Re: Coming soon to Virgin TV 2014
 

If it does, they need to sort something out at Amazon. I've just watched an episode of Blue Bloods and it stopped to buffer about 5 times, sometimes taking several minutes to restart. I've never had that problem on Netflix. PQ was good when it was playing though, but only stereo sound, compared to Netflix's 5.1. I was watching via my Sony S370 BR player.

I know Netflix use adaptive bitrate streaming and will drop the PQ rather than stop to buffer, but I don't even notice that.

Netflix is a far better streaming experience so far for me.

Re: Coming soon to Virgin TV 2014
 

I used Lovefilm via a PS3 with no issues , I'm now streaming via a PS4 and have had no issues with HD PQ or buffering and the app provides 5.1 audio.

PQ, as I said was good. I hope they add 5.1 to other devices.

I got the month Prime Trial and will see if I think it's worth it towards the end of the month.

Re: Coming soon to Virgin TV 2014
 

Indeed. Also the TiVo UI for Virgin's own on-demand content is so poor, particularly at browsing for interesting new stuff, that I find myself using it less and less compared to the services I don't need to give Virgin money for.

Re: Coming soon to Virgin TV 2014
 

To be honest, I wouldn't be subscribing to Netflix if it wasn't on TiVo and I would probably have cut the cable by now if I want subscribing to Netflix. I know that sounds a bit odd, but despite having a range of devices I can use Netflix with, TiVo is just there, already hooked up to my tv and the integrated search results don't make me feel like I'm constantly swapping about to browse available content. More importantly for me I only need one remote!

I can understand why at first glance it seems a strange fit but actually I think the platform now offers a great compromise between linear tv channels with a recording function and streaming/od services.

Which is irritating because they've now removed the functionality of the TiVo so far from the US version that I'm no longer that interested in keeping it.

Re: Coming soon to Virgin TV 2014
 

In what way? If anything the recent code release moved Virgin Media's TiVo closer to the US one, not further away.

Having rights to do things with content is not the same as the box not being able to do it.

Re: Coming soon to Virgin TV 2014
 

Have you actually read the other threads? The suggestions are now totally useless. Totally!

Re: Coming soon to Virgin TV 2014
 

I agree that Suggestions is now no longer useful to use, but the the UI has moved closed to the US spec, more HD menus and faster operation

Re: Coming soon to Virgin TV 2014
 

How slow did it used to be then? When I press home or my shows I get a black screen for about 5 seconds.

Re: Coming soon to Virgin TV 2014
 

If you haven't reset your TiVo recently, do so and you will likely see some improvement.

Re: Coming soon to Virgin TV 2014
 

TBF after the update i'm finding the tivo very sluggish, the UI is really nice but is ruined by being very sluggish. Hopefully they'll sort the clinks out soon.

Re: Coming soon to Virgin TV 2014
 

blockbusters on demand coming to TiVo http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/movies/n...-licensed.html

Re: Coming soon to Virgin TV 2014
 

And that's why he's on ignore!

Re: Coming soon to Virgin TV 2014
 

Sky don't seem to have a problem going out their way to offer free catchup tv players on their NowTV box. To me that devalues NowTV content as well as the point of purchasing the box if you get free access to the most popular UK shows and without having to pay Sky subscription fees.

Re: Coming soon to Virgin TV 2014
 

Virgin Media did remove BBC Red Button 2 from Virgin Channel 992 last Sunday night.

http://www.cableforum.co.uk/board/35675131-post959.html

Re: Coming soon to Virgin TV 2014
 

I think the NowTV box is Sky's trojan horse and a good strategy.

Re: Coming soon to Virgin TV 2014
 

great analogy!, it places a sky controlled equipment in house where there is no satellite so can be built on as another route to market.

They have content as well which is why VM cant go down this route

Virgin Media in broadband fightback
 

Re: Coming soon to Virgin TV 2014
 

I have to say I'm loving the now TV box. Used my first sports day pass for the now familiar Palace surrender to a top half team last weekend because I couldn't get there and the quality was very decent, and I'm in the middle of a free month's trial of the movies pass and i'm very impressed. £8.99 for all that is excellent value. Apart from those that want full hd and top quality audio I really can't see why you'd pay double that as either a cable or satellite customer.

As for blockbuster on demand on TiVo, well great, but whereas I could see an obvious gap being plugged by Netflix, I'm struggling to see where a ppv on demand movie app will fit given we already have Virgin Movies and pay access to Sky Movies including on demand.

---------- Post added at 10:46 ---------- Previous post was at 10:44 ----------

Given what BT spent in order to drive their broadband subs, and that Sky matched that offer, I'd say managing a 6 figure increase in broadband subs represents a decent effort for Virgin.

Re: Coming soon to Virgin TV 2014
 

Couldn't agree more it offers pay TV with no long term contracts and negates the need for a satellite dish.
Not only does it offer subscriptions they also gain from the occasional PPV movie watcher through the Sky Store app.
Totally agree that's what I've said for a while now.

Re: Coming soon to Virgin TV 2014
 

All I can think is that it may simply have more films, perhaps a more extensive back catalogue? Maybe Dish will do global studio deals so that Blockbuster has earlier access to some studios' films? I agree it needs to do something different. But any competition in this area is a good thing as it will hold down prices.

---------- Post added at 13:14 ---------- Previous post was at 11:36 ----------

Thanks. :) I've always thought that VM should have done an IPTV box for non-cable areas. It would probably need to be sold under a different brand name but Virgin Media has a few at its disposal including NTL. Whilst it may have been hard to get rights to some Sky channels, it would have enabled VM to keep customers who move between cabled and non-cabled areas. I think TalkTalk TV and BT TV mean this idea would be a non-starter now.

Re: Coming soon to Virgin TV 2014
 

I would relabel "Hard" as "Impossible", and why would Sky they have an app which is universal on tablets and other media streaming device, their own dedicated IP hardware box (Now TV) and of course satellite.

I think Sky would laugh if VM come along and said "we doing an IPTV box would you mind doing a cut price so we can sell on and make profit for us".

Nope cant see it either.

doesnt BT still have an issue with sky rights for their Youview box?
I think VM missed the boat big time on this but he who controls the content can control the output source

Re: Coming soon to Virgin TV 2014
 

I'm referring to the past when VM had its own channels, it even offered ADSL customers a Freeview box made by TVOnics at one stage so this could have been developed into an IPTV offering. Agree it looks impossible now.
BT is awaiting Ofcom's imminent decision re SkySports 1/2 on YouView. It's likely to go in BT's favour.

Re: Coming soon to Virgin TV 2014
 

Please only see this as a friendly leg-pull, but we seem to have departed from 'Coming Soon' and moved into 'Didn't happen in the past' here... :p::D

Re: Coming soon to Virgin TV 2014
 

ah then that indeed that would have been a opportunity and opportunity truly "missed".

I think that it will go in BT favour, how much though in favour i.e. cost part will await in antcipation, will it mention about skysports 3/4 or because 1/2 is regulated its only about this part

Re: Coming soon to Virgin TV 2014
 

File under maybe not coming soon! Virgin has reportedly denied Blockbuster is coming to Tivo!
http://www.mcvuk.com/news/read/block...treets/0128782

A report here http://www.gamesindustry.biz/article...uk-high-street

Very strange! :erm:

Update. Nothing on Dish's website about a deal http://about.dish.com/news-releases

But Crash Entertainment's site quotes from this alleged news item

Re: Coming soon to Virgin TV 2014
 

These internet companies now have more influence than I thought. Lovefilm/Amazon have decided to make a new series of Ripper Street after it was axed by the BBC. One of the conditions of this deal is that the BBC get the rights to show it after Lovefilm/Amazon customers have seen it. In effect, they have led the state broadcaster to reverse their decision to axe one of their shows!

Thanks, I was wondering what it was that had been removed.

I remember that. Yesterday, I was reading about how some cable companies abroad have enabled their STB to be connected to a satellite dish too. This enables their customers to easily view our FTA satellite channels without any rights or carriage issues because of this satellite overspill.

I'm not sure if these channels appear on the EPG and/or if they are recordeable.

This could be an idea for VM, or maybe an app like TV Catch Up??

Re: Coming soon to Virgin TV 2014
 

MY NICK JR. ARRIVES IN THE UK WITH VIRGIN MEDIA

Launch of personally-curated channel available in over two million Virgin Media TiVo® homes

London, UK – 27th February, 2014 – Nickelodeon UK and Virgin Media have teamed up to bring the My Nick Jr. App to the UK. The commercial-free personal programming service will be available to Virgin Media TiVo customers on TV packages L and XL from today and will allow parents to programme a customised playlist for their preschool child.

My Nick Jr. features 650 Nick Jr. episodes including episodes of beloved Nick Jr. titles such as Dora the Explorer, Bubble Guppies, Tickety Toc and Dinosaur Train.

My Nick Jr. initially launched in France on CanalSat in 2013 and will roll out in the US on Verizon Communications Inc.'s FiOS TV service in the coming months. The service will launch across more international territories later in the year.


Press Release: http://www.vimn.com/press/nick-jr/co...h-virgin-media

Re: Coming soon to Virgin TV 2014
 

Watch BT Sport 1 for free for 24 hours on Sunday the 2nd March. Catch the Newcastle v Leicester Rugby match on channel 547 from 1pm. don't know if BT Sport HD is free too

Found this when login too tv anywhere and go too BT Sport 1

Re: Coming soon to Virgin TV 2014
 

Any of this channels coming to virgin media soon?

History hd,
universal hd
e! Hd
e! + 1
ci hd
ci +1
pop
pop girl
kix!
Kix! +1
mtv + 1
mtv live
disney hd,
disney xd hd,
disney junior +1
disney junior hd
sky news hd
sky sports news hd
sky 1 +1
blizz
scuzz
horse and country
nat geo wild hd
nick junior +1
comdey central extra + 1
lifetime hd
lifetime + 1
travel channel + 1
food network + 1
active channel
news 18
pick + 1

Re: Coming soon to Virgin TV 2014
 

Are you genuinely interested in acquiring all these channels or just churning a list out as you missed off items such as sky Atlantic, skysports 3&4 HD, sky Vegas etc. but got a whole lot of +1 and HD equivalent on this list and very niche channels such as horse and country.

Re: Coming soon to Virgin TV 2014
 

History hd, - yes
universal hd - yes
e! Hd - maybe
e! + 1 - maybe
ci hd - yes
ci +1 - yes
pop - no
pop girl - no
kix! - no
Kix! +1 - no (closing end of year anyway apparantly)
mtv + 1 - no
mtv live - no
disney hd, - yes
disney xd hd, - yes
disney junior +1 - maybe
disney junior hd - maybe
sky news hd - yes
sky sports news hd - yes
sky 1 +1 - maybe
blizz - never heard of it unless you meant bliss? which is yes
scuzz - yes
horse and country - nope
nat geo wild hd - yes
nick junior +1 - maybe
comdey central extra + 1 - no
lifetime hd - yes (summer 2014)
lifetime + 1 - maybe
travel channel + 1 - nope
food network + 1 - nope
active channel - nope
news 18 - was supposed to be
pick + 1 - maybe

ones i've said yes to are rumoured for this year somepoint.

Re: Coming soon to Virgin TV 2014
 

yes i am genuinely interested in acquiring all these channels special, the following channels
disney hd, - yes
disney xd hd, - yes
disney junior +1 - maybe
disney junior hd - maybe
horse and country - nopepop - no
pop girl - no
kix! - no
Kix! +1 - no (closing end of year anyway apparantly)
mtv + 1 - no
mtv live - no
nat geo wild hd - yes
nick junior +1 - maybe
sky news hd - yes
History hd, - yes
universal hd - yes
e! Hd - maybe
e! + 1 - maybe
ci hd - yes
ci +1 - yes
news 18 - was supposed to be
pick + 1 - maybe
sky sports news hd - yes
sky 1 +1 - maybe
bliss which is yes
scuzz - yes
comdey central extra + 1 - no
lifetime hd - yes (summer 2014)
lifetime + 1 - maybe

I FORGOT ABOUT sky Atlantic, skysports 3&4 HD,MTV CLASSIC,TINY POP+ 1,AKA,CHATSHOW TV, CHARTSHOW TV DANCE,NOW TV

---------- Post added at 09:04 ---------- Previous post was at 09:01 ----------

ANY OF THIS CHANNELS COMING TO VIRGIN MEDIA SOON?
sky Atlantic,
sKY Atlantic Hd
Sky Atlantic + 1
skysports 3&4 HD,
MTV CLASSIC,
TINY POP+ 1,
AKA,
CHATSHOW TV,
CHARTSHOW TV
DANCE,NOW TV

Re: Coming soon to Virgin TV 2014
 

ANY OF THIS CHANNELS COMING TO VIRGIN MEDIA SOON?
sky Atlantic, - no
sKY Atlantic Hd - no
Sky Atlantic + 1 - no
skysports 3&4 HD, - no
MTV CLASSIC, - supposed to be coming last year
TINY POP+ 1, - no
AKA, - yes
CHATSHOW TV, - yes
CHARTSHOW TV
DANCE,NOW TV - dance nation yes - nowtv no idea.


I wouldn't expect too many new channel launches this year, LG are quite keen to concentrate on on demand services over the foreseeable future.


Interesting article here http://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/n...ention-BT.html

Re: Coming soon to Virgin TV 2014
 

Well lets hope he can walk the walk as much as he talks the talk.

Re: Coming soon to Virgin TV 2014
 

Agree mate.

Re: Coming soon to Virgin TV 2014
 

He did confirm what you've indicated to us before. http://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/n...ention-BT.html

Re: Coming soon to Virgin TV 2014
 

Any of these channels coming to virgin media?

True drama
sony tv + 1
sony movies
sony movies + 1
more movies
movies 4 men
movies 4 men + 1
true movies 2

so you saying that horse and country and pop girl won't be launch this year

Re: Coming soon to Virgin TV 2014
 

Best thing to do mate is keep a eye on the thread as soon as either me, media boy, howard know anything we will post it. As for the channels you asked about movies4men might launch and Sony movies.

Re: Coming soon to Virgin TV 2014
 

You called.:D

I have not seen any confirmed launch dates for new channels launches since December 10th 2013.

Only some channels are set to close (Still cant post names or know when they will stop broadcasting)

Re: Coming soon to Virgin TV 2014
 

Same here, at minute gonna be a quiet year

Re: Coming soon to Virgin TV 2014
 

March List update - March 3rd update.

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

NOTE: I DO NOT WORK FOR VIRGIN MEDIA OR 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 or Smallworld News and links.
Media Boy = Other Media news/Things.

=== Coming up on Virgin's Digital TV ===
=== Freeviews on Virgin Media or Smallworld ===
???. ??th. (Put channel here) is having an freeview to all (Put package info here) ?? package on Virgin Channel ??? right now until 6am on (Put end date here).

=== March ===
9th. Sky Movies Oscars will be rebrand back to Sky Movies Greats today on Virgin Channel 410.
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 Virgin Channel 440.
9th. Sky Movies Oscars HD will be rebrand back to Sky Movies Greats HD today on Smallworld Channel 337.
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 and Smallworld.

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

=== 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.
-Virgin Media may renumber all of the Smallworld channel numbers.

=== Channels ONLY in Smallworld and UPC Ireland areas ===
List last updated on February 21st 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*
-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).
-Clubland TV
-Planet Pop

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

=== Bauer Radio ===
-Absolute Radio 90s
-Kisstory
-KissFresh
-Heat Radio
-The Hits Radio
-Kerrang! Radio

=== Own by Boxing Channel Media Limited ===
-BoxNation HD

=== 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 China Central Television ===
-CCTV News (Broadcasts in Smallworld areas right now).

=== 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) ===
-ITVBe (Channel soon to start broadcasting.)
-ITV Encore (Channel soon to start broadcasting - only on Sky.)

=== 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/British Sky Broadcasting) ===
-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 Ireland (Channel soon to launch for viewers in England, Scotland and Wales).

=== 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 UltimateHits Limited ===
-Now Music (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
Follow Smallworld Fibre on ''twitter'' here - https://twitter.com/smallworldfibre
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 24th 2014.

Next update: TBC - unless:

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

Remember its only the 3rd of March today Howard.:)

Re: Coming soon to Virgin TV 2014
 

Judging by the comments made so far, it looks as if VM will be concentrating on video on demand content from various sources this year. Clearly, we won't be getting anywhere near the same number of linear channels as last year, which was clearly spectacular in anyone's book.

Re: Coming soon to Virgin TV 2014
 

Media news:

Shoppingtelly: Price Drop owner sit-up Limited announces CVA proposal.

The auditors for Sit up / Bid TV have sent a pack to everyone they owe money to - this includes suppliers, freelancers, staff etc. They are seeking a voluntary agreement to write off £68 million worth of debt.

http://forum.shoppingtelly.com/forum...-and-suppliers

http://forum.shoppingtelly.com/forum...s-CVA-proposal

FT: Channel 5 sale update.

A trio of US cable network owners have entered the race to buy Channel 5, the UK television broadcaster owned by media baron Richard Desmond.

Viacom, Discovery Communications and Scripps Networks all put forward bids for the company on Thursday, according to people familiar with the process. The sale also drew an offer from Saban Capital.

http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/4de32a4c-a...#axzz2uuDzwurM

Re: Coming soon to Virgin TV 2014
 

:D:D:D

---------- Post added at 13:35 ---------- Previous post was at 13:35 ----------

From what info i have VM are concentrating on on demand services and faster broadband more than anything else.

Re: Coming soon to Virgin TV 2014
 

So the current on-demand rumours are HBO and Amazon. Should we add BBC Store to the list? Any others? (Blockbuster was a hoax so that can be discarded.)

Re: Coming soon to Virgin TV 2014
 

Only ones i know are ruomured to be coming are Amazon and Blinkbox and possibly HBO. I'd imagine others will follow Wukai keeps getting mentioned too.

Re: Coming soon to Virgin TV 2014
 

I can confirmed that I have also seen brand like Amazon and Blinkbox may launch on Virgin on Demand by 2015.

Re: Coming soon to Virgin TV 2014
 

It all sounds rather vague if you ask me.

Re: Coming soon to Virgin TV 2014
 

Well HBO can certainly be forgotten about in my opinion , Sky Atlantic has the subscription rights linear and On Demand in the UK and Blinkbox , Amazon , Google , iTunes etc sell digital episodes and boxsets.

Re: Coming soon to Virgin TV 2014
 

Yes l quite agree about HBO as l think some are whistling in the wind if they think that is going to arrive and as for the others well there is no proof that any of that is going to arrive yet but one lives in hope.

Re: Coming soon to Virgin TV 2014
 

No proof that they won't arrive either.

Re: Coming soon to Virgin TV 2014
 

That's what makes this thread so good IMO. All the speculation makes it really interesting to read every day. Long may it continue.

Re: Coming soon to Virgin TV 2014
 

think your coming around to see I am right Den it not coming at all still cant believe people cant see this

Re: Coming soon to Virgin TV 2014
 

l pray every night and say your name three times before l go bed my dear chap.;):nworthy:

Re: Coming soon to Virgin TV 2014
 

I think that might be because the concept of what HBO On Demand may look like differs from person to person. If the likes of Blinkbox can sell HBO content on-demand, why can't HBO do this itself?

Re: Coming soon to Virgin TV 2014
 

It's the subscription streaming rights that are the problem, not the selling of an episode or season ---- the new amazon Prime instant video does that as well as Blinkbox.

It's the £x a month for unlimited streaming of current and past seasons of HBO shows that looks to have been tied up exclusively with Sky and unlikely to come to VM, unless VM do a deal with Sky for Atlantic, which seems very unlikely at this point in time.

Re: Coming soon to Virgin TV 2014
 

Yes, exactly my point. HBO On-Demand could well be a PPV service, those who have suggested it's likely to come acknowledge that it may not be an all-inclusive, pay-monthly service.

Re: Coming soon to Virgin TV 2014
 

Might be better for consumers if Scripps get it, as they have the best record for providing FTA channels. This may mean Channel 5 HD no longer being behind the Sky and VM paywalls.

---------- Post added at 21:28 ---------- Previous post was at 21:02 ----------

Just heard a rumour that price-drop (741) and bid (745) are going to be removed by VM.

Re: Coming soon to Virgin TV 2014
 

Yep afraid so :(

Re: Coming soon to Virgin TV 2014
 

Sounds quite plausible, VM will obviously be amongst the suppliers being offered a few pence in the Pound.

Re: Coming soon to Virgin TV 2014
 

Great news imo, the more rubbish they get rid of the better!

Re: Coming soon to Virgin TV 2014
 

Have they gone bust?

Re: Coming soon to Virgin TV 2014
 

No. But let say Virgin Media is owe £100 by sit-up* Virgin will only get £10 if they say Yes to that CVA proposal on March 18th.

*Shopping and Radio Channels need to pay to get on Virgin Media.

Re: Coming soon to Virgin TV 2014
 

Oh right, I didn't know that they were in financial difficulties.

If you can say, were these the two channels the ones you said might be closing on VM, but were unable to disclose the names of?

Re: Coming soon to Virgin TV 2014
 

If they are proposing a CVA they would certainly have a liquidity problem. A CVA usually involves staged repayments to creditors over a period of time, say 6 years. It isn't particularly attractive to offer 1% repayments to their creditors over a 6 year period, they would be lucky to get the approval of 75% of their creditors. It's also worth noting that, even if approved by the creditors, many CVAs fail within the repayment period.

Re: Coming soon to Virgin TV 2014
 

No. I was talking about other ones.

---------- Post added at 12:09 ---------- Previous post was at 11:52 ----------

Thanks for rumour.

Re: Coming soon to Virgin TV 2014
 

I would have thought that they would have tried to sell the business for a nominal fee like £1, with the new owner taking on the debts or dissolved the company and replaced it with another to rid themselves of any debt.

Re: Coming soon to Virgin TV 2014
 

That will still be an option if the CVA fails. It looks like the new investors don't want the debt as they have made the investment deal conditional on the CVA going ahead.

It probably doesn't make sense to take on the debt when the investors could simply start up a new company, possibly taking on the existing staff and allowing the existing company to fail.

Bad news for the creditors, however it goes.

Re: Coming soon to Virgin TV 2014
 

Yes but the contracts would all cease with the receivership of the existing company, crucial when you are trying to operate a 24/7 broadcasting service. So amongst other things your EPG slots would all go and you would face other disruption and a resulting lack of customer confidence.

Re: Coming soon to Virgin TV 2014
 

Having the fact that the company is operating under a CVA listed on the website wouldn't do very much for customer confidence.

A phoenix company could buy the business names, EPG slots, licences, etc from the liquidator at knock down rates. New contracts would, most likely, be needed for a phoenix company to be carried on cable and possibly Freeview.

Re: Coming soon to Virgin TV 2014
 

That's a good point, they would have to bid for their own EPG slots on Sky or face the possibility* of having to use different numbers further up the EPG.

* I say possibly, as is there a possibility that, if they were quick, that they may find themselves allocated their old slot under the FRND rules?

Re: Coming soon to Virgin TV 2014
 

Presumably the whole benefit of Bid TV and Price-Drop TV is their TV presence so most of its customers wouldn't see the website?
A new company could certainly buy some assets from the receivers including stock, brand name, web domain etc. However, the receiver has to sell to the highest bidder so there is a risk that someone else could come along and buy them. Furthermore, some contracts would simply end when the original company ended, certainly the Freview EPG numbers would almost certainly be lost and the company would have to use lower ones down the EPG assuming it was able to secure capacity. Hence its preference for a more stable CVA.

Re: Coming soon to Virgin TV 2014
 

Purchasing isn't done on the TV, it's done by phone or online. Customers choosing to pay online would obviously see the website.

A CVA is anything but stable. A company operating under a CVA generally has to pay for everything up front. Banks and suppliers would be foolish to take the risk of extending credit to a company with known liquidity problems. Assuming that the new investors are willing to put large amounts of cash upfront, that may not be a problem. As far as contracts are concerned, a good contract would have a clause making the agreement voidable if the company goes into administration or enters into an arrangement.

Re: Coming soon to Virgin TV 2014
 

I think the CVA proposal is a token gesture to pave the way for Administration. It could even end up being a 'pre-pack' Administration, where the sale of core assets are actually arranged in advance of the company going in to Administration. This happened in the case of La Senza, and meant that they didn't actually trade in administration at all.

Re: Coming soon to Virgin TV 2014
 

Not a very good gesture as going into a CVA requires an up front payment to the insolvency practitioner, which could otherwise be paid to the creditors.

Re: Coming soon to Virgin TV 2014
 

Morning all still seems all quiet on the Virgin Media front... perhaps spring will "spring" some surprises.

Re: Coming soon to Virgin TV 2014
 

morning Vince, feels like 2012 albeit with a few less channels outstanding

Re: Coming soon to Virgin TV 2014
 

Well it hardly seems to have been crafted with plausibility in mind.

Re: Coming soon to Virgin TV 2014
 

Morning! aye i remember 2012 well for this. it would seem that the channels VM would want they can't get (atlantic, sky HD channels) and the other missing channels they dont have which are on sky they dont want!

To be fair even though i hate it being so quiet with channel launches i can't really think of anything i'd want apart from the obvious sky channels. Except for the comedy of some european channels and the propaganda hilariousness of fox news.

So maybe i'm just disappointed over nothing really...we all got spoiled last year :(

Re: Coming soon to Virgin TV 2014
 

We certainly did bud

Re: Coming soon to Virgin TV 2014
 

Coming soon to Netflix!
http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/ustv/new...n-netflix.html

Re: Coming soon to Virgin TV 2014
 

Media Boy Opinions on BBC Three axe.

As you may know the BBC is set to axe BBC Three in 2015 so that BBC One +1 can launch - the following is my own opinion.

WHY IS THE BBC SET TO CLOSE BBC THREE FOR?
The BBC says it to save money and add £30m into BBC One's bill per year for more Drama to be made. But the real reason is so The BBC can reuse BBC Three channel numbers for the new part time BBC One +1 Channel. But even that may not happen.

WHY?
On Freeview Digital UK gives the lower FREE channel number on Freeview to Local TV so Local TV may end up getting an UK Wide Channel number of 7. BBC One +1 may end up getting two channels

-Channel 8 in England.
-Channel 26 in Wales and Scotland.

For BBC One +1 to broadcast.

WHAT THE JOKE!!!
After axe of BBC Three by 2016 as an broadcast TV Channel we will end up with BBC One, BBC Two and BBC Four - unless the BBC is also set to rebrand BBC Four as BBC Two Extra or BBC Extra.

The BBC has confirmed that CBBC will be given an extra hour to broadcast - until 8pm.
The BBC has also confirmed that BBC One +1 on the space left over from BBC Three.

ALL Proposals are still to given an go-ahead by the BBC Trust.

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

Re: Coming soon to Virgin TV 2014
 

Jesus H, i'll make a point of missing that!

Re: Coming soon to Virgin TV 2014
 

Fair enough!.

Re: Coming soon to Virgin TV 2014
 

Iwon't though, looks good, thanks for info.

Re: Coming soon to Virgin TV 2014
 

A petition to save BBC3 has been signed by over 85,000 people in less than 48 hours. No doubt there will be a uturn.

http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/tv/news/...s-records.html

Re: Coming soon to Virgin TV 2014
 

It's a good start but I'm not sure if it will sway the BBC. BBC 3 on average draws between 3.5 to 4 million viewers each day. If millions of regular viewers haven't convinced the BBC to keep the channel on TV I can't see 85,000 signatures changing their mind. Hopefully the channel does stay as I do enjoy Family Guy.

Re: Coming soon to Virgin TV 2014
 

I guess so, but celebrities have signed it aswell. That will probably add more weight to the petition.

Re: Coming soon to Virgin TV 2014
 

The online petitions helped towards saving the BBC Asian Network and BBC 6 Music. These were taken into account when the BBC trust reviewed the plans, they then swiftly vetoed the plans.

The aim of canning BBC3 was to save money, so why are they talking about using 30million of that on BBC1 drama? As well as extra funds to launch BBC1 +1 and increasing the hours of CBBC?

The people that run the BBC are nothing but politicians in disguise

Re: Coming soon to Virgin TV 2014
 

Does anyone know how much BBC Alba costs the BBC?

Re: Coming soon to Virgin TV 2014
 

£4.9 million.

Here's a breakdown:

https://twitter.com/suttonnick/statu.../photo/1/large

Re: Coming soon to Virgin TV 2014
 

Thanks for that Steve.

Re: Coming soon to Virgin TV 2014
 

Whatever it is, it's too much. We should not be fruitlessley promoting a dying language when the language of business is English. What a waste of money. It would be interesting to know how many people actually speak Gaellic, and whether they can also speak English.

BBC3 has a far bigger audience. Common sense really, but in this politically correct society, everything that is common sense is turned on its head.

Re: Coming soon to Virgin TV 2014
 

50,000-60,000 native speakers depending on where you look online. I would imagine well over 90% of those are also fluent English speakers also.

It really is puzzling that it has survived the axe along with BBC4 both of which have less viewers than BBC3

Re: Coming soon to Virgin TV 2014
 

The reason that I've read is because the age group of the BBC 3 audience is more likely to adapt to on-line viewing. Given the main age group that BBC is aimed at, that seems fairly reasonable to me.

Re: Coming soon to Virgin TV 2014
 

BBC Alba has an 11% reach and costs 4 Million. BBC Three has a 23% reach and costs 87 million. So that's 20 times the costs for only double the reach.

Canning BBC Alba would only free up 4 million. Hardly a drop in the ocean of the 100 million they need to save.

Re: Coming soon to Virgin TV 2014
 

BBC Alba costs £14 million per year - £4 million from the BBC, and £10 million from MG Alba, a Gaelic media body funded by the Scottish Government and regulated by Ofcom.

And if you compare the cost per viewer/hour, BBC Alba is quite a bit more expensive than BBC3 - figures from 2010 (I can't find any more recent) show that BBC Alba cost 29.4p per viewer, per hour, whilst BBC3 cost 16.8p per viewer, per hour.

Re: Coming soon to Virgin TV 2014
 

Where do you even start with this? :rolleyes::td: