Cable Forum - General Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2018)

I asked them earlier what would happen to 113 (e.g. is it just a HD/SD swap or is SD disappearing and what would it be replaced with) and they were just basically "watch this space" about it. :-)

My own view is Virgin Media UK are maybe making room for the BBC Scotland (SD Channel) to launch on Channel 113 in Scotland.

cheekyangus

03-09-2018 19:14

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2018)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Media Boy (Post 35962203)

My own view is Virgin Media UK are maybe making room for the BBC Scotland (SD Channel) to launch on Channel 113 in Scotland.

I was thinking the same thing. :D

nodrogd

03-09-2018 20:46

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2018)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Media Boy (Post 35962203)

My own view is Virgin Media UK are maybe making room for the BBC Scotland (SD Channel) to launch on Channel 113 in Scotland.

That will be interesting. Two different channels on the same EPG number depending on where you are. Anyone buying a TV listings magazine would get totally confused.

Agreed Freeview do it with S4C & Channel 4, but mixing ITV with BBC might be aukward..

Media Boy UK

04-09-2018 03:27

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2018)

Two unknown channels has been added tonight to Total Channels.

Stephen

04-09-2018 07:21

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2018)

Quote:

Originally Posted by nodrogd (Post 35962213)

I highly doubt they would do that

jfman

05-09-2018 03:39

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2018)

Quote:

Originally Posted by jfman (Post 35961708)

Well a single free frequency could hold 6 HD channels, or get reallocated to broadband! So at this stage it’s too early to say what they will do with it.

It’s more efficient, but not the only way, to broadcast an entire frequency with one type of channel.

A single frequency free would allow them to temporarily duplicate channels if they were intending to create more capacity on 64 QAM frequencies by switching to 256 QAM.

This appears to be happening. There are a couple of frequencies being duplicated in my area at present.

Some of the ad hoc channels have reappeared in relation to upcoming PPV events as well.

jfman

05-09-2018 19:03

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2018)

Quote:

Originally Posted by jfman (Post 35960050)

People can confirm if their area has Premier Sports 2 on the same frequency as 4Music by setting recordings and entering the diagnostic menu.

In my area it isn’t, it’s on it’s own. The off EPG version is on the same frequency as ITV3 (standard definition).

So I’d be grateful for people to record 3 programmes at the same time from these channels and report back the frequency in the diagnostic menu of their TiVo or V6. You can tell which is which because the EPG number is in the list below the tuner.

If all three are on different frequencies scan the one ITV3 is on with a DVB-C compatible TV. You will find a further Premier Sports 2.

Actual Premier Sports 2 has moved, with the off EPG one being now being broadcast on it's own. Also a 'this programme is not available' slate is off EPG relating to content restricted on Premier Sports 2.

In my area there are currently 17 SD channels (mostly duplicates) broadcast off EPG, and 8 or so 'slate' channels for Vevo, Youtube, etc broadcast in addition to this. Some of the SD channels are the ones recently replaced by their HD variants.

Media Boy UK

05-09-2018 20:29

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2018)

Quote:

Originally Posted by jfman (Post 35962364)

We have found that Virgin Media are moving the lot of channels about in the last few weeks:

ITV3 and ITV3 +1 was moved to new streams last week*.

Within the last 48 hours the following channels has moved to new streams**:

Sky One
Sky Witness
More 4 +1
4Music
Film4
Film4 +1
CNN International
Cartoon Network
Cartoon Network +1
Boomerang
Boomerang +1
Channel 4 AD (Audio description)
BBC Radio 1
BBC Radio 2
BBC Radio 3
BBC Radio 4 FM
BBC Radio 5 Live
BBC World Service
BBC Radio 1 Xtra
BBC Radio 5 Live Sports Extra
BBC Radio 6 Music
BBC Radio 4 Extra
BBC Radio 4 LW
BBC Asian Network
BBC Radio Scotland
BBC Radio Wales
BBC Radio Ulster
BBC Radio Foyle
BBC Radio nan Gàidheal
BBC Radio Cymru
BBC Radio London

*MB HQ has to re add the ITV3 Channels to "Favourite Channels" late last week

**All of this weeks Channels was moved to other steams within Monday at 10pm and Wednesday at 3pm. We had to re add them all to "Favourite Channels" on our TiVo boxes.

Stephen

05-09-2018 20:44

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2018)

Does it matter what streams a channel is on if it's channel number doesn't change.

Hardly something worth spending time thinking about.

jfman

05-09-2018 21:12

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2018)

Well in and of itself yes, I agree it’s relatively meaningless to everyone.

However, this appears to be a reasonably large rearrangement to increase capacity overall and consolidate free space together. This could result in more frequencies being reallocated for broadband (booo) or space for further UHD/HD channels. If there’s plenty of duplication it also proves what I’ve said all along:- there’s plenty of space in there.

The fact Virgin are taking this action now may be indicative of plans afoot.

Media Boy UK

06-09-2018 13:26

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2018)

Quote:

Originally Posted by jfman (Post 35962364)

UPDATE: We have found that Virgin Media has move the following channels to new streams last night:

NOTE: When channels are moved you will need to re add them to your list of "Favourite Channels" on TiVo boxes.

Absolute Radio
Smooth Radio
RTÉ Radio
Heart
LBC
World Radio Network (WRN Radio)
Heart 80s
Classic FM
Gold Radio
Planet Rock
Absolute 80s
Absolute Classic Rock
Capital
Capital XTRA
Radio X

Only THREE Radio channels did not move this week to new streams - they are:

talkSPORT
Magic Radio
Kiss FM

jfman

06-09-2018 21:49

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2018)

It makes sense at present, BT Sport 4K, the slate channels and radio channels are all fixed bitrate so grouping them as much as possible is the most efficient use of that space.

Tricky Trevor

08-09-2018 18:31

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2018)

I wish we could have RTE 1,RTE 2 and RTE News on Virgin in the UK. On a recent visit to Dublin I really enjoyed them along with Eir Sport.
It's a pity that there are licencing agreements that prevent them being broadcast elsewhere although I can view RTE News on thier website.

Ddonald2016

09-09-2018 13:23

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2018)

Why do virgin still charge £7 a month for sky sports HD, when it’s now standard on sky for £2 more instead of £7