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

http://www.talktalkgroup.com/press/p...llections.aspx

So it seems talktalk had it before virgin and named it something similar.

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

Just found out that Bliss(mas) was abruptly closed down at 10.21am yesterday. This must have been a sudden decision as they had only just rebranded for Christmas and nothing was mentioned on air prior to the closure.

Also, it appears that some of the lesser performing channels are being kicked out of the 'sub club' by Sky as their contracts expire. There is speculation that this is to help to pay for what Sky paid for the football rights.

This has knock on effects for VM customers as some channels on cable may close if they lose the sub money from Sky. Conversely, some channels that are currently encrypted on VM may become FTA elsewhere ;-)

It's interesting how Sky either no longer fear (or have given up the fight over) FTA channels. In the early nineties, Sky succeeded in forcing people who wanted to watch multi channels to have to pay for them because they managed to encrypt most of them- even QVC was behind a paywall!!!

Now, they have put five Sky channels onto Freesat and are slowly dropping financial support/encryption for others. This could be of benefit to VM customers as, hopefully, it will see an end to deals like ITV Encore too.

PBS decided to try and survive with ad revenue only and went FTA recently, which also allowed them to increase their reach by joining Freesat.

In the past, Current TV closed immediately they lost the funding, whereas Motors TV went back to being free again.

It is rumoured that two more music channels* are set to close and that one or more UKTV channels may be going FTA.

*Stars and CSC Dance have been mentioned as possibilities. Do we get these two channels on VM (no access to my box at the moment)?

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

I realise the content doesn't appear to be exclusive but VM increasing any on demand content is a good thing.

Maybe VM have been listening to their customers or realised the on demand offering was really very poor.

VM are very late to the party but with this and exclusive Ash V's Evil Dead they may be finally getting their act together.

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

I agree. People do seem to enjoy getting new channels, even if they are packed with programmes that have been broadcast on other channels before.

Much as I dislike the practice of exclusivity of content, I think VM will need to demonstrate that they are able to provide their subscribers with some exclusive programmes of their own. VM can't risk being frozen out or the advantage will be with those platforms who try to hog all the best material for themselves.

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

More Bad News For The BBC Could They Be Losing The Broadcasting Rights to F1 Next Year? Sports TV Presenter Susie Perry Had F1 Fans Worried Saying we might be back Next Year. BBC Share F1 Rights With Sky Since 2011.

Source: Digitalspy.co.uk

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

They will lose them so apart from highlights everything regarding F1 will then be on PPV

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

I read that they had given up the rights as part of the cuts along with other sports rights(sorry cannot remember where)

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

F1 is boring so won't be a loss

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

You mean subscription ?

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

Yes, a sub to SKY Sports will be needed to watch in future.

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

Not necessarily. Apparently Ecclestone is keen on the exposure that the BBC contract gives and might be willing to accept less from the BBC whilst still maintaining a good number of races on it.

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

Was told last night that rumours are flying around the industry that UKTV are the latest victims of the 'Sub Club' review and are to make some or all of their SD channels FTA and available on Freesat; less likely is that their HD variants will be unencrypted.

As more channels become free elsewhere, VM will have to up their game...

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

Yes sorry MM that was what l meant.

---------- Post added at 06:41 ---------- Previous post was at 06:40 ----------

l cannot see that scenario personally Andrew.

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

I've seen rumblings of this on dspy too.

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

Eden HD is one of the few reasons I stick with the XL TV - fabulous channel.