Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2023)
 

As of yesterday, Maxit TV has been retired for new sign ups. The replacement TV tier is Mega TV which doesn't include TNT Sports by default. Anyone on Maxit will keep it until they change bundles.

The Entertainment Personal Picks for Mixit TV has been discontinued. Kids TV pick continues for Mixit, Maxit and Mega. Other add on channels are still available.

Ultimate Volt has been replaced by Mega Volt - key changes are that it comes with 500Mbit and no-AO by default, however both Gig1 and AOs can be added on if required.

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2023)
 

My parents will be looking to recontract soon. Just wanted to understand what AO meant in this context?

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2023)
 

No price reduction without TNT sports!

What's an AO?

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2023)
 

I think it must mean add-on(s).

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2023)
 

Sorry, It's Additional Outlet ie the second TV box.

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2023)
 

Thanks. And no price reduction without TNT sports?

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2023)
 

So How much will TNT Sports cost if someone wants to keep TNT Sports?

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2023)
 

So going on to VM website as a new customer, its an extra £6 a month to upgrade to 1 gig b/b, £ 18 a month to add TNT sports and £ 10 a month for second box. bit of a con from VM in as much as the Mega Volt bundles is giving you 350mb b/b upgraded to 500mb with the Volt. Advertised price of bundle after new customer contract expires is £ 155 a month and thats without the add ons.

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2023)
 

£18 or £10 (since last October) on Stream.

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2023)
 

I have also just seen that on Virgin Media .com.

Do the TNT Sports being remove from the "Mega TV" pack mean that Warner Bros. Discovery and Virgin Media UK has signed the new carriage deal?

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2023)
 

Wow... Thankfully I renewed my Ultimate Volt contract in the last couple of months.

Looks like an equivalent deal now with TNT and an additional box as extras would cost a lot more

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2023)
 

The package names are daft. What was wrong M, L, XL ? Who falls for all this 'volt', 'ultimate' and 'mega' cobblers?
Isn't very 'mega' if you're a sports fan! All marketing designed to extract as much cash out out of the punters as possible.

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2023)
 

https://media.tenor.com/6BV57k2OQswA...pa-simpson.gif

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2023)
 

If you're going to change the offer then you need a new name. Once you've done small, medium and large and bronze, silver and gold then you have to get creative! Aim is to keep your current customers but get more from future ones. You can't do that with the same name.

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2023)
 

I'll be certain only to buy 4 pints of ultimate Volt mega-maxit semi skimmed milk in future. Its bound to be better than ordinary semi skimmed milk, even if its double the price #marketinggimmicks ;)

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2023)
 

One thing I don't get or doesn't make any sense to me is for instance the 02 Unlimited sim in the bundle (could use the overall package price too). So it's priced at £25, but that was the original price anyway. Shouldn't it be the price that it's gone up by which I believe is £29 after the increase. Basically you have two tier prices for the same product. Its about time practice's like this were clamped down on.

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2023)
 

Mega Volt for new customers still has the O2 SIM as £25, and that should be the same for any existing Virgin Media O2 customer moving onto Mega Volt too as it's a new contracted deal.

Your Virgin Media price
Monthly price for 18 months
£60*
Monthly price after that. Prices may change.
£155*
Your O2 price
Monthly price
£25*

The O2 plan will increase as per price rise.

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2023)
 

I get that, what I'm saying is shouldn't the price increase be part of the bundle price. So O2 are charging current customers £29 as that is what the price increase is, we will then get that again next year. Yet taking out the bundle, it's still £25. One could argue its a new customer price but that sits different to me.

Also while here, they never make it clear. After 18 months, is it £155 total or £155 plus £25 so £180 total?

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2023)
 

TNT sports isn't worth £18 when compared to sky sports at about £22 or so. The rebate during the 2020 lockdown was £9 pm. Serious devaluation of the XL/full house/ maxit package especially now that the lower packs have more HD than before.

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2023)
 

Halving the broadband speed, taking away TNT sports and only one TV box is a ridiculous downgrade of the ultimate package.

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2023)
 

Yep, that's progress... :rolleyes:

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2023)
 

But hey, at least nobody pays for TNT that doesn’t want it. They can all write on the back of a postage stamp how much they saved.

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2023)
 

What is on Channel 734 right now?

I know CITV has been removed from both Sky and Freeview.

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2023)
 

Chanel 734 on my VM is showing as 'Channel Unavailable'

Jo

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2023)
 

Channel 734 is showing a video promoting ITVX 'Britains freshest kids TV service', and directing people to use the ITVX app

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2023)
 

Warner Bros Discovery are to rename Boomerang to Cartoonito across Europe.

We have both on Virgin, so it looks like the UK will be losing a further Kids TV channel:

https://www.broadbandtvnews.com/2023...nds-boomerang/

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2023)
 

I wouldn't make that assumption.

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2023)
 

I think you've misread that, it doesn't say across Europe.
https://www.broadbandtvnews.com/2023...nds-boomerang/

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2023)
 

Warner Bros. Discovery are also shutting down Discovery Science and Discovery Turbo Xtra (equivalent of Discovery Turbo) across parts of Europe, Middle East and Asia on New Year's Day, you could see it happening in the UK at some point since Discovery already shut down Discovery Home & Health and Discovery Shed in the UK.

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2023)
 

According to Wiki, Discovery Science closes on 1/1/24.

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2023)
 

The artical it links to says "From 2024 January 1 TV channels "Discovery Science" and "DTX" will no longer be broadcast in Lithuania and several other countries, the representatives of the company managing them announced."

"Warner Bros. Discovery reported that from 2024 month of January. the company's catalog channels Discovery Science and DTX will no longer be broadcast in Central Europe, the Middle East and Turkey."

It doesn't specifically mention UK.

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2023)
 

Be interesting to see if it carries on in the UK.

Of course, anyone can edit Wiki though.

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2023)
 

Discoverys plan is to eventually have all their content/channels exclusively on Discovery+

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2023)
 

Yes, some years ago I was leaked a document that said this. They only intend to eventually keep one linear channel to showcase their programmes and act as a barker channel.

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2023)
 

So I’m finding that because VM no longer supports BBC1 HD England region that a lot of my recording previous to them removing this channel won’t play now. Unbelievable! What has a recording on a hard drive got to do with a channel removed.

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2023)
 

It is just how Virgin TV works, I've also lost recordings after channel closures but usually within the basic 3 month protection period. From the information I can see (from external sources, not from Virgin), the channel closed on Virgin TV on 11/01/2022 and recordings were protected until 20/03/2023. A lot longer than they usually protect recordings for closed channels.

A question though, if protection ended back in March and you are only just noticing that the recordings won't play back, how important are the recordings?

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2023)
 

Just stuff I like to revisit. Example Ariana Grande at the BBC which even iPlayer doesn’t have archived. Only YouTube which isn’t great quality.

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2023)
 

That would explain why my BBC 1 shows are now being recorded from BBC Wales

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2023)
 

Ok, that makes sense. If I want to hang onto any PSB content I usually record from Freeview. At least that way the recording is safe until either the box or the harddrive fails.

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2023)
 

Are you using a Series Link?

If you don't specify a channel number the boxes default to 864 for BBC1 HD. This has been the case since all BBC1 regions on Virgin went HD. If you specify 101 then the programmes will only record from 101.

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2023)
 

You used to be able to specify which channel or channels you wanted it to record from. Now it's either one or everything.

And they call it progress :rolleyes:

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2023)
 

You still can specify which channel (well, on our V6, you can).

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2023)
 

The point is, jfman, that with Virgin Stream you can get all the standard channels for free each month after an initial £35 fee and then add the streamers to it as required. It’s much cheaper than paying for all those TV channels you don’t want.

Discovery+ and Apple+TV have yet to arrive, but hopefully they will be on there soon.

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2023)
 

Is it cheaper? The loss of economies of scale from the previous bundles is pushing prices through the roof.

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2023)
 

Well, you only pay for the streamers, not the TV channels on the EPG, so yes, it’s cheaper. This is what I have said is coming for the last 8 years now.

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2023)
 

But for actual viewers, in the real world, who judge things based on content and not the delivery method they now need to pay more to get less.

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2023)
 

Yes, it's one channel or all. You used to be able to select which channels you wanted to record from out of the ones available.

Even though the EPG synopsis still tends to show it, has anyone else noticed that recorded programmes no longer include the date a programme was first shown?

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2023)
 

As I just pointed out, you only pay for the streamers that you want and not for all the channels you don’t want.

You will have to explain to me how that equates to increased payments and less choice.

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2023)
 

It doesn't take much expertise OB to point out that in packages consumers used to get Discovery content, used to get Disney content, <insert further standalone streamers content>.

Start adding up these streaming providers and - unless your viewing falls into an extremely narrow category - you are paying more.

I find it extremely difficult to believe that all of this:-

Is cheaper than the top package that Virgin or Sky were selling 10-15 years ago, even adjusted for inflation.

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2023)
 

That’s a daft comparison. Firstly, there is a helluva lot more content on the streamers that is of comparatively higher quality. Secondly, you only pay for the streamers you want, so how much you are forking out is up to you.

And of course, as I’ve pointed out already, you don’t have to pay anything for the channels you don’t want with Virgin Stream - in fact, they are free.

You know through your own experience that it’s far cheaper to watch Sky on their streamer, NOW.

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2023)
 

Because if you want access to all the equivalent new content previously provided, before on-demand subscription services existed, by channels, you have to pay for all the on-demand services and this amounts to much more money than the previous channel bundles.

Say each on-demand subscription was £6 a month. You could get 5 content sources for £30 a month, whereas with the old fashioned channel bundle you'd get content from MANY more than 5 content sources for the same money.
If you like content from a large number on content creators the old channel bundles got you more and wider array of content providers.

And yes you could dip in and out of content providers, but if you like certain content on a monthly basis, especially if it's time sensitive (e.g. spoilers or live events), you can't really do this. Plus it's a right palaver/hassle/annoyance.

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2023)
 

I see the lovers tiff has started again on here.

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2023)
 

I see your argument, cheeky; if you rely on Freeview, it’s comparatively expensive. This is why I hope that by the time everyone goes to IPTV, most if not all streamers provide a free-with-ads version.

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2023)
 

:D

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2023)
 

Ideal World brand took over by TJC and will relaunch soon on 5USA.

*Ideal World is set to come back to Virgin Media broadcasting on 5USA every morning.
*TJC Beauty brand (seen right now on 5USA every morning) will close.

https://www.shoppingtelly.com/post/t...l-world-assets

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2023)
 

Unfortunately, the trend appears to be either "free with lots of ads", "subscription with some ads", or "subscription+ with no ads"…

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2023)
 

100% this. If you strip back the brands, and the technology, you need more products at greater cost just to stand still.

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2023)
 

Yes, that’s choice. All the TV channels apart from the BBC are beleaguered by ads, so no difference there, apart from the fact that we now have the freedom to avoid them.

---------- Post added at 20:28 ---------- Previous post was at 20:23 ----------

I think you’ll find that most people were champing at the bit about having to pay for loads of channels they didn’t watch.

Realistically, if you subscribe only to Netflix and one other streamer, such as Discovery+ or NOW, that’s a lot cheaper than TV channel bundles. That additional range of choice you talk about is still available on Freeview.

The real problem I see is sport, because unless you are interested in only one sport, it can be very expensive to watch them all. Hopefully, there will be a solution for sports fans with time.

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2023)
 

Has anybody factored in the BB cost

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2023)
 

But you'd have 2 content suppliers and a narrower variety for the cost of a traditional smaller channel bundle that gave you MANY more suppliers and a wider variety for the same cost. And with those 2 on-demand services you're still paying for lots of content you're never going to want to watch.

This new normal you envisage isn't cheaper unles you have much narrower tastes or the flip flopping of on-demand services isn't an issue...and that's not the case for everyone.

No it isn't. This is pay on-demand versus pay channel bundles we're talking about. Freeview has a narrower choice. There's enough to get by with depending on tastes and time availability but it's not an equivalent.

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2023)
 

They may well have misunderstood the economic theory of economies of scale and (falsely) believed there were massive savings to be had. The reality is Sky (and Virgin) were paying third parties pennies per subscriber per month.

And miss out on a ton of content elsewhere!

At least you are conceding this one as it's so egregious sports fans are having to pay hand over fist to multiple content providers. The reality is it's the same in general entertainment - just not quite as bad.

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2023)
 

I don't think a switch from aerial to broadband delivery will change the fundamentals.

It's down to economics. If there is additional profit to be made by having an ad-funded version then they will provide it.

However, 100% ad-funded channels don't have the income of subscription channels (or subscription and advertising channels) and therefore don't have the spending power that subscription channels do. That's why the Premier League is on subscription channels and not ITV or Channel 5.

Offering an advertising-only subscription option has the strong potential to cannibalise subscription income which might be attractive for lower-level streamers like Netflix but less so for premium streamers like Now Sky Movies and Disney +.

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2023)
 

Agreed.

As an example, someone pays 10p a channel per week for 10 channels=£1.

They only watch 5 of them, so think great, I can now get away with only paying 50p. BUT lots of other people stopped paying for the channels that they watch, so the price goes up to 20p a week to cover the shortfall. So now they pay 5x0.20=£1.

They end up paying the same for less channel choice.

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2023)
 

I am not concerned with ‘channel choice’. I am really highlighting the phenomenon of having squillions of channels but nothing you want to watch.

Since the streamers have launched, I find that the quality of my viewing choices have increased enormously. I am not interested in the repeats and the rubbish that you find dominating the non-terrestrial channels.

However, I understand that there are those who are wedded to the TV channels because it’s what they are used to. You should make the most of that while they are there, although the FAST channels may prove an acceptable substitute for some.

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2023)
 

Yet, by definition, everything you've seen in a streamer's back catalogue - and the stuff they've taken from third parties back in house - is a 'repeat'.

You don't seem that bothered about paying for the masses of content that you don't watch on a streaming platform. Your restriction to linear channels in this respect is entirely arbitrary.

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2023)
 

For those who can’t wait to get into the festive spirit, there’s good news on the horizon: Movies24, a channel available on both Sky and Virgin Media, is making its annual transformation into Christmas24 earlier than usual this year.

Starting on October 1, 2023, the channel will be dedicated to all things Christmas, from romantic comedies set in snowy landscapes to heartwarming family dramas.

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2023)
 

There’s no comparison, jfman. Streamers like Netflix and Amazon may have stuff you don’t fancy, but it’s nothing like the amount of drivel you get on those TV channels.

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2023)
 

Give it a rest you two, everytime you constantly derail the thread get a room or something.

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2023)
 

If you added up the amount of drivel on them all you'd find it's the exact same drivel. There's only a finite amount of actors, of production companies, of writers.

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2023)
 

Bah, humbug!

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2023)
 

Reports will say Ideal World will reappear on Friday (September 29th) using TJC Beauty broadcasting space.

TJC Beauty will no longer broadcast.

---------- Post added at 18:38 ---------- Previous post was at 18:36 ----------

That means Ideal World will be on 5USA broadcasting space up to 10am everyday via Virgin Media channels 120/162/320.

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2023)
 

;):cleader::cleader::xmas::xmas:

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2023)
 

Don't Den, just don't.... ;)

( Movies24 certainly isn't a ' movie' channel. None of their made for tv feel good crap has been anywhere near a cinema..)

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2023)
 

2nd channel to go over then. Great has been on Christmas movies since 1st September. There is nowhere to hide from this stuff.

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2023)
 

Sorry it's sad but I love most of there films ;)

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2023)
 

Its length and being a single entity, not a series, is what makes it a movie not whether it has been in a cinema.

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2023)
 

The increase in made for TV movies may be more a symptom of the lack of interest in going to the cinema than the quality. Over the last couple of years my cinema visits have had audiences countable on both hands. That can't be making money. TV movies will have a guaranteed income from the likes of movies 24.

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2023)
 

Tv 'movies' are universally dire, Movies24 output particularly so.

Bring back TCM.....

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2023)
 

Such a shame that the TCM channel disappeared.:(

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2023)
 

I thought that Death Train starring Pierce Brosnan and Patrick Stewart was alright.

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2023)
 

That's TV have a licence to launch That's Cinema on satellite, presumably to cater for the former viewers of TCM.

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2023)
 

That's DO NOT have licence to launch That's Cinema on satellite.

That's TV ask OFCOM to give them a right to reuse That's Cinema's licence for sister channel "That's 90s" last month.

https://www.ofcom.org.uk/manage-your...cences/updates

---------- Post added at 16:34 ---------- Previous post was at 16:31 ----------

If anyone is missing TCM why don't you give Talking Pictures a try on Channel 445.

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2023)
 

What films have they got is the question? If it's anything like the tv output, it'll be downmarket UK seventies stuff. (I'd be up for that ;) )

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2023)
 

Lots of channels pixelating tonight B42 area.

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2023)
 

This month, Virgin Media are, once again, having a free to view period for channels in the kids genre.

https://news.virginmediao2.co.uk/vir...no-extra-cost/

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2023)
 

Pick is rebranded as Sky Mix from 18th October.

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2023)
 

It's just popped up on E4 Extra that it is moving to channel 144 on 18th October.

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2023)
 

Good find.

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2023)
 

That's Media newer channel "That's Christmas" will not launch on Virgin Media UK.

-Channel will only on October 18th on Sky, Freeview and Freesat.

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2023)
 

Will Virgin Media do anymore changes on Wednesday?

What been confirmed so far:

*Pick to close at 6am on Channel 135.
*Sky Mix SD to launch at 11am on Channel 135.
*E4 Extra moves to Channel 144.

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2023)
 

Let’s play ‘spot the difference’. Same old rubbish.

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2023)
 

LOL at VM finally moving E4 Extra to the correct section of the EPG about 16 months late 😂

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2023)
 

Don't worry though, they haven't moved it from the "Music" genre so maybe more LOLs still to come. ;)

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2023)
 

Two Virgin Media UK sources has confirmed that the following FAST channels will launch in November on Virgin Media:

216. 5 Cops
217. CSI: New York
218. Catfish

plus one of the following FAST Channels will also launch:

-Wicked Tuna
-Anger Management
-The Lego Channel

One of the Sources has also reveal more changes are set to happen by January 1st 2024.

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2023)
 

UPDATE:

The FAST Channels listed before will launch on Virgin Media's EPG within the next 21 days.

---------- Post added at 13:52 ---------- Previous post was at 13:05 ----------

More rebrands coming:

*October 30th: Nicktoons to be rebrand as Nick Loud house.
*November 1st: The Box will be rebrand as Boxmas.
*November 6th: MTV 90s to be rebrand as MTV Xmas.

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2023)
 

Here is what My Sources told me on October 20th in full

Note: ALL information is still subject to change:

*Virgin Media to launch a new HD Channel^
*Virgin Media hope to launch Apple +^
*Some Channels will close on December 31

^All changes are set to happen by January 1st 2024.

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2023)
 

Maybe that HD channel is DAZN? Or even Sky Atlantic when we're not expecting it?

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2023)
 

The Lego Channel? sounds brilliant! :D

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2023)
 

Maybe CNBC HD , the SD channel is shutting down on Sky on 2nd November.
https://helpforum.sky.com/t5/What-s-...3/td-p/4462504

Also CNBC HD launched this month on Freesat with SD channel no longer available

Was no mention of DAZN channel launching on Virgin in press release in March only the app.

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2023)
 

I have seen been thinking it may turn out to be CNBC HD since I was given the information last Friday.

(Holding back was to give me time to try and get the names of the HD Channel and also the channels that are set to close on December 31st)

---------- Post added at 12:48 ---------- Previous post was at 12:00 ----------

That new HD Channel may launch on Virgin Media as soon as next Thursday as CNBC will be only in HD from November 2nd on Sky.

Source: Sky Forum.

---------- Post added at 14:20 ---------- Previous post was at 12:48 ----------

Next weeks changes for Virgin Media UK in full:

Saturday:
*​Sky Cinema Wizarding World HD renames to Sky Cinema Fast & Furious HD

Monday:
*NickToons renames to Nick LoudHouse
*​Sky Cinema Black Talent HD renames to ​Sky Cinema Hits HD

Wednesday:
*​Sky Cinema Halloween HD renames to Sky Cinema ScFi and Horror HD
*The Box renames to BoXmas

Thursday:
*​Virgin Media may close CNBC SD and replaced it with CNBC HD (Change to be confirmed)

Friday:
*Sky Cinema Hits HD rename to​ Sky Cinema Twilight HD