Originally Posted by MIB4 (Post 34842910)

Have now spoken with both VM and ESPN and both have confirmed that ESPN America WILL be carrying on as a separate channel in the UK on VM in addition to and not replaced by ESPN (the new channel).

The confusion appears to be because ESPN are not certain that ESPN America will be live on VM immediately when ESPN is launched next monday due to launch issues (as they put it). They are certain that longterm that ESPN America will be on VM although if it has to go off the air it may be up to 4 months before it returns (although they hope to avoid this).

VM have confirmed that from monday (or if the channel disappears for a few days, weeks or months) that ESPN America will in future be free as part of the XL Tv package so all VM subscribers who currently pay £10 for ESPN America will have a £10 saving in their bill from monday whilst ultimately still getting ESPN America as well as the new ESPN, ESPN HD and ESPN Classics.

Good job all around it has to be said.

Just hoping that any issues ESPN have can be resolved without having to cease broadcasting for any period at all..but I suppose that will be clearer on the day so to speak.

Originally Posted by harmitage (Post 34842123)

You should have gone to Specsavers :D

Originally Posted by cupcakes aka dd (Post 34842956)

I'd prefer them to launch Thurs / Fri this week so we have the weekend to oogle. Early next week is a bit pants cos most of us are at work..........aren't we?

Originally Posted by Felim_Doyle (Post 34842962)

I have been a firm believer for many years that you should never name your business or product so specifically at the outset that it becomes restrictive to you later.

SpecSavers are now flogging digital hearing aids. Bovril now do chicken (it's very nice) and Oxo have a whole range of products that have never heard a 'moo'! In order to operate in the private sector and internationally, the former nationalised industries that had British in their names have dropped it (e.g. BA, BT) as well as bmi and others that were not previously state owned.

I hope this doesn't offend anyone's vegetarian or nationalist sensibilities.

Originally Posted by harmitage (Post 34842965)

Have you been abusing some substances this afternoon? ;):D

Originally Posted by cupcakes aka dd (Post 34842956)

I'd prefer them to launch Thurs / Fri this week so we have the weekend to oogle. Early next week is a bit pants cos most of us are at work..........aren't we?

Originally Posted by Horizon (Post 34842958)

I find it bizarre that VM say that ESPN America will continue, even if it does go off air for a few months, when ESPN have already decided to shut the channel. Even more bizarre that ESPN say the channel will continue when they've already announced its closure...

ESPN America was the vehicle for ESPN to launch in the UK by buying what was NASN. There's not exactly that much demand for American football, baseball, basketball, hockey et all here, is there? Some American sports will still be shown on the new ESPN channel, but from next Monday ESPN America is gone for good.

Originally Posted by akki007 (Post 34842950)

When did Emlyn Hughes die?!?!?! Shocking! (Remainder of the post ignored due to inane waffle)

Originally Posted by broadbandking (Post 34842971)

Virgin have just annouced they will be lauching channel 4 HD soon aswell

The first HD channel lauch tomorrow

Originally Posted by broadbandking (Post 34842971)

Virgin have just annouced they will be lauching channel 4 HD soon aswell

The first HD channel lauch tomorrow

Originally Posted by broadbandking (Post 34842971)

The first HD channel lauch tomorrow

Originally Posted by BenMcr (Post 34842991)

First 3 launch tomorrow :D

Originally Posted by Fred Fish (Post 34842889)

Sorry if I sound picky but I thought that Hiroki was asking about channels OTHER than the HD cannnels........

Originally Posted by Nook29 (Post 34842890)

Correct, I misread his post and for some reason I thought he was just asking about the sport channels.

Not sure of any SD channels launching, don't think there are any.