Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2013) Vol. 2.
 

The thing is Virgin could sign a deal to keep ESPN in the premiere collection however ESPN from September will be nothing like it is just now. From the information that is openly available, ESPN will essentially become what ESPN America is just now. On this basis, if ESPN does remain in the premiere collection, Virgin should still be informing new customers there is going to be a major change to the channels programming in a few months. After all it is one of their major selling points.

For example if they planned to drop HD channels come September you would expect them to make this clear to new customers. If they planned to stop the record function on TiVo from September you would expect them to make this clear to new customers. If they planned to start charging for servicing and repairs from September you would expect them to make this clear to new customers.

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2013) Vol. 2.
 

Not sure about dropping HD channels, that is substantial change (must happen at times). ESPN is major, and record function on TIVO and charging, probably would negate contract terms (option to move)

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2013) Vol. 2.
 

ESPN still has FA Cup next year, hopefully MLS too (for me).

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2013) Vol. 2.
 

Looks like I've not followed this at all. So ESPN are not ceasing to broadcast from August? Are they just no longer being carried on Virgin?

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2013) Vol. 2.
 

There will be a channel called ESPN, mooted to be current ESPN america. part of the BT sports package (along side BT 1 and 2)

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2013) Vol. 2.
 

Cheers Colin

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2013) Vol. 2.
 

But none of us know what's going behind the scenes so l think its a bit rich to come to kneejerk assumptions without knowing the full facts.

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2013) Vol. 2.
 

Indeed Den time will tell, enjoy your chicken:)

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2013) Vol. 2.
 

Yes you enjoy your day watching Celtic and being with loved ones Henke.:)

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2013) Vol. 2.
 

Really? I thought the rights package had transferred to Bt Sport?

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2013) Vol. 2.
 

Taken from BT.com/sport

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2013) Vol. 2.
 

Aww... why spoil the fun and ruin an established common practice within this thread...? ;):D

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2013) Vol. 2.
 

Yes those old trusty stalwarts will have to come up with something better if they are ever to break down the defences of the great mighty fortresses of all that is good in the world.:waving::waving:

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2013) Vol. 2.
 

Jeez Louise, it's only TV channels, not anything important.....

ymmv.

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2013) Vol. 2.
 

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2013) Vol. 2.
 

I didn't realise that. I reckon it's pretty odds on then that ESPN and ESPN hd will remain as part of xl for free on Virgin, but that we won't get Bt sport. It'll be interesting to see what else ends up on the ESPN channel in the new world.

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2013) Vol. 2.
 

The BT website does specifically state that the FA Cup will be on ESPN.

It got me thinking about TV rights, and what BT have actually acquired. After rooting around in other forums, Twitter, Facebook and news pieces a fairly interesting picture is emerging.

There is a suggestion that any sports that BT have not purchased the rights for individually, that are currently held by ESPN, will remain on ESPN. For example the FA Cup contract doesn't expire until 2014 so the FA Cup will remain on ESPN. It would also partly explain why BT are having to keep the ESPN brand alive. The following link also seems to suggest that the Europa League, contracted to ESPN until 2015, will remain on ESPN:

http://bt.custhelp.com/app/answers/d...g-with-espn%3F

"We will have at least two live matches each match week. ITV have the first two picks. However, ESPN has multiple picks and have very often included great UK clubs. For instance this season: Newcastle, Chelsea and Liverpool. English teams also drop into the Europa League if they come third in their Champions League group, like Chelsea have done this year and Manchester clubs did last year."

So if there is any truth to existing contracted sports remaining on ESPN, what will be on BT Sports and what will hypothetically remain on ESPN? It's all down to the deals BT have snapped up outwith the take over of ESPN.

BT have bought these rights, which had expired, previously owned in full or in part by ESPN :

June 2012 - English Premiership
September 2012 - Premiership Rugby
October 2012 - Seria A (Italian football)
October 2012 - Ligue 1 (French football)
October 2012 - Brasileiro (Brazilian football)
October 2012 - MLS (American soccer)
May 2013 - UFC

ESPN still have the following deals in place:

FA Cup until 2014
Europa League until 2015
SPL (Scottish football) until 2017
Bundesliga (German football) until 2015

Another thing I've noticed is BT Sports keep on mentioning the same 3 American sports when people are asking what will happen to ESPN America. the 3 sports mentioned are College Basketball, College Football and NASCAR.

There are some interesting quotes here:

http://tv.espn.co.uk/gb/espl/espn-ne...n-next-season/

IN OTHER COUNTRIES

"Separate from the agreement with BT, ESPN is proposing that ESPN America may wind down in 2013. At this stage it is only a proposal and is subject to an appropriate consultation and review process."

This looks like ESPN America across the whole of Europe is about to bite the dust.

So in summary I think ESPN might actually stay in the XL package showing FA Cup, Europa League, SPL, Bundesliga, College Basketball, College Football and NASCAR.

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2013) Vol. 2.
 

Very interesting, thanks Chad. Perhaps the whole ESPN thing is causing the issue with BT and VM?

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2013) Vol. 2.
 

Just seen the advert for BT Sport, that the sports channels are only free for 12 months.

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2013) Vol. 2.
 

Possibly. I'm finding plenty of interesting stuff about BT and ESPN. Maybe virgin aren't lying about offering ESPN HD with the XL package from July onward! Lets see what happens however I'm actually beginning to believe ESPN might just stay in the XL package. If it does I'll be the first to admit I was wrong.

Anyways, here is more information regarding the future of ESPN America:

http://www.wbj.pl/article-62725-espn...is-summer.html

"British telecommunications firm BT Group, which took over the assets ESPN UK in February this year, has announced that it will withdraw the ESPN America and ESPN Classic channels from all European markets except the UK and Ireland. While the specific closure dates will vary from country to country based upon distribution agreements, it is expected that all of the stations will have stopped broadcasting by the end of July this year."

I thought BT had bought ESPN operations in the UK, but it looks like they've bought everything Europe wide!

People across Europe are not taking the news very well at all:

https://www.facebook.com/espnamerica...18146&filter=2

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2013) Vol. 2.
 

HD is yes for Sky platform. From what i saw channels are free for BT BB customers for as long as they keep there BT BB even after 12 months

---------- Post added at 19:16 ---------- Previous post was at 19:15 ----------

Thanks Chad. That shows to me that ESPN classic and America are staying on TV

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2013) Vol. 2.
 

Might be a charge for Hd version (£3)

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2013) Vol. 2.
 

I too picked up on the line:

"has announced that it will withdraw the ESPN America and ESPN Classic channels from all European markets except the UK and Ireland."

If the article is correct, and BT have done a u-turn on closing ESPN America and ESPN Classic in the UK, this may suggest that BT might be willing to do a deal to keep ESPN branded channels in the XL package.

The plot thickens :D

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2013) Vol. 2.
 

Don't let your imagination run too wild though.:D

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2013) Vol. 2.
 

I wonder if we will have to pay to have ESPN Classic and Amercia as well as pay for BT Sport to keep ESPN

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2013) Vol. 2.
 

I'm not sure how you can come to that conclusion. This will all be thrashed out in the final agreement with BT. BT will obviously want to reach as wide an audience as possible. Any agreement made with Virgin will involve a cost, and it maybe that Virgin will no longer be able to have BT owned ESPN & ESPN HD as a 'freebie' on the XL package.
As BT need to get as much an audience as it can to cover their costs of their Premier League rights and the ESPN deal(s), it's 99.9% certain that BT Sports 1,2 and ESPN will be on Virgin and depending how much Virgin will have to pay to carry those channels, including HD variants if offered, will also determine how much Virgin will HAVE to charge its customers.

I love my football and I take the Sky Sports HD package, and I WILL also be taking any BT Sports package that becomes available. It would have to be an astronomical additional cost for me not to.

TrevP

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2013) Vol. 2.
 

Arthur, we have clarified on many occasions that the +1 channels are indeed useful. There have been occasions when there have been five channels broadcasting programmes that I want to see at 9pm, and I have made use of the +1 channels to enable me to do this.

I don't know why you complain about them. If you don't want to use them, don't use them, but please accept that even with a 1TB TIVO box, they still come in useful to some of us. What possible legitimate objection could you have?

---------- Post added at 20:36 ---------- Previous post was at 20:26 ----------

Indeed it is John, but you are completely wrong on point 2! Don't be so pessimistic! ;)

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2013) Vol. 2.
 

If VM were running at capacity, TV-wise, I'd agree with Arthur, but they're not. I don't see the point in complaining about more choice.

As for Tivo, Tivo's fine and well if you knew something was on. It wouldn't be the first time I've found out about something halfway through it airing on the standard channel, but I've been able to catch it on +1.

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2013) Vol. 2.
 

I agree, I think Arthur is still under the impression that the +1 channels are preventing other channels from launching, which is not correct.

You make a good point about catching a live programme half way through. However, as I trawl through my TV & Satellite Week every Tuesday, I pretty well know what's on and I am rarely surprised by something that's on a linear channel that I want to see. I don't miss much!!

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2013) Vol. 2.
 

Nope as far as I'm aware only one ESPN branded channel will remain and be operated by BT.

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2013) Vol. 2.
 

....indeed and all US sports will transfer from ESPN America to ESPN. Pretty much back to NASN again before it became ESPN.

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2013) Vol. 2.
 

Why do you think Bt's primary concern is making their money back straight away? I wouldn't be surprised if they're prepared for it to take longer than the current rights cycle. Offering the channel to Virgin just to add subscriber numbers would fly in the face of their clear efforts to increase subscribers on their own platform. Frankly I can't see why anybody thinks these channels will be available on Virgin - it just wouldn't make any sense for Bt. The fact that Virgin are advertising 18 month deals with free ESPN makes me think that these channels will remain in xl.

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2013) Vol. 2.
 

What they ought to do is make them available on Freeview through the CI slot on your TV or card slot on your box much like they do now with Sky Sports and ESPN because then they can sell directly to customers that way and increase audience numbers massively and still offer it free to infinity customers through their aerial. They're likely to get more customers that way as more people have a TV with built in Freeview than there are Sky or BT TV customers. Plus if VM don't get the channels (unlikely) then they can get them that way

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2013) Vol. 2.
 

Agreed. This is all about BT gaining customers from Sky, VM and TalkTalk. Providing BT Sports to VM under wholesale would counteract that strategy.

BT are in this for the long haul. Comparisons to ESPN and Setanta are irrelevant since neither of those companies owned a fibre-optic broadband network or offered triple-play services.

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2013) Vol. 2.
 

Ok, if you are so sure then what is the source of your information?

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2013) Vol. 2.
 

But alas John where is your source on which you have based your pessimism on?.:)

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2013) Vol. 2.
 

Point taken - apologies to all :)

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2013) Vol. 2.
 

You don't need to apoligise as l think all we want to know is when or if it is arriving and what price or package it will be.

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2013) Vol. 2.
 

Likely to be longer than that.

---------- Post added at 15:33 ---------- Previous post was at 15:31 ----------

As of May 20th at 3.20pm - my insiders has confirmed that no new channels are set to launch on Virgin Media.

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2013) Vol. 2.
 

i got BT Sport 1 and 2 free as I am with bt phone and bb after year I pay £3 mm with espn free all the time in hd

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2013) Vol. 2.
 

So how does that fit in with the reply I got back from Channel 4 back in February?

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2013) Vol. 2.
 

Any news on further new channels not set to launch on Virgin?
What about Sky Atlantic? I've heard rumours that's not set to launch.

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2013) Vol. 2.
 

While it is true that much appearing on this thread is either speculation, wishful thinking or yah boo sucks, certain things are clear.

First of all, we all know that BT are launching these channels to attract broadband customers, and we also know that they have big pockets, so they can sustain a loss with a view to attracting more business.

However, they have also said that they want a presence on all platforms and they want to make football more accessible. BT are not Sky and shouldn't be compared with them. Also, the less money coming in from these channels, the more nervous BT shareholders will be, so they'll want to be generating some useful income for their efforts.

Virgin Media may play hard ball, but they won't want to be denying their sports fans access to the BT Sports channels. Not only will this send out a bad message to potential new subscribers about the range of channels available, but it will also encourage a sizable number of people to leave VM.

The messages VM are giving out appear positive and it is clear they are negotiating for the best possible deal. The delay in making any announcements is understandably frustrating for people, but you can't hurry these things. If you want to get BT Sports with the best possible deal, you have to wait, I'm afraid.

As for the price we will eventually have to pay, who knows? Maybe we'll have to pay the full price, maybe VM will go out on a limb. My guess is that it will use the money it was using for ESPN and take that amount off the BT subscription, so we get it at a reduced rate and compete head on with Sky, who won't do a deal and have customers who don't want BT Broadband. But, of course, THAT is just speculation!

---------- Post added at 19:22 ---------- Previous post was at 19:19 ----------

Spanky, Media Boy answered that question in the quote you attached to your own post!

The next channels will almost certainly be the BT channels. Sky Atlantic seems as far away as ever.

---------- Post added at 19:26 ---------- Previous post was at 19:22 ----------

Sorry Andy, but I think you are way off beam with that post! I guess we'll have to wait until July/August to prove it to you, though!

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2013) Vol. 2.
 

Likewise! Obviously I'm hoping you end up being right!

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2013) Vol. 2.
 

Ha ha! Cheers to that!

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2013) Vol. 2.
 

The fact that Virgin has a website to sign up for details to me confirms something is going to happen, if you weren't going to get it, you wouldn't create a page about it.

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2013) Vol. 2.
 

Indeed , Sky Sports channels are widely available on most pay TV platforms sadly the same cant be said about BT's sports channels. :(

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2013) Vol. 2.
 

Any chance of Sports Tonight Live! coming to VM?

http://www.sportstonightlive.com/

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2013) Vol. 2.
 

Sports Tonight looks like a bad college production.

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2013) Vol. 2.
 

I think the next new channels could be the missing MTV Channels as I think Media Boy said the Viacom deal may be up in the summer.

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2013) Vol. 2.
 

I said may launch in Summer.

I do not know how long that deal they signed with Viacom the last time will run for.

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2013) Vol. 2.
 

Any more news on the UKTV on demand content that we were promised what seems like an eternity ago :o:

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2013) Vol. 2.
 

All I know can be found online right now.

---------- Post added at 12:31 ---------- Previous post was at 12:13 ----------

Global Radio told to sell 8 Radio Channels by The CC.

The Competition Commission has released that Global Radio will be required to sell the following Radio Channels for the takeover of GMG Radio to happen:

East Midlands:
Smooth Radio
Capital Radio

Cardiff and South Wales:
Real Radio
Capital Radio

North Wales:
Real Radio
Heart Radio

Greater Manchester and the North-West (TWO Channels to be sold):
Capital Radio
Real Radio XS
With either:
Real Radio
Smooth Radio

North-East:
Real Radio
Smooth Radio
Capital Radio

South and West Yorkshire:
Real Radio
Capital Radio

Central Scotland:
Real Radio
Capital Radio

Red means own by Global Radio right now,
Blue means own by Real and Smooth Ltd right now.

http://radiotoday.co.uk/2013/05/comp...ults-on-global

Real Radio and Real Radio XS do not broadcast on Virgin Media.
But the rest can be found on the following channel numbers:

-Smooth Radio (Called Smooth FM on EPG) on Virgin Channel 916.
-Heart Radio (Called Heart FM on EPG) on Virgin Channel 918.
-Capital Radio (Called Capital FM on EPG) on Virgin Channel 958.

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2013) Vol. 2.
 

The Denver Post: Liberty Global puts Chellomedia business up for sale.

Soon to be Virgin Media new owner looking to sell it channels - CBS Reality, CBS Action, CBS Drama, Horror Channel and Extreme Sports Channel.

Read more: Liberty Global puts Chellomedia business up for sale - The Denver Post http://www.denverpost.com/business/c...#ixzz2TvwSPz5B

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2013) Vol. 2.
 

[QUOTE=Media Boy;35574142]The Denver Post: Liberty Global puts Chellomedia business up for sale.

Is Chellomedia not a STD? :confused:

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2013) Vol. 2.
 

It called Chello Zone in the UK and Ireland but is still owned by Chellomedia around the world.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chello_Zone

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2013) Vol. 2.
 

[QUOTE=Henkesghost;35574158]:LOL: :clap:


Good effort sir, good effort!

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2013) Vol. 2.
 

Hey MB who is GMG and will we be getting this when it launches?

http://radiotoday.co.uk/2012/07/myer...-for-teamrock/

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2013) Vol. 2.
 

GMG own The Guardian newspaper.

And upto last June they also own Real Radio, Real Radio XS and Smooth Radio.

http://mediaboyblog.blogspot.co.uk/2...esults-on.html

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2013) Vol. 2.
 

Been listening to the test transmission and it could and would be a good substitution for Scuzz at the moment

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2013) Vol. 2.
 

Apparently Neil Burkett may have misspoken when he said Virgin had such a deal, or not have fully understood the question that he was answering. This has been put forward by Virgin staff members on this forum as possible explanations for it failing to appear.

In addition the, reasonable, I think, point has been made that a fair chunk of the content is actually available on demand with Virgin through the BBC channel in TV on demand.

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2013) Vol. 2.
 

TeamRock broadcasts on DAB Radio is own by Team Rock Limited and not GMG Radio.

Some of the workers did run GMG Radio years ago.

Rumours say that TeamRock may buy Real Radio XS from Global Radio to launch on FM in Greater Manchester, The North-West and Central Scotland.

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2013) Vol. 2.
 

Excellent news for those of you clinging on to the hope that Virgin would be owned by a company who held the additional "leverage" of its own TV channels!

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2013) Vol. 2.
 

Yup, we can't catch a break.

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2013) Vol. 2.
 

If Liberty plan to sell the CBS channels, then they will make a lot of customers unhappy as these channels have brilliant shows on them.

Regarding +1 channels, the only reason why l was saying they are a waste of time, I spoke with CS and they said they dont have enough capacity on the network to take anymore channels, so bring the +1 channels on.

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2013) Vol. 2.
 

Hold on there. A lot of things may be happening, not least a possible Vodafone takeover of Liberty. If that happens, Vodafone will still have a lot of cash to play with and I wouldn't be surprised if they go after some big European broadcasters like ITV.

As a former UK cableco boss once put it, "without content you're just the "pipe", a utility company like water or gas."

Lets wait and see how this all plays out.

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2013) Vol. 2.
 

I wouldn't call CBS Action/Drama, which shows repeats from several years ago "leverage"; quite the opposite.


If I recall correctly, the VM channels that were sold had various current 'first run rights shows'. And it was (at the time female skewed) Living that Sky really wanted to get their hands on.

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2013) Vol. 2.
 

Virtually every programme on Gold is already available on OD in the BBC section + much more.

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2013) Vol. 2.
 

Real xs already broadcasts on fm in greater Manchester, I'm pretty sure it also goes out in fm in Scotland too but with different shows and presenters than the dab stream, or it certainly used to when it was rock radio.

---------- Post added at 18:33 ---------- Previous post was at 18:29 ----------

Surly that wouldn't make a bit of difference, itv is fta and any attempt to make it otherwise, or to withhold it from other platforms would seriously affect advertising revenue, which is its big appeal.

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2013) Vol. 2.
 

And you've been told multiple times by people who actually know what they're talking about that that's not the case.

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2013) Vol. 2.
 

They are not getting rid of them, just cause they are selling them doesn't mean they will cease to exist, they will just be under new ownership.

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2013) Vol. 2.
 

It looks like TiVo will have some serious competition soon with Microsoft's announcement of the X Box One. The text of the article specifically mentions Virgin Media as a target of the new console. I imagine that the new Play Station 4 will have a similar spec when it is announced soon. I wonder what TiVo will do to meet this challenge.

http://www.independent.co.uk/life-st...e-8626177.html

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2013) Vol. 2.
 

Absolutely nothing as existing cable boxes plug into the new Xbox. The new Xbox only challenges IPTV providers like BT and TalkTalk.

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2013) Vol. 2.
 

The PS4 spec has already been announced http://gamer.blorge.com/2013/02/20/p...-ray-and-more/

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2013) Vol. 2.
 

If it was challenging Sky and Virgin they would have to have a lot of channels available on the platform. As far as I can imagine, based on the current Xbox you can only watch Catch Up, Sky channels and Movies/Sport through Now TV. You'll still need a cable box or Sat box of some kind.

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2013) Vol. 2.
 

The point is it won't be challenging Sky/VM etc as it won't be adding much in the way of MS content (other than Halo TV series). It is designed to augment and enhance the "TV experience" by enabling voice and gesture control and instant switching between TV/games/Skype and web etc.
The way I see it working is the VM box plugs in to the HDMI passthrough in the Xbox, you tell it you're on VM (package etc) and it downloads the channel and programme info. When you want to watch "Walking Dead" all you need to say if you can't remember the channel is something like "Xbox watch walking dead" and it will know enough to switch automagically to the right channel. Not sure if it will be able to do much with the PVR functions of a VM box as I can't see a return route back to the box.
I'm pretty upbeat about it, but it needs to be priced right as it doesn't want to be classed as an expensive remote.

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2013) Vol. 2.
 

This article suggests the opposite:

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/technolog...ing-rooms.html

"Microsoft’s new Xbox is called simply the One – the idea is that it will integrate with your TV, plus your Sky or Virgin box."

"Microsoft implied it would work with Sky and Virgin to get access to the right programming."

"The One looks like a great idea, and at the right price there’d be no reason not to buy one if the content deals have been done with Sky and Virgin and Netflix and Lovefilm."

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2013) Vol. 2.
 

May List update - May 22nd update.

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

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

Colours on my list are as followed:

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

=== Coming up on Virgin's Digital TV ===
=== Rumour to be Launching very soon ===
-The Active Channel to launch on Virgin Media soon.

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

=== June ===
Zee Café is being rumour on BizAsia as set to be rebranded as Zee Classic on Virgin Channel 811 sometime this month.

=== By end of June ===
-Liberty Global hope to close the transaction of Virgin Media.

=== July ===
31st. ESPN will close on Virgin Channel 529 today.
31st. ESPN HD will close on Virgin Channel 530 today.
31st. ESPN America will close on Virgin Channel 531 today.
31st. ESPN to close ESPN Classic on Virgin Channel 533 by Today.

=== August ===
The following BT Sports channels launches has still to be confirmed by Virgin Media - Talks still ongoing:

1st. BT Sports 1 may launch on Virgin Media today.
1st. BT Sports 1 HD may launch on Virgin Media today.
1st. BT Sports 2 may launch on Virgin Media today.
1st. BT Sports 2 HD may launch on Virgin Media today.
1st. ESPN may launch on Virgin Media today.
1st. ESPN HD may launch on Virgin Media today.

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

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

=== November ===
-Made in Leeds will launch on Virgin Media sometime this month.

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

=== By 2015 ===
-RTE Radio and WRN Radio will be axe in old Telewest areas or added to all areas of Virgin Media.

=== Unknown dates ===
-'Seven' will be rebranded as Lincolnshire Living on Virgin Channel 879 (Grimsby & Scunthorpe only).
-I have been told that Virgin Media are in talks with Sky to carry 'Sky Atlantic SD', 'Sky News HD' and 'Sky Sports News HD' - no updates since August 2012.
-Local TV may launch on Virgin TV in some areas in Virgin Channels 600 mark (Starting in Late 2013).
-The BBC to axe BBC Radio 4 LW on Virgin Channel 911 ''in the long term''.
-Smooth fm (Smooth Radio) may get close or rebranded on Virgin Channel 916.
-Fashion One 'In talks with Virgin Media' - no updates in months.
-Sony Movies may launch soon on Virgin Media - no updates since August 2012.

=== Channels THAT still to appear in all areas ===
List was last updated on December 1st 2010.

NO. Channel Name
917. Radio: RTE Radio
920. Radio: WRN Europe

NOTE: Channels are only broadcasting in Ex-Telewest areas right now.

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

=== Ask Media Boy ===
Last updated May 6th 2013.

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: WILL I NEED TO WATCH MY DISNEY CINEMAGIC PROGRAMMES ON MY V+ OR TIVO BOX BY MARCH 27TH?
A: No Virgin Media viewers have until June 28th to watch recorded Disney Cinemagic programmes.

Q: WHY AM I NOT GETTING ''RTE RADIO'' OR ''WRN RADIO'' FOR?
A: RTE Radio and WRN Radio do not broadcast in Ex-ntl and Ex-Cable & Wireless areas - yet.

==== Virgin Media's Deals with broadcasters ===
List last updated on May 22nd 2013.

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 or Sky.

NOTE: Shopping Channels are not on 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 Television Networks/British Sky Broadcasting) ===
-Bio. +1
-CI HD
-CI +1
-HISTORY HD
-HISTORY +1
-Lifetime (May launch in 2013.)

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

=== Own by BET International Inc (Viacom) ===
-BET: Black Ent Tv
-BET: Black Ent Tv +1

=== Own by British Sky Broadcasting ===
-Pick TV +1
-Sky1 +1
-Sky 3D
-Sky Atlantic
-Sky Atlantic +1
-Sky Atlantic HD
-Sky News HD
-Sky Sports F1 HD
-Sky Sports 3 HD
-Sky Sports 4 HD
-Sky Sports News HD

=== Own by British Telecommunications Plc ===
-BT Sports 1 (To launch on August 1st on Astra.)
-BT Sports 1 HD (To launch on August 1st on Astra.)
-BT Sports 2 (To launch on August 1st on Astra.)
-BT Sports 2 HD (To launch on August 1st on Astra.)
-ESPN [From BT] (To launch on August 1st on Astra.)
-ESPN HD [From BT] (To launch on August 1st on Astra.)

=== Own by CBS Chellozone UK Channels Partnership ===
-CBS Reality +1
-Horror +1
-Reality TV

=== Own by Channel Four Television Corporation ===
-More 4 HD

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

=== Own by Disney-ABC Television Group ===
-Disney Channel HD
-Disney Junior +
-Disney Junior HD
-Disney XD HD

=== Own by Entertainment Networks (UK) Limited (Sony Pictures Television) ===
-More Than Movies
-More Than Movies +1
-Movies 4 Men
-Movies 4 Men +1

=== Own by ESPN Inc. (until July 31st 2013) ===
-ESPN America HD (Channel will close on July 31st).

=== Own by Fox International Channels (News Corporation) ===
-FOX +1

=== Own by Global Radio ===
-Capital FM TV
-Heart FM TV

=== Own by IndiaCast (Viacom18) ===
-MTV India (Channel set to launch on Astra).

=== Own by Moving Movies Ltd. (CSC Media Group) ===
-True Drama (Soon to start broadcasting).
-True Entertainment +1 (Soon to get rebranded as True Drama)
-True Movies 2

=== Own by MTV Networks Europe ===
-MTV CLASSIC
-MTV HD
-MTV LIVE
-MTV MUSIC
-MTV +1

=== Own by Multi Screen Media (Sony Pictures Television) ===
-Sahara One

=== Own by NGC-UK Partnership (National Geographic Society/Fox International Channels) ===
-Nat Wild HD

=== Own by Nickelodeon UK (MTV Networks Europe/British Sky Broadcasting) ===
-Nickelodeon HD
-Nick Jr. +1

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

=== Own by Premier Media ===
-Premier Sports
-Premier Sports Xtra

=== Own by RTE ===
-RTE 2fm
-RTE lyric fm
-RTE Radio 1 (Broadcasts in Ex-Telewest areas right now).
-RTE Radio na Gaeltachta

=== Own by Real & Smooth Ltd [Was GMG Radio] (Global Radio) ===
-Real Radio Wales
-Smooth 70s

=== Own by Scripps Networks Interactive ===
-Food Network
-Food Network +1
-Travel Channel
-Travel Channel +1

=== Own by Sony Pictures Television ===
-Sony Entertainment Television +1
-Sony Movie Channel
-Sony Movie Channel +1

=== Own by STAR TV (News Corporation) ===
-STAR Jalsha
-STAR Plus HD

=== Own by TIML Radio Limited ===
-Absolute 90s

=== Own by UKTV ===
-Drama (To launch on July 8th 2013 on Freeview).

=== Own by United Christian Broadcasters ===
-UCB TV
-UCB Bible
-UCB Gospel
-UCB Inspiration
-UCB Ireland

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

=== Own by Zee Entertainment Enterprises ===
-ZEE News (To start broadcasting soon).

==== See you later ===
List last updated on May 22nd 2013.

Next update: Sometime in June - unless:

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

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

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

THIS UPDATE WAS JUST FOR ME TO FIX SOME INFO NEXT UPDATE SOMETIME IN JUNE.

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2013) Vol. 2.
 

Is it really necessary to post all this stuff?

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2013) Vol. 2.
 

Cheers MB, thanks for keeping us up-to-date:-)

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2013) Vol. 2.
 

By all means keep people up to date with relevant whats coming etc, but do you have to list the companies who own this channel and that channel etc etc?

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2013) Vol. 2.
 

It can be useful to know which channels we can possibly get when contracts are up for renewal with particular providers

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2013) Vol. 2.
 

Yes but it's on the first page of the thread and rarely changes on the updates. It would be easier to follow if it just listed changes from the original listing.

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2013) Vol. 2.
 

Come on lads be fair as l don't see anybody else doing the fine job MB does.

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2013) Vol. 2.
 

A couple of days ago, Bio, Nat Geo Wild, and CI appeared on the L package for half a day, but were taken away, what gives? Was this some kind of glitch or something?

I have them saved on my favourites still but can't access as they're not on my package anymore.

I thought perhaps Virgin Media were moving channels to lower packages in preparation for new ones but it appears not. Still baffled why they gave me 3 channels and took away quite quickly though lol

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2013) Vol. 2.
 

True, but surely it's useful for the random guests/newbies to the site to be able to see this stuff? I wonder how different this update is compared to the one on the front of the thread?

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2013) Vol. 2.
 

so could sky alantic be coming our way at virginmedia!! http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/tech/new...-business.html

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2013) Vol. 2.
 

I wouldn't hold your breath, Virgin seem to have been quite good in the past as giving away bargaining chips.

You would hope that they would have negotiated something in return for this aside from money, like you say channels in return, a missed opportunity, if they haven't.

Fingers crossed.

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2013) Vol. 2.
 

Well lets see as there have been many false dawns before with regards to Sky Atlantic.

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2013) Vol. 2.
 

Are Sky still running Ads for Sky Atlantic, I have not noticed any for the past couple of weeks.

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2013) Vol. 2.
 

An interesting read

http://recombu.com/digital/news/yout...mpaign=website

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2013) Vol. 2.
 

When they advertise Sky Atlantic or any other Exclusive channel they always mention the HD version anyway, so they will can still give us Atlantic SD and maintain exclusivity in a sort of way.

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2013) Vol. 2.
 

Or they can just keep the channel and keep us talking about the 101 ways we could somehow end up with the channel Sky clearly want as an exclusive.

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2013) Vol. 2.
 

I can see Sky using VM's network as a possible step toward Sky providing their own channels directly - eliminating VM as a middle man relaying them. This would be financially better for everyone involved, especially the paying customer.

We would need to know what conditions have been agreed for Sky using VM's network, but I'm pretty sure it won't just be for broadband.

If what I've heard about Sky carriage deals expiring soon (?), we might be yet be pleasantly surprised...

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2013) Vol. 2.
 

How would that work, wouldn't the VM smartcard in each box need to be updated to allow the Sky channels to be decrypted. How would the Sky channels be visible on the programme guide without VM adding them ?

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2013) Vol. 2.
 

I am 99% sure it will be just for adding broadband capacity. This agreement has zero to do with channels at all.

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2013) Vol. 2.
 

Where there's a will, there's a way! I don't really know how it would work, but I would guess Sky would only need to know your VM card number to add to their "approved list".

---------- Post added at 14:25 ---------- Previous post was at 14:24 ----------

Well, that's where it's open to debate as the announcement doesn't clarify what exactly Sky would use their allowance for. It only mentions network capacity, which as we know in VM land means it can carry broadband, live TV and on demand content.

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2013) Vol. 2.
 

I think you may have misunderstood the announcement. It's for shifting data around. It doesn't have anything to do with VM except they are moving the data along their pipe.

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2013) Vol. 2.
 

There are quite a few channels in addition to Sky Atlantic that people would like to see on the VM platform.

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2013) Vol. 2.
 

Possibly I did. It it's literally a back-fill to allow increased network capacity for Sky, then yes it could really be for any purpose.

Though I think an obvious use would be for Sky to eventually offer fibre broadband to it's customers, which would of course carry on demand content. My thought process leaped ahead a few years and wondered how Sky on a VM network might evolve.