Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2009)
 

I never said I watched it in my house now did I ? :doh:

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2009)
 

The four new HD channels are certainly a good start. Maybe not the channels I would have chosen, but I'm pleased none the less. The move certainly gives me hope that VM are taking HD seriously at last and hopefully this is the start of things to come. If History and Eurosport do materialise along with UKTV Food HD(!) then there should be something for everyone on the HD front. Fingers crossed ESPN HD will be snapped up as part of the negotiations for the new channel too.

Nat Geo, History and FX were previously deemed unlikely due to their tie ups with Sky/News Corp, but these obstacales are now being overcome. It would seem that Discovery HD would be a realistic addition now too.

With Freeview HD set for a December launch in initial regions, I believe they'll be full time ITV HD and Five HD channels available. Surely these will be realistic targets along with CH4 HD at this point. I'm sure I've read that VM are set to switch off the analogue service in October, so hopefully bandwidth will not be an issue after this. So is it now realistic to expect a decent amount of HD channels by early next year, or am I living in cloud cookoo land? :)

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2009)
 

It depends what you're calling a decent amount.

Personally I think it's realistic to expect a HD lineup that consists of the following by early next year:

BBC HD
ITV HD
CH4 HD
Five HD

Living HD
Good Food HD
FX HD
MTV HD
National Geo HD
History HD
Discovery HD
Sci FI HD

Eurosport HD
ESPN HD

That really isn't too much of a stretch for them.

But then I'd say it's also possible for VM to have launched the likes of Bravo and Virgin1 in HD as well, plus it shouldn't be too hard for them to get the other channels from the same networks as well? The likes of Nat geo wild, Bio, and Crime and Investigation...

Tbh, I'd say it's not that unrealistic to expect them to have all the non-sky HD channels within the next year. Of course at that point Sky may also think it's now no longer worth withholding HD from VM, especially if there are HD versions of all the main VMTV channels which can be offered in exchange, and we might even see Sky basics in HD... wait, now I'm entering cloud cuckoo land aren't I?

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2009)
 

I think I'd be pretty pleased to have the channels you list there by early next year. As for the Sky Basics, well I hope so but I wont be holding my breath. I watch quite a bit on Sky One so I'd be pretty happy to get that.

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2009)
 

I also think that would be a good HD line-up to have although, as you say, I don't expect the Sky channels to appear on VM any time soon.

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2009)
 

Virgin Media add an new ''TS Strams'' to Ex-Telewest.

I have just found that Virgin Media has added an new ''TS Strams'' to Ex-Telewest in my area.

Maybe something to do with the HD Channels that are coming within the next six weeks?

I have now got 35 ''TS Strams.''

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2009)
 

The thought occurs that maybe these preliminary four HD channels "could" be VM's basic HD package free to all XL subscribers.
Then say in a few months they release Eurosport HD, History HD Discovery HD and maybe a few more, and these are packaged as VM's "upper tier" of HD which if wanted inccur a small monthly cost.
Of course this is only speculation, but VM must be thinking of ways to recoup their out-lay for these channels, and the above doesn't seem inconceivable.

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2009)
 

I think Europsort et al will be the middle ranked HD channels linked to M & L !!

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2009)
 

I'm gonna jump now from M to XL TV. Cost another £11.50 minus the V+ charge I'm paying and I'll get them to knock off mobile call charge discount from land line (never use it) so it's only costing £4 to move. That's not bad...............is it? :erm:

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2009)
 

Nope, not bad at all. And is probably the reason why HD is free, they know that far far more people will upgrade to XL and get free HD along with all the extra channel than would pay a HD supplement ontop of the extra.

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2009)
 

Correction that should have read L to XL TV. :dunce:

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2009)
 

I trhink there will be a few HD channels available on M, L but the best ones will only be available to XL customers. So they will recoup there costs from the extra people upgrading to XL.

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2009)
 

....and the library of TV on demand and music on demand is all free on XL too. :)

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2009)
 

i'm waiting until the channels launch before upgrading. Will see if there is anything I want to watch on them and how often I will watch it. FX do show The Wire but I can see that on BBC Two

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2009)
 

That makes sense Stephen, I suppose the amount of people who'll now upgrade to XL-TV will cover the cost of any new channels.
How long will it be before Sky retaliate and drop their £10pm HD supplement in response? not long methinks.