Originally Posted by vincerooney (Post 35851084)

So is uncle Vince not likely to get Fox News? What a crying shame.

Never mind let's hope the new bloke in charge of tv acquisitions can provide me with some more tasty treats

Originally Posted by vincerooney (Post 35851084)

So is uncle Vince not likely to get Fox News? What a crying shame.

Never mind let's hope the new bloke in charge of tv acquisitions can provide me with some more tasty treats

Originally Posted by 1andrew1 (Post 35851087)

I agree with others on Fox News; no smoke without fire. I can't see much launching in the summer besides Sky Sports Mix and the extra BBC Olympic channels. But hopefully the Autmn will usher in some treats. :)

Originally Posted by vincerooney (Post 35851084)

So is uncle Vince not likely to get Fox News? What a crying shame.

Never mind let's hope the new bloke in charge of tv acquisitions can provide me with some more tasty treats

Originally Posted by RichardCoulter (Post 35851048)

Is the Fox News that is broadcasting off the EPG the SD or HD version?

Originally Posted by passingbat (Post 35851049)

Personally I see nothing wrong with these posts. They are people passing on rumors of possible channels that may appear. What is wrong with that? They are not stated as a fact.

If they irritate you so much, as appears to be the case, why not just skip these posts and move on to the next one?

Originally Posted by Media Boy (Post 35851106)

We seen photos of Fox News SD Channel.

Originally Posted by jj20x (Post 35851055)

LOL, "there's no smoke without fire". If a new channel name shows up it's always going to be an indication that it could be "coming soon".

The purpose of checking the actual transport streams was to reconcile the difference between claims on here of channels testing and the absence of these channels on the digitalbitrate transport stream scans. The conclusion was that the channel description and EPG data has been added to the SI tables but the services aren't present on the transport streams. "Testing" tends to suggest that the video and audio streams are up and running, waiting to be added to the EPG, that's not the case for all of the channels. The BBC Olympic channels are, largely, up and running and ready to be added to the EPG. The other "tests".. not at such an advanced stage.

It does make me wonder why VM use actual channel names at such an early stage, it would be better, for them, to use a vague service name until the service is ready to be added to the EPG.

Originally Posted by OLD BOY (Post 35851116)

Sorry, I could have sworn that you said earlier that VM were testing frequencies rather than actual channels.

Did I misunderstand that?

Originally Posted by jj20x (Post 35851090)

The head of tv acquisitions has apparently been reading old posts on the coming soon thread and has been busy acquiring foreign language content to entertain viewers during drunken evenings in their boxrooms. :D

Originally Posted by jj20x (Post 35851119)

*sigh*

Misunderstood completely as the frequency tests are actually channels although not "new to virgin" just duplicates of VMs internal preview channels. I've also said that the BBC Olympic channels are running in the background.

Fox News, Arabic Hafla and the additional NDTV channels have been added to Service Description Tables. A quick explanation, the SDT lists service names, the type of service (TV or Audio basically) and it also lists the transport stream that the services are carried on and the service IDs. (A blind scan on a tv with a cable tuner would read these tables and add placeholders for the channels in case they ever appear).

On checking the transport stream IDs referred to in the SDT, the service IDs for Fox News, Arabic Hafla and the additional NDTV channels don't exist. It really depends on what you call a test. If you feel that the presence of a channel name on internal SI tables qualifies as a test, then feel free to consider this a test. If you feel that a test would involve carrying actual video and audio streams across the national network, these aren't tests.

I really wonder if you actually read my comment before submitting that reply. If you consider these to be tests, then testing a tv channel without video and audio wouldn't be a very advanced stage of testing.

It's a bit like being handed a treasure map, making your way to a remote island and finding an empty hole someone had started digging. The treasure isn't there yet!

Originally Posted by Media Boy (Post 35851125)

When we get info from Media Boy Sources that new "SDT" names of channels appear we like to tell everyone unless we are told Do Not Post.

Originally Posted by RichardCoulter (Post 35851122)

This is about all that Nollywood is fit for. The other night there was an amateurishly made film on. It seemed to be about an uncle in a black family where it couldn't be decided if he had been possessed by an evil spirit or had become mentally ill!

The reason? He had taken to wearing womens clothing and shouting back at those who were shouting at him. There wasn't really an ending...

I imagine that these are the sort of people who would complain about prejudice based on race/colour :shocked:

Originally Posted by Arthurgray50@blu (Post 35851162)

The biggest problems that l have with VM.Is pure and simple.

There staff are rude and pathetic. The CS, is one of the worst departments that l have ever had to deal with.

There Engineers, are poor. And when my mother In Law, had trouble with her box. The guys that turned up didn't have a clue at what to do.

And l have seen some of there handiwork.

And VM treat customers as if we had bottomless pockets. And give us crap channels. Instead od channels that the customer wants.

Each day l go to Hounslow, l see the Sky guys offering deals. I always try and get my wife to switch back to Sky.

Originally Posted by Arthurgray50@blu (Post 35851162)

The biggest problems that l have with VM.Is pure and simple.

There staff are rude and pathetic. The CS, is one of the worst departments that l have ever had to deal with.

There Engineers, are poor. And when my mother In Law, had trouble with her box. The guys that turned up didn't have a clue at what to do.

And l have seen some of there handiwork.

And VM treat customers as if we had bottomless pockets. And give us crap channels. Instead od channels that the customer wants.

Each day l go to Hounslow, l see the Sky guys offering deals. I always try and get my wife to switch back to Sky.

Originally Posted by Arthurgray50@blu (Post 35851162)

The biggest problems that l have with VM.Is pure and simple.

There staff are rude and pathetic. The CS, is one of the worst departments that l have ever had to deal with.

There Engineers, are poor. And when my mother In Law, had trouble with her box. The guys that turned up didn't have a clue at what to do.

And l have seen some of there handiwork.

And VM treat customers as if we had bottomless pockets. And give us crap channels. Instead od channels that the customer wants.

Each day l go to Hounslow, l see the Sky guys offering deals. I always try and get my wife to switch back to Sky.

Originally Posted by OLD BOY (Post 35851197)

Yes, if you are polite to them, they are polite and helpful back. I have absolutely no complaints about Virgin's customer services.

Originally Posted by theone2k10 (Post 35851176)

Be wary sometimes the grass isn't always greener on the otherside.

Originally Posted by Arthurgray50@blu (Post 35851162)

I always try and get my wife to switch back to Sky.

Originally Posted by 1andrew1 (Post 35851207)

Spot on. Go in with the right attitude and you'll get the right results. No harm in charm. :)

---------- Post added at 10:24 ---------- Previous post was at 10:22 ----------

Yes, your current provider has a really bizarrely extreme range of views ranging from excellent to poor. http://www.broadband.co.uk/broadband...s/sse/reviews/

Originally Posted by heavyside (Post 35851184)

I do wish Virgin Media were as quick to introduce new technology as their principal rival.

Originally Posted by 1andrew1 (Post 35851207)

Spot on. Go in with the right attitude and you'll get the right results. No harm in charm. :)

---------- Post added at 10:24 ---------- Previous post was at 10:22 ----------

Yes, your current provider has a really bizarrely extreme range of views ranging from excellent to poor. http://www.broadband.co.uk/broadband...s/sse/reviews/

Originally Posted by spiderplant (Post 35851230)

You mean things like VOD, HD, search across multiple providers, and multi-room streaming?

Oh, wait...

Originally Posted by Media Boy (Post 35851243)

Radio Times: Sky Cinema to go undercover from Monday.

Sky Cinema will launch an Sky Cinema Spies channel from Monday on Virgin Media UK Channel 404 and Virgin Media Ireland Channel 307.

Sky Cinema Spies HD will also launch on Virgin UK Channel 434 and Virgin Ireland Channel 337.

Information on how long Sky Cinema will go undercover for is on the need to know basis.:D

Originally Posted by spiderplant (Post 35851230)

You mean things like VOD, HD, search across multiple providers, and multi-room streaming?

Oh, wait...

Originally Posted by Arthurgray50@blu (Post 35851162)

The biggest problems that l have with VM.Is pure and simple.

There staff are rude and pathetic. The CS, is one of the worst departments that l have ever had to deal with.

There Engineers, are poor. And when my mother In Law, had trouble with her box. The guys that turned up didn't have a clue at what to do.

And l have seen some of there handiwork.

And VM treat customers as if we had bottomless pockets. And give us crap channels. Instead od channels that the customer wants.

Each day l go to Hounslow, l see the Sky guys offering deals. I always try and get my wife to switch back to Sky.

Originally Posted by spiderplant (Post 35851230)

You mean things like VOD, HD, search across multiple providers, and multi-room streaming?

Oh, wait...

Originally Posted by jj20x (Post 35851112)

A screenshot of actual video content or was it just EPG details? What Virgin Media region was the photo taken in?

Originally Posted by RichardCoulter (Post 35851317)

Indeed. Even long time customers and vehement supporters of VM are now beginning to feel like they are being taken for granted as mugs.

Originally Posted by denphone (Post 35851321)

Well talk for yourself Richard.

Originally Posted by Media Boy (Post 35851319)

Sorry for being late we just saw this post.

It was an sreenshot of one of them you listed.

Originally Posted by OLD BOY (Post 35851313)

I think that if the new Tivo sorts out the speed issues, we will be well on the way to where we need to be, spiderplant. It will just be a content issue then.

Originally Posted by jj20x (Post 35851334)

Oh it's okay, I hadn't expected a reply as you admitted in the earlier post that these tests are only placeholders being picked up from SDT entries.

The vague reply to this question, however, does suggest a deliberate attempt to mislead. Which isn't very good form.

As Fox News is encrypted, even on satellite, it certainly isn't going to be running FTA as a VM "test". That would rule out the possibility of the screenshot being of actual video content. In confirming that the screenshot was one of the ones I had listed, the only remaining possibility is that it was a screenshot showing EPG details.

Nice try though. ;)

Originally Posted by RichardCoulter (Post 35851328)

Take it that you are happy with the sluggish TiVo, useless VOD, lack of content and price rises then.

Most don't seem to be which has been reflected in the churn- maybe this is why VM was sold, as the former owners didn't want to/couldn't invest in the company.

I appreciate that steps are now being taken, but for many it's too late.

I will never use Sky, but VM are pushing it, especially now that there are many, many other ways to obtain content.

Malone is well known for sweating his assets.

Originally Posted by Horizon (Post 35851341)

]I don't think we can be reassured that because a new channel is listed in the SDT that it means it will actually launch.

For those that recall, didn't we have the same thing with History HD? Probably me that said it was going to launch and that was four years ago...:blush: :dunce:

Originally Posted by RichardCoulter (Post 35851328)

Take it that you are happy with the sluggish TiVo, useless VOD, lack of content and price rises then.

.

Originally Posted by Horizon (Post 35851341)

But..... when have they ever produced a box that has ever worked properly and is fast?

Originally Posted by passingbat (Post 35851360)

Customers are now in a position to mix and match.

'sluggish TiVo' --- speedy enough for me when used as a PVR.

'useless VOD' ---- with Amazon Prime, Netflix and Now TV, there is no need for Tivo's VOD.

'lack of content' ---- the only significant missing content is Sky Atlantic. That has always been the case. Again available via Now TV.

By mixing TV M or M+, plus the above streaming services, you can get wide content coverage at a reasonable cost. It's a case of thinking outside the 'all Virgin or all Sky' box.

Originally Posted by 1andrew1 (Post 35851367)

Until we get the new box we shouldn't make any assumptions. Just because a company provides a slightly slow box at the moment doesn't mean that its future offerings will be inferior to some of its competitors' offerings. Take Skoda for example - once a brand to be laughed at it is now an attractive brand. Conversely, Philips TVs, once a good brand are now best avoided.

Originally Posted by Horizon (Post 35851341)

But..... when have they ever produced a box that has ever worked properly and is fast?

Originally Posted by RichardCoulter (Post 35851369)

Totally agree and i'm looking into my options, but it isn't good for VM if lots of customers do this and I do think that they are.



I think your being overkind in saying that the box is "a bit slow", waiting up to 90 seconds to select a recording from 'My Shows' and up to a further 90 seconds for it to start playing is unsustainable with the best will in the world. I've been recording the worst examples in case I have to use the 'Not fit for purpose' rule to try to get out of my contract.

It means that an evening watching TV can easily be spent watching a blank screen or a spinning purple circle for half an hour!

Earlier this evening I couldn't even access 'My Shows', let alone choose something to watch; again I had to interupt recordings and wait for it to reboot.

I understand that some brands deteriorate and some improve, but I had problems with my NTL box needing constant reboots and interactive not working. I was told by a frontline member of CS staff that I couldn't complain "as it's free"!!! You can imagine my response to that.

The V+ was fine, apart from not being able to use it at about 00:30 whilst the EPG updated and at all for up to an hour at 3:15am.

TiVo has been the worst so far, yet VM are now migrating existing SA V+ users onto it!

I wonder if the then remaining customers will be given our old slow boxes as we upgrade to TiVo 2?

Weren't we supposed to be getting a software update to deal with the sluggish behaviour, or was the recent update in the pilot areas it?? If it is, I have it and it hasn't made a jot of difference.

Originally Posted by 1andrew1 (Post 35851367)

Until we get the new box we shouldn't make any assumptions. Just because a company provides a slightly slow box at the moment doesn't mean that its future offerings will be inferior to some of its competitors' offerings. Take Skoda for example - once a brand to be laughed at it is now an attractive brand. Conversely, Philips TVs, once a good brand are now best avoided.

Originally Posted by denphone (Post 35851386)

That's it Andrew you tell all these dismal Jimmy's.;):D

Originally Posted by denphone (Post 35851398)

Maybe finally..............;)

Originally Posted by denphone (Post 35851398)

Maybe finally..............;)

Originally Posted by jj20x (Post 35851334)

Oh it's okay, I hadn't expected a reply as you admitted in the earlier post that these tests are only placeholders being picked up from SDT entries.

The vague reply to this question, however, does suggest a deliberate attempt to mislead. Which isn't very good form.

As Fox News is encrypted, even on satellite, it certainly isn't going to be running FTA as a VM "test". That would rule out the possibility of the screenshot being of actual video content. In confirming that the screenshot was one of the ones I had listed, the only remaining possibility is that it was a screenshot showing EPG details.

Nice try though. ;)

Originally Posted by 1andrew1 (Post 35851389)

With all that's going on in the world, I usually turn to this forum for a little light relief and optimism for the future. ;)

Originally Posted by Media Boy (Post 35851397)

Rumour: Virgin Media UK start Universal Channel HD tests.

Andyland over on DS Forum is reporting that Tests has appeared for Universal Channel HD.

http://forums.digitalspy.co.uk/showp...postcount=1952

Originally Posted by Media Boy (Post 35851405)

We just cant win.

We are only reporting what we are told by our Sources.

And it not 100% confirm until it has been given an Virgin Media UK Channel number.

After all Arabic Hafla has been testing since February 21st 2015.

Originally Posted by Media Boy (Post 35851397)

Rumour: Virgin Media UK start Universal Channel HD tests.

Andyland over on DS Forum is reporting that Tests has appeared for Universal Channel HD.

http://forums.digitalspy.co.uk/showp...postcount=1952

Originally Posted by passingbat (Post 35851360)

Customers are now in a position to mix and match.

'sluggish TiVo' --- speedy enough for me when used as a PVR.

'useless VOD' ---- with Amazon Prime, Netflix and Now TV, there is no need for Tivo's VOD.

'lack of content' ---- the only significant missing content is Sky Atlantic. That has always been the case. Again available via Now TV.

By mixing TV M or M+, plus the above streaming services, you can get wide content coverage at a reasonable cost. It's a case of thinking outside the 'all Virgin or all Sky' box.

Originally Posted by OLD BOY (Post 35851381)

I think there maybe something wrong with your box, Richard. Have you reported these problems, and if so, what did they say? I think a new Tivo may well resolve the major issues you have reported.

Originally Posted by vincerooney (Post 35851429)

Any good news about Fox News mb? I feel upset

Originally Posted by Media Boy (Post 35851397)

Rumour: Virgin Media UK start Universal Channel HD tests.

Andyland over on DS Forum is reporting that Tests has appeared for Universal Channel HD.

http://forums.digitalspy.co.uk/showp...postcount=1952

Originally Posted by theone2k10 (Post 35851432)

Patience young rebel it's coming, we think Autumn.

Originally Posted by Media Boy (Post 35851425)

MB Sources has reconfirm that "UNIVERSAL CHANNEL HD" is testing and is already encrypted.

Originally Posted by OLD BOY (Post 35851381)

I think there maybe something wrong with your box, Richard. Have you reported these problems, and if so, what did they say? I think a new Tivo may well resolve the major issues you have reported.

Originally Posted by Derekb108 (Post 35851430)

Stop moaning about Tivo beeing slow its old hardware. its already at least 5 years old... theres a new box coming soon. and Virgin VOD is actually very good since ABC had added more content to the box...

Originally Posted by Derekb108 (Post 35851430)

Stop moaning about Tivo beeing slow its old hardware. its already at least 5 years old... theres a new box coming soon. and Virgin VOD is actually very good since ABC had added more content to the box...

Originally Posted by Mad Max (Post 35851464)

the VOD is still crap, mostly unavailable, please try later!!

Originally Posted by Mad Max (Post 35851464)

The "more content" as you put it is most welcome, but the VOD is still crap, mostly unavailable, please try later!!

Originally Posted by spiderplant (Post 35851478)

What error code are you getting?

Originally Posted by Media Boy (Post 35851405)

We just cant win.

We are only reporting what we are told by our Sources.

And it not 100% confirm until it has been given an Virgin Media UK Channel number.

After all Arabic Hafla has been testing since February 21st 2015.

Originally Posted by Mad Max (Post 35851464)

The "more content" as you put it is most welcome, but the VOD is still crap, mostly unavailable, please try later!!

Originally Posted by RichardCoulter (Post 35851505)

Mike Fries, the VM CEO, said today that he wants VM customers to have "access to everything/the best stuff", but that they are not going to spend billions on exclusive content.

"Netflix is more friend than foe as customers need broadband to access it".

http://www.cableforum.co.uk/board/10...l#post35851503

Maybe this is why we have now got truTV and after all these years it looks likely that Universal HD will be starting.

Apart from the Sony film channels, Spike and Your TV, what else is there to go for?

Edit: Could Sky Atlantic be back on the agenda?

http://www.cableforum.co.uk/board/11...ing-table.html

Originally Posted by OLD BOY (Post 35851522)

If VM want to provide Sky Atlantic, I am sure there is a way to do so without breaking the bank. However, I think that this is most likely to be provided via the Now TV streaming app. This will have the added advantage of allowing subscribers to access the Sky premium channels more cheaply. VM make no money out of these anyway.

Originally Posted by theone2k10 (Post 35851531)

Ofcourse they make money out of them, they'd like you to think they don't but trust me they make a nice tidy profit out of them.

Originally Posted by theone2k10 (Post 35851531)

Ofcourse they make money out of them, they'd like you to think they don't but trust me they make a nice tidy profit out of them.

Originally Posted by RichardCoulter (Post 35851546)

AIUI they never used to make any money out of them, so never really marketed them. They were only there as a convenience for customers and to compete with Sky via channel parity.

When the Sky basics returned after the dispute, part of the settlement was that the pricing structure for the movie channels would be changed to allow VM to make something from providing them in return for marketing them more aggressively.

Originally Posted by telegramsam (Post 35851578)

I agree virgin must be making some profit because why else would they have tried hard to persuade me to not cancel sky sports?

Originally Posted by denphone (Post 35851596)

Yes that was my understanding as well but alas there are many more people on this forum who are far more in the know then l.

Originally Posted by telegramsam (Post 35851578)

I agree virgin must be making some profit because why else would they have tried hard to persuade me to not cancel sky sports?

Originally Posted by Dave42 (Post 35851598)

they didn't do nothing when I cancelled it and lowered my package at all :(

Originally Posted by denphone (Post 35851596)

Yes that was my understanding as well but alas there are many more people on this forum who are far more in the know then l.

Originally Posted by Derekb108 (Post 35851595)

I was under the impression that they never made any profit on the Sky Movies or sports.....

Originally Posted by theone2k10 (Post 35851613)

The movies and sport were at one time indeed none profit but now VM do make a profit from them, not a huge margin but enough to keep them interested.

Originally Posted by RichardCoulter (Post 35851546)

AIUI they never used to make any money out of them, so never really marketed them. They were only there as a convenience for customers and to compete with Sky via channel parity.

When the Sky basics returned after the dispute, part of the settlement was that the pricing structure for the movie channels would be changed to allow VM to make something from providing them in return for marketing them more aggressively.

Originally Posted by warrenb (Post 35851644)

I think what Mike Fries said about Netflix is telling. He is basically saying we don't really care about TV, but broadband is a different matter, you need that to watch Netflix etc, so money from TV is a bonus but our main thrust is to supply infrastructure for the broadband.

Originally Posted by OLD BOY (Post 35851659)

Well, that's one interpretation, but if you believe that actions speak louder than words, you have to put that in the context of the two new senior guys who have been appointed to bolster Virgin's TV content.

Broadband is certainly the big moneyspinner for Virgin, but they cannot afford to maintain their previous laxadasical attitude to the TV side of their business if they are to attract customers who want comprehensive broadband/TV/landline/mobile packages.

I think the LG view is more that ownership of the content is not the issue, it's the provision of that content to customers that is key.

Originally Posted by denphone (Post 35851663)

As l say anybody can talk the talk but walking the walk and backing things up is what it is all about.

Originally Posted by dodo1 (Post 35851761)

Any mor news when we are getting the channels that are testing?

Originally Posted by theone2k10 (Post 35851784)

Interesting BT might be getting SKY1 and SKY Atlantic, but as someone said it is probably down to box sets being on SKY store.
As youview which BT use has the sky store app, however if the channels do appear on BT one must ask questions of VM as to why it isn't on VM and maybe it is VM that's the problem.
https://community.plus.net/t5/TV/Sky-1/td-p/1353850

Originally Posted by OLD BOY (Post 35851795)

Maybe things are set to change now, theone. I certainly hope so.

Looking at the BT site, the Sky 1 and Atlantic channels are not in their packages. However, Game of Thrones for example is available through BT Store on a pay per view basis.

A rather expensive way to access Sky's TV series, I'd say!

Originally Posted by theone2k10 (Post 35851815)

Agree but with a vpn or decent smart dns you can get gamre of thrones for £7p/m ish anyway along with other sky atlantic stuff aka ray donovan, penny dreadful via hbo nordic who accept uk debit cards now.

Originally Posted by Richc1977 (Post 35851640)

I imagine there is a sliding scale and kickback their percentage if they hit certain volumes.

Originally Posted by OLD BOY (Post 35851659)

Well, that's one interpretation, but if you believe that actions speak louder than words, you have to put that in the context of the two new senior guys who have been appointed to bolster Virgin's TV content.

Broadband is certainly the big moneyspinner for Virgin, but they cannot afford to maintain their previous laxadasical attitude to the TV side of their business if they are to attract customers who want comprehensive broadband/TV/landline/mobile packages.

I think the LG view is more that ownership of the content is not the issue, it's the provision of that content to customers that is key.

Originally Posted by nialli (Post 35851839)

Now TV's cheaper (and legal): you can pick up six months of the Entertainment package for under £4 a month through various online marketplaces.

Originally Posted by Arthurgray50@blu (Post 35851856)

Can someone confirm, as we are getting rather confused. You cannot get Netflex on VM now.

Spoke with VM CS. and they say its no longer through VM.

Can someone confirm this, and if so why ?