Originally Posted by Media Boy (Post 35798361)

down to them being busy with UPC Ireland areas right now.

Originally Posted by spiderplant (Post 35798436)

Source?

Originally Posted by Media Boy (Post 35798438)

As the post says it just my view.

Originally Posted by spiderplant (Post 35798442)

But that must be based on some evidence? All I've seen is news of UPC Ireland rebranding.

Originally Posted by OLD BOY (Post 35798419)

The important thing to concentrate on is content, not channels. Watching broadcast channels will almost certainly decline with time and people will become used to choosing programmes from lists or from searches.

I am fascinated by the number of complaints made that there is not enough choice on VM. We have all the major channels and practically all the content we can expect. We are into dramas and manage to watch two hours worth per night (4 at weekends) and yet we have so much to watch that we can scarcely keep our recordings in check even with a 1TB box.

To demonstrate, here is a list of the drama series on our recordings that we currently still have to view:

Odyssey; Partners in Crime; The Trials of Jimmy Rose; The Last Ship; The Transporter; Defiance; The Strain; Necessary Roughness; Black Sails; Zoo; Crossing Lines; Dark Matter; Madam Secretary; The Scandalous Lady W; Life in Squares; Humans; Strike Back – The Legacy; The Interceptor; Wayward Pines; The Outcast; Sons of Liberty; The Syndicate; Black Work; Reckless; Ascension; Home Fires; Resurrection; The Blacklist; Stalker; 12 Monkeys; Critical; The Enfield Haunting; Safe House; The Mentalist; Poldark; Vera; Ordinary Lies; Code of a Killer; Banished; Crisis; Annihilation; Major Crimes; Wolf Hall; The Kindness of Strangers; Collision; Suspects; XIII; Homeland; The Missing; Legends; Tyrant; Chasing Shadows; Almost Human; Betrayal.

I am part way through some of these, but many of those shows I haven’t even started yet. Some were recorded mid way through last year. So this shows that if you are reasonably diligent in recording the programmes you want to see, and couple this with all the films, etc on demand, it is difficult to understand how you could possibly get through everything, even if you watch TV all day long and evenings too!

Of course, I am fortunate in being able to afford to pay for the XL pack and Sky Movies, but you would have to pay whichever platform you were on.

But it’s even better than I have set out here! Netflix is also on the Tivo. My list of TV series to watch on there are:

Narcos; Better Call Saul; Sense 8; Orphan Black; Identity Thief; Marco Polo; Spooks; The Bridge; Heartland; Borgia; Abduction; The Fixer; Continuum; The 4400; The Purge; Orange is the New Black; House of Cards; Lilyhammer; Bloodline; Damages.

This is not an exhaustive list of what I want to see on Netflix, but it’s as far as I’ve got in compiling my Netflix list.

So the next question is, what is missing? Well, the original Sky Atlantic programming, of course, and it appears that Sky will hold out as long as possible to keep this channel exclusively on their own platform. Given this, the only option available to VM viewers is to access these programmes through Now TV. The Roku streaming stick is the option I have chosen to access exclusive Sky programming on Sky Atlantic and ITV Encore.

My concern is that the scourge of exclusivity may spread to yet more platforms, and of course BT’s decision to do just this with their new AMC channel is a worrying development. Fears will be allayed if VM does gain access to this channel within the next few months, but there is still the fear that the likes of Amazon will continue to make exclusive TV series. Although I am fortunate in being able to access all available content I could wish for via Virgin, Netflix, Amazon Prime and Now TV, I hope I have demonstrated that there is plenty of good programming available simply through Virgin.

However, to continually hanker after more channels for the sake of it, without regard to the content they offer, is pretty pointless. Spike and Tru TV offer nothing new and the cost of including these channels on the Virgin platform will only get passed off to us by way of increased costs. Better to hope they add Amazon Prime and Now TV to our Tivo apps and we would have access to pretty well all we could want.

Originally Posted by theone2k10 (Post 35798463)

rumours are circulating a new firetv will be announced at end of this month.

Originally Posted by passingbat (Post 35798469)

Announcement could be today.

http://www.aftvnews.com/new-amazon-f...eptember-30th/

Originally Posted by theone2k10 (Post 35798470)

I won't be buying new one yet as my old one is still going strong lol, but am very interested to see what they come up with as Apple was a let down and overpriced as usual lol.

Originally Posted by OLD BOY (Post 35798419)

The important thing to concentrate on is content, not channels. Watching broadcast channels will almost certainly decline with time and people will become used to choosing programmes from lists or from searches.

I am fascinated by the number of complaints made that there is not enough choice on VM. We have all the major channels and practically all the content we can expect. We are into dramas and manage to watch two hours worth per night (4 at weekends) and yet we have so much to watch that we can scarcely keep our recordings in check even with a 1TB box.

To demonstrate, here is a list of the drama series on our recordings that we currently still have to view:

Odyssey; Partners in Crime; The Trials of Jimmy Rose; The Last Ship; The Transporter; Defiance; The Strain; Necessary Roughness; Black Sails; Zoo; Crossing Lines; Dark Matter; Madam Secretary; The Scandalous Lady W; Life in Squares; Humans; Strike Back – The Legacy; The Interceptor; Wayward Pines; The Outcast; Sons of Liberty; The Syndicate; Black Work; Reckless; Ascension; Home Fires; Resurrection; The Blacklist; Stalker; 12 Monkeys; Critical; The Enfield Haunting; Safe House; The Mentalist; Poldark; Vera; Ordinary Lies; Code of a Killer; Banished; Crisis; Annihilation; Major Crimes; Wolf Hall; The Kindness of Strangers; Collision; Suspects; XIII; Homeland; The Missing; Legends; Tyrant; Chasing Shadows; Almost Human; Betrayal.

I am part way through some of these, but many of those shows I haven’t even started yet. Some were recorded mid way through last year. So this shows that if you are reasonably diligent in recording the programmes you want to see, and couple this with all the films, etc on demand, it is difficult to understand how you could possibly get through everything, even if you watch TV all day long and evenings too!

Of course, I am fortunate in being able to afford to pay for the XL pack and Sky Movies, but you would have to pay whichever platform you were on.

But it’s even better than I have set out here! Netflix is also on the Tivo. My list of TV series to watch on there are:

Narcos; Better Call Saul; Sense 8; Orphan Black; Identity Thief; Marco Polo; Spooks; The Bridge; Heartland; Borgia; Abduction; The Fixer; Continuum; The 4400; The Purge; Orange is the New Black; House of Cards; Lilyhammer; Bloodline; Damages.

This is not an exhaustive list of what I want to see on Netflix, but it’s as far as I’ve got in compiling my Netflix list.

So the next question is, what is missing? Well, the original Sky Atlantic programming, of course, and it appears that Sky will hold out as long as possible to keep this channel exclusively on their own platform. Given this, the only option available to VM viewers is to access these programmes through Now TV. The Roku streaming stick is the option I have chosen to access exclusive Sky programming on Sky Atlantic and ITV Encore.

My concern is that the scourge of exclusivity may spread to yet more platforms, and of course BT’s decision to do just this with their new AMC channel is a worrying development. Fears will be allayed if VM does gain access to this channel within the next few months, but there is still the fear that the likes of Amazon will continue to make exclusive TV series. Although I am fortunate in being able to access all available content I could wish for via Virgin, Netflix, Amazon Prime and Now TV, I hope I have demonstrated that there is plenty of good programming available simply through Virgin.

However, to continually hanker after more channels for the sake of it, without regard to the content they offer, is pretty pointless. Spike and Tru TV offer nothing new and the cost of including these channels on the Virgin platform will only get passed off to us by way of increased costs. Better to hope they add Amazon Prime and Now TV to our Tivo apps and we would have access to pretty well all we could want.

Originally Posted by Mad Max (Post 35798522)

To be honest OB you need to get out more, anyone who has a list as long as the one below must be permanently glued to their armchair........:D;)




To demonstrate, here is a list of the drama series on our recordings that we currently still have to view:

Odyssey; Partners in Crime; The Trials of Jimmy Rose; The Last Ship; The Transporter; Defiance; The Strain; Necessary Roughness; Black Sails; Zoo; Crossing Lines; Dark Matter; Madam Secretary; The Scandalous Lady W; Life in Squares; Humans; Strike Back – The Legacy; The Interceptor; Wayward Pines; The Outcast; Sons of Liberty; The Syndicate; Black Work; Reckless; Ascension; Home Fires; Resurrection; The Blacklist; Stalker; 12 Monkeys; Critical; The Enfield Haunting; Safe House; The Mentalist; Poldark; Vera; Ordinary Lies; Code of a Killer; Banished; Crisis; Annihilation; Major Crimes; Wolf Hall; The Kindness of Strangers; Collision; Suspects; XIII; Homeland; The Missing; Legends; Tyrant; Chasing Shadows; Almost Human; Betrayal.

Originally Posted by muppetman11 (Post 35798525)

For someone who doesn't watch anything off the Sky channels there seems to be a considerable amount of recordings made on them.:D

Originally Posted by muppetman11 (Post 35798525)

For someone who doesn't watch anything off the Sky channels there seems to be a considerable amount of recordings made on them.:D

Originally Posted by denphone (Post 35798534)

To be perfectly honest apart from the Sky Atlantic channel Sky's series on many of its other channels are absolute rubbish in my opinion as name me one which is any good.

Originally Posted by denphone (Post 35798534)

To be perfectly honest apart from the Sky Atlantic channel Sky's series on many of its other channels are absolute rubbish in my opinion as name me one which is any good.

Originally Posted by denphone (Post 35798534)

To be perfectly honest apart from the Sky Atlantic channel Sky's series on many of its other channels are absolute rubbish in my opinion as name me one which is any good.

Originally Posted by denphone (Post 35798534)

To be perfectly honest apart from the Sky Atlantic channel Sky's series on many of its other channels are absolute rubbish in my opinion as name me one which is any good.

Originally Posted by muppetman11 (Post 35798537)

I'm pretty sure last time I looked the Sky Entertainment channels had a greater reach than its competing pay tv channels so clearly not everyone agrees with you , it's all about personal choice I watch quite a bit across their 3 entertainment channels clearly you don't.

Originally Posted by denphone (Post 35798534)

To be perfectly honest apart from the Sky Atlantic channel Sky's series on many of its other channels are absolute rubbish in my opinion as name me one which is any good.

Originally Posted by Chad (Post 35798555)

The Blacklist, .

Originally Posted by denphone (Post 35798553)

l don't because many of their shows are simply unappealing MM but each to their own tastes and opinions.:)

Originally Posted by Chad (Post 35798555)

There's a few on SKY Living we've enjoyed: The Blacklist, Hannibal, The Enfield Haunting and Dracula.

Originally Posted by passingbat (Post 35798490)

Even though I knew there was a new box imminent, I bought a second original one last week. Primarily because I had a half price code which runs out on Saturday and I figured that the new box wouldn't have enough compelling changes for my usage. Glad I bought last week as they ran out of stock this week.

Originally Posted by OLD BOY (Post 35798548)

Sky have always had more than their fair share of rubbish on their channels, Den. It has always been the case that you have to scroll a long way through the schedules to find something worth watching.

The worrying thing is that there are even fewer 'gems' to find these days, except on SA. In fairness, there are a couple of programmes on Sky 1 this week that I am recording - Zoo and The Last Ship, although I'm not yet sure whether Zoo will be good as I've not watched it yet.

Originally Posted by Chad (Post 35798555)

There's a few on SKY Living we've enjoyed: The Blacklist, Hannibal, The Enfield Haunting and Dracula.

Originally Posted by passingbat (Post 35798552)

Arrow, Madam Secretary, the Flash, Strike Back and Nashville (turned into a horrible soap opera, but the music is good). That is just current shows.

Originally Posted by denphone (Post 35798565)

Yes Dracula was not too bad l have to say.

Originally Posted by denphone (Post 35798534)

To be perfectly honest apart from the Sky Atlantic channel Sky's series on many of its other channels are absolute rubbish in my opinion as name me one which is any good.

Originally Posted by Derekb108 (Post 35798681)

I though when a channel left Virgin Media the recordings wouldn't work, but I have program Desmonds that was on The Africa channel it still works is this due that The channel is coming back?....

Originally Posted by denphone (Post 35798695)

Yonderland is absolute rubbish pure and simple.

Originally Posted by johnathome (Post 35798688)

Yonderland surely?

:)

Originally Posted by denphone (Post 35798723)

BBC almost certain to retain Wimbledon TV rights.

http://www.theguardian.com/sport/201...-bbc-tv-rights

Originally Posted by denphone (Post 35798723)

BBC almost certain to retain Wimbledon TV rights.

http://www.theguardian.com/sport/201...-bbc-tv-rights

Originally Posted by Physci (Post 35799009)

Actually they have - contract extension until 2020

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/tennis/34287920

Originally Posted by denphone (Post 35799019)

Perhaps snail racing is your sport Eddie.;)

Originally Posted by denphone (Post 35799299)

All together now then......;)

Originally Posted by denphone (Post 35799299)

All together now then......;)

Originally Posted by Media Boy (Post 35799308)

As of today no new channels has started testing.

---------- Post added at 13:23 ---------- Previous post was at 13:22 ----------



We have seen no info on if True Movies will go Christmas this year.

Originally Posted by theone2k10 (Post 35799320)

It will as will bliss become blissmas (is bliss on virgin yet?), also you'll get a sky movies xmas channel.

Originally Posted by theone2k10 (Post 35799441)

I have recieved some information regarding ITV Encore, it is expected (rumoured) on VM by Summer 2016.

Originally Posted by theone2k10 (Post 35799306)

Bah humbug.

Originally Posted by theone2k10 (Post 35799441)

I have recieved some information regarding ITV Encore, it is expected (rumoured) on VM by Summer 2016.

Originally Posted by theone2k10 (Post 35799441)

I have recieved some information regarding ITV Encore, it is expected (rumoured) on VM by Summer 2016.

Originally Posted by Chad (Post 35799579)

ITV Encore isn't worth getting excited about. You'll get it and hardly watch it.

Originally Posted by theone2k10 (Post 35799589)

I can honestly say i have never watched it on nowtv.

Originally Posted by Chad (Post 35799579)

ITV Encore isn't worth getting excited about. You'll get it and hardly watch it.

Originally Posted by OLD BOY (Post 35799592)

Well, apart from the new series of The Americans, it's all repeats at the moment, but that will change shortly.

---------- Post added at 22:36 ---------- Previous post was at 22:35 ----------

You may change your mind when the new original programming starts, though.

Originally Posted by theone2k10 (Post 35799441)

I have recieved some information regarding ITV Encore, it is expected (rumoured) on VM by Summer 2016.

Originally Posted by Media Boy (Post 35799674)

Confirmed: Sky Movies Greats back on Monday.

Radio Times has confirmed that Sky Movies Greats will be back from Monday on Virgin Channel 404 - Also in HD on Virgin Channel 434.

Originally Posted by theone2k10 (Post 35799695)

Sky movies greats will rebrand to Sky movies Christmas at somepoint in November.

Originally Posted by theone2k10 (Post 35799695)

Sky movies greats will rebrand to Sky movies Christmas at somepoint in November.

Originally Posted by Media Boy (Post 35799674)

Confirmed: Sky Movies Greats back on Monday.

Radio Times has confirmed that Sky Movies Greats will be back from Monday on Virgin Channel 404 - Also in HD on Virgin Channel 434.

Originally Posted by theone2k10 (Post 35799695)

Sky movies greats will rebrand to Sky movies Christmas at somepoint in November.

Originally Posted by denphone (Post 35799757)

Will that be broadcasting in Gosport MB?.

Originally Posted by denphone (Post 35799763)

Thanks MB as my parents live there and l just wanted to ask about that.

Originally Posted by 1andrew1 (Post 35799614)

June 2016 would make sense as this will have made it a Sky exclusive for two years. The period of Sky exclusitvity was never in the public domain but I believe The Guardian suggested it was at least 18 months.

Originally Posted by Media Boy (Post 35799432)

Media Boy EXCLUSIVE: Virgin Media start tests for Lifetime HD.

Media Boy Sources has confirmed that Lifetime HD tests has appeared on Virgin Media.

Our Virgin Sources say Lifetime HD is set to launch in October on Virgin Media.

©copyright 2015 Media Boy 2006 - 2015. An ''Keep it real and free'' Production

Originally Posted by Stephen (Post 35799698)

Then rebrand to something else fairly soon after that.

Bond/80s/Starwars and many other previous/future naming possibilities.

Originally Posted by Media Boy (Post 35799702)

Sky Movies goes Christmas mad every December.

Originally Posted by OLD BOY (Post 35799787)

Initially, the rumour was that the exclusive deal was for 12 or 18 months, following which original programming for ITV Encore would kick in. On that basis, we wouldn't miss out on any content.

However, the two years that you mention is a different proposition. Where did you hear that?

UPDATE: I've just established that ITV have established a '4 year partnership with Sky', so at worse, this period of exclusivity may have another 3 years to run!

So much for 'rumours'!!

Originally Posted by denphone (Post 35799837)

Lets hope that is not the case.

Originally Posted by theone2k10 (Post 35799854)

As far as i'm aware the 4 year deal is for on demand content not for itv encore etc, i'll try to find out more information if i can.

Originally Posted by OLD BOY (Post 35799858)

That would be really helpful, thank you, theone!

Originally Posted by theone2k10 (Post 35799958)

4k channel from Discovery is in the works according to a source.

Originally Posted by blue666666 (Post 35799959)

does that mean you heard something about a 4k virgin box too or just the channel theone2k10

Originally Posted by muppetman11 (Post 35799986)

In the USA maybe , I can't see it arriving here anytime soon unless they strike a startup partnership with one of the UK platforms (BT, Sky or VM).

Originally Posted by theone2k10 (Post 35800004)

Just the channel mate but i suspect the new tivo when/if it comes will be 4k with 3tb storage.

---------- Post added at 12:50 ---------- Previous post was at 12:49 ----------



UK my source said but yeah i think it will be in partnership with one of those 3, once i get more info i will update you guys on here.

Originally Posted by Horizon (Post 35800122)

.... true, but at the end of the day both companies are controlled by the same person - John Malone.

Originally Posted by blue666666 (Post 35799959)

does that mean you heard something about a 4k virgin box too or just the channel theone2k10

Originally Posted by Ultimate.Conj (Post 35799977)

I think Tivo are working on a 4K box, it will probably hit the US before VM take any orders.

Originally Posted by Horizon (Post 35800122)

.... true, but at the end of the day both companies are controlled by the same person - John Malone.

Originally Posted by Ultimate.Conj (Post 35799977)

I think Tivo are working on a 4K box, it will probably hit the US before VM take any orders.

Originally Posted by denphone (Post 35800233)

The question is will there be new software or possibly a new box on the horizon in the coming months?.;)

Originally Posted by Media Boy (Post 35800237)

I have two questions (About UPC Ireland):

1. When will Virgin Media Ireland launch?
2. What will happen to all the UPC Ireland only channels?

Originally Posted by 1andrew1 (Post 35800255)

1. Believe this is scheduled to take place next month.
2. Don't think the situation will alter just because of the rebrand. In the longer terms, the two offerings may converge but channels like RTE One will still be for the island of Ireland only.

Originally Posted by Media Boy (Post 35800260)

Just found this:

Richard Branson will mark rebrand of UPC Ireland next week.

http://www.irishtimes.com/business/m...ting-1.2363413

Originally Posted by denphone (Post 35800282)

Perhaps you can give us more predictions then Andrew.;)

Originally Posted by 1andrew1 (Post 35800324)

Sorry Den, burnt out from my last one mate. :) But on a more serious note, I wonder if anyone has heard anything more about AMC coming to the platform?

Originally Posted by theone2k10 (Post 35800326)

All quiet on AMC at mo.
But you're not missing much tbh.

Originally Posted by johnathome (Post 35800328)

Not very popular according to this

http://www.thisismoney.co.uk/money/m...o-viewers.html



But how accurate it is when BARB only survey 5000 homes is anyones guess, not accurate at all is my guess and it seems a complete waste of time to put any credence on their figures at all.

According to other sources 211,000 watched the opening ep of Fear the Walking Dead.

Originally Posted by 1andrew1 (Post 35800324)

Sorry Den, burnt out from my last one mate. :) But on a more serious note, I wonder if anyone has heard anything more about AMC coming to the platform?