Re: SKY VS Virgin Media
 

:clap:

Re: SKY VS Virgin Media
 

Erm... did you see the results of the poll? 15% of cable subscribers would jump ship, that's £21m per month in revenue that Virgin would no longer have - or £1/4bn a year!

Re: SKY VS Virgin Media
 

I think that's the way I'll be going... and it looks like I'll miss the last ever episode of Stargate :Yikes:

Re: SKY VS Virgin Media
 

Ok but how much is it costing them now to pay Sky for the channels? probably not that far off what they stand to lose if 15% decided the hassle of changing was worth a couple of sub-standard channels & they are sub-standard these days with the amount of repeats they show on Sky1.

Re: SKY VS Virgin Media
 

Yes but 84% said they would stay.. How much is that in retained revenue?

Re: SKY VS Virgin Media
 

That's not really a clever argument, not up to your usual standard at all ;)

If we were talking about a couple of percent leaving Virgin, it wouldn't be so bad, but a potential 1/2 million subscribers dropping off the books in a short space of time could be very damaging for cashflow. Bear in mind that these people are not just subscibing to Sky's basic channels, they are possibly also subscibing to high value products like internet, phone, VOD and premium channels. Direct revenue sources for Virgin, that could potentially be taken out of the balance books within the next few weeks.

But according to the poll on this thread, assuming it's roughly representative of the population, 15% of current VM subscribers have said that they would switch their supplier to Sky. This is not lost revenue to Sky, it is direct revenue at a higher margin than having them from Virgin. Also, it would be interesting to add another option to the poll, for people who would cancel Virgin but not subscribe to Sky - probably not a substantial contingent, but interesting none the less.

However, of course, Sky would lose the revenue from the 84% that Incog talked about earlier. However, for the basic channels, it likely to be a pretty small amount of money by comparison - someone guessed at £45m per year, but both parties keep the actual costs completely secret - when Sky would be picking up an additional £200m in direct sales a year from that 15%.

I probably haven't explained that too well, does it make sense?

Re: SKY VS Virgin Media
 

Actually I think the poll says nothing about if you are a VM subscriber and there is some evidence that non subscribers have voted. Maybe the poll should be run again, now that it is more of a certaintly that it will happen and that it be asked that only current VM subscribers vote.

Re: SKY VS Virgin Media
 

I take that on board, I haven't voted as I am not a Virgin subscriber.

However another poll on another forum, giving a 'not a subscriber' option produces some broadly similar results.

I'm by no means suggesting that this, or the other forum's poll, is representative (indeed I have kept mentioning that) - but it does give a rough barometer of mood, which could be fairly accurate.

Also, as I mentioned before, the poll has been open for a while now, and the percentage has been pretty static all the way along, and looking at the "I'm not changing" amd "I'm changing" posts on this forum, I'd say it's pretty a accurate guage of the feelings of Cable Forum users. Whether they are representative of the broader population, I cannot tell you.

In the absense of a Gallup poll asking the same questions, it's the best we've got right now.

Re: SKY VS Virgin Media
 

I would like to ask are we going to get it cheaper now sky are going to pack up there toys up and run off I can not get a Dish where I am and I watch the MOVIES SPORT AND SKY ONE so I would move if I was able get a dish if I was able to I pay over the want I can get sky for with cable. With five weeks it been NTL, NTL TELEWEST ,now VIRGIN MEDIA. In a few years we need new tv and new box to see tv so I like to know what mr VIRGIN MEDIA IS DOING WITH THE POEPLE WHO CAN NOT GO TO SKY WE HAVE TO MOVE HOUSE

Re: SKY VS Virgin Media
 

All online polls have to be taken with a dead seas worth of salt. One assumes that VM have commisioned a poll of current subscribers to get an accurate assessment of how many would move. Assuming they have then you have to assume that this showed a managable number would leave.

Re: SKY VS Virgin Media
 

I wouldn't assume they have.

Re: SKY VS Virgin Media
 

Why not. It would take much to phone up a thousand random subscribers (not just those who are interested enough in the subject to post online) and ask them what they would do.

Re: SKY VS Virgin Media
 

ok i just got a phone call and i'm far from happy, they asked me if i was happy with my service and i said yes, they then asked me if i'd like to move and i said no, i'm happy where i am and i just want to know one thing, cs guy says ok, i said how the hell did you get my number, phone goes dead.............

That was a Sky Rep phoning me about my service

**** right off

itv news 10.30 is all about the war that's going on with sky and virgin.:mad:

Re: SKY VS Virgin Media
 

i'd stick most people download straight from the US now so sky can shove there crappy channels which are manily adverts anyway!

torrent/usenet the future
no ads
faster than sky
watch when you want

sky cant compete with the net and if virgin invested money in to the ondemand stuff we'll be onto a winner

Re: SKY VS Virgin Media
 

I wonder how long before the news filters down to people that have just subscribed to VM TV mainly because of the Sky products, as I was about to do.... and now there aren't any... will there be screams to get out of contracts?

Re: SKY VS Virgin Media
 

sky sports, sky movies or do these channels not exist?

Re: SKY VS Virgin Media
 

I think you're underestimating the inteligence and broadness of the people who use this site. But I do understand where you are coming from.

I am not saying that Virgin have called up a thousand subscribers to ask them, but I am saying that I would not assume that they have.

Even if they have, there will be a percentage of customers that will change their supplier if what has been suggested comes to pass; how many customers can Virgin afford to lose before cashflow is seriously compromised?

If 15% is 1/2 million subs and £21m per month income, then 10% is 1/3 million and £14m per month lost, 5% is 167,000 and £7m per month (£84m a year).

If the sums being banded around earlier of carraige fees of £45m pa for these channels are correct, then you can see the predicament that Virgin are in for yourself.

I'd hazard an educated guess that the 15% we see on here might not be too far off the money; taking into account the channels in question, viewing figures are as follows:

20% of digital homes watch Sky One at some point during an average week, 10% Sky Two, 10% Sky News and 15% for Sky Sports News. These stats include Freeview, where Sky One and Two don't appear of course.

So the average for these channels is not a million miles from the 15% on here. Could just be a coincidence, I'm no statistician.

Re: SKY VS Virgin Media
 

As has been said Sky Movies and Sport are not going anywhere. It's Sky1, 2, News and Travel. Yes you're still losing one of the channels you watch, but not Movies and Sport as it looks like you're worrying about :)

Re: SKY VS Virgin Media
 

But what you are implying is that 75% of people who watch sky one at some point in the week will feel its loss is enough for them to go through the hassle of changing to sky. Personally I would be surprised if, when push comes to shove, less than 10% moved. As things like the convenience of VOD kick in its not just a change to sky can only be positive as you get the sky channels back, you also lose the convenience of VOD. The experience in the states i believe is that VOD has tended to reduce the amount of churn of customers and from near daily use of VOD I would miss that more than I would miss sky one.

Re: SKY VS Virgin Media
 

I'll stay with Virgin Media for now, I can't think of much I'd miss on those Sky channels as all they mainly seem to have countless Simpsons, Stargate, Startrek and Futurama re-runs.
To be honest I can see myself canceling the TV package altogether and perhaps getting a freeview box. Most of whats on both cable AND satalite appears to be re-runs anyway at least I'm not paying for them with Freeview.

Re: SKY VS Virgin Media
 

My first post here, hi guys.

Could this be the first of many mistakes by the new virgin media, I for one hope not and hope this deal will get sorted, problem is you have two very rich men at the helm of this and neither of them are budging, would this of happened with the old ntl boss? who knows.
I watch Sky Sports News and Sky News and Sky One, losing these for me would not be good, I know it's only tv but it is tv I enjoy watching, I could not go over to sky as we can't get satellite fitted in and this could be a real blow to Virgin Media as there is quite a few programmes on these channels which Virgin Media customers watch.

Let's hope for a positive ending and the start of a brighter future for Virgin Media customers as after all we have been through do we not deserve just a little something back.

Re: SKY VS Virgin Media
 

Havent read through the entire topic. Losing Sky1, no big deal......losing Sky Sports, I would have to switch..but reluctantly:mis:

Re: SKY VS Virgin Media
 

err perhaps you should have read the thread better..Sky Sports is not one of the channels being discussed.

Re: SKY VS Virgin Media
 

I'm not implying anything. Like very few others on these threads, I'm not terribly bothered either way what happens with the Sky channels, but I am enjoying injecting a little common sense into each one - which appear to be dominated by people who think they're going to war than watching business being done.

In addition, I'm presenting actual stats to allow everyone to make up their own minds - as there does appear to be a lot of MIS-information being banded about.

You might be right, but as pointed out before, could Virgin really afford to lose 10% of their customer base (which would be in the region of £14m lost revenue every month, or £168m a year)? Maybe they can, maybe they can't.

You're right, it does. In fact Sky have found a similar result with their Sky+ box, not that I am equating it to VOD.

Are there any statistics on the number of Virgin's customers that regularly use VOD (and spend money on it?)

Re: SKY VS Virgin Media
 

There is no way 10% of Virgins customers would leave for Sky. 10% might be annoyed about it going, but to go through getting another subscriber and go through the hassle of changing for what is basically one channel amongst 100's - well you would have to have a screw loose to be honest. I know a few people on here will insist it's the case that you will, but can you REALLY be bothered?

I bet there are some people here that would say they would leave if we lost QVC!

Re: SKY VS Virgin Media
 

Might that have something to do with the £299 people have to splash out on the box?

Re: SKY VS Virgin Media
 

First post here. The issue for me here is my own family pressure for what is on Sky One namely the latest Simpsons, 24 and Lost! It is not the channels generally but those top programmes Sky has purchased (like taking Lost from Channel Four). Putting it simply, it will be an easier life for me to buy the minimum Sky TV service to get these and as I have only recently purchased a 12-month contract for NTL's £30 per month package for TV, telephone & broadband, I'm not too happy losing one on the main reasons I moved to cable in the first place (the other being Broadband where the distance from my nearest BT exchange means I can only get 1MB so cable is the only way right now for higher bandwidth). If this does finally go ahead, I'll probably drop back to Broadband only or a 2 package with the telephone service once my 12 month contract ends. I've seen comments about the new channel 119 VOD service but unless it shows my family's favourite programmes, it is irrelevant.

Re: SKY VS Virgin Media
 

If Virgin use their heads and drop their price as they no longer have to pay Sky then it makes it more attractive to stay.
Lets face it, if we are sensible all you need do is download the programs you watch on Sky1/2 they are easy enough to find on any torrent site. In the end you'll be watching episodes before Sky show them so you can pee off Sky people by spoiling it for them :-)

Re: SKY VS Virgin Media
 

Plus, doing this, you avoid having your favorite show ruined by having commercials every 10 mins. ;)

Re: SKY VS Virgin Media
 

no way would I move over to to Sky after all the problems that I've heard from some of their customers. Plus if Sky do pull their channels they're going to have to get the money from somewhere else and the first though is the Sky Customers bills are going to go up.

Re: SKY VS Virgin Media
 

yep i would have voted that way instead too

Re: SKY VS Virgin Media
 

I have a feeling that Sky would want to hurt VM's subscriber base, so don't be too surprised if you see some fantastic deals available soon for ex-VM subscribers.

Sky need to move quickly. If the channels do go by the end of next week, Sky will have to have a broad strategy to entice VM users. This could be a credit check waver, reduced price on STB's, and good 3 month to 6 month deals outside of the norm. Obviuosly they will need sweetners for existing customers who will complain about ex-VM customers getting better deals.

This WILL cost Sky in the short term, and if they have thought things through, they will have a clear idea about keeping those customers. Cheap talk perhaps, and possibly broadband, the only problem facing them is getting those ex-VM customers on ntl lines to go back to BT, that isn't going to be cheap.

I am uncertain though if this apparent endless pot of money is going to continue, and that the advertisers will start to drop Sky. RB could go on a charm offensive, and entice advertisers into deals to show selected adverts on their on demand services....possibly?

I think though that we are never going to know until the place holders go up for Sky One, Two and Three, and the two other channels. At that point I would assume retentions are going to be busy, and we are going to see more deals announced.

What I would really like to see though is NEW content, making say Living the replacement fo Sky. I can get Lost, BSG and SG1 and Atlantis from other sources, loosing Sky is no big deal.

Re: SKY VS Virgin Media
 

the difference is about £1 a month - hardly going to keep many. :)

Re: SKY VS Virgin Media
 

[quote=Tod;34231091]There is no way 10% of Virgins customers would leave for Sky. 10% might be annoyed about it going, but to go through getting another subscriber and go through the hassle of changing for what is basically one channel amongst 100's - well you would have to have a screw loose to be honest. I know a few people on here will insist it's the case that you will, but can you REALLY be bothered?

I bet there are some people here that would say they would leave if we lost QVC![/quote]

Now THAT might just be enough to send ME over the edge :LOL:

Re: SKY VS Virgin Media
 

You'd only pay that sort of money for a HD Sky+. The normal one if around £50. I didn't pay for my main one but we paid £99 for the second so they still took £50 each from us. :)

Re: SKY VS Virgin Media
 

At the moment 83% say they would stay with Virgin. I think it would be more than that if the vote was done over the whole of the UK.
;)
Lets just hope that Virgin can do a deal with some of the American chanels and bring some good content over here. Might even be a new chanel such as Virgin One !
:D

Re: SKY VS Virgin Media
 

I think that James Bond Movie (Forget which one) that Had Elliot Carver as the evil bloke as head of Carver Media was modelled on Rupert Murdoch.

Sky can take a running jump as far as I am concerned.

Cable all the way for me.

Re: SKY VS Virgin Media
 

Noo, wasn't it the other guy, the one who drowned, in fact wasn't that the story they used in the film to explain Carver's death?

---------- Post added at 17:02 ---------- Previous post was at 17:01 ----------

Robert Maxwell!!

Re: SKY VS Virgin Media
 

I would be inclined to stay with Virgin but not keep th XL pack. What's the point with no Stargate or Atlantis :(

Malc

Re: SKY VS Virgin Media
 

Should VM consider offering a fee uplift for Sky One if they eventually do a deal but at a higher price than they wanted to? I for one would pay an extra per month fee for a Sky 1/2/3 package, just as you pay extra for Sky Sports, etc channels. Or perhaps a minimum TV package will be required to get these options, VM may need to be more inventive to keep its customers!

Re: SKY VS Virgin Media
 

As said previously, people who don't have Virgin have voted in the poll, how can that be representitive????? It's probably nearer 5 than 15.

Re: SKY VS Virgin Media
 

Take the base as 15.

Take off those that are not actually VM customers but have voted.
Take off those who have recently signed up to a new deal with a 12 month contract.
Take off, initially, those who will not go with the knee jerk reaction and will wait a while to see if it does come back
Take off those who have not realised the hassle that would be involved, especially if they intended to leave VM completely, e.g. getting BT (re)connected
Take off those who find they can get the one show they are mad about online
Take off those who have phoned up virgin and been offered a good deal to stay so change their mind.

Think 5 or less will be about right.

Re: SKY VS Virgin Media
 

How do you know?

BTW the smear campaign continues: Richard Branson claims that he is the father of Rupert Murdoch's new baby and he distributed the attached photo as a proof. Sir Richard said


"Rupert's zizzi* does not work at 71, despite taking a kilo of viagra".

Sky has yet to respond.

*zizzi is, you know what, in French.

Re: SKY VS Virgin Media
 

Because i know of at least a few people on this board i have spoken to who have. If there are a few who were prepared to own up to it, there will be a lot more who won't.

Re: SKY VS Virgin Media
 

Some people will leave Virgin for Sky, and Sky already have a package in place for disaffected Virgin customers. However, Sky have clearly stated that they are still waiting at the negotiating table. Sounds like it's Virgin who are playing games!

Customers who want to let Virgin know that they object to losing the programmes they paid to watch can express their opinion on the Virgin Boards here. It's been 'down' for most of the day so good luck!

Re: SKY VS Virgin Media
 

I don't think so. Laughable.

And why are you quoting LastLine who are no authority on the subject? Their opinion carries no more value than any other single person on this forum.

Re: SKY VS Virgin Media
 

Since we don't know what packages Sky are offering VM, it may not be possible for VM to offer "minimum TV package".

It sounds to me (imho), from the words used by both sides, that Sky have offered VM an expanded base package (including HD content and Sky Arts, etc) on a "take it or leave it" basis, at an increased price (because there is more content/channels); the problem VM would have with this is that they would have to resell the expanded base package in it's entirety to their customers, at it's increased price, therefore raising prices to the customer; because if they offered a subset (minimum TV package), Sky would still want the full package price per subscriber, so VM would have to lose money on every "minimum TV package".

Just my thoughts.

Re: SKY VS Virgin Media
 

OK.... take a look at Virgin's boards. Many people signed up to Virgin Media for The Simpsons, Stargate, Battlestar Galactica, Lost, 24 and Nip/Tuck. If Virgin don't take care of their customers then their customers will doubtless take care of themselves!

Re: SKY VS Virgin Media
 

I wouldn't pay too close attention to numbers on forums if i were you, it doesn't represent public opinion just for your info. If you are telling me it's representitive and that everyone not moaning is happy, then barely anyone wil leave.

Re: SKY VS Virgin Media
 

i wouldnt go to sky on principle now

Re: SKY VS Virgin Media
 

Perhaps you should have a look here:

http://www.sky.com/portal/site/skyco...ipment/skyplus

£99, not £299. From what I can gather, there's always deals to be done too; I wanted one, refused to pay the (then) £50 they were asking, so said I was going to buy a FreeView box instead. They offered it for nothing!

I was wondering about that too. There was some quite serious talk from people who seemed to know what they were talking about last month, saying that the subscription to use Sky+ was going to be dropped on Feb 12th. It didn't happen...maybe they're holding out until next week as a carrot to dangle in front of those thining of changing suppliers.

And as I said previously, perhaps you missed it, another poll elsewhere (which offers 'not a Virgin subscriber' as an option) comes out within similar figures. However, none of these, as I have also said, are scientific and I don't know if 15% is correct, just like you have no idea if 5% is correct.

In addition, I think you're not really crediting people with much intelligence - even if Sky subscribers have voted, they would probably have done so after putting themselves in the position of being a VM customer. Not everyone sees things in black and white only.

Of course, should I want to be really picky too, I could suggest that the number of vehmently pro-Virgin posters on here mixed with the prolification of VM employees have all voted with the majority, so their votes mean that the switch to Sky figure is being kept artificially low! Fortunately, I'm not that picky.

Re: SKY VS Virgin Media
 

No most of what you have said in that para is totally irrelevant. The only way a true poll can be done is taking a count of people who actually have Virgin services. What Sky customers think or whether they think they can put themselves into the position of a Virgin customer has nothing to do with it. It's not i don't credit people with intelligence, it's just for the sake of this poll, in a proper count, their opinion wouldn't count. Of course they are more than welcome to vote as it's just a point of interest on these forums. Just it has no relevance on what will happen as when the numbers of subscribes comes in, in a year's time, as they won't have lost the viewers in droves like one person said and the 15% figure won't hold up. Anyone can quote me on that!

Being an R&I Officer, l would get slated if i did such crap research as that.

I could counter the fact that due to this site's legacy, there is bound to be a lot of anti Virgin people on here.

The poll isn't representitive.

Re: SKY VS Virgin Media
 

Thank you for your constructive critique.

OK, then perhaps as you're so keen to prove your point, you could contact the 50-odd people who voted in favour of switching suppliers, ask them if they have Sky, then take them out of the equation.

I think I've made it pretty clear at every opportunity that the statements I was contributing were IF the poll IS representative. I am fully aware that it is not scientific research, but there is still the possibility that the actual result MIGHT be the same. You don't know either, beucase you haven't done the research either.

So whilst trying to discredit my theories based on the only actual information that either of us possess, you're so sure that the result will be about 5% - yet you reach this conclusion without any sort of barometer of mood whatsoever - which is second only in accuracy to the crystal ball, which I presume is also sitting on your desk.;)

Let's face it, what you're expressing is an opinion - and that's good, I like opinions too. However what I was doing was putting forward an hypothesis of what the impacts could be if 15% was correct. You'll also notice the same sums based on 10% loss and again for 5% loss.

For the final time - I am not stating that the poll is accurate, but it is the best barometer of customers' feelings that we have available to us. When someone that can produce something more accurate, we can revisit the discussion then - but I'm starting to get a little dizzy from going round in circles now.

Re: SKY VS Virgin Media
 

That is all it is, as you say a barometer of feelings. How many people will really go through the hassle of changing provider for 1 channel? More than that, in most cases 1 program on 1 channel??

Loads of people have "feelings" over this, but will they do anything...I doubt they will.

Re: SKY VS Virgin Media
 

It is not possible to get Sky where I live which is a block of Multi story Flats, we are not allowed to put Sky Dish outside.
The only thing I would miss is SKY1 as I am also a big fan of Stargate SG1 and Atlantis...

Re: SKY VS Virgin Media
 

A lot of the programmes seem to be repeated on Sci Fi - and endlessly on Sky One.

Re: SKY VS Virgin Media
 

It is indeed, but not represented by the opinion of the country as a whole, which is what really matters.
Also, it is only a few days since the statement, still plenty of time for a move from either camp of voters.
These polls are worthless imo.
You only have to look at political polls for example to see how fickle people are ;)

Re: SKY VS Virgin Media
 

When the americans put a man on the moon.;)

Re: SKY VS Virgin Media
 

I am sure that sky will miss your subs.
All I can say is that you must be very loyal to pay the same money for less, ok, there is the 6 month rebate promised by VM, but I cant help to think that you would get more than a £60 rebate if you called retentions?

Re: SKY VS Virgin Media
 

Have you done an " a vs b " comparison using the same cables?
IE, if you have had to turn off one to watch the other, or you have a different brand cable on one box than the other this can be an influence.
Cables can make a difference.
However, if that is your conclusion then fair enough ;)

Re: SKY VS Virgin Media
 

Sorry kaychsea, the sky+ box is not £299.
The Sky HD one may be.
I have the sky+ box, cost me £89 but I more or less made that money back through the half price tv package for three months.

Re: SKY VS Virgin Media
 

What I want is the freedom to choose and I am quite prepared to pay for the channels I or my family want to watch. It is not acceptable that Branson and Murdoch flex their muscles and that the customers suffer the consequences.
I would like to see OffTell or whatever it is called these days having the power to intervene and obliging the cable & satellite carriers to deliver all the available channels on as many platforms as possible. They can charge what they like and we can choose what we want to watch.

Re: SKY VS Virgin Media
 

Ok, I have virgin services as you put it, I have the broadband, I am with sky for tv, I have bt for the phone, so I am entitled to vote by your definition?
However, I used the intelligence I have and felt that after looking at the question on the poll that I had no need to vote because I already have sky.
And as for your second to last paragraph there are also a lot of anti-sky, so it could be said that them people would still vote to keep VM even if the reality is different, after all, at the end of the day who is to know?
I agree 100% with your last paragraph though :)

Re: SKY VS Virgin Media
 

Not sure if this has already been mentioned but there are quite a few pages on this thread.

But Virgin Media have sent a message to us all it is on this link

http://allyours.virginmedia.com/fairplay/index.html

Re: SKY VS Virgin Media
 

Do you know NTL/Virgin Media cap your download speed if you're using P2P softwares?

I've BT line 2mb max download speed 220kB/s
also NTL/Virgin 2mb max download speed 70-80kB/s

I rang techincal support team and they had told me that they set the limit when users were using P2P.

:dozey:

Re: SKY VS Virgin Media
 

I did not know that, thanks for the info. green for you.

Re: SKY VS Virgin Media
 

NTL implemented traffic shaping on their service a few months back, not sure if Telewest ever did. Not sure what the current plans are overall although given that the cable network can accomodate speeds significantly higher than 10mb (50mb and 100mb are being trialled) I cant see there being a great need to continue with it on the old NTL side.. Maybe if we see a rollout of higher speeds nationally although that would depend on how many people use the full potential of those speeds. I have a 10mb connection and rarely if ever use the full potential of it as most websites simply cant serve the files that quickly on a consistent basis..

Re: SKY VS Virgin Media
 

I think that only happens in congested areas at the moment as Cambridge seems to be fine.

Re: SKY VS Virgin Media
 

If Sky pull their non-subscription channels from Virgin Media/NTL then frankly there's no competition any more. VM/NTL cannot compete with Sky One at all and without it and the shows that have made Sky One a success, we all might as well get a Freeview box for the amount of choice we'll be offered.
Branson says that VM/NTL supplies Sky with Living TV (his only example) - Big Deal! Compared to Sky One with Battlestar Galactica, Lost, 24, the Stargates, Simpsons, Dresden Files and anything else that Sky either has its fingers in or has exclusivity deals, there is nothing - NOTHING - VM/NTL can offer. Without the Sky package, we would all be better off with Freeview and buying the DVD collections of the series we miss out on - it would ultimately cost all of us a damned sight less.
This entire thing is going to shoot both companies in the foot. VM/NTL offers just 3 million subscribers to add to Sky's 10 million audience, a fair amount, but one I believe that Murdock can do without. Sky maintain that they can attract up to a third of VM/NTL's customers to switch over - that's another million, and if these stations get pulled how long before FX, Hallmark, Sci Fi and others that have the odd gem on their schedules aren't also pulled.

Also, this VM on demand thing is only good if it offers stuff that people WANT to see. NTL's list of stuff it has been offering since I switched to digital is poor and it costs too much money, the free stuff wouldn't interest a dead viewer.

It's time for VM/NTL to pay the piper and absorb the costs, otherwise this huge new launch is going to sink like a stone.

Re: SKY VS Virgin Media
 

I sort of agree with squonkster a little bit. Cable needs some first run good general entertainment programs like the ones on Sky One and they need them quick.

Re: SKY VS Virgin Media
 

Nobody is going to do anything until the end of the month comes, as like a lot of people have said, it's funny how a lot of deals get brokered at the 11th hour. If the 11th hour does pass then i think we can expect to hear some news fairly soon after with regards to how they intend to compete in the future with additional content or be it with a discount. I don't think the 11th hour and the following hours will pass quietly anyway!

Re: SKY VS Virgin Media
 

Although that option may include people who will leave VM, but not necessarily go to Sky. Unfortunately there wasn't an option for that - but simply cancelling a service is a lot less hassle.

And, well, people don't watch 100s of channels. If you're only interested in a few programmes, which suddenly all get dropped, you'd have to have a screw loose to continue paying for a service you're not interested in.

Re: SKY VS Virgin Media
 

The comparison was being made between V+,which is HD, and Sky's offering.

Re: SKY VS Virgin Media
 

I'd agree with you, I also think the Sky HD box is overpriced too. But then most technology when it first comes out is more expensive, the Sky+ is a good example of that too.

I would think that this would have something to do with potential sub figures - broadcasting HD via satellite is an expensive thing to do, the making, storage and licensing of HD is also more expensive and at present there is a limited customer base to tap into, although of course this is growing pretty rapidly too.

As the technology becomes more mainstream, more HD channels will appear on-air and you start to hit a critical mass when it becomes cheaper.

Virgin have, commendably in my opinion, taken the lower cost option for the box, although it is of course lacking much of the HD content that Sky is broadcasting. Also, they're charging a high figure for swapping out your old box in favour of a new one, £75.

Cable, of course, has the big advantage of being able to deliver lots of HD channels without having to buy additional bandwidth, whereas Sky need to buy expensive satellite capacity for HD.

This will be an interesting battle-ground in the medium term - but not really much to do with the current skirmishes.

Re: SKY VS Virgin Media
 

Stay -- anything to thwart a potential Murdoch virtual monopoly!

Re: SKY VS Virgin Media
 

Hi, (first post),

I had my VM V+ box and broadband installed on Saturday (without any hitch I might add).

We've moved from Sky+, not from any fault of sky's, but a problem with Tiscali not removing their broadband tags from our BT landline for over 2 months - forcing us to go to cable.

Anyway, we had already signed the contract and were awaiting installation when the news broke about VM losing Sky1.

This didn't phase us at all. Sky1 is just simpsons repeats and little else. As for 24 and Lost, well... we'd be buying the dvd box sets anyway!

Going with VM (tv & broadband) is the best decision we've made. We are £50 per month better off (ditched the landline, not bothered with sky movies and sky sports any more). And VM's VOD is AMAZING.

Sky's services are not a patch on VM.

I can't see many people moving from VM to Sky just because of a few channels. And the vast majority of those that stay with VM will only remember that Sky is petty, short-sighted and don't put the customer (viewer) first.

It's not about the channels - it's about the service.

Re: SKY VS Virgin Media
 

Hi and :welcome: to Virgin Media.

Re: SKY VS Virgin Media
 

both watching and listening to all the rubbish coming from sky i ask those who
are concerned about losing the sky channels how many times per month do you watch the channels concerned my viewing is as follows SKY1 7 TIMES
SKY2 NEVER SKY3 NEVER SKY NEWS 15/20 TIMES SKY SPORTS NEWS 30TIMES SO I FOR ONE WONT MISS THEM WILL YOU

Re: SKY VS Virgin Media
 

interesting that most people who have commented will miss 24, lost and battlestar. Apart from 24 in the barb Sky One dominated by the simpsons. these shows that are championed by sky seem to be not too popular.

So will Sky drop underperforming programmes from Sky One when they are paying an arm and leg. Those who plan to move to Sky most would have to fork out for multi room not sure what the costs is. One of things cable had over Sky is the ease to have multiple subscriptions in one house. V+ with a £5 extra box charge is very good offer. I understand some just tend to watch Sky Content but when you watch there content from a rival carrier. You will always have that risk agreements will not be made and that service pulled unless its protected by government legislation. I do feel for those who cannot go sky like me and will miss out. People have take stock and context to either staying or going for the sake of possible 2 or 3 programs.

andym88 :welcome:

Re: SKY VS Virgin Media
 

Does The Simpsons dominate because of multiple broadcasts though?

Re: SKY VS Virgin Media
 

Possibly its what I suspect what happens with the soaps domination.

Which in some ways makes it even worse to have series like lost not up there. 24 might survive the chop I think its lost something. I was a feverent watcher would never miss an episode. Just cannot get into the newer ones. I do think if its true how much they paid for lost its likely to go. Not sure battlestar as sometimes new progs are often poor.

Who would have thought only fools & horses would become an institution. Which even today people watch. Its first shows viewing figures were very poor and even the beeb nearly killed it. Saying that I bet they did not pay what sky paying.

Re: SKY VS Virgin Media
 

Re: SKY VS Virgin Media
 

I'm stunned you are all saying that sky service is rubbish compared to Virgin Media.*** I have never tried Sky but I find VM service pretty rubbish and can't believe anyone else could be worse! Please elucidate!

By the way has ANYONE got a way to get VM to come and repair a badly leaning cable box that has been damaged by a car on January 14th this year? I have been reporting the damage ever since and no one has turned up to repair it yet. I'm scared any minute it will fall over altogether and then I won't get any cable service at all!

I will miss sky one. I really hope they work things out by the end of this month...what do you all think the chances are that they will?

***I was referring to customer services, not "the actual channels on offer" kind of service. I absolutely hate and dread phoning VM for anything as it is such a hassle till I get through to a human being; what right-thinking person thinks the customer is happy with a zillion options to press, only to be told at the end of it all that their offices are closed until 9 a.m.??

Re: SKY VS Virgin Media
 

You have to remember, too, that many people's bark is worse than their bite.

People who contribute to this forum are here because they have an interest in their TV service provider (or broadband, etc, ok). So we can regard the contributers to the poll in general to be people who care about TV. Only 17% of those people would choose to switch.

Broaden this out to the whole customer base, and I'll bet we'll find a great many people who (whilst upset to lose channels they make use of) will simply find other things to watch because it's so much simpler than moving suppliers.

It's for the same reason that british gas still have the largest customer base despite having had (until recently) amongst the most expensive gas in the country. It's the same reason that a large percentage of the population still have gas and electricity with separate suppliers - despite the fact that joint bills are cheaper. - people are generally inclined to the path of least resistance.

Re: SKY VS Virgin Media
 

Second post here: so slightly belatedly: hi everyone.

By the way, as an ex-NTL user ...where IS channel 119? I can't get it. I am booked to have a V+ box installed on March 1st (coincidentally the day we will know for sure if sky is being discontinued); will I only get channel 119 then? Or maybe do I need to rescan my NTL box to find it?

As I said in my first post; I am *very very* interested to hear horror stories about sky's customer services as it will make me feel a bit better about staying with the status quo.

Re: SKY VS Virgin Media
 

Eeeeeek, 17% would move to Sky?! That's a lot more than I would have imagined... didn't realise people valued Simpsons re-runs so highly :p:

Honestly, if the channels are removed, wait for Virgin to launch their own channel (which they WILL if they want to survive), and I'm sure all your favourite shows will be aired on there.

Re: SKY VS Virgin Media
 

I get 119 now, and I am on a Samsung STB box (until Wednesday) - you can also use the "on demand" button on the STB remote control.

Re Sky Customer Services; here is a link to Sky User Forum, which like Cable Forum, has a mixture of good and bad, happy and unhappy.
http://www.skyuser.co.uk/forum/

Re: SKY VS Virgin Media
 

I wouldn't take the poll results as gospel, if you look at who voted to move to sky, many of those people already have Sky TV and voted based on what they think they would do, myself included except i voted thinking i'd probably stay with VM.:disturbd:

Re: SKY VS Virgin Media
 

Have to agree there many things to way up its more than just losing a favourite programme. Costs of transfering what you would gain or lose out shifting.

Re: SKY VS Virgin Media
 

To a point, yes. But if British Gas stopped selling gas, then you might look for another provider. Not exactly like for like, but you get the idea.

Re: SKY VS Virgin Media
 

Hi Ruthie :tu:

Re: SKY VS Virgin Media
 

Hi Dodger, that's a nice welcome.

I have been in such a turmoil since I heard about the Sky v Virgin Media debacle and haven't known where to turn for information and advice. I'm really pleased I found this forum :)

I have one added factor that would make me think twice about changing suppliers; a hubby who isn't mad keen on us having TV altogether; but puts up with it for my sake, and so I have to be very careful about rocking the boat too much.

Hey have any of you heard of or do you own something called a slingbox? It's got to be the gadget of the year IMHO. It fixes to my cable box, and, configured with my wireless network, beams my cable TV to any portable windows device (my laptop computer, my windows mobile phone) and I can be anywhere in the world and watch my home cable :-)

Re: SKY VS Virgin Media
 

as long as sky movies or sky sports dont go then im happy;)

Re: SKY VS Virgin Media
 

I post on Sunday about that

See 'Sky/ITV Latest' page on Cable Forum for more info.

Re: SKY VS Virgin Media
 

When is Murdoch ( no not the A-team one) going to offer cheap flights and expensive rail tickets ?. It's like watching the Caesars at it again. And all because of power. Information comes at a price, the control of that information is priceless.

Re: SKY VS Virgin Media
 

they wont be going anywhere.;)

Re: SKY VS Virgin Media
 

Hi All...
I have, at this time,a 'Famity TV', 'Unlimited 4 Mb Broadband' and 'Telephone Connection' together with a 'Samsung'. The cost is between £55 & £60.00 per month. I've had this for the past 4-5 years, inproving my Broadband as it became available.

Believe it or not I have never had any hassle out of NTL, and I have no need for Sky - in fact I haven't ever switched on a Sky channel yet [is this a record'

Advice from our experts - what is the best way of getting an improved deal out of our lords and masters ?

And in terminology that a seriously ol codger can understand.

Thanks in anticipation....

Ht

Re: SKY VS Virgin Media
 

Here is the new Sky ad about Virgin

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dXy1n1_rkUQ

Re: SKY VS Virgin Media
 

The only thing I will really miss is the SG-1 and Atlantis.

I'm staying however, my 10mbit internet is awesome, theres nothing more uplifting than seeing your downloads go at 1090kbps.

And with all of that speed I could probably get those shows in other ways :-P

Re: SKY VS Virgin Media
 

well there's only about 3 episodes of SG-1 left before they go over to making movies so maybe VM will get the rights to show them