Re: Coming soon to Virgin TV 2014
 

All the main providers are coming under increased pressure one way or another ,

VM who once had the upper hand with fibre BB are now coming under increased pressure from services like BT Infinity , Sky Fibre , Talk Talk Fibre however its worth remembering the vast majority of customers are still actually choosing the cheaper ADSL products which in some cases are being offered free by providers like Sky if you take Sky Sports/Movies or ridiculously cheap from the likes of Plusnet. VM obviously believe in their broadband product going forward , with speed increases already planned again upto 150mb they're hoping this will entice people.

Sky are facing increased pressure from the likes of BT , Netflix , Lovefilm (Amazon) resulting in them having to offer lower prices and diversify their offering whilst trying not to impact their premium paying satellite customers.

The triple play take up of 36% offers them up selling opportunities as does Sky Go extra and I wouldn't at all be surprised to see the introduction of a mobile product. The main problem for Sky at the moment is the ever increasing content costs especially sports rights.

BT had good BB additions and the BT Sport offering seems to have helped with that however their TV offering is a completely different matter in fact hasn't it been reported that Talk Talk are set to overtake BT for TV subscribers ?

The main problems for the BT TV offering is that people find it all to confusing , this isn't helped by the fact that they currently can't offer Sky Sports on its Youview boxes , its channel range is also currently probably the worst of all the pay TV platforms.

Going forward I still believe BT need to strike a wholesale deal with Sky to allow Sky Sports to be shown on their You view boxes whilst also striking a deal for the likes of Sky Arts , Sky One , Sky Living etc.

Re: Coming soon to Virgin TV 2014
 

and them are going to be keep going up MM as both sky and BT up money trying to beat each other in that

Re: Coming soon to Virgin TV 2014
 

I know they all do it but the attitude to existing customers stinks. I have been trying to help a friend at work who has been with VM (and Telewest before that) for 14 years. The best deal they would give her on the VIP package was £112 a month. Bare in mind my parents got the VIP pack for £72 for the first 6 months with an extra TIVO and V+hd (3 boxes) and £100 credit as a new customer. I emailed Tom Mockridge and his office would just not help quoting prices on the website and giving stupid comments such as a new customer is a more valuable one.

She does not want to leave VM but they gave her no choice.

Re: Coming soon to Virgin TV 2014
 

They actually said a new customer is a more valuable one?

Re: Coming soon to Virgin TV 2014
 

Yes he then went on to try and justify that, but what he said made little sense. He was talking about the new customer losing VM money in the first 6 months but gaining it back in the last 12. The rolling discount offered to existing customers is a static discount for a 12 month period. However i rightly pointed out that after the discount period ends for new customers the package can be changed he agreed but said most new customers don't change even if they did vm would still be making money.

Re: Coming soon to Virgin TV 2014
 

I must admit that SKY are really good with their offers to retain or regain customers. When I joined SKY initially 13 months ago I signed up on a 50% off friends and family offer. I had the works in terms of TV, SKY Sports, SKY Movies, HD package, broadband, telephone, multiroom etc... costing me £61.37 per month.

Last month my deal came to an end so I cancelled. Within 3 weeks SKY offered me 50% off to come back for a further 12 months. I'm on the exact same package but they've thrown in my broadband for completely free. Luckily I get 17.5mb consistently from my broadband connection which cover my households needs. My new monthly subscription is £55.40, down £5.97 from last year.

I know SKY isn't everyone's cup of tea however ever since I joined them they've made me feel like a valued customer, and give me tremendous value. If I'd just stuck with Virgin on the VIP package I'd now be paying £120.44 per month.

There is little to no value being loyal to your TV provider, unless they deliver what you want and offer exceptional value. The good deals are reserved for those who are prepared to shop around. I didn't really want to leave Virgin but they simply priced me out. As a result I've managed to get half price TV for 2 years, which in the long run save me just over £1500!

Re: Coming soon to Virgin TV 2014
 

Agreed but Sky is taking a hit on its profits, it is not passing the increased costs onto customers. This is because fewer people would subscribe to Sky Sports if it raised its prices, generating less income and therefore less profit for Sky. If it could get more income by charging more for Sky Sports, believe me it would have done so already.

Re: Coming soon to Virgin TV 2014
 

Well done for getting a good deal Chad but it does seem that the full paying customers are subsidising many of these customers who get half price deals every year and l am not sure for the many customers who are loyal to their provider that is fair as they seem to be subsidising all this.:)

Re: Coming soon to Virgin TV 2014
 

Agreed, if you put the leg work in, you get the best deal. I also think a lot of people don't work out the total costs or savings as you have done, they just look at the monthly amount. Before they know it, they're paying £1k-£2k per year without even thinking about it.
And don't forget that a £ saved is worth more than a £ earned. A £ earned is probably worth less than 70p once tax and national insurance are taken into account!

Re: Coming soon to Virgin TV 2014
 

That's the problem. Providers see loyal customers as easy guaranteed money. They don't have to fight hard to retain them. How many people are unhappy with what they pay per month, and price increases, yet stay with their provider and begrudgingly continue to pay regardless?

When was the last time anyone felt their TV provider truly fought to keep their custom? When I left Virgin I'd been a customer for around 8 years, the majority of them I was on the VIP package. I re-contracted with them for 18 months around March 2012 to get TiVo. 8 months later I received a letter stating my package was going up by around £5.50 per month. I was not prepared to accept the price increase, called them and cancelled my contract under the terms and conditions. Even though I had been with them for 8 years and was on their top end package with 10 months still to run on my contract, Virgin wouldn't offer me any kind of favorable discount. They would only make downgrades to my package to save me money. They'd rather lose me as a long time loyal customer than offer some kind of discount to convince me to stay. The same thing with SKY recently. I called to cancel as my package was going up to full price. SKY offered me 30% off with no contract at all to stay. I advised whilst I appreciated the offer it was still more per month than I was prepared to pay. I cancelled my services and 3 weeks later I received a letter offering 50% to come back. In the end, due to getting my broadband for free, I'm actually getting close to 55% off my package. I didn't even really have to do anything. SKY really wanted me back as a customer and in the end where prepared to meet my price expectations.

Ultimately my main concern is what I pay per month. If it's at the expense of others, shame on them for not doing something about it. The SKY 50% off deal is available to all every 8 weeks or so. Likewise Virgin do now and again offer 12 months half price if you join them on a 18 month contract.

Re: Coming soon to Virgin TV 2014
 

For balance, Sky told me I could go when I rang to renegotiate with them once out of contract, whilst so far Virgin have worked hard to keep me. That said, Bananaman's example doesn't show them up well.

Re: Coming soon to Virgin TV 2014
 

I think SKY might be feeling the effect of competition from BT.

Everyone I know with SKY, in terms of family, friends and work colleagues have recently re-contracted to SKY on 50% off deals. That's how I became aware of the tactics you need to use. You need to let your contract end and within a month you'll receive either an e-mail, call or mailshot offering 50% off to return.

As the TV provider market hots up, it should be good news for us the consumers. The battle for customers is definitely on.

Re: Coming soon to Virgin TV 2014
 

My mate works for Sky and last week she offered me a code for full Sky TV package which was normally £67 for a promotional price of £25 for 25 months.. crazy!
If I hadn't just recontracted to VM a couple of months ago I would have took it and kept VM BB.

Re: Coming soon to Virgin TV 2014
 

That's a great deal. SKY seem to make their money on these deals from up-selling. They don't offer any discount on your multiroom box, the HD package or line rental. They also don't offer any discount on the various telephone options they sell.

Actually when I review my package, it looks like I'm only paying £25.00 for my Entertainment+ TV package which includes both SKY Movies and SKY Sports. It's all the ad-dons that take me up to £55.40.

It just shows you how much profit TV providers are making from subscription costs. All TV for only £25.00. SKY must be making some kind of profit from that sum to make the offer worthwhile. Whilst they can up-sell, some people will sign up to this offer purely for TV and nothing else. Consumers are being ripped off in the pay TV market by all companies involved.

Re: Coming soon to Virgin TV 2014
 

It begs the question then why so many stay loyal to any provider ? It clearly doesn't pay.

Re: Coming soon to Virgin TV 2014
 

Totally agree. The past 14 months have been a real eye opener for me. It's amazing what a few simple changes can achieve, if you can be bothered. My wife was made redundant last year, and was out of work for a few months. We made a few simple changes and realized we could get bye on one salary if need be. With my wife returning to work we have continued to be frugal. We've never had so much disposable income available. We're going out more often, going away on breaks more often, eating better, saving more each month and putting more than ever away for the future. In general our life is so much better thanks to a few painless changes. For example:

* Switching TV provider - Saving £62.00 per month
* Switching from mobile contract to SIM only contract - Saving £22.00 per month
* Switching car insurance provider - Saving £20.00 per month
* Switching electricity provider - Saving £18.00 per month
* Switching home insurance provider - Saving £8.00 per month
* Stopped buying a newspaper every day - Saving £13.00 per month
* Buying toiletries and cleaning products from shops like B&M and Poundland instead of my local Sainsburys - Saving £15.00 per month
* Fueling up at my local ASDA instead of BP - Saving £15.00 per month
* Cancelled my overdraft facility and changed bank account type - Saving £15.00 per month
* Cancelled Netflix. Now using my brothers account in exchange for him using my SKY Go account - Saving £6.00 per month

Those simple changes are saving me £194.00 per month, which is £2328.00 extra in my pocket per year. Okay I've went off topic however it's just to show that loyalty to a brand, product or the provider of a service isn't always in your best interest. Ironically my two largest savings, TV and mobile, have been as a result of moving my services away from Virgin Media.

Re: Coming soon to Virgin TV 2014
 

Its very annoying as it would depend on who you are talking to and at what time of the month as to if you get a good deal. I rang and renegotiated my Virgin deal just a couple of months previous and managed to get my bill down by about 20% keeping all my services.

My friend at work was offered only 10% and she had been a customer 10 years longer than me she was paying just under £90 a month for 30mb broadband xl tv and sky movies and sports which i think is a lot compared to what i am getting.

The attitude of the person i spoke to on behalf of my friend was awful. Firstly stating the deal i had bartered for my parents as a new customer did not exist he also doubted the deal i was on. I gave him permission to access both accounts to prove what i was telling him and then the excuses came he could not have cared one jot and really just wanted to argue.

Re: Coming soon to Virgin TV 2014
 

I've had similar experiences with both SKY and Virgin. What I don't like is if you call to cancel, and suggest you are moving to a rival, they then tell you all the "bad points" about your competitors services rather than focusing on their own plus points. Again SKY and Virgin guilty of this.

Re: Coming soon to Virgin TV 2014
 

Once my contract is up i'm getting rid of pay tv completly and just sticking to my Smart DNS, Netflix and HBOnordic.

Re: Coming soon to Virgin TV 2014
 

Exactly what I've just done, just keeping VM BB and Phone. Strangely, I got a cheaper price by keeping one Tivo with M TV on it.

I'm happy to pay for TV, but the things I want to watch, rather than fund BT Sport.

Re: Coming soon to Virgin TV 2014
 

I've got to keep XLTV for another 4 months due to the offer i'm on then i'll downgrade to TVM. Although i could easily ring up anytime and just say "sorry finances won't allow for me to have XL i need to drop to M" but that'll mean a new contract lol.

Re: Coming soon to Virgin TV 2014
 

Why do you think that you will be able to downgrade to TV M at the end of your current contract period without a new contract period?

Re: Coming soon to Virgin TV 2014
 

I've heard of people being offered this many times , to be honest it makes sense , keep the STB in the home in the hope the customer will upgrade to a pay TV package again in the future. Cant the customer still also order PPV movies which makes VM money so why wouldn't they offer this ? Don't all tiers including M count towards VM's total TV subscriber base if so surely its in their interest to keep this as high as they can. ?

Re: Coming soon to Virgin TV 2014
 

I will be dropping TV & Phone and keeping the BB when my contract ends in July.

I have just purchased a Now TV box with a 6 months entertainment pass. I also sub Lovefilm, so my families viewing is sorted.

Re: Coming soon to Virgin TV 2014
 

I started a new 12 month contract. The reason they said I needed to was because my bundle discounts had changed.

They said the reason that I could get a cheaper price for BB and Phone if I kept one Tivo on M TV, was that by having a triple service, I could get a larger bundle discount, than by just having 2 services. The new 12 month contract didn't bother me as I paid up front for line rental at the same time.

As I mentioned earlier, re the just released financial results, part of the reason, I'm sure, is that VM need to boost their TV users and also, as MM said, they're hoping I will be tempted by the missing channels and upgrade in the future.

When I rang to cancel, I did tell them that a good part of my reason for wanting to cancel TV was my 9% price rise and I objected to funding a Premium service (BT Sport) that costs £15 extra on Sky, yet VM still do not have Sky Atlantic. I told them a lot of other people feel the same way.

Re: Coming soon to Virgin TV 2014
 

to be honest, I think I might drop down to a lower TV pack as well, FOX was a big draw for me, so now that's available in L Pack, and I'm not a sports fan, xl is a bit wasted on me.

Of course if they add some new entertainment channels(not mentioning any names!), that may change things again.

---------- Post added at 11:29 ---------- Previous post was at 11:29 ----------

Just noticed the Borgias is on Pick TV from tonight.

Re: Coming soon to Virgin TV 2014
 

Lets hope it is the full series and not just a few episodes.

Re: Coming soon to Virgin TV 2014
 

For people who use Netflix with a smart DNS, all three seasons are on US Netflix.

---------- Post added at 11:44 ---------- Previous post was at 11:37 ----------


If Sky add a few more good channels to Now TV, they are going to have a serious impact on both VM and Sky Satellite in my view.

Re: Coming soon to Virgin TV 2014
 

Being a uneducated man what is smart DNS PB?.

Re: Coming soon to Virgin TV 2014
 

The crucial thing here is of course the long-term price. £5 is good value but its introductory price so how long will its stay at this price for? Perhaps a ramp up to £7pm then maybe a £1 each year for a bit. Perhaps a discount for those talking Sky broadband too?

Re: Coming soon to Virgin TV 2014
 

You change the DNS setting on the device, such as laptop/ps3 etc and you can access other regions Netflix content and not restricted to just the UK content.
It can't be done on TiVo

Re: Coming soon to Virgin TV 2014
 

I'm sure someone posted on here that the NOW TV entertainment pas is going up to either £7.99 or £8.99 per month soon. It'll be interesting to see how many people are prepared to that per month. SKY did drop the price of their movie offering from £15.00 to £8.99 per month due to poor demand. Maybe they'll rethink the price of entertainment too if demand is low.

What I know for sure is SKY is taking services like Lovefilm and Netflix very seriously. I've been selected to take part in something SKY are working on in terms of video on demand services. I think NOW TV will be an ever evolving beast until people in the UK see it in the same light as a Netflix or Lovefilm. More content and lower pricing would be a good start.

---------- Post added at 12:28 ---------- Previous post was at 12:21 ----------

I'm always chopping and changing regions. My Smart TV is set to Netflix America, my Nintendo Wii is set to Netflix Canada and my Smart Blu-Ray player is set to Netflix UK. All 3 are in my livingroom and give me access to an incredible library of movies and TV. Access to many SKY exclusive programs like Arrow, The Borgias and The Following plus movies like Jack Reacher, End Of Watch, Flight plus Disney movies galore for the kids.

Re: Coming soon to Virgin TV 2014
 

Now TV box with 5 sky sports day passes ordered, plus the one from Muppetman's link, factor in the fact that I work some Sundays and that's practically me done for the new f1 season, for £35. Of course, with the box in the house the chances are I'll be giving the entertainment pack a go for a month just to see what it's like. If it's any good, and especially considering the TiVo suggestions issues, well, who knows...

For me, losing the ability to record, the now tv entertainment side of things will live or die on the quality of the on demand offering and how well it compliments Netflix. We'll see.

Re: Coming soon to Virgin TV 2014
 

Already have the email i got the CEO office to send me at the time. The email says "as per agreed once you have finished your 6 month offer on XLTV you can downgrade to our lowest pack TVM free of charge and with no new contract needed."

Re: Coming soon to Virgin TV 2014
 

http://www.unblock-us.com/

Costs around £3p/m


Gives you access to all Netflix regions, HBO Nordic, Hulu and a bunch of other stuff.


You need a paid subscription to HBO Nordic.

Re: Coming soon to Virgin TV 2014
 

That's my main issue with a PVR you have more flexibility , looking on the Now TV website it would appear a lot of the catch up has an expiry of 30 days , so as an example the service will contain the first four episodes when the 5th episode is added the first dissapears.

Many on here have stated that the service has incomplete boxsets which is wrong its purely only episodes via catch up , this is down to rights issues for series currently airing.

Another big complaint on the forums is around boxsets that have to short a viewing time and missing episodes , earlier on I checked the Now TV entertainment section and the 24 boxset was missing a few series but they've only just been added on Sky Series 1-8.

Sky seem to be listening when it comes to making boxsets available longer , The Wire Series 1-5 has an expiry date of Jan 2018 and 24 Series 1-8 in December 2015.

Re: Coming soon to Virgin TV 2014
 

How much is a paid subscription to HBO Nordic PB?.

Re: Coming soon to Virgin TV 2014
 

Just out of interest, has Watch changed its name, to Drama?

Re: Coming soon to Virgin TV 2014
 

No Drama is a newish channel and Watch is still called Watch.

Re: Coming soon to Virgin TV 2014
 

It's around £8.70.

That's £3.70 more than the current price of Now TV. But you get the new episodes the day after the US air date and they have all the episodes of all the previous seasons (which Now TV doesn't have)

They also have non HBO quality content.

Given that the £4.99 for Sky now is due to rise to a similar price at some stage and the fact that you can get all previous seasons, I personally think it's worth the extra over Now TV.

And streaming to a PC, quality is HD, way better than Now TV PQ.

Re: Coming soon to Virgin TV 2014
 

Thanks for that PB.

Re: Coming soon to Virgin TV 2014
 

Fully agree with this you can catch up on seasons of other shows such as The Walking dead etc. As PB said the streaming quality is excellent.

Re: Coming soon to Virgin TV 2014
 

any good news for this week coming?

Re: Coming soon to Virgin TV 2014
 

All quiet atm mate.

Re: Coming soon to Virgin TV 2014
 

nope slow start of year hope it not gonna be like 2012 again

Re: Coming soon to Virgin TV 2014
 

Thy pessimist strikes again.:D

Re: Coming soon to Virgin TV 2014
 

Would a free VPN work instead?

What (if anything) do you get on NOW TV if the subscription is cancelled?

Re: Coming soon to Virgin TV 2014
 

If you buy the Now TV box you still get access to apps like 4OD , IPlayer , Demand 5 , Sky Store , ITV Player (soon to arrive) plus other apps from the Roku Store (Netflix being the exception).

Re: Coming soon to Virgin TV 2014
 

Some people use a free VPN but £3 p/m is pretty cheap for what you get and Unblockus is reliable, secure and very easy to change Netflix regions on.

Also, with some VPN's you are using their network and your speed can be greatly reduced. With Unblockus, you don't loose any broadband speed. It only works for sites they make it work with:

http://support.unblock-us.com/custom...rticles/291570


Personally I wouldn't trust a free VPN. Unblockus has been going for a good length of time, and gets recommended on most Netflix threads I view on various reputable forums, such as AVforums, AVSforums and Digital Spy.

If you cancel your Now TV subscription, you loose all access, just as you do on any other subscription service.

---------- Post added at 20:09 ---------- Previous post was at 20:07 ----------

Good point; I was thinking of viewing via a PC rather than the Now TV box

Re: Coming soon to Virgin TV 2014
 

Thanks for the info. guys :)

So, in effect, a non sub NOW TV box turns your TV into a Smart TV?

Out of interest, what does it show when trying to tune into an unsubscribed channel?

Re: Coming soon to Virgin TV 2014
 

I guess it is like a smart TV. I got the roku box in the end as I like my Netflix. Although I do have the nowTV app on it as well ;)

Re: Coming soon to Virgin TV 2014
 

It won't show anything it won't let you start the streams

Re: Coming soon to Virgin TV 2014
 

Hello everybody just catching up reading all past posts and I can recommend unblock us I have it on all mine and my daughters devices and hoping to get wwe network when it's launched on the 24th.tried to subscribe to hbo Nordic but couldn't seem to get that working

Re: Coming soon to Virgin TV 2014
 

Not sure if it's been mentioned, but I have a (free) firefox plugin that allows me to switch to different regions, not just for Netflix, but others as well.

I'm at work at the moment, and cannot for the life of me remember what it's called, but if anyone is interested, I'll look tonight

Re: Coming soon to Virgin TV 2014
 

Mediahint? or Hola unblocker?

Re: Coming soon to Virgin TV 2014
 

Can't you tell nothing is coming soon?
Completely off topic for pages of stuff and no one is bothered.
This Coming Soon thread seems to get worse every quarter with just 'chat' in it.

Re: Coming soon to Virgin TV 2014
 

I've found hola unblocker to be good, both as an addition to chrome on Windows8 pc, and for android devices.

Re: Coming soon to Virgin TV 2014
 

That may change i'm just waiting for another source to confirm something about Nat geowildHD, CIHD and HistoryHD launching soon. Only one source has told me they're coming before May 2014 but that source isn't very reliable so i'm just waiting for another to confirm the info.

Re: Coming soon to Virgin TV 2014
 

There is nothing wrong with reasoned discussion and debate even if we are still waiting for the next not to be missed episode in the long running series of Virgin's its coming soon.:)

Re: Coming soon to Virgin TV 2014
 

your quite correct denphone, except the subject matter of the last 2-3 pages could be discussed in an appropriate thread. Not saying there is anything wrong with what is being mooted :)

Re: Coming soon to Virgin TV 2014
 

Although it's strictly not 'Coming Soon', it is still relevant.

One of the most wanted missing channels is Sky Atlantic, which is obviously much discussed. As it's becoming more obvious that it's not likely to be coming soon to VM anytime soon, it seems relevant to me to discuss other possible ways to access it, or more correctly, the HBO shows that it holds the rights to. That is what the last few posts have mostly been about and seem well within the spirit of this thread that has been established over many years.

Re: Coming soon to Virgin TV 2014
 

Virgin launch channels when they want.

2010: http://www.cableforum.co.uk/board/34...-post1577.html

Re: Coming soon to Virgin TV 2014
 

Exactly that. Create a thread to chat about how to get your bills reduced or bypass Netflix UK or Smart tv's Now tv etc but none of this is Coming Soon to Virgin tv.

Re: Coming soon to Virgin TV 2014
 

Virgin Media February List update - February 17th update.

Keep up-to-date on the latest news on upcoming channel launches and other important events across all platforms of Virgin TV network.

NOTE: I DO NOT WORK FOR VIRGIN MEDIA SO ALL THE INFORMATION ON THIS LIST IS STILL SUBJECT TO CHANGE

Colours on my list are as followed:

Media Boy = New Info just added.
Media Boy = Virgin Media News and links.
Media Boy = Other Media news/Things.

=== Coming up on Virgin's Digital TV ===
=== Freeviews on Virgin Media ===
Oct. 25th. Premier Sports is having an freeview to all M, M+, L and XL packages on Virgin Channel 551 right now until 6am on March 1st 2014.

=== February ===
24th. The BBC to close BBC Red Button 2 after the Winter Olympics on Virgin Channel 992 today.
27th. Local TV broadcaster Made in Leeds hope to launch today on Virgin Channel 159.

=== March ===
1st. Premier Sports will cost £7.99 per month on Virgin Media from 6am today.
9th. Sky Movies Oscars will be rebrand back to Sky Movies Greats today on Virgin Channel 410.
9th. Sky Movies Oscars HD will be rebrand back to Sky Movies Greats HD today on Virgin Channel 440.
31st. Local TV broadcaster London Live to launch on Virgin Channel 159 today.

=== April ===
No News...

=== May ===
No News...

=== June ===
No News...

=== July ===
No News...

=== August ===
No News...

=== September ===
No News...

=== October ===
No News...

=== November ===
No News...

=== December ===
No News...

=== By 2015 ===
ITV to launch ITVBe on Virgin Media.

=== Local TV on Virgin Media ===
-Local TV broadcaster Made in Bristol hope to launch sometime in 2014 on Virgin Channel 159.
-Local TV may launch on Virgin TV in some areas on Virgin Channel 159.

=== Unknown dates ===
-News 18 will soon launch on Virgin Media.
-Media Boy HQ has seen info that says an TV Channel is set to be close by it owner on Virgin Media.
-Rumours has reappeared that Sky to close Sky Livingit and Sky Livingit +1.
-The BBC will launch an BBC One +1 Channel.
-The BBC to axe BBC Radio 4 LW on Virgin Channel 911 ''in the long term''.
-The BBC hope to launch English regional variants of its existing BBC One HD service as well as Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland editions of BBC Two HD - but still need to be approved by the BBC Trust.

=== Channels ONLY in Smallworld and UPC Ireland areas ===
List last updated on February 11th 2014.

ONLY TV CHANNELS THAT ONLY BROADCAST IN THE UK ON OTHER NETWORKS WILL APPEAR ON THIS PART OF THE LIST.

ALSO THE FOLLOWING LIST OF CHANNELS IS CURRENTLY BROADCASTING ON SMALLWORLD CABLE OR UPC IRELAND BUT NOT ON VIRGIN MEDIA:

Entertainment:
-Pick TV +1*
-MTV +1*

Documentaries:
-History HD**
-Nat Geo Wild HD**
-CI HD**

Lifestyle:
-Travel Channel +1*
-Food Network +1*
-Ideal Extra*
-Wedding TV*
-Fashion TV**

Movies:
-Movies4Men*

Music:
-MTV Classic***
-Channel AKA*
-Now Music*

News:
-CCTV News*
-Sky News HD**

Sports:
-Sky Sports News HD**

Kids:
-Disney Channel HD**

Specialist:
-EWTN**

Radio:
-UCB Ireland**

*Only in Smallworld areas.
**Only in UPC Ireland areas.
***Only in both Smallworld and UPC Ireland areas.

©copyright 2014 Media Boy 2006 - 2014. An ''Keep it real and free'' Production.

==== Virgin Media's Deals with broadcasters ===
List last updated on February 11th 2014.

Welcome to the all new look of this part of the list.

When deals with broadcasters run out Virgin Media need to sign new one to keep that Channel on Virgin TV.

Here is an list of channel that Virgin may get when they old deal runs out with that broadcaster:

Also Radio channels are broadcasting on Digital Radio via Freesat, Freeview, Freesat from Sky, Sky or UPC Ireland.

NOTE: Shopping Channels NOW ADDED to this list and only Broadcasts who has got some Channels broadcasting on Virgin Media right now appeared on this list.

To start broadcasting soon = That channel has still to start broadcasting on Sky, Freesat or Freeview.

=== TV and Radio Channels: ===
=== Own by A+E Networks UK (A+E Networks/British Sky Broadcasting) ===
-CI HD (Broadcasts in UPC Ireland areas right now).
-CI +1
-HISTORY HD (Broadcasts in UPC Ireland areas right now).
-Lifetime +1
-Lifetime HD

=== Own by Active Channel Limited ===
-The Active Channel

=== Own by All Around the World Productions ===
-Channel AKA (Broadcasts in Smallworld areas right now).
-Now Music (Broadcasts in Smallworld areas right now).

=== Own by ARY Group ===
-ARY Qtv
-ARY Oneworld

=== Bauer Radio ===
-Absolute Radio 90s (On Sky across the UK - May close in 2014 to make way for Heat Radio to launch on Sky.)
-Kisstory (On Freeview across the UK - Absolute Radio 80s may close in 2014 to make way for Kisstory to launch on both Sky and Virgin Media.)
-KissFresh (On Freeview across the UK. - Absolute Radio Classic Rock may close in 2014 to make way for KissFresh to launch on both Sky and Virgin Media.)
-Heat Radio (On Freeview across the UK.)
-The Hits Radio (On Freeview across the UK.)
-Kerrang! Radio (On Freeview across the UK - May close in 2014 to make way for Planet Rock to launch on Freeview.)

=== Own by British Sky Broadcasting ===
-Pick +1 (Broadcasts in Smallworld areas right now).
-Sky1 +1
-Sky 3D
-Sky Atlantic
-Sky Atlantic +1
-Sky Atlantic HD
-Sky Bravo (Channel rumour to launch)
-Sky News HD (Broadcasts in UPC Ireland areas right now).
-SkyPoker.com
-Sky Sports F1 HD
-Sky Sports 3 HD
-Sky Sports 4 HD
-Sky Sports News HD (Broadcasts in UPC Ireland areas right now).

=== Own by British Sky Broadcasting/Abu Dhabi Media Investment Corporation ===
-Sky News Arabia

=== Own by CBS Studios International/Chellomedia (AMC Networks Inc) ===
-Reality TV

=== Own by Channel Four Television Corporation ===
-4Seven HD (Channel soon to start broadcasting.)

=== Own by CSC Media Group ===
-Bliss
-BuzMuzik
-Chart Show TV
-Chart Show TV Dance
-Flava
-Kix
-Kix +1
-POP
-Pop Girl
-Scuzz
-The Vault
-Tiny Pop +1

=== Own by Discovery Networks Western Europe ===
-TLC +2

=== Own by Disney-ABC Television Group ===
-Disney Channel HD (Broadcasts in UPC Ireland areas right now).
-Disney Junior +
-Disney Junior HD
-Disney XD HD

=== Own by Eternal Word Television Network ===
-EWTN TV (Broadcasts in UPC Ireland areas right now).
-EWTN Radio Europe

=== Own by Fox International Channels (21st Century Fox) ===
-Fox News Channel

=== Own by Global Music Television (Global Radio) ===
-Capital FM TV
-Heart FM TV

=== Own by Ideal Shopping Direct plc ===
-Create & Craft Extra
-Ideal Extra (Broadcasts in Smallworld areas right now).

=== Own by ITV Digital Channels Ltd (ITV plc) ===
-ITV Encore

=== Own by ITV Digital Channels Ltd (ITV plc) and JML Direct Ltd ===
-The Store

=== Own by Michel Adam Lisowski ===
-Fashion TV (Broadcasts in UPC Ireland areas right now).

=== Own by Moving Movies Ltd. (CSC Media Group) ===
-True Drama
-True Movies 2

=== Own by NGC-UK Partnership (National Geographic Society/Fox International Channels [21st Century Fox]) ===
-Nat Wild HD (Broadcasts in UPC Ireland areas right now).

=== Own by Nickelodeon UK (Viacom International Media Networks Europe/BSkyB) ===
-Nick Jr. +1

=== Own by Paramount UK Partnership (Paramount British Pictures/British Sky Broadcasting) ===
-Comedy Central Extra +1

=== Own by Phoenix Television ===
-Phoenix CNE

=== Own by QVC (Liberty Interactive Corporation - Liberty Media) ===
-QVC Beauty
-QVC Extra
-QVC Style

=== Own by Raidió Teilifís Éireann ===
-RTÉ 2fm (Broadcasts in UPC Ireland areas right now).
-RTÉ Ireland (Channel soon to launch for viewers in England, Scotland and Wales).
-RTÉ lyric fm (Broadcasts in UPC Ireland areas right now).
-RTÉ Raidió na Gaeltachta (Broadcasts in UPC Ireland areas right now).

=== Own by Scripps Networks Interactive ===
-Food Network +1 (Broadcasts in Smallworld areas right now).

=== Own by Sony Pictures Television ===
-More>Movies
-More>Movies +1
-Movies 4 Men (Broadcasts in Smallworld areas right now).
-Movies 4 Men +1
-Sony Entertainment Television +1
-Sony Movie Channel
-Sony Movie Channel +1

=== Own by STAR TV (21st Century Fox) ===
-STAR Jalsha
-STAR Plus HD

=== Own by Travel Channel International Ltd. (Scripps Networks Interactive) ===
-Travel Channel + 1 (Broadcasts in Smallworld areas right now).

=== Own by United Christian Broadcasters ===
-UCB TV
-UCB Bible
-UCB Gospel
-UCB Inspiration
-UCB Ireland (Broadcasts in UPC Ireland areas right now).

=== Own by Universal Networks International ===
-E! HD
-E! +1
-Universal Channel HD

=== Own by Viacom ===
-BET: Black Ent Tv +1

=== Own by Viacom International Media Networks (Europe) ===
-MTV CLASSIC (Broadcasts in UPC Ireland and Smallworld areas right now).
-MTV LIVE
-MTV +1 (Broadcasts in Smallworld areas right now).

=== Own by Zee Entertainment Enterprises ===
-ZEE News

NOTE TO ALL: Virgin Media, Smallworld and UPC Ireland are now both own by Liberty Global.

=== What is Media Boy on about??? ===

Here is what I mean when I post the following on Cable Forum:

Virgin Insiders - means just that.
'Do Not Post' order - means an Virgin insider has given me some info on things that set to happen but has told me not to reveal it right now.

=== Media Boy Extra info: ===
Liberty Global - http://www.lgi.com/
Media Boy Blog - For all things Virgin TV - http://mediaboyblog.blogspot.com/
Follow Virgin Media on ''twitter'' here - http://twitter.com/virginmedia
See Nialli's blog on Virgin Media High Definition & TiVo Services here - http://vmhd.blogspot.com/

=== Ask Media Boy ===
Last updated February 3rd 2014.

Q: WHERE DO YOU GET YOUR INFORMATION ABOUT VIRGIN MEDIA FROM?
A: I get all my info from Virgin Media viewers, some Virgin Media workers (I called them Virgin Insiders) and Web Sites (NOTE: When I used web sites I will post an link to that web site).

Q: WHY HAVE YOU ADDED 'ONLY IN SMALLWORLD AREAS' AND 'ONLY IN UPC IRELAND AREAS' WHEN THIS THREAD IS FOR VIRGIN MEDIA?
A: Virgin Media, Smallworld and UPC Ireland are now ALL own by Liberty Global.

Q: WHY AM I NOT GETTING ''MTV CLASSIC'' OR ''DISNEY CHANNEL HD'' FOR?
A: MTV CLASSIC and Disney Channel HD is only broadcasting in Smallworld and UPC Ireland areas right now.

==== See you later ===
List last updated on February 17th 2014.

Next update: TBC - unless:

A) If Virgin are set to launch more than TWO channels (TV or Radio) on Virgin TV.
B) If Virgin are set to move more than TWO channels (TV or Radio) about on Virgin TV.
C) If Virgin are set to close or repackage more then TWO channels (TV or Radio ) on Virgin TV.

Did I miss anything??? If I did tell me and it will appear on the next update.

©copyright 2014 Media Boy 2006 - 2014. An ''Keep it real and free'' Production.

============ SMALLWORLD NEWS =======================

Smallworld February List update - February 17th update.

Keep up-to-date on the latest news on upcoming channel launches and other important events across all platforms of Smallworld network.

NOTE: I DO NOT WORK FOR SMALLWORLD SO ALL THE INFORMATION ON THIS LIST IS STILL SUBJECT TO CHANGE

Colours on my list are as followed:

Media Boy = New Info just added.
Media Boy = Virgin Media News and links.
Media Boy = Other Media news/Things.

=== Coming up on Smallworld TV ===
=== February ===
No News...

=== March ===
9th. Sky Movies Oscars will be rebrand back to Sky Movies Greats today on Smallworld Channel 309.
9th. Sky Movies Oscars HD will be rebrand back to Sky Movies Greats HD today on Smallworld Channel 337.

=== April ===
No News...

=== May ===
No News...

=== June ===
No News...

=== July ===
No News...

=== August ===
No News...

=== September ===
No News...

=== October ===
No News...

=== November ===
No News...

=== December ===
No News...

=== By 2015 ===
ITV is set to launch ITVBe by 2015 on Smallworld.

=== Unknown dates ===
-Rumours has reappeared that Sky to close Sky Livingit and Sky Livingit +1.
-Local TV Channels may launch on Smallworld in some areas.
-The BBC will launch an BBC One +1 Channel.
-Virgin Media may renumber all of the Smallworld channel numbers.

=== Media Boy Extra info: ===
Liberty Global - http://www.lgi.com/
Media Boy Blog - For all things Virgin TV - http://mediaboyblog.blogspot.com/
Follow Smallworld Fibre on ''twitter'' here - https://twitter.com/smallworldfibre

==== See you later ===
List last updated on February 17th 2014.

Next update: TBC - unless:

A) If Virgin are set to launch more than TWO channels (TV or Radio) in Smallworld areas.
B) If Virgin are set to move more than TWO channels (TV) about in Smallworld areas.
C) If Virgin are set to close or repackage more then TWO channels (TV) in Smallworld areas.

Did I miss anything??? If I did tell me and it will appear on the next update.

©copyright 2014 Media Boy 2006 - 2014. An ''Keep it real and free'' Production.

Re: Coming soon to Virgin TV 2014
 

I use Hola unblocker on Firefox. Works very well accessing Netflix in the USA or Canada.

Re: Coming soon to Virgin TV 2014
 

Im currently using a free dns to get access to U.S. Netflix on my LG TV and PS3. Although it works ok most of the time, sometimes it doesnt work at all. So if you dont mind me asking, do unblockus give you a dns that you can just enter on your smart tv etc without having to use a computer or mess about with your router settings etc? Also how do you change regions on your devices etc?

Re: Coming soon to Virgin TV 2014
 

You can follow the instructions here to enter their DNS into your PS3 and LG TV

http://www.unblock-us.com/how-to-set-up/

It usually just means changing the DNS numbers. You don't need to change values in your router.

You change the Netflix region by using your smart phone , tablet or a PC.

You may occasionally have to use a PC to refresh the system if your IP address changes and on some devices when you first set them up.

You can try it free by just entering an email address for 7 days.

Re: Coming soon to Virgin TV 2014
 

It's not "worse" I enjoy speaking to people about VM and to a lot of people I call friends on here. I don't see anything wrong with people talking about cable and generally enjoying themselves in a thread.

If it's a case of you don't like that or cable related small talk just stay in media boys change log. That's why he's made it. Once a change has occurred you'll see it there. If happy small talk isn't your cup of tea just avoid this thread

Re: Coming soon to Virgin TV 2014
 

So I have now tv, and I've paid for a months entertainment as well to give it a go. Currently watching Walking Dead which I have in My Shows on TiVo. Delighted to find The Daily Show in Comedy Central catchup. Phoning Virgin tomorrow to discuss my package, honestly think that freeview, now tv and Netflix will do the job.

Re: Coming soon to Virgin TV 2014
 

Something that might work out for us virgin media

link http://www.theguardian.com/media/201...kyb-sky-sports

BT wins court battle forcing review of Sky wholesale pricing decision
Court says tribunal should re-examine whether BSkyB should be forced to offer Sky Sports 1 and 2 to rivals at a discount

Mark Sweney
theguardian.com, Monday 17 February 2014 14.36 GMT


BT has won a court battle to force the competition tribunal to re-examine its decision to stop BSkyB being forced to offer Sky Sports 1 and 2 to rivals at a discount Photograph: Tom Jenkins for the Guardian
BT has won a court battle to force the competition tribunal to re-examine its decision to stop BSkyB being forced to offer Sky Sports 1 and 2 to rivals at a discount.

In summer 2012 the Competition Appeal Tribunal handed down a scathing judgment concluding that the basis of media regulator Ofcom's decision to force BSkyB to cut the amount it charges rivals to air Sky Sports was "unfounded".

BT challenged this decision and on Monday the court of appeal handed down a judgment forcing the CAT to reopen the issue.

Lord Justice Aikens said that the CAT failed to properly investigate the issue the level of discounts that BSkyB claimed it gave rivals on the ratecard price for its sports channels.

"There remain significant, independent, competition concerns based on the rate-card price and penetration discount, as found by Ofcom," said Aikens. "The reasons that the CAT gave for not considering that matter further were inadequate. I would propose that the matter be remitted to the CAT for further consideration in order that further findings and conclusions may be made in the light of this judgment."

Ofcom proposed to introduce a new pricing structure in March 2010, which would have made Sky Sports 1 and 2 up to 23% cheaper than the previous wholesale price, after determining that BSkyB was abusing its power in the market.

"We are glad that this issue will now be considered afresh and are hopeful that the outcome will finally deliver increased competition in pay-TV which would be in the best interests of consumers," said a spokeswoman for BT. "Ofcom was correct to impose the wholesale must offer ('WMO') on Sky and this remains essential to address the significant competition concerns with Sky's supply of its channels."

BT said that it is still unable to offer Sky Sports 1 and 2 on YouView, the TV service it is banking on building it into a major pay-TV player.

"Sky's refusal to offer access to these channels on reasonable terms causes serious harm to consumers and must be resolved urgently," said BT.

A spokesman for Ofcom, which had its reputation battered by the CAT's original decision, said that it welcomed the decision.

"Ofcom welcomes the court of appeal's decision that the judgment of the Competition Appeal Tribunal failed properly to consider Ofcom's findings that there was ineffective competition in the market," a spokesman said. "Ensuring fair and effective competition in the pay-TV market has always been Ofcom's objective. Ofcom's 2010 decision that Sky must offer premium sports channels to other providers was designed to deliver choice and innovation to consumers through greater competition."

Sky said in a statement: "This does not alter in any way the CAT's fundamental findings, overturning Ofcom, that Sky engaged constructively with other distributors over the supply of its premium sports channels, and that Virgin Media is able to compete effectively with Sky on the basis of Sky's rate card prices.

"Sky continues to believe that Ofcom's 2010 decision is flawed and that the WMO obligation ought properly to be removed, and will continue to pursue all available options to achieve this aim."

---------- Post added at 21:36 ---------- Previous post was at 21:30 ----------

Hopefully we may get cheaper prices at some point but one suspects that the court case will last a long time may be 2015 :(

Re: Coming soon to Virgin TV 2014
 

more chance of snow in hell than us getting cheaper prices

Re: Coming soon to Virgin TV 2014
 

Of that you can be assured Dave.

Re: Coming soon to Virgin TV 2014
 

My understanding is that VM have their own deal with Sky, which among other things gives access to Sky Sports 3 and 4.

Unlike BT, VM never put their prices down following the original Ofcom ruling in 2010.

Re: Coming soon to Virgin TV 2014
 

And you can be rest assured GS that come the Autumn that prices will rise again for sports subscribers.

Re: Coming soon to Virgin TV 2014
 

As I recall, VM put the price down of the sports collection for M+ and L viewers to the same rate as XL viewers paid after the last ruling. Since then it has gone up £8+ it's a joke!

Re: Coming soon to Virgin TV 2014
 

In some respects regarding Virgins maze like pricing models and bills and what exactly customers are paying at the end of the day Virgin are no better then the others on that in my humble opinion.

Yes l do remember Virgin saying when the ruling came in it would offer the best prices regarding the sports premium channels but sadly that was all lip service and short on delivery as the sports premium prices seem to be going up relentlessly each year since then.

Re: Coming soon to Virgin TV 2014
 

As long as people pay the premiums they'll continue to charge as much as they possibly can.

Re: Coming soon to Virgin TV 2014
 

Once we come to the end of our current contract the premium channels will have to go as its £41.50 now a month for sports and movies with the prospect of that rising to around £45 a month around the autumn period and this frankly is now becoming something where it has become so overpriced it does not represent any value at all now wherever if we subscribe to a couple of streaming services that will be around a third of the price and we will get much more for our money and still have money left and we can watch BT Sports still.

Re: Coming soon to Virgin TV 2014
 

Exactly.

Re: Coming soon to Virgin TV 2014
 

Crumbs, only 8 posts to this thread today (nine with mine). How sad considering what happened last year

Re: Coming soon to Virgin TV 2014
 

Its the deep breath before the plunge.;)

Re: Coming soon to Virgin TV 2014
 

In fairness, that's probably because Virgin's now done a great job in signing up a lot of the channels that people want and there's not many more left! Even Premier Sports is on the platform! This year Virgin has also expanded its footprint the most in its existence by the acquisition of Smallworld so it's not resting on its laurels.

The channels on UPC Ireland will probably come over time as deals are harmonised between UPC and Virgin whilst the HD versions of Sky channels and Atlantic will probably require a change of strategy at Sky. The most interesting area ripe for expansion seems to be on-demand so I think it will still prove an interesting year.

Re: Coming soon to Virgin TV 2014
 

What about the channels only broadcasting in SmallWorld areas?

Re: Coming soon to Virgin TV 2014
 

They are not exactly 'must have' channels, though, MB.

Re: Coming soon to Virgin TV 2014
 

Movies 4 Men looks good.

Re: Coming soon to Virgin TV 2014
 

They were only catching up last year! You won't see anything like that again in respect of linear channels, at least. It's all about on demand and streamng services this year, so I hope you have a TIVO!

Re: Coming soon to Virgin TV 2014
 

Virgin Media and Boxnation 'working' on deal to carry HD Channel.

Re: Coming soon to Virgin TV 2014
 

Rumour: Virgin Media may launch SIX new channels by Summer in Virgin Media areas.

An old Rumour Poster has today told me that the following channels may launch in Virgin Media areas by Summer 2014.

-Movies4men
-Channel AKA
-Now Music
-History HD
-Nat Geo Wild HD
-Disney HD

Red means channel broadcasts in Smallworld areas right now.
Blue means channel broadcasts in UPC Ireland areas right now.

©copyright 2014 Media Boy 2006 - 2014. An ''Keep it real and free'' Production.

Re: Coming soon to Virgin TV 2014
 

So to sum up its pure speculation on the part of someone who is merely guessing that those channels will be added owing to the fact UPC Ireland and Smallworld carry them ?

It would seem to me that as VM bought Smallworld wouldn't it more likely be the case that it will be Smallworld aligning their service to Virgin's?

I'm sure at some point we may see one or two of those added but its all guesswork.

Re: Coming soon to Virgin TV 2014
 

Of course it's speculation but without it this thread wouldn't have got past post 2. We all know that VM only confirms new channels immediately before, or more likely after, they start broadcasting. I, for one, like the speculative comments regardless of whether they come to pass or not, if they do that's great; if not hey ho life goes on. So to all the posters of "speculative" comments please continue as they bring enjoyment to some (if not others) :)

Re: Coming soon to Virgin TV 2014
 

Be careful reposting that stuff. It's held under strict copyright. It says so on the purple line, which is worrying, because no explanation is offered about what the purple means (though I have my suspicions). :rolleyes::D

Re: Coming soon to Virgin TV 2014
 

Pease grow up and stop being petty.

Re: Coming soon to Virgin TV 2014
 

Lets the fun and games begin.:D

Re: Coming soon to Virgin TV 2014
 

UniversalHD has been mentioned to me today for a Summer launch on VM, also rumour about Picturebox being included in XL pack. Personally i don't think Picturebox will survive much longer.

Re: Coming soon to Virgin TV 2014
 

Picturebox in my opinion has been a waste of time since it started so they should send it back from whence it came.

Re: Coming soon to Virgin TV 2014
 

I have to agree. I had the misfortune, due to a combination of moving home, VMs inaccurate postcode checker and my own stupidity, to sign for a year of BT Vision (luckily it only worked for 9 of the 12 months) a few years ago, and Picture Box was included. Although they claim 7 new films a week, they come back around with formidable regularity. ET for instance was very rarely not one of the 30 available.

Then several years later, we got a free trial on VM. I looked and voilla, the same movies!

It is low end stuff, more suited to the people who want just a bit more than Freeview rather than those who are prepared to pay more for Sky & VM.

I'd go so far as to say that the sort of content that it offers would generate more revenue if adverts were inserted and it was offered for free to as many people as possible.

Re: Coming soon to Virgin TV 2014
 

Completely agree denphone, it's very poor and think I only ever watched one movie when it was free for XL customers a while back. Better off paying an extra quid and getting Netflix!

Re: Coming soon to Virgin TV 2014
 

Totally agree with this although for me it's a extra £4 a month as i use a smart dns lol.

Re: Coming soon to Virgin TV 2014
 

Maybe Picturebox will get more revenue from being on the XL pack. I cancelled my subscription because there was so little on there of any interest to me. With Netflix now available, this makes Picturebox appear particularly bad value for money.

---------- Post added at 17:17 ---------- Previous post was at 17:14 ----------

But isn't that the nature of this thread? If you are expecting confirmed information on here, MM, you are going to be very disappointed.

This thread is very popular, so I think you are spitting in the wind if you expect many to agree with you on this one (apart from the usual suspects of course!) ;)

But anyone just making up stories on here should desist, because that really isn't the spirit.

Re: Coming soon to Virgin TV 2014
 

I'm sure there's no stories made up on here :shocked: honest :D