Re: ITV threaten to blackout on Virgin
 

Itv can't cut the feed. Freesat uses it

Re: ITV threaten to blackout on Virgin
 

I meant the line feed as opposed to the satellite signal.

---------- Post added at 12:50 ---------- Previous post was at 12:13 ----------

Actually, this thing about VM showing one ITV region across the whole country is probably a tactic being threatened by them.

There is no technical reason why Virgin Media couldn't take FTA satellite feeds for all of the regions, the UK wide thing sounds like a clever threat to scare ITV into backing down.

Very few viewers would quit Virgin because they couldn't get their own region because most of the output is now exactly the same, however, ITV's advertising revenues would be seriously harmed.

It would also be a lot simpler for Virgin to only use one region should it go down this route.

The only thing that viewers might miss would be the local news; with many switching to the BBC.

Re: ITV threaten to blackout on Virgin
 

I agree with this. I would not miss having my own region these days and I shouldn't think that too many people would be bothered about it either.

In my opinion, the BBC regional news programmes are better than ITV's anyway. If this is ITV's key bargaining chip, it's the least convincing negotiating ploy I've ever seen! ITV is overreaching itself, methinks.

Re: ITV threaten to blackout on Virgin
 

Regional news usually = Murder, rape, GBH and local non-entities, Really depresses me and its the same in each region !

Re: ITV threaten to blackout on Virgin
 

Yes, if only they would leave out the local non-entities! :D

Seriously, though, it's depressing to see what the news has come to, I agree. When I was a kid, I was allowed to watch the news, but these days they just seem to report the violence, political indiscretions and child abuse. I wouldn't allow kids to watch the local or national news these days. I think they should keep all that stuff out of the daytime/early evening schedules when children could be watching. There's plenty of other stuff they could be reporting on, but they seem to go for the salacious material that will help to prevent butterfly minded people from channel-hopping away. Pandering to the lowest common denominator, as usual.

:rant:

From my own personal point of view, if they took ITV off VM, it would make no difference to me as I record all the terrestrial programmes I watch onto my DVD recorder via my aerial. I only record those channels onto the V6 if they are programmes my wife wants to watch as she cannot cope with recordings on the DVD recorder! I feel a training session coming on!

Re: ITV threaten to blackout on Virgin
 

If ITV does get pulled, I'm going to miss X-factor.

NOT.

Re: ITV threaten to blackout on Virgin
 

Thanks, that was the one. It was good at the time but it's been superseded by the TVPlayer app.

Re: ITV threaten to blackout on Virgin
 

Go for it ITV not on virgin= price cut. Smart TV ,freeview etc means watching the odd show as and when I want to please stop it on virgin .win win for most,if not all one way or another!

Re: ITV threaten to blackout on Virgin
 

If its within the law for VM to retransmit an alternative ITV feed why do they need to rely on satellite transmissions? Couldn't each headend take the local Freeview signal?
Wouldn't that satisfy most regional needs?

Re: ITV threaten to blackout on Virgin
 

Yes they can, and indeed did until 2009/10. But it's better done centrally as that avoids unnecessary duplicate equipment in many regional headends, some of which have power and space constraints, and the channels can then be centrally monitored.

Re: ITV threaten to blackout on Virgin
 

Plus they haven't got an aerial on VM towers.

Re: ITV threaten to blackout on Virgin
 

ITV have said nothing will happen until the new Chief Exec joins in January and then takes a fresh look at the issue so we're all good for a while yet.

Re: ITV threaten to blackout on Virgin
 

They do have them, but not necessarily on the same building. For my local headend, the aerials are on a tower block about a mile away.

Re: ITV threaten to blackout on Virgin
 

Phew! they can't just wind back NGTV central distribution. People might start asking for their local radio stations back if local headend feeds returned. :shocked: ;)

Re: ITV threaten to blackout on Virgin
 

I doubt that VM will want to go to too much trouble or cost to keep ITV regionality as this mainly benefits ITV.

Apart from local news & current affairs the programmes are now exactly the same.

Pumping one national feed around the UK will be easier and cheaper, allow VM to keep their customers supplied with almost every ITV programme, annoy ITV's advertiser's and drive viewers who want local news & current affairs to the BBC or even the failing local TV channels!

I suspect (hope) that they will use the London Audio Description feed in order to maintain that service for those that are sight impaired.

Re: ITV threaten to blackout on Virgin
 

ITV's local advertisers are probably annoyed most of the time, their ads usually don't appear on whatever flavour of ITV HD happens to be available in the local region. So I wouldn't expect ITV to be too worried by that, it's almost business as usual.

I would prefer that, if ITV cut, or threaten to cut the feed, VM removes the channels and lets ITV deal with the full impact of the loss of advertising revenue.

Re: ITV threaten to blackout on Virgin
 

Two things on this matter.

1st, Why doesn't VM just pay the money it owes ITV. As at the end of the day - its us that will be picking up the tab. As VM will simply put the price up for customers

2nd. If people went to Sky, they can get regional channels on that. I can get ITV Scotland on my Sky system. And l live near Hounslow Middlesex,

Re: ITV threaten to blackout on Virgin
 

1st. VM can't keep on putting up prices or it would lose lots of subscribers. The market is competitive with offerings from BT, EE, PlusNet, TalkTalk, Now TV, Amazon, Netflix as well as Sky all competing for VM's customers.

Re: ITV threaten to blackout on Virgin
 

You seem to be very much in the minority - most people do not want to pay for a channel that is and should be freely available.

However, every one is entitled to their opinion - just volunteer to pay extra if you want to, 99% of the posters on here don't.

Re: ITV threaten to blackout on Virgin
 

What a load of crap, explain to me why Virgin owe ITV anything?

Re: ITV threaten to blackout on Virgin
 

Oh it's just his mantra, VM should pay for everything regardless of the asking price. Then he'd complain about the price, or maybe not as he has Sky anyway.

Re: ITV threaten to blackout on Virgin
 

They don't.

Re: ITV threaten to blackout on Virgin
 

Do not expect an answer to that question, Arthur never reply's to question about his rants :)

Re: ITV threaten to blackout on Virgin
 

Re: ITV threaten to blackout on Virgin
 

This sounds like possible backpeddling to me now that VM have made it clear that they have no intention of paying any retransmission fees and have a contingency plan in place that keeps the channel for their customers whilst harming ITV's advertising revenue.

A new CEO with "a different approach/view" on the matter would allow them to do a U turn without leaving them with egg on their face.

Re: ITV threaten to blackout on Virgin
 

In ITV latest set of results advertising revenue was down again.

Re: ITV threaten to blackout on Virgin
 

Technical details posted in the 'Coming Soon' thread suggest to me that it may be STV that VM would use as the single signal to pump throughout their network.

This tactic would keep ITV programmes for VM viewers without paying any retransmission fees and lose them even more advertising revenue.

At the same time the advertising rates for the only independent ITV franchise left would probably increase due to their advertising being shown nationally on the VM network.

Re: ITV threaten to blackout on Virgin
 

Maybe I'm missing something here, surely this issue is black and white...

If ITV decide on a blackout on VM, why are posters suggesting they can use alternative means to keep showing ITV???

It seems simple to me, ITV pull the plug, if VM keep showing it then the lawyers are called in

Re: ITV threaten to blackout on Virgin
 

It's not quite that simple. At the moment there is a "must carry" obligation for PSB services so, in theory, VM has to carry ITV. Things start to get difficult if ITV cut the direct feed, As a PSB, ITV has a "must offer" obligation.

This is what happens when legislation is introduced without considering the implications..

Re: ITV threaten to blackout on Virgin
 

So Virgin simply get the feed from elsewhere and ITV can refer VM to Ofcom. Now that will be interesting!

Re: ITV threaten to blackout on Virgin
 

I don't know why VM would take the trouble to get a feed from elsewhere. I suppose that VM customers could then complain to Ofcom about VM failing to meet its PSB "must carry" obligations if it doesn't take another feed but the responsibility for lack of carriage would surely be ITV's.

If ITV cut the feed they are in breach of the "must offer" obligation and they could be referred to Ofcom and to the DCMS. Possibly putting ITV in breach of their PSB licence.

The problem is that the change in legislation, theoretically allowing ITV to introduce a retransmission fee, hasn't modified the PSB "must carry" or "must offer" obligations.

ITV want an additional revenue stream from pay-tv providers, without offsetting that with any costs of carriage, not very realistic. They complain that they are losing revenue as pay-tv customers skip the ads on their PVRs, which ignores the fact than not every pay-tv customer has a PVR. It also ignores the fact that PVRs are also available on other platforms, so why only impose a charge on "pay-tv" customers?

Personally, if I record anything from ITV, I use a Freeview PVR, saving disk space on the Tivo for content not available elsewhere. I certainly don't want to pay additional fees simply because the ITV PSB channel happens to also be duplicated on VM.

Re: ITV threaten to blackout on Virgin
 

How bizarre....

So ITV pay SKY for carriage of their channels.
ITV want VM to pay them for broadcasting their channels.

How does that work out? I cant get my head around that? That sounds incredibly, incredibly unfair...I know one is satellite and one is cable but I still cant get my head around how its a night and day difference in terms of paying or getting money....

Re: ITV threaten to blackout on Virgin
 

The reason you cannot get your head round that situation, is because it is blatantly unfair.

Satellite and Cable both perform identical services - I.e. They both supply pay channels and freak to air channels. Why anyone could say otherwise is incredibly ridiculous.

Personally, I don't care as long as I am not forced to pay for ITV through virgin.

As I have said before, make ITV set up the mechanisms to charge for their own channel if they want to charge, make them pay to advertise the channel to attract subscribers, charge them carriage fees (similar to what they pay sky)

If they don't like it tough - but do not agree to pay them and up my subs against my will.

Re: ITV threaten to blackout on Virgin
 

Thanks for explaining. Sounds like all they can do is pull all channels with the exception of ITV so they fulfill their legal requirement.
I'll be surprised if they do it but you never know, hopefully VM call their bluff

Re: ITV threaten to blackout on Virgin
 

Can l join this 'rant' as members are saying.

Sky is a business, so therefore are charging ITV and other companies to use there Satelitte.

So why cant ITV charge VM for using there channels on the network.

Its like me saying to my next door neighbour. I have four Tv channels, that l would like you to show on local TV. Is he going to do that for nothing, l don't think so.

If the case if NO, then why are we paying subs to VM to watch there services. We pay as VM pay to use other companies channels on there network.

Rant over. Not only that, l have other things to worry about - such as the budget coming up. My job depends on the budget

Re: ITV threaten to blackout on Virgin
 

Eh???

By your logic, shouldn't VM be charging ITV to use their cable network!

Re: ITV threaten to blackout on Virgin
 

Sky don't own the satellite, SES Astra owns it. ITV pays Sky for EPG services only. As far as I know, ITV pays a third party for uplink and transponder capacity, I don't track which company it uses, it used to be NTL Broadcast, if the contract has been renewed it is now, probably, Arqiva.

Why can't ITV do what it does with satellite? Pay VM for EPG services and broadcast capacity?

ITV operates under a public service licence, the onus should be on ITV to ensure that its PSB services reach as wide an audience as possible. That is why there is a "must offer" obligation to provide the service.

ITV is testing the water, even though the Government made it clear that there shouldn't be any such charge when it introduced the legislation. Unfortunately, a weak Government with a slim majority and little authority is backing away from the issue. It's a mess created by the new legislation.

Although ITV are wanting VM customers to pay significantly more to VM for viewing ITV PSB services which they make available at no cost to the viewer on other platforms.

---------- Post added at 01:51 ---------- Previous post was at 01:48 ----------

You would think so, it seems to be a very confused way of looking at things.

Re: ITV threaten to blackout on Virgin
 

I was going to steam in and say "vm wanting it all their own way again." but i've been looking around and gathering as much info as i could about this and i agree with Jj20x it seems ITV could be testing the water, this is all down to a weak goverment and new legilasations that are in place.
I think both SKY and VM need to call ITVs bluff and let ITV pull their channels, ITV will soon go crawling back.

Re: ITV threaten to blackout on Virgin
 

Forgot to mention that using an AD feed would also maintain the Audio Description service for those VM customers with sight problems throughout the UK.

---------- Post added at 13:26 ---------- Previous post was at 13:04 ----------

In addition to what jj20x said, there is a legal precedent to consider that complicates matters even more.

AIUI a site called TVCatchup used to rebroadcast a load of FTA channels over the internet. They maintained that they were doing nothing wrong and, in fact, were helping to extend the reach of various broadcasters.

The commercial channels didn't like this as TVCatchup used to derive it's income from inserting their own adverts (as they saw it, on the back of the programmes that they paid for).

It went to court and it was ruled that TVCatchup could only rebroadcast channels 1-5 without permission and/or paying and rebroadcast fees. The site carried only channels 1-5 and some shopping channels last time I looked.

I have a feeling that this is what prompted the Government to change the law, so that eg ITV could force TVCatchup to pay something towards the programmes that they benefited from via retransmission fees.

Unfortunately, because of the sloppy way that the legislation was introduced and the greed of ITV, Virgin Media have become caught up in this mess.

Presumably, TVCatchup now have to pay something to ITV, whilst VM face having their service cut off if they refuse to follow suit- yet, as jj20x pointed out, the law also says that they 'must carry' PSB channels, so they have a duty to maintain the service!!

Reminds me of the time a man constructed a building without planning permission. He was ordered to pull it down, but, since construction, some bats had made their home there.

He was told that if he disturbed the bats he would be prosecuted for interfering with a protected species, whilst at the same time being told that he would be prosecuted if he didn't demolish the building!!!

Re: ITV threaten to blackout on Virgin
 

They can't even do that yet as VM pay ITV for the other channels ITV2, ITV3 etc, not sure how long that agreement has to run.

The PSB rule only applies to ITV, and it's the only one VM doesn't pay for.

Re: ITV threaten to blackout on Virgin
 

I don't know either, buf if ITV continue to pursue this line of opinion, it wouldn't surprise me if they tried to tie in paid carriage of ITV with carriage for their other channels and ITV Encore on demand.

If this ended without agreement, we could see ITV2 etc being removed as I don't think that they'd be able to legally rebroadcast these from satellite.

VM fund the HD variant of ITVBe in return for exclusivity, I would think that this arrangement won't be renewed after these shenanigans.

I'll try and find out when the ITV pay channels are up for renewal.

Re: ITV threaten to blackout on Virgin
 

I don't know how popular the ITV offshoots are, but personally, in our household, we only ever watch the main channel, ITV 3 and ITV Encore.

If VM can access the main ITV channel from alternative feeds , then that is what they should do, in my opinion. I don't care for myself whether ITV is on the VM EPG or not as I can receive it through my aerial, and I have a DVD recorder, but I know that a proportion of viewers can only receive the channel by way of cable, which is why I hope that VM win this ridiculous fight.

ITV is not the channel it once was, and I would have thought it would be well advised not to put in place measures that would antagonise people and lead to a reduced audience.

Re: ITV threaten to blackout on Virgin
 

Although that potentially puts VM in the no-win situation of the man who constructed a building without planning permission in Richard's example. If VM do find another source and use it, then ITV win their case to charge retransmission fees, it leaves VM with no elbow room at all. In that scenario, they have to pay the fees. If VM decide not to pay the fee and subsequently remove a service they have sourced, then VM are failing to meet their "must carry" obligation.

If ITV cut the feed and VM don't find an alternative source, ITV are at fault for failing to meet the "must offer" requirement. VM could then argue that they are still happy to carry the service but that it is being withheld by ITV. In the meantime, ITV loses advertising revenue, making them more willing to negotiate a much fairer solution. Also, failing to offer the service potentially puts ITV in breach of their PSB licence.

---------- Post added at 02:07 ---------- Previous post was at 02:00 ----------

A little background reading:

http://www.osborneclarke.com/insight...-deregulation/

Re: ITV threaten to blackout on Virgin
 

According to the link you posted, ITV's demand for payment from Virgin Media would be a 'prohibited charge', and that appears the correct way to look at this.

Re: ITV threaten to blackout on Virgin
 

Right but remember that's what the DCMS "considered" to be the case at the time of the consultation. They have backtracked somewhat since then. Unfortunately, it's not explicit in the legislation and ITV appears to be ignoring the initial conclusion of the DCMS.

This is why I have suggested that ITV should be left to make any move and for it to take the risk as the PSB licence holder. Then allow Ofcom and the DCMS to clean up the mess and to order ITV to fulfil the terms of the "must-offer" requirement of the Communications Act and their PSB licence.

As much as ITV threatens to blackout the channel, the Communications Act hasn't been repealed and still requires that they offer the channel to pay-tv providers. As I said earlier, ITV appear to be testing the water.

It would be sensible for VM and, eventually, Sky Online to be clear about the carriage of PSB channels in their channel guides and publicity material. Showing them as PSB channels carried "at no cost" to all TV end customers and not listing them as a part of any subscription pack. If the PSBs then claim a share of the pay-tv revenue attributable to PSB channels, they are asking for a share of £0.

Re: ITV threaten to blackout on Virgin
 

https://www.rapidtvnews.com/20171122...#axzz4z9wsgbUc

Not good news for ITV, with advertising revenues falling again. No wonder they are seeking a boost to their coffers.

In my view, ITV would be very unwise to over-play their hand, since denying VM access to their main channel will only have one outcome. That is, further reduction of their advertising revenue stream due to a reduced audience share.

Re: ITV threaten to blackout on Virgin
 

For once our minds think alike.:Yikes::eeek:

Re: ITV threaten to blackout on Virgin
 

Well, as that's the nicest thing you've said to me in a while, I'll post something that might interest you on the streaming services thread right now!

Re: ITV threaten to blackout on Virgin
 

l always try to be polite to everybody as differing opinions is what this forum is about as if we all agreed on everything then they might as well join up to join the clones where every mind is alike.

Re: ITV threaten to blackout on Virgin
 

Apparently, reports on the web say that VM & ITV signed a ten year deal in 2015.

Info. courtesy of MB.

Re: ITV threaten to blackout on Virgin
 

If that is true then surely ITV haven't got a leg to stand on (not that I think they have anyway).

Re: ITV threaten to blackout on Virgin
 

I think that deal related to ITV2, ITV3, ITV4 and ITV Be.

The main ITV channel was not part of any deal as far as I am aware from what I have read. Of course, the public service requirements regarding the duty to broadcast free of charge on all platforms and to take a prominent position in the EPG is laid down separately.

Re: ITV threaten to blackout on Virgin
 

The 2015 deal seems to have only been for the main PSB channel. Press reports earlier this year suggested the carriage deal for ITV's other channels was due for renewal in September. Presumably ITV's position was "pay for the main ITV channel, or lose all the others".

If September is correct, I guess there has been some kind of temporary agreement to continue distribution of the other channels

http://www.businessinsider.com/itv-c...n-media-2017-5

Re: ITV threaten to blackout on Virgin
 

Yes, the information was regarding ITV2 etc.

---------- Post added at 16:44 ---------- Previous post was at 16:41 ----------

If it was the case that the September 2015 deal was in fact for ITV (1) only, I guess that this agreement has presumably been superceded by the change in the law.

Re: ITV threaten to blackout on Virgin
 

My assumption is that the existing ITV (1) agreement stands from a legal perspective, but ITV are trying to use the other channels as a bargaining chip to renege on the 10 year agreement now they can legally charge for retransmission.

Re: ITV threaten to blackout on Virgin
 

4 words come to mind when re-sorted

Court You In See

Re: ITV threaten to blackout on Virgin
 

ITV is just overflowing with dross which I never watch, so I won't miss it at all.

But if Virgin do pay up, they will no doubt pass on the cost to subscribers even if we don't want it!

Exactly as they did with the BT Sports channels.

Re: ITV threaten to blackout on Virgin
 

Did they?

Re: ITV threaten to blackout on Virgin
 

They've done a few good dramas, to be fair, but I watch only a minimal amount of output from that channel.

By far the most watched channels in this house are BBC 1 and 2, Sky Atlantic (via Now TV), Netflix and Amazon. My wife also watches TLC and Lifetime quite a lot.

If ITV want to take away their presence on Virgin Media in a fit of pique, I'm not really bothered, although to be fair I can still watch all their channels on Freeview if I want to as I have an aerial and a DVD recorder.

---------- Post added at 19:06 ---------- Previous post was at 19:04 ----------

Well, the cost of TV subscriptions did not go up when the BT Sport channels arrived on our screens. They simply became part of the package.

Re: ITV threaten to blackout on Virgin
 

I think the £3pm increase to the XL TV package for the launch of BT Sport Europe is what Taf's referring to.

Here's the Daily Mail's latest take on the ITV situation (nothing really new in the article apart, perhaps, for a few words from David Bouchier)
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/money/mar...le-Virgin.html

Re: ITV threaten to blackout on Virgin
 

Take it off l say as it will hurt ITV far more then it will hit Virgin..

Re: ITV threaten to blackout on Virgin
 

Agreed, Den. Virgin should remain firm.

Re: ITV threaten to blackout on Virgin
 

Yes, that's it. VM said they "assumed all subscribers were willing to pay for it". But many of us weren't but they would not remove the extra charge.

Re: ITV threaten to blackout on Virgin
 

The World Cup is where it might hurt VM and it's customers. (unless they have freeview ;) )

Re: ITV threaten to blackout on Virgin
 

Offer other channels 103 & 113 & send ITV1 down in the 170s with the rest of their channels. See how they like that!

Re: ITV threaten to blackout on Virgin
 

Never watch ITV so virgin should bin them off and spend the money else where.
Adviertisers will soon get the hump when they lose 4 million potential viewers due to something that is transmitted free to view on other platforms for the viewers

Re: ITV threaten to blackout on Virgin
 

The relationship between IT and Liberty Global is not just one of VM delivering ITV channels to its customers as:
1) Liberty Global owns nearly 10% of ITV.
2) Liberty Global licences substantial volumes of ITV content for its channels in Ireland.
3) Liberty Global owns 50% of All3Media which produces shows for ITV including TOWIE, Midsomer Murders, Liar, Bear Grylls.

Re: ITV threaten to blackout on Virgin
 

Sky satellite didn't have ITV for years when it first started - didn't seem to affect their business. Here's a blast from the past: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/1219958.stm

Re: ITV threaten to blackout on Virgin
 

Can't think of anything on ITV or it's various flavours that we watch anyway. No loss IMHO

Re: ITV threaten to blackout on Virgin
 

One good reason Sky wanted ITV on board. They hated the newly launched ONdigital and would do anything to scupper any alternative subscription platform to them (including reputedly tampering with their encryption system). ITV2 was exclusive to ONdigital at the time.

Re: ITV threaten to blackout on Virgin
 

Don't need it, don't want it and certainly not prepared to pay for it.

As I've said befor - if ITV want payments than virgin should insist they set up as a payment channel for a set fee (and charge ITV most of that for collecting the few subs they get)

Re: ITV threaten to blackout on Virgin
 

From that link

TV has found that many of Sky's viewers simply can't be bothered to switch between the digital and terrestrial services so they want to make it easier for viewers to see their programmes.

Replace Sky with VM and ITV maybe haven't thought this through properly.

Re: ITV threaten to blackout on Virgin
 

Hasn't Sky just announced an end to satellite reception?

Re: ITV threaten to blackout on Virgin
 

No - they have announced non-dish reception as an alternative (mainly for those unable to have a dish)

There are no current plans to stop satellite reception via dishes

Re: ITV threaten to blackout on Virgin
 

So was actual itv, you had to turn the sky box of to watch It!

https://www.cableforum.uk/board/show...9&postcount=83

Re: ITV threaten to blackout on Virgin
 

ITV continues call for Virgin Media to pay carriage fees.

http://dtg.org.uk/news/news.html?id=6091

Still deluded l see.:td:

Re: ITV threaten to blackout on Virgin
 

It looks as though Dame Carolyn McCall has made ITV see sense, though an increased carriage deal still seems likely.
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/business/...es-war-virgin/

Re: ITV threaten to blackout on Virgin
 

Common sense seems like it will prevail.

Re: ITV threaten to blackout on Virgin
 

I would pay extra not to have Dec and/or Ant on any channel....

Re: ITV threaten to blackout on Virgin
 

Very popular Mr K but personally they have never been my cup of tea.

Re: ITV threaten to blackout on Virgin
 

ITV boss Dame Carolyn McCall seeks peace deal in fees war with Virgin Media

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/business/...es-war-virgin/

Re: ITV threaten to blackout on Virgin
 

Sounds like she has a sensible head on those shoulders. Maybe we'll end up with a Britbox app on our system!

Re: ITV threaten to blackout on Virgin
 

Considering it's not available in the UK that would be a no.

Re: ITV threaten to blackout on Virgin
 

I know it's not, but I doubt there are copyright issues given that these are home produced programmes from BBC and ITV, so if they decided to offer this, they could.

Re: ITV threaten to blackout on Virgin
 

It's designed as an overseas product hence the name.

Re: ITV threaten to blackout on Virgin
 

More PSB channels joining in. Looks as if Channel 4 are having a scrap with Freesat over carriage deals now:

https://www.cableforum.uk/board/show...php?t=33706069

Re: ITV threaten to blackout on Virgin
 

Don't know about that OB. Most of my series links are still for the BBC.

Re: ITV threaten to blackout on Virgin
 

You have to remember that OB is not a fan of the BBC.;)

Re: ITV threaten to blackout on Virgin
 

Not true. The original dramas on the BBC are going from strength to strength.

It's the licence fee I object to because it simply isn't fair to expect people to be required to pay for channels they do not watch.

---------- Post added at 16:47 ---------- Previous post was at 16:45 ----------

I take it that you don't look too far for programmes on many of the pay tv channels, then, Mr K!

Re: ITV threaten to blackout on Virgin
 

Perhaps you should adopt the same attitude to your car tax , car insurance and all the other yearly fees you have to pay OB as that is life and one has to accept even if one does not agree with certain fees one still has to pay it even though it might be through gritted teeth.

Re: ITV threaten to blackout on Virgin
 

You forgot council tax in your list - probably the most expensive and least liked.

I cannot really think what I get for my £2k apart from a weekly bin collection, don't say road maintenance as the state of the surfaces around here are atrocious.

Re: ITV threaten to blackout on Virgin
 

The examples are not the same, though, Den. If I don't own a car, then I certainly do not pay car tax , car insurance, etc. However, whether or not I watch or listen to the BBC, I still have to pay the licence fee.

Re: ITV threaten to blackout on Virgin
 

Its quite obvious if one does not own a car, then one certainly does not pay car tax , car insurance , etc , etc but OB being OB fails to see the clear point l have made.:banghead::banghead:

Re: ITV threaten to blackout on Virgin
 

What are you on about, Den? My point is that if you don't have a car, you don't pay car tax.

But I could have a TV to watch channels OTHER THAN the BBC and never listen to the radio, and yet I still have to pay for it.

Why is it right to your mind that I am forced to pay for something I don't want, need or that benefits me in any way?

I am not describing myself by the way. I do watch BBC TV and radio and I would gladly stump up for a subscription rather than a licence fee. However, I would never expect others who don't to have to pay. That's just weird, and so last century.

---------- Post added at 11:21 ---------- Previous post was at 11:12 ----------

However, the council does provide education, social care and many other services that you may not currently rely on, but you or your family may well need in the future. Education services you have already benefited from personally as you went to school, and even if you went to a private school, you still benefit from those around you being appropriately educated because they will go on to provide services to you and also contribute to having a thriving economy.

These arguments do not apply to the BBC in any way as its primary function is to provide entertainment for personal consumption. If you don't like what the BBC provides and don't watch or listen to its output, it really defies logic that you should be charged for it.

Oh, and by the way:

https://www.rapidtvnews.com/20180223...#axzz57vhGw49B

Re: ITV threaten to blackout on Virgin
 

Just as I have no use for the services councils maintain at the present or in the future (yes I have used them many years ago) I am fairly confident that you or someone else in your family has watched the BBC in the past even if you do not now.

The license fee is for having the ability to receive tv transmission, wether or not you use it. Presumably as you are on this forum you have this facility and as such you have to pay - end of.

The money collected just happens to go to the BBC - is this fair, not in my opinion - it should be shared amongst all broadcasters - but that is how it is

Re: ITV threaten to blackout on Virgin
 

As I said above, I do watch the BBC. I just do not understand why people who do not watch it are forced to pay.

I have already pointed out that while you may not use some services carried out by the councils, you do benefit indirectly and you may benefit in the future as you have done in the past.

However, BBC is an entertainment service and if I don't want it I shouldn't have to pay for it. The BBC is not an essential service.

If TV transmission has to be paid for through a licence fee (not sure if it is) then there is no need to include in it the cost of running the BBC. To my mind, it's the broadcast channels that should be paying for the tv transmission fees.

Re: ITV threaten to blackout on Virgin
 

The TV license fee is purely to keep the BBC running. It's about time the BBC stood on it's own 2 feet just like any other channel.

The BBC is a dinosaur past it's sell by date. Most original content shown now is produced by Independant companies commissioned by the Beeb.

Re: ITV threaten to blackout on Virgin
 

:clap::clap::clap::clap:

Re: ITV threaten to blackout on Virgin
 

Re: ITV threaten to blackout on Virgin
 

It's no longer used solely to finance the BBC. The Government forced them to use independent companies, it was not by choice.