Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2013) Vol. 4.
 

ESPN is now owned by BT, and is part of BT Sports

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2013) Vol. 4.
 

I think its here to stay for a while, it has its own brand that is different to BT sports and they obviously felt they had enough stock of rights to fill this and two additional channels. I guess it will become a more focused orientated channel once it is more integrated into BT sports fold maybe it will get rebranded as BT sports 3 later. I think with TUPE your buying the entity name so therefore all employees under the ESPN will have the same or better arrrangements under BT sports and all contracts continue under the BT sports name so no reason they cant change so for now it must be cost of rebrand etc (but not 100% on TUPE laws and that will take it OT but having just had my company bought I was subject to TUPE)

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2013) Vol. 4.
 

I seem to remember an article a couple of months back, suggesting Sky were waiting to see what sort of deal VM cut with BT with regard to BT Sports - hence the reason for only a one year extension to Sky and VM's existing agreement for sports.

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2013) Vol. 4.
 

Yes that was the case so it will be interesting how Sky play this when this contract nears its end game.

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2013) Vol. 4.
 

i think sky customers will now have to realise they are signed up to a company which doesnt care for them in the slightest. Sky seem to be not interested in doing an agreement with BT Sports. They seem to have no interest in getting a good deal for their customers.

Sky may have all the channels but you can tell its greed straight away. Shame people continue giving them money which keeps them acting like this.

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2013) Vol. 4.
 

Once ESPNs original sports rights expire then BT will be free to show anything on any of their channels but no idea what the situation would be for staff contracts etc..

I would imagine once the rights expire BT might want to make ESPN a proper American sports channel and continue to buy in program content from ESPN and other US providers. I predict they will snap up the NFL MNF this year as the BBC deal was only for last season and maybe try and get the NHL when that next comes up. Sky have two years left on their NFL rights. Not sure about Ch4's NFL SNF but imagine the NFL want to keep some on terrestrial TV as they are trying to build up the sport in the UK.

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2013) Vol. 4.
 

That's absolute bull faeces, BT have ignored/declined all attempts by Sky to get a wholesale deal and have insisted on doing it the way they have.

If Virgin were an open platform where BT could broadcast 100% on their own I'm sure we'd be in the same situation.

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2013) Vol. 4.
 

If it wasn't for the fact that I am cricket and golf fan I'd not take the Sports at all. But as I am, I will give custom to Murdoch.

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2013) Vol. 4.
 

Such a shame Sky have all the major England international and domestic Cricket rights tied up for the next 4 to 5 years or so. At least BBC has some golf.

I only get sky for US Open Tennis and high profile cricket events. One decent Premier League match a week is enough for me.

---------- Post added at 14:30 ---------- Previous post was at 14:20 ----------

For those interested in seeing what Sky and BT might battle for next (it's not 100% up to date)

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sports_...United_Kingdom

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2013) Vol. 4.
 

Same here I couldn't be doing without cricket.

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2013) Vol. 4.
 

Just wondering whether or not the BT sports deal will have any impact on HOW SKY supply Virgin with Sky Sport 1-4 and Sky F1 and would it be realistic to expect a similar deal from Sky as BT have now done. I only ask this as I am one of those sad people who love Formula 1

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2013) Vol. 4.
 

Agree good thing me are not,whilst it might take longer to receive when we do we certain see a reward for waiting present bt sports result as a example

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2013) Vol. 4.
 

I doubt it BT are sky's main concern not Virgin Media.

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2013) Vol. 4.
 

I'm getting my services at half price from SKY for 12 months. They aren't that greedy in my eyes :D I do understand however the frustration of long term SKY customers who see us noobies getting great deals to sign up.

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2013) Vol. 4.
 

Have you counted Red button HD?

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2013) Vol. 4.
 

Just carried out a survey for Virginmedia through a company GFK Research. In it they ask you to select preferences on possible enhancments to Virginmedia offerings. Three were of interest.

1. They mention at the start a possible price increase of between £3 to £6

2. One of the selections mentions "now that Netflix is available on Tivo".

3. Another mentions "Unlimited downloads at no extra cost"

Make of those what you will!

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2013) Vol. 4.
 

aye i agree with that chad. i was just speaking to my friend who has sky and he's been quoted £15 installation fee for BT sports which is diabolical! its hitting a switch to give someone the channel.

he asked me why sky didnt fight to get the channel cheaper or make a deal with bt. he's legitmately annoyed at what he has to pay and how virgin went to the effort of making a deal and sky haven't done anything in that sense.

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2013) Vol. 4.
 

Why should they be annoyed. They can move.

No one forces them to take a package, if unhappy, vote with feet.

This will be the same lot that get their energy supply from same company etc etc

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2013) Vol. 4.
 

Very much doubt it bud,vm are becoming the provider that everyone ones to make a deal with since the liberty global takeover.what happened yesterday and the next few months will prove that ;)

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2013) Vol. 4.
 

Well funny you should mention that, as sky contacted me this week, and as long term customer wanted to make sure I was getting all I could.

After 5 mins on the phone with them I had my Broadband free for a year (i'm already a subscriber) and they're sending me out a new 2TB HD box, my exsting HD box will replace my standard Sky+ box I have on multi-room.

I also have movies free, and £10 of my overall bill until the end of the year.

So no, I'm not frustrated.

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2013) Vol. 4.
 

Sky see BT as more of a threat than VM for their sports rights.
Why would they 'help the competition' by giving them 75 million a year? It may please their punters but they've seen off Setanta and ESPN, they're probably hoping to do the same with BT.

I doubt sky had any intention of attempting a wholesale deal with BT.

Just edited to add, if there was talk between them i'd imagine the wholesale of sky sports channels to BT was a 'must have'.
Selling BT Sports wholesale to VM will certainly help their court case against sky refusing to let BT carry SS 3 and 4

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2013) Vol. 4.
 

Got a result there bud,a friend have mine had a similar deal last week.just think companies are trying to tie customers into new contracts but we are all seeing bette deals out of it ;)

---------- Post added at 16:29 ---------- Previous post was at 16:25 ----------

Both sky and bt don't see vm as a threat liberty global have stressed that they not interested in being channel owners they purely want to supply,both sky and bt see vm as a alternative way of broadcasting the products without costs but as a addition income

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2013) Vol. 4.
 

I'm getting VIP with an extra box for £106.49 (including line rental). I'm currently on XL TV, Phone and Broadband (60) with Sky S & M, TiVo (500GB), V+ & V boxes for £100.15. So for £6.34 more I'll get XXL Broadband (120), Sky S & M in HD and Talk Unlimited Extra. They'll swap the Superhub for Superhub2 and the 500GB Tivo for 1TB. :)

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2013) Vol. 4.
 

If they're already advertising 50, there must be something else launching immanently. I wonder what it could be :)

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2013) Vol. 4.
 

That's not their case, BT haven't said anything about wanting SS 3&4, BT just want SS1&2 on their YouView box!

---------- Post added at 16:49 ---------- Previous post was at 16:49 ----------

There is already 50...

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2013) Vol. 4.
 

Ignore my last post, I've been catching up since last night :)

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2013) Vol. 4.
 

[QUOTE=ocav;35611152]That's not their case, BT haven't said anything about wanting SS 3&4, BT just want SS1&2 on their YouView box![COLOR="Silver"]

I bet they'd want it, unfortunately the original ruling by Ofcom only covered SS3 and 4. BT released their price for them and a few weeks later sky put the price up and BT had to sell it at a loss or immediately put their prices up.

BT have just kicked sky in the face.

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2013) Vol. 4.
 

Pay TV is fast becoming overpriced with constant increases.

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2013) Vol. 4.
 

US gets all 380 games, they paid £250m (NBC)

That would be good :)

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2013) Vol. 4.
 

Unlimited downloads? Downloads of what?

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2013) Vol. 4.
 

"unlimited"...you can download "unlimited". :D

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2013) Vol. 4.
 

If Netflix is made available for lets say for £3 to £4 a month then l will certainly be interested.

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2013) Vol. 4.
 

If it reassures you..I have ignored. And don't worry, it was easy to do :D

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2013) Vol. 4.
 

I could not agree more. Most of these price rises are being driven by the rediculious prices Sky and BT have paid for the EPL.

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2013) Vol. 4.
 

And these prices for the EPL are only going to rise exponentially in the future.

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2013) Vol. 4.
 

Don't we get that anyway?

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2013) Vol. 4.
 

Maybe they could launch an EPL channel and sell direct to all platforms . Then those who want EPL could pay, thus reducing the cost of watching all other sport.

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2013) Vol. 4.
 

sorry, I was joking, I haven't the foggiest what he meant :)

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2013) Vol. 4.
 

haha thanks. It's good to know somebody is up to speed :)

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2013) Vol. 4.
 

From those 3 statements, I read them as looking like Netflix possibly coming for a price between £3-£6 with the ability to watch as many shows as you wish within whatever price VM and Netflix agree on.

Interesting times:)

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2013) Vol. 4.
 

Sweet superhub 2 is awesome fitted it myself last Friday and instant difference in speed :)

---------- Post added at 18:11 ---------- Previous post was at 18:06 ----------

Indeed,but wonder what will happen if you already have Netflix.would you be able to link you acount to your TiVo box

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2013) Vol. 4.
 

Itl be a special offer to get many people signed up to watch it

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2013) Vol. 4.
 

Got talking about sky Atlantic on Facebook

Absolutely! Our new Liberty Global partnership is nothing but awesome for our customers. There's no plan to add Sky Atlantic yet, but who knows what's around the corner? James M

well if the rumours are true its around the corner(wink wink) curious thou as upc is part of the group and they have some hd channels we have not got,thought we would have automatically got them

Keep your eyes on page Howard. Those winks may well come to something at some point :) James M

Need I say anymore

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2013) Vol. 4.
 

More happy days to come then Howard.:hyper:

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2013) Vol. 4.
 

To be honest the survey itself is totally confusing. Basically they are asking that if VM put prices up by 3 to 6 quid would you consider leaving. If you say yes they ask that if they made enhancements would you reconsider. They then go through the enhancements five at a time and ask you mark one you would want that may make you reconsider leaving and one that wouldn't.

There are about 8 or 10 listed (can't remember exact number) and as you page through they basically mix them up and repeat the same question, this is repeated about eight times.

If that is not confusing enough at least three of them are already in existence such as savings by using paperless billing, savings by direct debit, already existing telephone options etc. The only easily recognisable new options are the addition of Netflix and adding of an iphone option to the mobile range.

As the enhancements cover all four services it is difficult to narrow down options like the unlimited downloads as there is no reference point and as with billing and telephone options could be just a repeat of the already BB "UNLIMITED" service.

If anyone else has done it maybe they can make sense of it as I certainly cannot.

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2013) Vol. 4.
 

I know(whoops)/think so bud ;)

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2013) Vol. 4.
 

So, what do you reckon may (and I use the word may loosely) be coming? :)

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2013) Vol. 4.
 

I would suspect the hd channels that UPC have that we ain't got bomberaf as already mentioned a date regarding sky Atlantic but from info I luckily obtained I was told it was planned(not confirmed) for autumn it really is a case of wait and see clearly there is more coming.one thing else I did find out was that the android TiVo app could be out at the end of the month(again not confirmed) but i am sure mb will find out more info on that nearer the time ;)

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2013) Vol. 4.
 

Oh right, that is good news if it all goes to plan. :) as I don't have an iPhone, the android version we be good and probably more powerful. it'll look great on my note 2. Big screen :D

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2013) Vol. 4.
 

without a doubt bud,good on the ipad and more now that bt sports 1+2 can be streamed from it also.it starting to look like when new channels start or contracts are re-newed that the are trying to get streaming included pity they couldnt do the sme for tivo-tivo :(

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2013) Vol. 4.
 

Yeah, i'm just intrigued by the capabilities that the Horizon boxes have. They seem good but if Virgin do up their game with TiVo and get a similar firmware as in the States I wonder which one they would prefer to use?

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2013) Vol. 4.
 

I think our deal with Sony runs out this year, so Virgin may give us an early Christmas present. We may get:

Sony TV +1
Sony Movies
movies4men
movies4men +1
more>movies

Possibly even the missing Sky channels if VM wish to wait until Christmas to launch the rest of their channels. I don't know how Virgin think.

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2013) Vol. 4.
 

Well, after what has happened in the past few weeks, they'll definitely keep us guessing but i'm sure they would rather get the channels for the right price sooner, rather than later. :)

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2013) Vol. 4.
 

Given the amount of money they have invested in it and it's on going introduction to other Liberty areas, I'm pretty sure that they prefer the Horizon box.

I think our only hope as to keeping Tivo is that VM have had a massive success with it since it's introduction and so Liberty may take the view to leave VM as a one off area with Tivo. Hopefully taking the view that 'if it aint broke...' But I wouldn't put any bets on that.

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2013) Vol. 4.
 

Not me :D

You never know :)

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2013) Vol. 4.
 

Yeah, i think the reason why TiVo has done so well is because there isn't any other hardware in the UK (that i'm aware of, so please correct me if i'm wrong) that can compare and also TiVo is a huge name in Broadcasting hardware so that could be a reason. Nobody really knows about Horizon so people may be a bit nervy about it.

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2013) Vol. 4.
 

All new tech takes time to settle as I am sure original TiVo users will attest to. Horizon has only been available for a while now with bugs as to be expected, I am pretty sure these will be ironed out in the next twelve months.

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2013) Vol. 4.
 

I mentioned this in my conversation with the ceo's office and whilst she couldn't confirm this will not happen in the future,she did stress that TiVo has been a success for vm and a key selling point and there is no way they would pull the plug on the TiVo without reviewing all this so for the considerable future I think we can rest easy.
Trust me folks liberty global have big plans for vm and if every thing that is planned comes off its gonna be a great year for vm and for us customers,now vm are part of a bigger organisation they have a lot more playing power and this week as certainly proved it.Whilst sky will always remain on top the gap hopefully will be shrinking by the end of the year

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2013) Vol. 4.
 

Yeah, that's a given. I'm just curious as to which way they'll go. they are both powerful and resourceful. Time will tell. :)

---------- Post added at 22:05 ---------- Previous post was at 22:02 ----------

I think it will shrink quite considerably to be honest. With LG now being the parent company, with the resources they have in Europe let alone globally; it's looking promising. Good things take time. :)

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2013) Vol. 4.
 

I'm curious - how many channels (SD & HD & +1's) have VM added so far this year?

For new channels, this surely VM's best ever year, no?

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2013) Vol. 4.
 

Exactly bud,another thing what was said even when deals are done they can't just flick a switch and there on it takes time.i got the impression deals have been done or are in place but will only show up at a gradual pace,got to laugh at that now as to how quick bt sports came on after the supposed last minute deal;) we really deep down all know it wasnt:)

---------- Post added at 22:12 ---------- Previous post was at 22:10 ----------

Not sure bud but I do think someone posted it a while back and whilst some of the channels ain't everyone's choice it's certain impressive so far ;)

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2013) Vol. 4.
 

Money talks. If LG believe they can save money while offering customers a like-for-like option, I believe they'll do so.

The crunch will be when they are doing the 'Why should you upgrade from TiVo to Horizon?' page on the VM site. Can they make 'upgrading' an appealing enough option to TiVoed customers? Not to mention that all the TiVo-promotion VM have done will be for squat going ahead.

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2013) Vol. 4.
 

Yeah, a few of us thought that BT Sport was going to be with us before tomorrow and we were right. Because VM held out on negotiations, the stronger their option to barter became. Because of that VM are the only company to have the channels on a wholesale basis. I think a few surprises are in store. ;)

---------- Post added at 22:17 ---------- Previous post was at 22:14 ----------

I suppose it depends on what 'extras' will be on the Horizon box, along with Storage, Network capabilities and recording quality.

Has anybody seen any screenshots from the Horizon boxes?

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2013) Vol. 4.
 

They are still trying to convince 2.1 million customers to switch to TiVo. TiVo customers are still in the minority. Maybe they launch Horizon and target the non-Tivo customers first?

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2013) Vol. 4.
 

Trust me bud there are;) who would have thought sky would be delaying the launch of a new channel (bravo) because they can't sort out a carrage agreement with vm.12 months ago that would not have happened that clearly shows how much of affect liberty global have had on vm,would bt have done the same deal with vm if they were not part of liberty global I suspect not :)

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2013) Vol. 4.
 

Teething problems for horizon http://www.mrgco.com/blog/liberty-gl...growing-pains/

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2013) Vol. 4.
 

Certainly a idea chad,but can't see them wanting multiple boxes out there I would suspect over the coming months they will push TiVo more bud :)

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2013) Vol. 4.
 

Probably not but because it's now part of a multi-national corporation, Virgin may as well be UPC. :)

---------- Post added at 22:23 ---------- Previous post was at 22:22 ----------

Thanks for that! :)

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2013) Vol. 4.
 

Oh dear,TiVo gonna be round a few more years yet so hopefully all the problems will be sorted

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2013) Vol. 4.
 

That was last year when first launched it was the only thing I could find quickly.

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2013) Vol. 4.
 

As I've said before, I've only got 4 months left on my half price SKY contract. If Virgin keep doing good things between now and then I can see myself making a return. SKY is a great service but Virgin is slowly becoming great value for money. I just hope they don't ruin it by raising prices by something silly like £6 per month.

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2013) Vol. 4.
 

I am starting to think that the fact vm are just a carrier and not a provider of channels it would work to vm advantage,this week it certain as and whilst bt and sky are fighting for content I think they will be fighting to get there services on vm

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2013) Vol. 4.
 

I can't see them doing that for some reason. I don't know why I think this but I just think it wouldn't be good for business at the moment. perhaps in the next 12 months but I don't think it would be as much as £6 :)

---------- Post added at 22:31 ---------- Previous post was at 22:29 ----------

That's what I think too. Sky has things that BT want, BT have a new package that Sky want a better deal on. Whereas VM seems to have the best deal from all broadcasters.

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2013) Vol. 4.
 

Spot on bud I,don't think we will see it raised that high but a price rise will come but if we see the channels included that vm are planning I certainly won't complain as it would be justified

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2013) Vol. 4.
 

Liberty Global seem to agree with VM stance on running their own TV channels as they announced not to long ago to sell Chellomedia (I think its called) there own TV channel arm.

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2013) Vol. 4.
 

Not sure it's been completed but I do believe there in the process of selling

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2013) Vol. 4.
 

Hi Howard,

Hope all is well...

We are getting a TIVO box next week, i dont know much about them apart from the bigger record capacity.

Are they any good ?

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2013) Vol. 4.
 

TiVo is great. It helps make the most out of your viewing experience.

Here is everything you need to know:

http://www.virginmedia.com/tivo/tivo_complete_guide.pdf

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2013) Vol. 4.
 

U will love it mate,have a good play with it u will soon get used to it bud;) and I'm fine thanks mate

---------- Post added at 23:29 ---------- Previous post was at 23:27 ----------

If u love your gadgets you will love it,if u have a iPad or I phone get them connected to it

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2013) Vol. 4.
 

Cheers Chad and Howard..

The mrs is an IPad person, so i will leave that bit to her lol.

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2013) Vol. 4.
 

Makes the all experience even better thru yer iPad bud,u can program in use it as a remote.the wish list on TiVo is brilliant enjoy bud any probs giv us a shout if I m not on someone else will help you decent bunch of lads on here and Facebook virgin media staff are pretty good also,let us know what you think after a couple of days bud

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2013) Vol. 4.
 

Here is a real eye opener.

SKY Sports on Virgin Media costs £25.75 plus £7.00 if you want SKY Sports 1 and 2 in HD. That's £32.75 per month for just 8 channels.

The XL package on it's own, without phone or broadband, is only £32.00 month if taken with a V HD box rather than TiVo. That's less than what you pay for SKY Sports and you get:

200+ channels (37 of which are in HD)
BT Sports & ESPN
Catch up TV
TV on demand

When you look at it like that, the price of SKY Sports starts to look ludicrous. I think there might be rocky times ahead for SKY Sports.

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2013) Vol. 4.
 

I have a feeling eventually VM will be renamed UPC, mainly because the name Virgin is only licensed to them and I'd hazard a guess that has an expiry date. Probably not right now, but in a few years, then they can operate under one brand

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2013) Vol. 4.
 

What do you mean by rocky times. Less uptake on virgin media?

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2013) Vol. 4.
 

UPC is a horrific name though.

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2013) Vol. 4.
 

The app for iPad is excellent I use it instead of a remote, much quicker to delete stuff from TiVo with an iPad too.

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2013) Vol. 4.
 

For starters there is the potential for less uptake on Virgin. Since BT Sports launched as part of the XL package I know 2 people who have cancelled their SKY Sports subscriptions.

SKY also have an issue in that Sky Sports 1 and 2 have ceased broadcasting on the digital terrestrial pay TV service Top Up TV. BT who hosted the two channels on the terrestrial TV platform withdrew them and are using the bandwidth to offer BT Sport 1 and 2 instead.

SKY's third problem is their carriage dispute with BT. Until that is resolved SKY Sports remains unavailable on BT's Youview platform.

I just think that SKY might start to feel the pressure soon and BT are ready for the fight:

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/me...s-8771482.html

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2013) Vol. 4.
 

Do you think ofcom will force sky to offer sky sports on youview? If I wasn't such a cricket fan I would of cancelled sky sports to be honest, it is rather expensive.

Other thing is bt aren't going anywhere they have the financial power to give sky a fight.

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2013) Vol. 4.
 

If they do, Sky will just offer it themselves as anyone can launch IPTV channels on YouView, so they can do a BT to BT.

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2013) Vol. 4.
 

I can't see Ofcom forcing SKY to offer SKY Sports on Youview unless it is proven that BT have actually tried to wholesale their channels to SKY in return at a reasonable rate.

I agree that BT are in this for the long haul. I was reading today they have signed up 10,000 commercial customers so far at a rate of between £75.00 to £125.00 per month. BT have also made their channels available in Ireland via Setanta Sports.

I just can't see this being the loss making exercise everyone thinks it will be. I think BT will be aggressive when the Champions League rights become available for bidding in the next couple of months. Who knows, maybe the money from Virgin will help them see off bids from SKY?

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2013) Vol. 4.
 

V. Interesting Chad. VM and BT can really force Sky to seriously look at it's sports packages prices and availability to other broadcasters now. It will be interesting to see if many VM customers decide to stop Sky Sports because they can they can see plenty of football (albeit lots of non-pl football) free of charge through BT Sports.

Also, I do not know enough about Sky's packages to make a comparison. As a Sky customer are you able (and willing) to compare the cost of the most similar Sky TV package (without any discount and Sky Sports package)?

---------- Post added at 00:54 ---------- Previous post was at 00:43 ----------

Lets hope they can pull off a coup there! Perhaps they could get financial support from VM too and have an ad campaign saying ALL Champions league football (including ITVs games) are free on VM and free with BT BB, and that you will have to pay to watch them with on Sky without BT BB.

How great would free CL football be for those who love their football?

I think Sky will just spend daft amounts of money on those rights though.:(

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2013) Vol. 4.
 

Here you go:

http://www.sky.com/products/tv-packs...nt-extra-plus/

Like XL with a V HD Box, SKY Entertainment + is £32.00.

Here are the key points:

Virgin have 37 HD channels (SKY 48 HD channels)
Virgin have 200+ channels in total (SKY 320 channels)
Virgin have BT Sports included (It'll cost £12 to £15 to add BT Sports with SKY)
Virgin have TV on demand without the need of broadband (SKY have on demand but broadband required)
Virgin have catch up TV without the need of broadband (SKY have catch up TV but broadband required)
Virgins £32.00 package has no recording option (SKY £32.00 package comes with SKY +)
Virgin have 3D on demand (SKY have SKY 3D)
Virgin have TV anywhere (SKY have SKY Go)

One thing to remember is you have to have broadband in your house to access on demand content with SKY. There is no need for an internet connection with Virgin. This again adds even more value to Virgins £32.00 package.

If you add TiVo Virgins package goes up to £37.00. However when you consider the value of BT Sports in the package, and no need for broadband to access all of Virgins on demand services, £37.00 is still better value than SKY's similar package.

If SKY Atlantic does come to Virgin, why would anyone think of joining SKY?

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2013) Vol. 4.
 

Can't see it, there is lots of info from their CEO saying they are keeping the name. Think the licence is for 10 years initially.

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2013) Vol. 4.
 

Who says I'm obsessed with stats, figures and lists? :D

Off to bed, see you all in the morning zzzzzzzz

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2013) Vol. 4.
 

Cheers Chad. That is a great comparison. The only things Sky have now are HD and Atlantic, which to be fair, are what many people want currently.

You are spot on with your comments with regards to the BB and BT sport value with VM. I also think that TIVO is very good value at a fiver a month, esp. (as you say) if anyone was to consider the possible savings from extra broadband costs.

In regards to TV Anywhere/Sky go (my knowledge is poor), I do believe VM still have more channels you can watch live too? I know BT Sports is a bonus for TV Anywhere at the very least!! I also believe there is some form of optional charge for Sky Go with regards downloads but not from VM. Another point of difference is that you can watch your recordings on TV Anywhere, but I have not seen that advertised by Sky (happy to be corrected on all these points though).

Lets hope VM do get Sky Atlantic next month, and I have no reason to doubt Howard's statement given he was right about BT sport. I will be fascinated to see what Sky do next (other than offer a cheaper price for their packages)!

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2013) Vol. 4.
 

Isn't there an extra £5 to pay for HD on Sky, wheras it's free with VM?

Or you could say the £5 Tivo charge cancels out the Sky HD charge and both options come with PVR.

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2013) Vol. 4.
 

Don't believe everything you hear or read Chad.

---------- Post added at 05:30 ---------- Previous post was at 05:26 ----------

l think you will find that Virgin is a very respected and well known brand and personally l think it will stay as it is.

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2013) Vol. 4.
 

The £32 Chad quoted includes HD the exception being Sky premium HD.
Den prices will increase of that you can be assured however I personally can't see £6 although its worth mentioning that if the TV product increased by £3 this would represent an increase of 10% considering XL with TIVO costs £29.50 if you take a VM phone.

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2013) Vol. 4.
 

You can watch your recordings on TV Anywhere?

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2013) Vol. 4.
 

I believe the term of the licence was for 30years.

They will not ditch the virgin brand, it is far too valuable. If they want to unify the liberty group, which there is no rush to do, then they would better utilising the virgin brand across Europe if possible.