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-   -   General : Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2013) Vol. 1. (https://www.cableforum.uk/board/showthread.php?t=33691403)

harry_hitch 07-02-2013 01:22
Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2013) Vol. 1.
 
Quote:
Originally Posted by howardmicks (Post 35533303)
Whilst it is nice to see new content BenMcr this recent bunch of channels are not exactly gonna get sky customers streaming over,personally I want quality not quantity.where is universal hd,Disney HD channels ,itv HD channels and of course sky Atlantic.Also we're are the addition streaming channels for ipad(selection very emabarrasing at the moment)and of course streaming between TiVo boxes.
Just watched the sky news interview with mike fries and all he seemed to go on about is broadband,Sky knows what is important channels and that is why they are the success that they are and now improving there broadband.i really hope that we haven't got another company at the helm that is clueless we're channels are concerned in acquiring new quality content and listening to there customers pleas:erm:
You mention broadband howard, but Sky rely on BT for their broadband, VM do not. There are some massive flights of fancy in the follow statement, but IF Sky play hardball over some of the channels (like they appear to do with other suppliers) BT could easily play hardball over their broadband cables. After all, if Sky lost phone and broadband I imagine the apathy of most people would mean they would simply take BT phone and broadband, so BT would not miss out on any major money.

But, yeah, like you, I wish VM could get some more HD channels to please their customers (not overly fussed myself, although Eurosport 2 and Nat.Geo. Wild HD would be nice for me, and I have been pleased to get TCM HD too)

Jameseh 07-02-2013 01:24
Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2013) Vol. 1.
 
Quote:
Originally Posted by harry_hitch (Post 35533309)
...BT could easily play hardball over their broadband cables...
Don't they have to allow use by law?

harry_hitch 07-02-2013 01:47
Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2013) Vol. 1.
 
Quote:
Originally Posted by Jameseh (Post 35533310)
Don't they have to allow use by law?
:erm: I honestly do not know, although that would make sense. I fear a big piece of humble pie could be coming my way:tiptoe::dunce::D

Tricky Trevor 07-02-2013 05:58
Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2013) Vol. 1.
 
Quote:
Originally Posted by DaMac (Post 35533107)
...But does the projected takeover, and subsequent fudging about while it's all approved by the the mergers and monoply guys mean that it is very inlikly for anything new to be added in the mean time (apart from any channels that are already signed to come on-line)? Are we going to see a period of stagnation whilst the hand over is complete.
We will get 'Enhanced Services' whatever that means :confused:

http://crave.cnet.co.uk/homecinema/v...deal-50010360/

Mr Banana 07-02-2013 07:55
Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2013) Vol. 1.
 
Quote:
Originally Posted by howardmicks (Post 35533307)
Far point m8,sky knew they were onto a winner when they branched into the HD market and have had massive success from it,vm were very slow in acquiring it and it wasn't till customers started to leave that vm finally aquired a considerable amount of HD channels.rather than continue to grow they seemed to rest on there laurels.more people are now getting HD compatible tv's and are naturally wanting HD channels,I personally don't watch sd channels if a program I want to watch is on them I obtain HD versions by other means.
Hd is not for everyonen though, yes sky have done a great job but less than 50 percent of their customers take HD

denphone 07-02-2013 08:08
Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2013) Vol. 1.
 
Quote:
Originally Posted by BenMcr (Post 35533292)
Now now Ben l have not forgotten.:nono::D

andy_m 07-02-2013 08:19
Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2013) Vol. 1.
 
Quote:
Originally Posted by howardmicks (Post 35533303)
Whilst it is nice to see new content BenMcr this recent bunch of channels are not exactly gonna get sky customers streaming over,personally I want quality not quantity.where is universal hd,Disney HD channels ,itv HD channels and of course sky Atlantic.Also we're are the addition streaming channels for ipad(selection very emabarrasing at the moment)and of course streaming between TiVo boxes.
Just watched the sky news interview with mike fries and all he seemed to go on about is broadband,Sky knows what is important channels and that is why they are the success that they are and now improving there broadband.i really hope that we haven't got another company at the helm that is clueless we're channels are concerned in acquiring new quality content and listening to there customers pleas:erm:
But it's Virgin who are the success - you seem to miss this point. Record growth, profitable, reduced churn. Don't make the mistake of thinking that what you would like to see added is necessarily the majority view. Of the homes passed by a Virgin cable, ie. Where people have a choice between suppliers, more people choose Virgin. Only a third of Sky subscribers even bother with the hd pack, and this thread has even revealed that a most revered and respected poster (!) chooses to record sd variants in order to save pvr space. Hd is important to a lot of people, but it really doesn't matter to a hell of a lot of people either.

huxleypiguk 07-02-2013 10:23
Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2013) Vol. 1.
 
Looking at the European footprint of Liberty, they have a large number of subscribers which could really play into their hands. Being able to sit and negotiate Europe wide deals could boost the number of channels that are available as well as bring in country content as well. It would be good to have a few more European channels on offer.

heavyside 07-02-2013 10:31
Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2013) Vol. 1.
 
Quote:
Originally Posted by huxleypiguk (Post 35533363)
Looking at the European footprint of Liberty, they have a large number of subscribers which could really play into their hands. Being able to sit and negotiate Europe wide deals could boost the number of channels that are available as well as bring in country content as well. It would be good to have a few more European channels on offer.
I agree. Once the Liberty deal gets past the shareholders' and regulators' hurdles I think the next twelve moths are going to be interesting for Virgin Media subscribers.

spankysmagicpian 07-02-2013 11:45
Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2013) Vol. 1.
 
Quote:
Originally Posted by howardmicks (Post 35533303)
<snip>
Just watched the sky news interview with mike fries and all he seemed to go on about is broadband
I disagree Howard - Although Sky have the monopoly on HD channels it won't be long before the next big thing comes along. It's an increasingly connected world and just think of the content / possibilities if VM have every home connected on 500Mb or 1Gb connections.

muppetman11 07-02-2013 12:00
Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2013) Vol. 1.
 
Quote:
Originally Posted by andy_m (Post 35533344)
But it's Virgin who are the success - you seem to miss this point. Record growth, profitable, reduced churn. Don't make the mistake of thinking that what you would like to see added is necessarily the majority view. Of the homes passed by a Virgin cable, ie. Where people have a choice between suppliers, more people choose Virgin. Only a third of Sky subscribers even bother with the hd pack, and this thread has even revealed that a most revered and respected poster (!) chooses to record sd variants in order to save pvr space. Hd is important to a lot of people, but it really doesn't matter to a hell of a lot of people either.
Lets wait and see until both companies are more on an even keel whilst Sky may have the greater channel range cable has always had a vastly superior On Demand range and the added bonus of Fibre BB , most of my family who've chose VM have done so primarily because of poor ADSL estimates.

Over the next year or two I expect VM to ramp up there HD offering and with BT's fibre footprint already larger than VM's competition is sure to get interesting.

Media Boy UK 07-02-2013 12:05
Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2013) Vol. 1.
 
Virgin Media to have wee Brothers and Sisters???

http://www.broadcastnow.co.uk/news/b...051562.article

alwaysabear 07-02-2013 12:11
Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2013) Vol. 1.
 
Quote:
Originally Posted by muppetman11 (Post 35533403)
Lets wait and see until both companies are more on an even keel whilst Sky may have the greater channel range cable has always had a vastly superior On Demand range and the added bonus of Fibre BB , most of my family who've chose VM have done so primarily because of poor ADSL estimates.

Over the next year or two I expect VM to ramp up there HD offering and with BT's fibre footprint already larger than VM's competition is sure to get interesting.
Things should get better for the customer, if as expected competition hots up. :)

alwaysabear 07-02-2013 12:13
Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2013) Vol. 1.
 
Quote:
Originally Posted by Media Boy (Post 35533405)
Virgin Media to have wee Brothers and Sisters???

http://www.broadcastnow.co.uk/news/b...051562.article
Thanks MB ,but the link is behind a pay wall, could you paraphrase the article for us. Thanks

Media Boy UK 07-02-2013 12:54
Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2013) Vol. 1.
 
Quote:
Originally Posted by alwaysabear (Post 35533410)
Thanks MB ,but the link is behind a pay wall, could you paraphrase the article for us. Thanks
Try this link

https://www.google.co.uk/search?q=ht...hrome&ie=UTF-8

The story will appear on my blog soon.

---------- Post added at 11:54 ---------- Previous post was at 11:15 ----------

I will reveal what is set to happen sometime next week on Monday from 12pm.

andy_m 07-02-2013 12:56
Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2013) Vol. 1.
 
I take it the last bit is in relation to Animal Planet hd etc, rather than what Liberty Global plan next.

denphone 07-02-2013 12:59
Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2013) Vol. 1.
 
Quote:
Originally Posted by Media Boy (Post 35533411)

[/COLOR]I will reveal what is set to happen sometime next week on Monday from 12pm.
Well lets hope for maybe one or two more channels perhaps.:)

alwaysabear 07-02-2013 13:03
Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2013) Vol. 1.
 
This is an interesting article about what liberty's future might be http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/44992b32-6...44feab49a.html
Involving the possible takeover of ITV.

Media Boy UK 07-02-2013 13:09
Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2013) Vol. 1.
 
Has anyone noted that Virgin has remove 56 channels from the Total Channels sometime since Tuesday?

I think it the 54 Summer Sports Channels from BBC and Channel 4 plus Eurosport 3D and an unknown channel.

---------- Post added at 12:09 ---------- Previous post was at 12:04 ----------

Quote:
Originally Posted by denphone (Post 35533424)
Well lets hope for maybe one or two more channels perhaps.:)
Or Horror Channel to move to Channel 666?:D

spiderplant 07-02-2013 13:27
Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2013) Vol. 1.
 
Quote:
Originally Posted by andy_m (Post 35533423)
I take it the last bit is in relation to Animal Planet hd etc, rather than what Liberty Global plan next.
You won't see any changes from the Liberty deal for a long time - it won't even be approved for months. For now it's business as usual.

Quote:
Originally Posted by Media Boy (Post 35533426)
I think it the 54 Summer Sports Channels from BBC and Channel 4 plus Eurosport 3D and an unknown channel.
Spot on.

Horizon 07-02-2013 13:34
Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2013) Vol. 1.
 
Quote:
Originally Posted by Media Boy (Post 35533426)
Has anyone noted that Virgin has remove 56 channels from the Total Channels sometime since Tuesday?

I think it the 54 Summer Sports Channels from BBC and Channel 4 plus Eurosport 3D and an unknown channel.
Yes, all gone from the channel index and about time several months after they finished!

But don't worry the transport streams are the same, vm haven't created them to remove them again. So there's plenty of room for dmax 2.5 etc.:D

---------- Post added at 12:34 ---------- Previous post was at 12:31 ----------

Quote:
Originally Posted by spiderplant (Post 35533430)
You won't see any changes from the Liberty deal for a long time - it won't even be approved for months. For now it's business as usual..
I agree, except we might get a few channels which Liberty have an interest in, appear.

I wouldn't say no to the Outdoor Channel - I like rambling!:D

andy_m 07-02-2013 13:37
Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2013) Vol. 1.
 
Quote:
Originally Posted by spiderplant (Post 35533430)
You won't see any changes from the Liberty deal for a long time - it won't even be approved for months. For now it's business as usual.
Media Boy posted a link to a story about Liberty's planned further acquisitions, and said he'd reveal what was happening on Monday in the same post. I just wanted to clarify that he was talking about two separate things.

Media Boy UK 07-02-2013 13:39
Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2013) Vol. 1.
 
Quote:
Originally Posted by Horizon (Post 35533432)
I agree, except we might get a few channels which Liberty have an interest in, appear.
That will only be two +1 channels - as far as I know from Horror Channel and CBS Reality.

EDIT:

And Food Network and Food Network +1.

andy_m 07-02-2013 13:40
Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2013) Vol. 1.
 
Not Food Network?

Media Boy UK 07-02-2013 13:41
Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2013) Vol. 1.
 
Quote:
Originally Posted by andy_m (Post 35533436)
Media Boy posted a link to a story about Liberty's planned further acquisitions, and said he'd reveal what was happening on Monday in the same post. I just wanted to clarify that he was talking about two separate things.

The news on Monday has nothing to do with the Virgin Media takeover.

---------- Post added at 12:41 ---------- Previous post was at 12:40 ----------

Quote:
Originally Posted by andy_m (Post 35533439)
Not Food Network?
Oops I forgot about them.

Horizon 07-02-2013 13:55
Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2013) Vol. 1.
 
Quote:
Originally Posted by Media Boy (Post 35533438)
That will only be two +1 channels - as far as I know from Horror Channel and CBS Reality.

EDIT:

And Food Network and Food Network +1.
Liberty's/John Malone's interests are far less now than they once were as he's battled Murdoch and others in the States. But Malone still owns a little "bit" of prettty much everything.

The Discovery channels deal was interesting timing....

Media Boy UK 07-02-2013 13:58
Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2013) Vol. 1.
 
Quote:
Originally Posted by Horizon (Post 35533448)
The Discovery channels deal was interesting timing....
Also did you know that Discovery are set to own an wee bit of Eurosport.

Deal was also signed in the last few weeks for Eurosport 2 HD to launch soon - so Technix is reporting on DS Forum.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/media/2012...take-eurosport

denphone 07-02-2013 13:59
Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2013) Vol. 1.
 
Quote:
Originally Posted by andy_m (Post 35533439)
Not Food Network?
Food Network is not a bad channel for us Chef's.:D

Media Boy UK 07-02-2013 14:07
Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2013) Vol. 1.
 
Guardian: Planet Rock bought by Bauer Media.

When we was busy on the Virgin Media takeover this happened yesterday as well:

Quote:
Bauer Media, a German-owned private company which is also homes to magazines including Grazia and Heat, confirmed the deal on Wednesday as predicted by MediaGuardian last month.

The loss-making digital radio station was put up for sale by its owner, millionaire entrepreneur and rock music fan Malcolm Bluemel last year.

Bauer bought the station for an undisclosed sum but the company is thought to have paid between £1m and £2m, with the sum likely to be closer to the former than the latter.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/media/2013...ck-bauer-media

1701-e 07-02-2013 14:16
Off topic but
 
Quote:
Originally Posted by Gadgie (Post 35533193)
Ah cheers for that, much appreciated, the Bose TV system costs around £349, I was just wondering if any of the cheaper ones were worth buying, thanks again.:)
I got a Philips sound bar from Tesco for £99 which is damm good. Have the TiVo straight into it.

Horizon 07-02-2013 14:17
Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2013) Vol. 1.
 
Quick profile on John Malone, for those that don't know.

He's the majority shareholder and Chairman of Liberty Media and Liberty Global who now/will own Virgin Media.

He has been involved in UK cable for almost 30 years, buying up a cableco in Croydon. This company latter became Telewest, which he was the majority shareholder of for many years. Telewest and ntl merged 6 years ago and the merged company became virgin media.

His old company TCI (Tele Communications Inc) was the largest cableco in the States for years until it was sold.

He has owned/or still owns shareholdings in many media interests, including viacom, discovery, time warner. He owns Chello Media which has a half interest in the CBS channels, horror ch, extreme sports ch.

He used to own Flextech, the company that owned UK Gold, Trouble, Bravo etc.

Arch rival to Rupert Murdoch, almost took Murdoch's News Corporation company away from him.

Once the vm deal is done, Liberty will be the biggest cableco in the world.

Arthurgray50@blu 07-02-2013 14:31
Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2013) Vol. 1.
 
Now that Liberty are running VM, it would nice is we had some good American channels, and l dont mean CBS etc.

There are some great channels in America, I would love to see the channel, that shows you all the old USA stuff. forget whats its called, but when l was in Florida its showed some great stuff - The Rifeleman, Laredo etc. brilliant stuff.

Horizon 07-02-2013 14:35
Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2013) Vol. 1.
 
...Nick at Nite?? USA??

Some of that stuff is shown on one of the channels on Sky, but the name escapes me at the moment.

paultrademark 07-02-2013 14:37
Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2013) Vol. 1.
 
Quote:
Originally Posted by Horizon (Post 35533467)
He has been involved in UK cable for almost 30 years, buying up a cableco in Croydon. This company latter became Telewest, which he was the majority shareholder of for many years
This is interesting, he's went full circle :D

Horizon 07-02-2013 14:45
Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2013) Vol. 1.
 
....Yep!

What goes around, comes around.

Media Boy UK 07-02-2013 15:14
Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2013) Vol. 1.
 
Quote:
Originally Posted by alwaysabear (Post 35533410)
Thanks MB ,but the link is behind a pay wall, could you paraphrase the article for us. Thanks
Story now on my blog

http://mediaboyblog.blogspot.co.uk/2...her-deals.html

---------- Post added at 14:14 ---------- Previous post was at 13:50 ----------

Quote:
Originally Posted by Horizon (Post 35533473)
...Nick at Nite?? USA??

Some of that stuff is shown on one of the channels on Sky, but the name escapes me at the moment.
Nick at Nite was set to launch on Sky in the mid 90s (Sky also run an ad in their monthly TV listing book).

But did not launch they launch The Paramount Channel (Now called Comedy Central) an year later.

DaMac 07-02-2013 17:46
Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2013) Vol. 1.
 
Quote:
Originally Posted by spiderplant (Post 35533430)
You won't see any changes from the Liberty deal for a long time - it won't even be approved for months. For now it's business as usual.
That was my previous point, VM are not going to be able to make any new deals any time soon except for ones already agreed, or almost agreed, so we will have a period of stagnation till liberty actually take over and get things cooking.

BenMcr 07-02-2013 17:48
Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2013) Vol. 1.
 
Quote:
Originally Posted by DaMac (Post 35533550)
That was my previous point, VM are not going to be able to make any new deals any time soon except for ones already agreed, or almost agreed, so we will have a period of stagnation till liberty actually take over and get things cooking.
That's not what spiderplant said

Safcftm21 07-02-2013 19:32
Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2013) Vol. 1.
 
Quote:
Originally Posted by andy_m (Post 35533296)
If they weren't providing a good product they'd be losing customers, failing to make a profit and watching the share price tumble.
VM have been very aggressive with marketing and price deals to new customers, however the proof of the pudding will be retentions when these deals expire. Also will the new company be as willing to give such good discounts when people ring up saying they are not happy with the price rises? In order for VM to be sold for such a large amount of money it had to show it had a large amount of subscribers, how else was it going to do this other than offer good deals? As a sky customer I hope VM stay competitive as without competition Sky could do what it wants. However I have a nasty feeling that all this goodwill that VM have been throwing about with retentions might be a thing of the past.

BenMcr 07-02-2013 20:01
Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2013) Vol. 1.
 
Quote:
Originally Posted by Safcftm21 (Post 35533599)
however the proof of the pudding will be retentions when these deals expire
Virgin Media's Churn rate was down to 1.1% at the end of 2012 (compared to 1.3% at the end of 2011) which doesn't take account of the improved Collections pricing launched last year.

Quote:
However I have a nasty feeling that all this goodwill that VM have been throwing about with retentions might be a thing of the past.
Most of the retention deals available in the last year to 18 months haven't been significantly different that the advertised pricing, so I wouldn't expect there to be a mass exodus when the time limited parts of the bundles end.

Safcftm21 07-02-2013 20:18
Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2013) Vol. 1.
 
Quote:
Originally Posted by BenMcr (Post 35533613)
Virgin Media's Churn rate was down to 1.1% at the end of 2012 (compared to 1.3% at the end of 2011) which doesn't take account of the improved Collections pricing launched last year.

Most of the retention deals available in the last year to 18 months haven't been significantly different that the advertised pricing, so I wouldn't expect there to be a mass exodus when the time limited parts of the bundles end.
It amazing then how many people on here reported getting a better deal after ringing retentions when the last price rise was announced! I also never said anything about a mass exodus just that those better deals might be a thing of the past.

Mr Banana 07-02-2013 20:20
Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2013) Vol. 1.
 
Quote:
Originally Posted by Safcftm21 (Post 35533599)
VM have been very aggressive with marketing and price deals to new customers, however the proof of the pudding will be retentions when these deals expire. Also will the new company be as willing to give such good discounts when people ring up saying they are not happy with the price rises? In order for VM to be sold for such a large amount of money it had to show it had a large amount of subscribers, how else was it going to do this other than offer good deals? As a sky customer I hope VM stay competitive as without competition Sky could do what it wants. However I have a nasty feeling that all this goodwill that VM have been throwing about with retentions might be a thing of the past.
I think everyone has the same issue. Pick up any newspaper and everyone is advertising this and that free for 6 months. If you look at other businesses they are also offering all sorts at discounted prices - Sky seem to be giving HD free for x months as a retention tool.

As Ben says churn is very low and is the lowest it has been since q4 2003, which I posted elewhere.

The key to this deal is that Liberty see a massive opportunity so I'm sure they will continue to give Sky and others a good run for their money.

BenMcr 07-02-2013 20:20
Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2013) Vol. 1.
 
Quote:
Originally Posted by Safcftm21 (Post 35533624)
It amazing then how many people on here reported getting a better deal after ringing retentions when the last price rise was announced!
However I wouldn't be surprised if most of that was a 'reset' towards the current Collections pricing, rather than anything like retentions used to give out

Mr Banana 07-02-2013 20:30
Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2013) Vol. 1.
 
Quote:
Originally Posted by Safcftm21 (Post 35533624)
It amazing then how many people on here reported getting a better deal after ringing retentions when the last price rise was announced! I also never said anything about a mass exodus just that those better deals might be a thing of the past.
If so many people are joining on cheap deals and getting retention deals, how does this happen?

Revenue per customer
31 Dec 2012 - £48.87
30 Sept 2012 - £48.73

Chad 07-02-2013 20:33
Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2013) Vol. 1.
 
Quote:
Originally Posted by Top banana (Post 35533625)
I think everyone has the same issue. Pick up any newspaper and everyone is advertising this and that free for 6 months.
Very true. At the moment I'm on 12 months half price with SKY. Noticed Virgin are doing the VIP Collection for £49.50 a month for 6 months then £99 a month + Virgin Phone line (£14.99) a month. That's a very good deal. When my contract expires with SKY I'm likely to return to Virgin if I can get my first 6 months half price. TV, broadband and phone half price 18 months can't be sniffed at. Then if virgin put prices up again, and SKY offer me a good deal to return then I'll simply cancel my contract with Virgin and go back to SKY.

With BT, SKY and Virgin competing for our custom, and being able to cancel your contract if you don't accept a price increase, people can jump from provider to provider very easily. If people don't mind switching TV provider, and keep your eye on the latest offers, you could easily go 2 years without paying the full price for your package.

Mr Banana 07-02-2013 20:38
Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2013) Vol. 1.
 
Quote:
Originally Posted by Chad (Post 35533632)
Very true. At the moment I'm on 12 months half price with SKY. Noticed Virgin are doing the VIP Collection for £49.50 a month for 6 months then £99 a month + Virgin Phone line (£14.99) a month. That's a very good deal. When my contract expires with SKY I'm likely to return to Virgin if I can get my first 6 months half price. TV, broadband and phone half price 18 months can't be sniffed at. Then if virgin put prices up again, and SKY offer me a good deal to return then I'll simply cancel my contract with Virgin and go back to SKY.

With BT, SKY and Virgin competing for our custom, and being able to cancel your contract if you don't accept a price increase, people can jump from provider to provider very easily. If people don't mind switching TV provider, and keep your eye on the latest offers, you could easily go 2 years without paying the full price for your package.
Thats a great way of looking at things and nice to see a balanced post that doesn't get into thye my thing is bigger than your thing.

nicknewark 07-02-2013 20:52
Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2013) Vol. 1.
 
I received my bill the other day and sure enough the increase had been applied, approx an extra 5.50 a month for my services. I called them up and was put through to relations, and through some negotiation managed to get me monthly bill back down, plus and extra couple of quid off as well, and they gave me a free upgrade on my phone package. I was out of contract on all my services, so maybe that helped, as I did agree to a new contract. S

paultrademark 07-02-2013 21:05
Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2013) Vol. 1.
 
Yeah I did similar when the letters came out, paid just over a £5 less the past couple months and now the increase has been applied, am still 51p less than I was before. Though the bill was wrong and they have now had to apply a rolling £2 credit each month as the amount the advisor told me back in November was not what was billed.
But I was sensible enough to make sure he put in the notes the amount agreed at the time, so it's honoured, and I was still in contract but re-contracted for 12 months.

harry_hitch 07-02-2013 21:14
Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2013) Vol. 1.
 
I think the number of "retentions" must be quite minor. One lad at work said today that he still pays £100 a month and he has been out of contract for years. I think apathy and a lack of knowledge among many customers (regarding taking a new contract) mean VM actually give "very little" away. It's difficult not to get carried away thinking most people are like the many switched on customers on here, and know how to play the game correctly:-) It worked well on my mobile too, £15 a month for 200 mins, unlimited texts 500mb internet. The £15 also includes the £6.95 fee for phone insurance....bargain. (sorry mods, just realized its off topic)

Safcftm21 07-02-2013 21:21
Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2013) Vol. 1.
 
Quote:
Originally Posted by Top banana (Post 35533634)
Thats a great way of looking at things and nice to see a balanced post that doesn't get into thye my thing is bigger than your thing.
I'm assuming your talking about me with that snide remark. If you re-read my post I actually said I hope VM do well as it leads to a more competitive market. Balanced? You wouldn't know the meaning of the word.

Mr Banana 07-02-2013 21:25
Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2013) Vol. 1.
 
Quote:
Originally Posted by Safcftm21 (Post 35533655)
I'm assuming your talking about me with that snide remark. If you re-read my post I actually said I hope VM do well as it leads to a more competitive market. Balanced? You wouldn't know the meaning of the word.
Its not aimed at you at at all, it was aimed at others who can't currently post. Apologies if you thought I meant you.

Mad Max 07-02-2013 21:40
Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2013) Vol. 1.
 
Does the takeover by an American company mean that we can look forward to Fox News being added!!

Chad 07-02-2013 22:10
Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2013) Vol. 1.
 
Quote:
Originally Posted by Mad Max (Post 35533664)
Does the takeover by an American company mean that we can look forward to Fox News being added!!
Tin hat time ;) :D

andy_m 07-02-2013 22:19
Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2013) Vol. 1.
 
Ferret News?

Jameseh 07-02-2013 22:59
Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2013) Vol. 1.
 
Fox News should be added to the entertainment section asap. Second best comedy channel on air.

Safcftm21 07-02-2013 23:17
Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2013) Vol. 1.
 
Quote:
Originally Posted by Top banana (Post 35533658)
Its not aimed at you at at all, it was aimed at others who can't currently post. Apologies if you thought I meant you.
Apology accepted and sorry for jumping the gun

Chad 07-02-2013 23:32
Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2013) Vol. 1.
 
Quote:
Originally Posted by Jameseh (Post 35533689)
Fox News should be added to the entertainment section asap. Second best comedy channel on air.
http://img850.imageshack.us/img850/361/foxrx.jpg

I just spent 20 minutes making that. The wife caught me, shook her head and went to bed :D

Media Boy UK 08-02-2013 00:03
Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2013) Vol. 1.
 
BBC News channel moves to new home in March.

Reports are coming in from other web sites that from March 18th The BBC will move BBC News to an new Studio and will be given an new on-screen look.

All BBC News programmes on BBC One will start to broadcast in HD from that date.

http://www.a516digital.com/2013/02/b...home.html#more

Info thanks to a516digital.com

So Virgin may not have Sky News HD or Sky Sports News HD but we can watch BBC News HD on BBC One HD for about 60 hours per week.

Chad 08-02-2013 00:26
Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2013) Vol. 1.
 
Quote:
Originally Posted by Media Boy (Post 35533704)
BBC News channel moves to new home in March.

Reports are coming in from other web sites that from March 18th The BBC will move BBC News to an new Studio and will be given an new on-screen look.

All BBC News programmes on BBC One will start to broadcast in HD from that date.

http://www.a516digital.com/2013/02/b...home.html#more

Info thanks to a516digital.com

So Virgin may not have Sky News HD or Sky Sports News HD but we can watch BBC News HD on BBC One HD for about 60 hours per week.
There has been some speculation over at TV Forum about what is coming soon.

http://www.tvforum.co.uk/thenewsroom...27695/page-540

http://www.tvforum.co.uk/thenewsroom...27695/page-541

There is a suggestion that the main TV bulletins at 1 o'clock, 6 o'clock and 10 o'clock will be in HD from early March. The BBC News channel will launch in HD a few weeks later.

Reported sources for this information is a leaked Powerpoint presentation plus Tweets from BBC employees.

Jameseh 08-02-2013 01:00
Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2013) Vol. 1.
 
Guess that is what the BBC are using the (current) spare Freeview HD slot for then.

denphone 08-02-2013 05:23
Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2013) Vol. 1.
 
Quote:
Originally Posted by Mad Max (Post 35533664)
Does the takeover by an American company mean that we can look forward to Fox News being added!!
You mean we might see good old Rupert present the news.:nono:

andy_m 08-02-2013 08:03
Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2013) Vol. 1.
 
We'll need Fox News to balance the new offering from the BBC.

denphone 08-02-2013 08:47
Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2013) Vol. 1.
 
Well each to their own but their style is not for me.

the_pidgeon 08-02-2013 08:58
Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2013) Vol. 1.
 
Won't we get Showtime and MGM?

denphone 08-02-2013 09:13
Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2013) Vol. 1.
 
Well l suppose we won't know until perhaps later in the year.

Media Boy UK 08-02-2013 10:15
Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2013) Vol. 1.
 
Quote:
Originally Posted by Chad (Post 35533711)
The BBC News channel will launch in HD a few weeks later.
Sorry about this - It news to me and unlikely to happen due to BBC Cuts.

---------- Post added at 08:23 ---------- Previous post was at 08:21 ----------

Quote:
Originally Posted by Jameseh (Post 35533715)
Guess that is what the BBC are using the (current) spare Freeview HD slot for then.
The last thing I seen was The BBC are looking for other broadcasters to use that slot.

---------- Post added at 08:52 ---------- Previous post was at 08:23 ----------

An new (and very good) story on the Virgin Media takeover now on my blog:

http://mediaboyblog.blogspot.co.uk/2...asterplan.html

---------- Post added at 08:59 ---------- Previous post was at 08:52 ----------

Happy Birthday to Virgin Media who is 6 years old today.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P0FWRw42fwo

nicknewark 08-02-2013 10:34
Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2013) Vol. 1.
 
Some interesting news.

http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/tech/new...-playback.html

denphone 08-02-2013 10:45
Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2013) Vol. 1.
 
Being discussed here Nick.

http://www.cableforum.co.uk/board/10...-playback.html

nicknewark 08-02-2013 12:00
Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2013) Vol. 1.
 
Ok, thanks

Media Boy UK 08-02-2013 12:18
Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2013) Vol. 1.
 
Media Boy EXCLUSIVE: Virgin Media to add some new Channels - should launch on Tuesday.

I can now reveal that the following channels should launch on Tuesday on Virgin Media:

Channels to launch:
-Quest+1 to launch on Virgin Channel 173 on the M+, L and XL Packages.
-Investigation Discovery to launch on Virgin Channel 224 on the M+, L and XL Packages.
-British Eurosport 2 HD to launch on Virgin Channel 526 on the XL Package.

-No word yet on when Animal Planet HD will launch on Virgin Channel 217.

NOTE: I do not work for Virgin Media so all the information on this post is still subject to change.

©copyright 2013 Media Boy 2006 - 2013. An ''Keep it real and free'' Production.

Henkesghost 08-02-2013 12:20
Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2013) Vol. 1.
 
Quote:
Originally Posted by Media Boy (Post 35533813)
Media Boy EXCLUSIVE: Virgin Media to add some new Channels - should launch on Tuesday.

I can now reveal that the following channels should launch on Tuesday on Virgin Media:

Channels to launch:
-Quest+1 to launch on Virgin Channel 173 on the M+, L and XL Packages.
-Investigation Discovery to launch on Virgin Channel 224 on the M+, L and XL Packages.
-British Eurosport 2 HD to launch on Virgin Channel 526 on the XL Package.

-No word yet on when Animal Planet HD will launch on Virgin Channel 217.

NOTE: I do not work for Virgin Media so all the information on this post is still subject to change.

©copyright 2013 Media Boy 2006 - 2013. An ''Keep it real and free'' Production.

Animal planet HD is a good one :) Cheers for that

johnasimmons 08-02-2013 12:22
Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2013) Vol. 1.
 
WooHoo! thanks MB :)

BenMcr 08-02-2013 12:24
Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2013) Vol. 1.
 
Local TV coming to Virgin Media in London and possibly Manchester

http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/media/ne...v-licence.html

Quote:
Alongside Freeview, London Live will also broadcast on Sky, Virgin Media and via IP TV. It will use new split-screen video technology and integrate social media reaction from services as Twitter and Facebook.
http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/media/ne...v-licence.html

Quote:
As well as being broadcast on Freeview channel 8 using a special multiplex, YourTV Manchester is also expected to launch on cable and satellite, and make programming available online and on mobile.

royaltiger 08-02-2013 12:43
Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2013) Vol. 1.
 
Slightly off topic when did TCM launch on M+ package as didn't see any advertising for it, also I thought music on demand was free but that also now seems to have changed back to pay per view.

Media Boy UK 08-02-2013 12:51
Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2013) Vol. 1.
 
Quote:
Originally Posted by royaltiger (Post 35533823)
Slightly off topic when did TCM launch on M+ package as didn't see any advertising for it, also I thought music on demand was free but that also now seems to have changed back to pay per view.
Moved in January when TCM2 launched.

Music on Demand was free only until the end of January.

denphone 08-02-2013 13:07
Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2013) Vol. 1.
 
Quote:
Originally Posted by Media Boy (Post 35533813)
Media Boy EXCLUSIVE: Virgin Media to add some new Channels - should launch on Tuesday.

I can now reveal that the following channels should launch on Tuesday on Virgin Media:

Channels to launch:
-Quest+1 to launch on Virgin Channel 173 on the M+, L and XL Packages.
-Investigation Discovery to launch on Virgin Channel 224 on the M+, L and XL Packages.
-British Eurosport 2 HD to launch on Virgin Channel 526 on the XL Package.

-No word yet on when Animal Planet HD will launch on Virgin Channel 217.

NOTE: I do not work for Virgin Media so all the information on this post is still subject to change.

©copyright 2013 Media Boy 2006 - 2013. An ''Keep it real and free'' Production.
Thanks MB for another excellent update.:tu:

royaltiger 08-02-2013 13:19
Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2013) Vol. 1.
 
Quote:
Originally Posted by Media Boy (Post 35533824)
Moved in January when TCM2 launched.

Music on Demand was free only until the end of January.
Thanks for that, I'm assuming TCM was part of M+ package when TCM2 launched.

muppetman11 08-02-2013 13:20
Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2013) Vol. 1.
 
Can anyone with MRS confirm if these new channels recordings are available to stream box to box ? We're the last batch CN HD , TCM HD ?

OLD BOY 08-02-2013 13:30
Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2013) Vol. 1.
 
Quote:
Originally Posted by Chad (Post 35533632)
Very true. At the moment I'm on 12 months half price with SKY. Noticed Virgin are doing the VIP Collection for £49.50 a month for 6 months then £99 a month + Virgin Phone line (£14.99) a month. That's a very good deal. When my contract expires with SKY I'm likely to return to Virgin if I can get my first 6 months half price. TV, broadband and phone half price 18 months can't be sniffed at. Then if virgin put prices up again, and SKY offer me a good deal to return then I'll simply cancel my contract with Virgin and go back to SKY.

With BT, SKY and Virgin competing for our custom, and being able to cancel your contract if you don't accept a price increase, people can jump from provider to provider very easily. If people don't mind switching TV provider, and keep your eye on the latest offers, you could easily go 2 years without paying the full price for your package.
I think that many of us are more discerning than this. It's not all about price, it's about what you get as a package. Price is important if two packages are exactly the same or your household budget is particularly tight. However, I would want to see a distinct benefit in terms of what I want before I moved from one provider to another.

If you move back to VM, Chad, make sure that you confirm with Sky that they have received your notice of termination from their contract.

Some people say they are a slippery bunch and cite complaints that termination notifications to them have not been received.

I, of course, couldn't possibly comment...;)

---------- Post added at 12:30 ---------- Previous post was at 12:24 ----------

Quote:
Originally Posted by Chad (Post 35533711)
There has been some speculation over at TV Forum about what is coming soon.

http://www.tvforum.co.uk/thenewsroom...27695/page-540

http://www.tvforum.co.uk/thenewsroom...27695/page-541

There is a suggestion that the main TV bulletins at 1 o'clock, 6 o'clock and 10 o'clock will be in HD from early March. The BBC News channel will launch in HD a few weeks later.

Reported sources for this information is a leaked Powerpoint presentation plus Tweets from BBC employees.
It would be nice if they could sort out the regional programmes on BBC1 HD!

passingbat 08-02-2013 13:58
Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2013) Vol. 1.
 
Quote:
Originally Posted by Media Boy (Post 35533754)
An new (and very good) story on the Virgin Media takeover now on my blog:

http://mediaboyblog.blogspot.co.uk/2...asterplan.html
They are talking about the Horizon box eventually replacing Tivo. There is nothing on the Horizon box that couldn't be added to Tivo (latest US Tivo has four tuners). But compared to Tivo, the Horizon box lacks one of Tivo's greatest features, Whishlists, and the HD recording capacity of the Horizon box is half that of Tivo. I really hope they don't go down that route.

Quote:
Virgin’s Tivo now has 1.33 million subscriptions in the UK, after adding 896,000 this year, but Liberty is likely to be making a long-term bet that its interactive set-top box – Horizon – will ultimately help it attract new UK subscribers, reduce churn and boost average revenue per user.

Horizon has launched in the Netherlands and Switzerland and is expected to launch in Germany and Ireland before the end of the year.

Liberty is working with YouTube, Facebook, Twitter and about 60 content partners to develop apps for its app store, and Horizon offers an online video store, which already has 3,000 titles.

The box has the ability to record up to four channels at any one time and allows subscribers to watch shows concurrently on their computer, iPad or iPhone.

It can also record up to 175 hours of standard-definition shows or 65 hours of HD shows.



OLD BOY 08-02-2013 14:22
Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2013) Vol. 1.
 
Quote:
Originally Posted by passingbat (Post 35533849)
They are talking about the Horizon box eventually replacing Tivo. There is nothing on the Horizon box that couldn't be added to Tivo (latest US Tivo has four tuners). But compared to Tivo, the Horizon box lacks one of Tivo's greatest features, Whishlists, and the HD recording capacity of the Horizon box is half that of Tivo. I really hope they don't go down that route.
Well, the contract with TIVO lasts for 4 years, and by then, maybe Horizon will be able to offer the increased recording space. Not so sure about wishlists, though, which I agree are useful, but ultimately dispensable to me.

TAZMANUK 08-02-2013 14:41
Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2013) Vol. 1.
 
http://www.telecompaper.com/news/hor...laints--906290

If tivo goes on vm im afraid thats when i will be reviewing the situation tivo is the best thing on vm

Stephen 08-02-2013 14:50
Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2013) Vol. 1.
 
Quote:
Originally Posted by TAZMANUK (Post 35533864)
http://www.telecompaper.com/news/hor...laints--906290

If tivo goes on vm im afraid thats when i will be reviewing the situation tivo is the best thing on vm
Trust me, TiVo will not be leaving VM.

denphone 08-02-2013 14:52
Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2013) Vol. 1.
 
Quote:
Originally Posted by TAZMANUK (Post 35533864)
http://www.telecompaper.com/news/hor...laints--906290

If tivo goes on vm im afraid thats when i will be reviewing the situation tivo is the best thing on vm
l cannot foresee any change for a considerable amount of time if there is any change at all.

Media Boy UK 08-02-2013 14:56
Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2013) Vol. 1.
 
Quote:
Originally Posted by Stephen (Post 35533870)
Trust me, TiVo will not be leaving VM.
Well not until 2017 then MAY happen when Virgin Media deal is up (Info from Broadcastnow).

denphone 08-02-2013 15:02
Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2013) Vol. 1.
 
Quote:
Originally Posted by Media Boy (Post 35533877)
Well not until 2017 then MAY happen when Virgin Media deal is up (Info from Broadcastnow).
Not even then one suspects MB.

passingbat 08-02-2013 15:20
Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2013) Vol. 1.
 
Quote:
Originally Posted by TAZMANUK (Post 35533864)
http://www.telecompaper.com/news/hor...laints--906290

If tivo goes on vm im afraid thats when i will be reviewing the situation
My thoughts exactly

Quote:
Originally Posted by Stephen (Post 35533870)
Trust me, TiVo will not be leaving VM.
Good to know

---------- Post added at 14:20 ---------- Previous post was at 14:07 ----------

Quote:
Originally Posted by OLD BOY (Post 35533857)
Not so sure about wishlists, though, which I agree are useful, but ultimately dispensable to me.
Because I watch a lot of new US shows, that are anounced at the Upfronts around May, but don't air in the UK until much later in the year and even the following year, Whishlists are great for adding these shows so that you don't forget them. It also saves time I would have spent trying to find out which channel and when they start; Tivo does that automatically. I also use it to pick up shows with favourite actors in. Whishlists are an essential part of a PVR for me now.

TAZMANUK 08-02-2013 16:35
Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2013) Vol. 1.
 
Can BenMcr gives us details ifwe will be getting tivo stream

Changed due to last comment was a joke but oh well.

BenMcr 08-02-2013 16:45
Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2013) Vol. 1.
 
Quote:
Originally Posted by TAZMANUK (Post 35533938)
Can BenMcr give any info if tivo will be with us after 2017 weather it been a new box etc.
Seriously?! :bsmack:

spiderplant 08-02-2013 16:58
Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2013) Vol. 1.
 
And if so, can he also give us tomorrow night's lottery numbers?

devilincarnate 08-02-2013 17:07
Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2013) Vol. 1.
 
Quote:
Originally Posted by spiderplant (Post 35533953)
And if so, can he also give us tomorrow night's lottery numbers?
Do you mean all the numbers for the next year:D

passingbat 08-02-2013 17:13
Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2013) Vol. 1.
 
Quote:
Originally Posted by BenMcr (Post 35533942)
Seriously?! :bsmack:
I think he maybe trying to work out options for his upgrade from V+;):D

Quote:
TAZMANUK

TAZMANUK 08-02-2013 17:44
Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2013) Vol. 1.
 
Guys it was a joke lighten up lol no one knows...ben might not be working at vm by then jeesh

The lotto numbers will be 7, 15, 26, 33, 46 bonus not telling lol

---------- Post added at 16:44 ---------- Previous post was at 16:42 ----------

No ben i was joking...

Mobes 08-02-2013 17:52
Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2013) Vol. 1.
 
Quote:
Originally Posted by Media Boy (Post 35533813)
Media Boy EXCLUSIVE: Virgin Media to add some new Channels - should launch on Tuesday.

I can now reveal that the following channels should launch on Tuesday on Virgin Media:

Channels to launch:
-Quest+1 to launch on Virgin Channel 173 on the M+, L and XL Packages.
-Investigation Discovery to launch on Virgin Channel 224 on the M+, L and XL Packages.
-British Eurosport 2 HD to launch on Virgin Channel 526 on the XL Package.

-No word yet on when Animal Planet HD will launch on Virgin Channel 217.

NOTE: I do not work for Virgin Media so all the information on this post is still subject to change.

©copyright 2013 Media Boy 2006 - 2013. An ''Keep it real and free'' Production.

AWESOME :)

TAZMANUK 08-02-2013 17:55
Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2013) Vol. 1.
 
Passingbat - whats wrong with the v plus boxes still good boxes

alwaysabear 08-02-2013 18:04
Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2013) Vol. 1.
 
In four years time everything may have moved to the cloud , Hard drives will become a thing of the past at some point.

TAZMANUK 08-02-2013 18:09
Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2013) Vol. 1.
 
http://www.verytangytv.co.uk/

I brought this up before ages ago but i reckon we will end up with cloud based set top boxes everything recorded on a virtual drive that way box breaks and needs to be changed nothing is lost.

denphone 08-02-2013 18:10
Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2013) Vol. 1.
 
Quote:
Originally Posted by alwaysabear (Post 35534009)
In four years time everything may have moved to the cloud , Hard drives will become a thing of the past at some point.
Well that remains to be seen AB.

Hugh 08-02-2013 18:30
Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2013) Vol. 1.
 
Quote:
Originally Posted by alwaysabear (Post 35534009)
In four years time everything may have moved to the cloud , Hard drives will become a thing of the past at some point.
this will depend on very reliable connectivity....

paultrademark 08-02-2013 18:32
Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2013) Vol. 1.
 
Quote:
Originally Posted by Hugh (Post 35534029)
this will depend on very reliable connectivity....
Something that VM are not famous for.


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