Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2015) Vol. 2
 

Yes, if you take Sky TV you get a free LG 32" TV. Just mention that to retention's.

Somewhere in the underworld of VM, they must be developing some game changing product. They surely have the resources with Liberty Global behind them?

Disney is now streaming directly to customers, but yet again a different interface. If VM want to make an impact it's got to offer a solution that delivers all the different media streams as an integrated package with a simple user interface.

So no matter what you watch, NetFlix, Prime, Disney, Ultraviolet, Plex (your own media server) you access them with one UI. Perhaps billing on a usage model, although I would like to see a spending cap with perhaps an override if required.

P.S the only real thing I miss by moving to SKY is this forum, the SKY version of this forum is rubbish!

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2015) Vol. 2
 

When we was given news about Vevo on Monday night our Virgin Media Sources did say Vevo will be an slate based app channel.

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2015) Vol. 2
 

There probably isn't a business case for developing a new cable TV product now. Things are moving too fast to IPTV and the big players like Apple, Google and Amazon have viable ecosystems, more to invest and the talent to produce a better user experience. We're seeing the same thing in video that happened before with ISP portals, which were abandoned because all customers really wanted was a pipe while the telcos had no compelling content and it was outside their core competency of shifting data around. On top of that, LG is in a phase of consolidation and cost savings ahead of whatever next mega deal occurs, not big new investment, and the R&D spend of Malone's companies has always been pitiful.

I'd put my hat on there being one more iteration of the TiVo in the UK and another of Horizon outside and then that will be it.

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2015) Vol. 2
 

Updated:

We now think we know why Now Music TV has says they are set to launch on Virgin Channel 345 for.

Vevo will launch on Virgin Channel 344*.
Now Music TV will launch via an app on ClublandAkaChilledNow on Virgin Channel 345*.

*Only on TiVo boxes.

Info base on latest info we have seen.

Only ClublandAkaChilledNow and H2 HD are testing as of 2.30pm on November 25th on Virgin Media UK.

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2015) Vol. 2
 

This is the thing I liked about cable when they eventually launched on demand services, that everything could be accessed through one menu.

But now in the world of apps, there are different UIs for different channels. How is that progress?

If VM were to have a stb and software that was fast to use (not holding my breadth on that one) where you could access everything under one UI, that would be a game changer. TiVo tries, but its too sluggish. If I want BBC shows, I go to the iPlayer all on my smart TV which is far quicker than going through TiVo, yet I pay a premium for TiVo..... Something is wrong somewhere.

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2015) Vol. 2
 

One more week to get your votes in.

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2015) Vol. 2
 

Or mention Sky are offering 50% off for 12 months on a 12 month contract.

Cheers

Grim

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2015) Vol. 2
 

That's a really good point mate..

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2015) Vol. 2
 

But it's not that simple.

Inexpensive streaming boxes such Roku and Amazon Fire TV can refresh their range on a regular one to two year cycle and improve processing power each time.

TV manufacturers refresh their ranges yearly and do the same. Obviously TVs are more expensive, but very few people can afford to change their TVs each year. And on older TV models, apps sometimes stop working.

Tivo is five years old, and therefore processing power is behind the times. Plus Tivo has to do a lot more than a streamer box or TV. It would be unreasonable to expect VM to update their boxes with new hardware more often than they do; cost wise it would be too prohibitive.

And then there are the apps; VM can't just add apps without agreement and co-operation from the services they want. The big missing ones are Now TV and Amazon. Technically the Amazon Prime app could be added after the update to the US Tivo Premier earlier this year. But it is down to commercial considerations between VM, Amazon and Sky for Now TV.

Given that streamer boxes are relatively inexpensive, and can be hardware updated more frequently, it makes more sense to me, to use these for streaming video content alongside Tivo's PVR functionality.

If VM do release a new Tivo box, (and I agree with steveh, it will most likely be the last traditional PVR), then it will be great with apps for the first year and then it will start to become slow again as new apps need more processing power.

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2015) Vol. 2
 

Also worth noting that cable companies in the US and East Asia are already offering both on-demand and live TV via apps on streaming boxes as an option rather than traditional delivery. They get out of the consumer equipment game and all the problems that brings, they still take a cut on revenue to content providers and they keep more traffic on their own network.

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2015) Vol. 2
 

Is Tomorrow D Day for BBC Three?

a516Digital is reporting that BBC may reveal what will happen to BBC Three in 2016 Tomorrow at 12noon.

http://www.a516digital.com/2015/11/h...bbc-three.html

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2015) Vol. 2
 

Interesting prediction. But what happens in five years' time? How will the average pay TV customer then get their fix?

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2015) Vol. 2
 

The Belfast Telegraph is also reporting that BBC Trust decision due on BBC Three due today.

The Trust will also announce its final decision on BBC One +1, (New look BBC) iPlayer and CBBC.

http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/ne...-34235591.html

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2015) Vol. 2
 

Medium term I think it will be a case of installing an app on your smart TV or streaming box to access channels from your cable company - and they will also supply a preconfigured one for a small fee. Longer term I think the likes of Apple, Google and Amazon are more likely to win and you'll be paying subs to them for packages of content while cable companies end up just being Internet connection suppliers.

Facebook will want to get in on the act eventually and maybe picking up Netflix would be the easiest way for them to do that, especially when other services start eating into their revenue. At some point Sky will have to decide where it wants to sit in this new world - long term I think BT will win on broadband but when Fox eventually buy Sky they might be able to put together a contender, though Murdoch's record on Internet ventures has been terrible so they might just end up not much more than a studio.

Amazon are already looking to offer bundles of other suppliers content as part of their service it seems: http://www.bloomberg.com/news/articl...to-prime-video

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2015) Vol. 2
 

I can tell you from my particular household it'll be exactly the same. Whilst I'm embracing services such as Netflix, Iplayer and they are the "future" we have to understand that there are HUGE numbers of people who don't embrace this and quite simply will never embrace it

It is the future and more companies will head towards that format but we have to realise we by default being on this forum are internet savvy. There a huge numbers out there who aren't. Maybe once that generation of older people start dying off it may move more towards the on demand type world but 5 years is vey optimistic to wipe these people out...

Unless a nuclear attack occurs