:

Originally Posted by OLD BOY (Post 35749187)

I am amazed, frankly, that people believe that a negotiation with Virgin Media in these circumstances do not take a long time!

In actual fact, both Sky and Virgin have stated at various times that there are virtually continuous discussions between the two companies about the carriage of Sky Atlantic on Virgin.

The Broadcast report did say that there was a greater degree of realism between the two companies on the commercial price of Sky Atlantic and your view that Sky Bravo could not possibly be a consideration in this scenario is just your opinion. Why would you think that different channel discussions cannot be linked? That is definitely tunnel vision thinking.

If you were a Sky negotiator and you had a new channel that could not be financially viable unless VM took it, and VM said, well if you give us Sky Atlantic as well, we can discuss that, then why wouldn't Sky discuss it?

The new Sky Bravo was 'reported', not 'rumoured' to be starting.

ITV Encore is nothing to do with this. An agreement already exists to ensure exclusivity for the first 12-18 months of the start date of this new channel. We will almost certainly get it at the end of that period.

Now TV was a further means of extracting as many people as possible to part with their cash to get Sky Atlantic and the other advantages that would be attractive to some on the functionality of that box. It would have been obvious to Sky that if they couldn't get any more people from Virgin Media to sign up via that method, they may as well give it to them because at least that would increase advertising revenue at a time when they were about to invest more money in the content for that channel.

You seem to have set your mind against the appearance of this channel on Virgin Media. Like so many people, you seem to think that the fact we have not got it yet means that we will never get it.

However, that's your view, we will soon enough see who is right.

---------- Post added at 18:18 ---------- Previous post was at 18:15 ----------

If we are indeed getting Sky Atlantic, theone, none of us will know until Sky wants us to know.

Really, where did you see the reports for that? Or was it just some random customer service employees feeding a load of rubbish to placate angry customers.

You seem to be ignoring my comments about the e-mails sent to customers. It was explained to us that prices will be rising, and we were asked what people would think would provide the best value for the price rises. Atlantic was mentioned, along with many other offers. Why, if the negotiations are allegedly more realistic, would they be asking us now if we want Sky Atlantic as a trade off for big price increases?

Also, please explain how you think these negotiations go? Sky want a price everyone else is unwilling to pay. Please do answer this time, I am keen to hear what you think is actually discussed in these negotiations.

Please respond to my questions this time. I am beginning to think you can not answer them logically, and that you are just ignoring them hoping I will not ask them again.

With regards ITV Encore, it does ruin the whole Bravo idea. If Sky would not launch Bravo due to VM not taking it, why would they launch another channel without VM taking that one too?

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2014) Vol. 4

Quote:

Originally Posted by harry_hitch (Post 35749195)

.

With regards ITV Encore, it does ruin the whole Bravo idea. If Sky would not launch Bravo due to VM not taking it, why would they launch another channel without VM taking that one too?

ITV Encore is not Sky's channel; it's ITV's and they're paying ITV for exclusivity.

A new Bravo channel would be Sky's own channel and therefore a different kettle of fish to ITV Encore.

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2014) Vol. 4

Quote:

Originally Posted by passingbat (Post 35749232)

ITV Encore is not Sky's channel; it's ITV's and they're paying ITV for exclusivity.

A new Bravo channel would be Sky's own channel and therefore a different kettle of fish to ITV Encore.

Righto, I shall stand corrected.:dunce:.Cheers PB.:)

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2014) Vol. 4

My original point of ITV encore is sky have paid money to itv just to keep it exclusive so why on earth would they need VM to launch another channel.

Bravo was reported by this website some now 18 months ago and was naming a so called inside source; perhaps misguided info, no more reliable than others who are on here. Perhaps even broadcast now was even using this website. If you remove this whole story then old boy your argument is groundless.

On the grounds negotiations, VM and sky have managed to agree on sky sports 3 HD, 4HD , F1HD, Sky news HD and sky sport news HD, all without SA on the table so I can't believe this bravo hold up has anything to do with VM. Also for muti billion pound company like sky who kept many exclusive channels you would of thought they would simply add another to their collection of exclusive. Yep hard to not believe

I don't know where you form the opinion we are dead against SA appearing, I would love to have it but I'm not going to wait and see again because of you self imposed "let's see this autumn" nothing change since last year when you mentioned it and I see no change now

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2014) Vol. 4

Quote:

Originally Posted by Anypermitedroute (Post 35749077)

I fail to see how NowTV is as you describe a last ditch attempt; TV over Internet is very much the future and sky is using this as a method to ensure its presence in this new(ish) market in light of new competition against its traditional model. Now offers a new market audience who don't wish to take expensive contracts.

Agreed they are positioning themselves ready for the explosion in IP delivered video.

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2014) Vol. 4

Quote:

Originally Posted by Anypermitedroute (Post 35749243)

On the grounds negotiations, VM and sky have managed to agree on sky sports 3 HD, 4HD , F1HD, Sky news HD and sky sport news HD, all without SA on the table so I can't believe this bravo hold up has anything to do with VM. Also for muti billion pound company like sky who kept many exclusive channels you would of thought they would simply add another to their collection of exclusive. Yep hard to not believe

Most likely the rest of the Sky Sports HD channels appearing was the result of their own customers dumping the channels, & causing them to lose income. I think VM were allowed to offer the "season ticket" packages for the same reason.

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2014) Vol. 4

Quote:

Originally Posted by OLD BOY (Post 35749187)

Now TV was a further means of extracting as many people as possible to part with their cash to get Sky Atlantic and the other advantages that would be attractive to some on the functionality of that box. It would have been obvious to Sky that if they couldn't get any more people from Virgin Media to sign up via that method, they may as well give it to them because at least that would increase advertising revenue at a time when they were about to invest more money in the content for that channel.

Now TV is aimed at Freeview and Freesat users who want a bit more TV but not a full-blown package. The full-blown package market has probably got close to saturation so Sky needed another way to expand. With services like PAYG films and sports passes, it's not just about entertainment. Its competitors are probabaly TalkTalk and Netflix and not Virgin Media.

---------- Post added at 23:37 ---------- Previous post was at 23:34 ----------

Quote:

Originally Posted by Anypermitedroute (Post 35749243)

Bravo was reported by this website some now 18 months ago and was naming a so called inside source; perhaps misguided info, no more reliable than others who are on here. Perhaps even broadcast now was even using this website. If you remove this whole story then old boy your argument is groundless.

I think Sky Bravo was originally reported in The Guardian 9 August 2013.

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2014) Vol. 4

Quote:

Originally Posted by 1andrew1 (Post 35749248)

Not completely right Andrew, I have been a VM customer for 11 years and I found that I could not justify £500 a year on SKY Sports and Movies sub and have now been a year without them! There was for me a few weeks again a must see week of sport on SKY, so I bought the weeks pass, no hassle, no contract!

I would love NOW TV to be an app on TIVo but unfortunately I don't think it will happen :(

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2014) Vol. 4

Quote:

Originally Posted by OLD BOY (Post 35748831)

The Broadcast report was one of those I'm referring to. The back haul services was a separate report and simply demonstrated increasing co-operation between the companies.

It wasn't me who raised this matter again, I was simply answering a post, and on the contrary, if SA does turn up in January, it all stems from those negotiations. It has taken so long to take into account the launch of the Now box if I am right about this.

Pigs may fly before that.

Media Boy HQ Virgin TV was down for over 12 hours overnight (Thank god for Freeview).

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2014) Vol. 4

Here's my final piece about SA. Whilst i'm not saying it'll be january or anything there is no point in withholding SA from virgin media now. VM customers desperate for it can get Now Tv. It's no longer exclusive. Sky are losing out on advertisement due to withholding it. Common sense would tell us that it'll arrive on VM sooner rather than later.

I'm a very negative and bitter person and i would have said there was no chance of it coming in 2014. I'm more optimistic it'll come in 2015 based purely on the above paragraph. But we'll never know who will be right until 2015 is over! i'm sure to be here this time next year harping on about something.

I have to say the world box app is quite fantastic. I hope they add more channels on it after the january intake. Its a superb way of adding foreign channels on without messing up the EPG. You could potentially put many, many channels on there. VM get to brag about all the channels they can offer, the foreign channels get to broadcast overseas at a low cost. win win

MB- will you be putting new world box channels on your list of coming soon channels or will that be a separate thread???

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2014) Vol. 4

Quote:

Originally Posted by vincerooney (Post 35749312)

MB- will you be putting new world box channels on your list of coming soon channels or will that be a separate thread???

Info on the four new channels coming in January to WorldBox is listed on my blog.

---------- Post added at 12:07 ---------- Previous post was at 12:06 ----------

Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2015) Vol. 1 has now launched.

http://www.cableforum.co.uk/board/11...l#post35749309

This thread will soon close.

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2014) Vol. 4

Quote:

Originally Posted by Media Boy (Post 35749314)

ah delightful! cheers for this MB.

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2014) Vol. 4

Quote:

Originally Posted by harry_hitch (Post 35749195)

Hi, Harry, sorry to get you so exercised about this, it is only a point of view. I have made clear on a number of occasions that I do not have inside information and that my logic on this is based on previous media reports. I do not take 'random customer service employees' as a source of information as they have been proved on many occasions to provide inaccurate responses to requests for information.

I am not trying to avoid your questions. I respect your point of view and I recognise that we all have our take on this. I was just stating mine. I am the first to agree that SA may well not come to our screens. I am simply trying to put an alternative point of view on what may be happening behind the scenes.

I note a lot of comment stating that 'SA will never come to VM'; 'there is no link between Sky Bravo, etc and SA'; 'Sky Bravo is no longer on the cards'; 'Sky will always want Sky Atlantic to be their USP', etc, and no-one is asking for sources to back these views up. So why am I being bombarded like this to justify my comments? It's not that we have not been here before.

The sources for my views have emanated from, yes, Broadcast Now, but also national newspapers and other websites. I am sorry that I am not sad enough to have kept all these references, although 1andrew1 recollects the Guardian article about Sky Bravo. Why are people choosing to ignore these media reports but hang on to unsourced or unnamed 'insider information'? They got it wrong over BT Sport, apart from one lone celebrity poster who has been much derided at various times, remember him? :D

To answer your specific questions, Harry:

E mail sent to customers

Virgin Media are seeking out customer views on an ongoing basis to ensure that their offering is in line with what customers want. If the deal with Sky has already been done (and I think it has been), this may enable them to frame their communications to customers appropriately (eg to tell us that adding SA to the offering and increasing the price is the result of popular demand).

The 'big price rise'

Clearly, this has already been announced and costed, so the customer survey surely couldn't be about whether or not to get SA. If they did so now as a result of that survey, we would be subject to further price rises. They can't spend the money generated twice over.

Negotiations

I am not privy to the negotiations, and in fact if these have been going on, the regular posters on here know nothing about them. Sky would have insisted on them being strictly confidential, and for good reason.

This is how the negotiations could have gone.

A better relationship now exists between Sky and VM - fact, both companies have acknowledged this. The internet deal between Virgin and Sky is some evidence of this increased co-operation. Whether there is a direct link there with SA, I don't know, but it would be foolish of Virgin not to try to capitalise on deals like this to encourage new deals in the future.

It appears that talks on the carriage of SA by VM were underway in September 2013 (Broadcast report) but the media also commented at the time that the Sky Bravo issue may have delayed these talks. Sky were desperate to get VM on board in order to make this channel viable. VM would have been mad not to link this with their desire to get SA at a reasonable price, and they would not have been too concerned about Sky Bravo since this is just 'more of the same' in the junk category. So VM, I believe, would have held out on this and made it clear they would not take Sky Bravo without Sky Atlantic.

Now in the meantime, the Now TV box was also about ready to be put out on the market. Sky may well have figured that if they could extract more money from Virgin viewers prepared to pay extra for SA, they would try that first. I believe they would have told VM to keep quiet about a deal until Sky had milked SA without VM for all it was worth before allowing us to have it. This has similar logic to it that BT employed regarding their sports channels.

So my message to everyone wanting Sky Atlantic is, don't give up hope. The deal may already have been done.

On the other hand...... :erm:

---------- Post added at 12:34 ---------- Previous post was at 12:31 ----------

Quote:

Originally Posted by Anypermitedroute (Post 35749243)

The launch of the Now TV box and the need to get as many people as possible to pay for it before the Christmas season would have delayed any announcement on Sky Atlantic if it was coming to Virgin.

Your other points have been answered elsewhere.

I accept that these are your views, old thing, I just don't have the same fatalistic approach to life as you do!