Re: VM loses UKTV channels
 

I imagine the next All3Media board meeting will be interesting as it's owned by VM and Discovery. The latter co-owns UKTV with the BBC but will have seen the value of UKTV reduce with the channels being delisted by VM.

Re: VM loses UKTV channels
 

It does seem as though it's VM that have instigated this by suddenly wanting to pay/little or nothing for the channels. It will be a massive own goal.

Re: VM loses UKTV channels
 

It already is as they will have to go some now to limit the fallout from this.

Re: VM loses UKTV channels
 

Discovery only recently bought Scripps which gave them the stake in UKTV and this triggered a clause the BBC had in place which allows them to buy the 50% it doesn't own. Discovery will be very annoyed they may be forced out of UKTV.

The BBC, for competition reasons, won't be keeping the 50% if they do buy it, they have been talking with ITV and Channel 4 to get them to buy it from them. They want their UKTV partner to be a British broadcaster.

Re: VM loses UKTV channels
 

Just realised you can get the UKtv Play app on an Amazon fire stick (includes 'Juliet Bravo' Den !). Free aswell, the need for VM becomes less by the day.

Re: VM loses UKTV channels
 

We have Amazon Prime but there is no UKTV on that sadly.

Re: VM loses UKTV channels
 

UKTV play is free for all the free to screen channels. £7.99 for the premium channels.

Compared to the VM offering it's looking attractive to dump TV.

Re: VM loses UKTV channels
 

just got to hope common sense will make both VM and UKTV come to a agreement as it not good for either this or us customers

Re: VM loses UKTV channels
 

Even if they just have the free channels.

Re: VM loses UKTV channels
 

well its not looking like a deal will be done as we rapidly approach midnight. I very much doubt they are in discussions at this time on a Saturday night anyway. Tv player appears to be desktop only for the uktv affected channels as it says not avaliable on connected tvs.

Re: VM loses UKTV channels
 

You can watch TV player on your TV with a Roku or Amazon fire TV stick both are relatively low cost

Re: VM loses UKTV channels
 

Yes but I was looking on devices supported and it says the UKTV channels are not supported on Amazon, roku due to licence. They are however avaliable through tv player on desktop. https://tvplayer.com/channel-availability

Re: VM loses UKTV channels
 

Interesting page

Never seen that before

Re: VM loses UKTV channels
 

Someone said that the first three months is free so, if correct, this would be a free way to watch the end of series that people are part way through.

Re: VM loses UKTV channels
 

AFAIK It’s only 14 days free before you pay and........

.....”Alibi, Eden, Gold, Good Food, W, Eurosport 1 and 2 are NOT available during free trials.”

Re: VM loses UKTV channels
 

Although it is fair to say that there is much better content on Prime than on UKTV!

Re: VM loses UKTV channels
 

And then there were none!

So long UKTV channels.

See you in Freeview land (well, some of you).

Re: VM loses UKTV channels
 

Well 12:04am and the channels are still here .....

Re: VM loses UKTV channels
 

Alibi now showing as "Not authorised" with no replacement channel. Message saying to "contact VM if this keeps happening"! I don't think they mean that somehow ;)

It would have been better to have put up a slate explaining the position.

Tuning away and back again brought up the new channel.

Re: VM loses UKTV channels
 

Well i'm pissed off with the new channels already, some of them are taking up two channel numbers in the epg, for example True Entertainment+1 is on channel 190 and 220, Vice is on 191 and 219. Also quite a few of the 'new' channels were already available to Virgin customers and I see nothing that looks like a comedy/light entertainment channel. Paramount Network is a completely misleading titile for a channel!! I remember when Paramount Comedy was a thing and it was rather good.

Re: VM loses UKTV channels
 

As soon as you turn your box to standby & then on again the EPG will refresh. You will then have the new channels in the old UKTV slots.

Re: VM loses UKTV channels
 

changed now

Re: VM loses UKTV channels
 

Possibly haven't changed channel post midnight from Drama and still got it, says channel 18 when I press info. Maybe I just won't change channel ;)

Re: VM loses UKTV channels
 

The channels got moved into hidden positions from around 625 onwards.

Re: VM loses UKTV channels
 

just hoping both VM and UKTV will come to there senses and sort it out

Re: VM loses UKTV channels
 

Interesting that VM haven't removed them completely. Perhaps VM are hopeful that they may return.

Re: VM loses UKTV channels
 

probably will just hope can be soon as possible

Re: VM loses UKTV channels
 

Well, the UKTV channels have now disappeared. Funnily enough, the sky has not yet fallen in.

Re: VM loses UKTV channels
 

What does seem weird is I can still setup series link for only fools and horses after searching through home, link sets for Sunday on Gold!! Also strange is I can still view taskmaster in my recently deleted in my shows on Dave.

I thought they would have restricted all of this.

Maybe there is still hope.

Re: VM loses UKTV channels
 

Oh ! Thats weird

Just gone to Premier Sports & I'm getting the Irish channel EIR Sports 2 HD instead.

Re: VM loses UKTV channels
 

That is not Swedish Speedway like it says it should be.

Re: VM loses UKTV channels
 

Its not just the wrong sport its the wrong channel.

EIR Sports is the old Setanta sports. Looks like we are getting VM Ireland's feed by mistake.

Re: VM loses UKTV channels
 

Yes and I was looking forward to that Swedish speedway (not).
Never mind I can cheer myself with such classic programmes as Little House on the Prairie, or the Walton's on Paramount ! Or even Britains Top model, great quality replacement channels from VM ...:rolleyes:

Think they might have a few complaints/cancellations tomorrow....

Re: VM loses UKTV channels
 

The EPG is a frigging mess. Duplicate channels all over the shop. The total services thing now says 512 it's going up an up, they don't know what they're doing.

Just restarting see if that helps the duplicate channels thing, probably not.

Re: VM loses UKTV channels
 

Me too.

---------- Post added at 01:09 ---------- Previous post was at 01:06 ----------

The duplicates are deliberate to fill the vacant spaces. As for a organised EPG, I gave up on that one more than ten years ago now.

---------- Post added at 01:14 ---------- Previous post was at 01:09 ----------

VM have got to keep the UKTV channels in hidden status, so that all people's recordings are still viewable. If/when the channels are permanently removed in three months time, then all recordings of UKTV content will get deleted.

Re: VM loses UKTV channels
 

It's just stupid. TOGETHER channel whatever that is, that's on 269 and 278. lol

At least with all the channel surfing I've just noticed The X-Games in on BTSportESPNHD BMX dirt final reminds of years ago when it used to be on TV. :D

Re: VM loses UKTV channels
 

AIUI Eir Sports 2 is actually the Premier Sports feed broadcast to Ireland but marketed under a different brand. I believe that some programmes have to be blanked out due to rights issues.

Either the 'wrong' feed (even though they're both the same content) or they put on the wrong DOG in error. It's often the case with this broadcaster that what's being shown is different to the EPG!

---------- Post added at 04:59 ---------- Previous post was at 04:52 ----------

Another problem that this is causing is that the V6 thinks that the duplicates are different channels and is listing the same programme twice. I'm not sure if it will actually record both as i've deleted the duplicates because in some cases it wasn't going to record things on other channels due to clashes.

Couple this with the fact that the V6 is now (correctly) picking things up from the recently added channels and Planned Recordings are somewhat of a mess.

I'd advise people to check their planned recordings as you may find that what you expect to be recorded won't be.

Re: VM loses UKTV channels
 

A piss up in a brewery springs to mind..

Re: VM loses UKTV channels
 

That will be the coding of the programme detail in the EPG. Each channel will be given it's own id which is separate from the channel number. So 2 channels with the same channel id.

Re: VM loses UKTV channels
 

I have 3 separate channels of Sky sports mix and 4 discovery Turbos :rolleyes: it's ridiculas and to top it off the channels they have put on are rubbish compared to UKTV one's. think Ive lost about 12 channels and gained about 3 new ones as the rest I seemed to already have in one guise or another

Re: VM loses UKTV channels
 

I've just watched an interview featuring the top bods from UKTV and Virgin Media on the BBC News channel. The mood music was that Virgin want the UKTV free to air channels and were not too bothered about the remainder. Both sides positions in the disagreement seemed equally weak. A shame for us customers. Personally, I liked Eden and Alibi especially.

Re: VM loses UKTV channels
 

l can see this impasse going on for a long while because on the main sticking points they are miles apart on a amicable agreed solution sadly.

Re: VM loses UKTV channels
 

There must be something wrong with your box, you should only have each of the duplicated channels in 2 places:

Paramount HD 124 & 187
Lifetime 125 & 208
True Entertainment 126 & 189
Premier Sports 127 & 551
YourTV 128 & 218
4Music 129 & 337
FreeSports 130 & 553
Sky Sports Mix 131 & 520
True Entertainment +1 190 & 220
Vice 191 & 219
More4 195 & 281
More4 +1 196 & 282
C+I HD 200 & 222
Discovery Turbo 211 & 261
Lifetime +1 225 & 246
HISTORY HD 245 & 299
Love Nature HD 247 & 293
Love Nature 249 & 294
Together 269 & 278
Horse & Country 279 & 298
ZooMoo HD 295 & 739

It is almost certainly a temporary measure so hopefully it won't be too long until the slots are re-allocated permanently and the duplicates are removed or the UKTV channels return.

Re: VM loses UKTV channels
 

A weeks worth of Neighbours in one morning? No thanks.

Re: VM loses UKTV channels
 

The VM and UKTV representatives look like they might have to separated on breakfast TV this morning ?!
VMs 'case' didn't come over very well.

---------- Post added at 09:24 ---------- Previous post was at 09:23 ----------

Thankfully it's the summer Maggie, and the sun is shining, and the VM box now switched off :)

Re: VM loses UKTV channels
 

Well I'm in trouble for buying VM now, wife cannot get to her favourite programmes on Really and Home in particular, so its "my fault" for buying VM TV. Get it sorted VM!! But I do have a plan as can connect the main TV to Freeview to still see, but needs some work in the loft!

Crazy F2A channels not on VM at least in this dispute although we just started watching Harrow on Alibi as well so this dispute has come at the worst time for me!!

Re: VM loses UKTV channels
 

Indeed. Ok so these channels mostly are repeats and dross, with maybe the odd gem. But reputational damage is hard to reverse and this whole thing just leaves a sour taste.

I actually renewed our VM package Thursday morning, and UKTV didn't even feature in our thinking, but the reputation of a high-profile fallout and swathes of cancellations is probably hard to undo.

Re: VM loses UKTV channels
 

VM always did seem to have a problem getting Freeview channels, took them ages to get Taking Pictures/Movies4 men. No problem for other platforms.

Re: VM loses UKTV channels
 

But it will soon be winter with very long nights to fill.

Re: VM loses UKTV channels
 

VM wanted to keep them. UKTV said no.

Re: VM loses UKTV channels
 

Were you in the negotiations old chap ?

Re: VM loses UKTV channels
 

Yeah i have now had to reboot the box a couple of times but it sorted it out now it's as above although now happy loosing those channels and the wife is upset loosing good food channels too so after nearly 30 years with Nynex, NTL & Virgin looks like I will dump to the TV although I can't leave BB as BT BB in my area even with Fibre gives a whopping 2mb max

Re: VM loses UKTV channels
 

Just looking back at some of the comments made by David Bouchier chief digital entertainment officer of Virgin Media just over 2 years ago.

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/business...sform-its-neg/

https://www.thedrum.com/news/2015/06...inment-officer

Re: VM loses UKTV channels
 

VM tweeted that they had asked to just keep the FTA channels after midnight, but that UKTV had said they could only have them if they took their pay channels too.

Seems stupid of UKTV not to even do this as everyone loses. FTA channels often have to pay to be on VM, so it's not as bad a deal as it looks. With their advertising reach curtailed, they will almost inevitably be able to charge advertisers less.

Re: VM loses UKTV channels
 

Re: VM loses UKTV channels
 

UKTV had said tweeted that VM wanted every channel for nothing, I see they're now back to saying a "drastically reduced" fee.

Re: VM loses UKTV channels
 

Bit of a bonus getting Premier Sport free for a couple of months. Think some of Celtic's champions league qualifier away legs are on it :)

Re: VM loses UKTV channels
 

There is always a silver lining for some Henke.:)

Re: VM loses UKTV channels
 

So you'll get to see their whole European campaign free then ;)

Re: VM loses UKTV channels
 

So UKTV are changing their story already :erm:

Re: VM loses UKTV channels
 

Certainly any wins they are likely to get:)

Re: VM loses UKTV channels
 

Looks like that might be that, then.

https://twitter.com/UKTV/status/1021...235553792?s=19

'Sadly, Virgin Media no longer wish to pay for our services and we’ve mutually agreed to part ways. We’re proud of the work we’ve done together and we sincerely wish everyone at Virgin Media all the best for the future.'

Re: VM loses UKTV channels
 

and VM saying there still in talks both cant be true they need there head banged together and sort this out

Re: VM loses UKTV channels
 

It reminds me of some of the obfuscating politicians that are prevalent in this country currently.

Re: VM loses UKTV channels
 

as John Malone owns Discovery (hence half of UKTV) and VM then he should get someone to sort this out; its starting to be silly! :(

Re: VM loses UKTV channels
 

If he has not already he should intervene personally. A total and utter shambles

It seems now that Virgin were not that bothered about the pay tv channels of UKTV and now they are more interested in the free ones without Gold etc.

Instead of point scoring Virgin and UKTV just need to sort it out.

As Jm owns both companies I am amazed things have been allowed to get this far in the first place as surely this is a massive own goal that hurts both, but more importantly inconveniences a lot of customers.

Re: VM loses UKTV channels
 

If you're getting withdrawal symptoms then you can stream the missing channels from https://tvplayer.com Premium channels require a subscription of around £8 a month but I'm sure you could bargain at least this amount out of retentions using it as a lever.

Needs a smart TV with a suitable app / browser or a PC/lappy connected to the set.

Re: VM loses UKTV channels
 

I remember when Sky had carriage issues with Discovery and Virgin on Twitter were telling people we have access to all the Discovery channels we'd be delighted to welcome you it seems Sky are doing the same now on Twitter.:D

Re: VM loses UKTV channels
 

Playground games it seems MM.

Re: VM loses UKTV channels
 

Or just wait for VM to pull their fingers which they'll be forced to. I never remember seeing such fall out and coverage over TV packages, it's headline news. Even if resolved this is causing VM damage.

Re: VM loses UKTV channels
 

My sister is furious as GOLD is one of her favourite channels. She feels no loyalty to Virgin whatsoever but sadly can't get Sky where she lives because the tower block uses a shared satalite dish which is absolutely useless. I know this because she tried them before and couldn't record a channel whilst watching another. She had Sky out several times but nothing ever improved.
So where I can see where Virgin are coming from I think they have badly let their customers down over this. I hope they resolve this issue quickly because if they don't they will loose customers.

Re: VM loses UKTV channels
 

one thing for sure they both need to stop blaming each other and talk to get it sorted

Re: VM loses UKTV channels
 

It happened with Discovery not so long ago and Sky One before that.

Re: VM loses UKTV channels
 

There must be some compensation you can get it's bad enough getting in trouble with the OH when it is our fault. But in this case VM should be compensating you. :D

Re: VM loses UKTV channels
 

That was the Sky Basics dispute in 2007 which took a fair while to resolve..

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/6389015.stm

Re: VM loses UKTV channels
 

Telewest was good for dispute.

HISTORY was drop for 12 hours.
https://www.theguardian.com/media/20.../broadcasting2

Telewest drop Nickelodeon channels!!
https://www.cableforum.uk/board/showthread.php?t=21503

Re: VM loses UKTV channels
 

l was just a young whippersnapper all those years ago.;)

Re: VM loses UKTV channels
 

Sky News have joined the number of media outlets reporting on the departure

https://news.sky.com/story/virgin-me...v-row-11445555

Re: VM loses UKTV channels
 

What do Discovery think about it being axe from Virgin Media?

My own view this we can see Liberty Global making an bid to buy BBC 50% stake in UKTV then drop all BBC Shows and use All3Media more.

Re: VM loses UKTV channels
 

Indeed when they , the BBC , the Guardian and others big media sites plus social media have it on the front online pages that's extremely bad press headlines for Virgin Media in anybody's book.

Re: VM loses UKTV channels
 

Surely this would have made a deal easier! It's absolute madness and a shambles.

Re: VM loses UKTV channels
 

My parents are 9 months into a 12month contract, they have asked me to talk to VM about this issue with the view of canceling the contract so they can move back to Sky. They have been with VM for 4years in total and were happy before this. Has anybody tried to talk to VM about this issue with a view to canceling? If so how did you get on?

Did they offer you any compensation? A 2 month free premier sports pass is no use to my parents who have no interest in sport. Looking at the replacements, Premier Sports is hardly a suitable replacement for W or Your TV for Alibi for example

Re: VM loses UKTV channels
 

Sky's carriage deal with Virgin Media expires in 10 months time. Fully expect initial negotiations to kick off before this year is out. Imagine if the dispute with UKTV is not resolved and a deal with Sky can't be agreed either. Would leave Virgin fairly exposed. I kind of think Sky will look to make things as difficult as possible pushing for a deal similar to the one they struck with BT. The SKY channels available via the Now TV app rather than on the EPG. That way Sky will get all the subscription money from the customer directly.

Very interesting 10 months ahead.

Re: VM loses UKTV channels
 

As Arnie says Judgement day is coming...

Re: VM loses UKTV channels
 

Which will no doubt result in attractive discounted offers to new customers and diddlysquat for existing customers

Re: VM loses UKTV channels
 

Discovery buying Scripps triggered a clause the BBC has in place that allows the BBC to buy the 50% they don't own. Discovery would be forced out.

See this article about it from beginning of this month. https://www.theguardian.com/media/20...m-bid-for-uktv

Re: VM loses UKTV channels
 

All this just because VM could get all their On Demand content?

As they'd rather off load it to the likes of Netflix.

Re: VM loses UKTV channels
 

Sadly, this is VM all over. They want to cut fees to broadcasters. But fully prepared to put up prices to us.

The same thing happened with the Sky Basics. And that went on for months.

Basically, VM want channels on the cheap. BUT still increase prices.

Someone in the boardroom should be thinking. ' You cannot get blood out of a stone'

VM always send us out leaflets stating that they will 'give us the best entertainment possible. It appears not in this matter. Especially, with all the comments on here

Re: VM loses UKTV channels
 

The only hope I can see is a price rise announcement is made in August that way they'd be able to leave penalty free.

I've seen some people getting a max discount of £10 per month but seeing as they are in contract and Virgin's t's and c's allow them to change the channels the chances of a discount look low

Re: VM loses UKTV channels
 

So much for the BBC proclaiming that they are a full on public service broadcaster..

Re: VM loses UKTV channels
 

Sorry, Arthur, but isn't it you that keeps complaining about price increases? And yet when they try to keep prices down, you complain about that as well?

Back to the cake and eat it scenario!

Re: VM loses UKTV channels
 

20 months that dispute lasted. Surely this one won't last as long?

Re: VM loses UKTV channels
 

Yes I know it's happened before but there has never been the reaction this has caused. It's headline news. Sky was one channel (personally didn't don't bother me), and Discovery isn't exactly mainstream. UKTV does have a lot of repeats, but they are often quality BBC/ITV programmes, not the cheap US dross VM have replaced them with. As we've seen a lot of people value and watch them.

Re: VM loses UKTV channels
 

I actually think that this is the real reason behind all this. VM know that UKTV cannot give them the on demand content that they want, this is down to the BBC. The BBC have now said that they fully support the stance of UKTV management.

---------- Post added at 20:12 ---------- Previous post was at 20:08 ----------


I am 4 months into a 12 month contract. To give you an idea of what to expect, this is my experience:

I began by explaining that I would have to pay £7.99 a month to regain these channels and ask that this be reimbursed. The rubbish that I was initially told is followed by my answer:

"But you don't watch the UKTV channels sir". Yes I do, I record everything if that makes a difference to your records.

"But it's not in your top five channels". So what, most people, myself included, mostly watch the PSB channels".

"We have listened to customer feedback and replaced these channels". Nonsense, it's all about a carriage fee dispute.

"You can regain the UKTV channels for free by downloading their app". Yes, but this does not cover the pay channels that I watch such as GOLD and Watch.

Repeated four times until it sank in with him.

"We have replaced these channels, including Premier Sports which is normally £21 a month". I don't like sport and, in any case, Premier Sports was off air for most of this afternoon and this is only for 8 weeks. The other channels are either available FTA or I have no interest in them (I also don't think that Premier Sports costs that much either).

"You are already receiving a substantial discount". So what, what has been negotiated in the past isn't relevant to this change of service.

"There is nothing we can do". Ok, I'd like to cancel all services on the basis that you are in breach of contract.

"We have not broken our contract as we have replaced the channels". I disagree, I regard this as a material and significant change in the service agreed upon under the Consumer Rights Act 2015.

"So, if we add an extra channel are we in breach of contract if we add an extra channel?". No, but removing and/or replacing channels is another matter entirely. Please cancel all services.

" You need to give 30 days notice by calling cancellations tomorrow. There will be an early disconnection fee of £240". No there won't, If you try to impose this I will challenge it in court, particularly as there have been claims that other customers have been allowed to leave penalty free.

"I can give you £3 a month off". That still leaves me £4.99 worse off a month, as well as the added inconvenience.

"That is the best I can do for you. I can apply the credit and you will still be able to cancel tomorrow when they are open if you wish". So you're happy to let a domestic and commercial customer of 18 years leave over this?

We're not happy no, but there is nothing further that we can do.

So, i've got a partial refund and will now have to consider my options.

Re: VM loses UKTV channels
 

Cheap dross? Is that what you call CSI Miami, Suits, Gilmore Girls, Sleepy Hollow, Wyonna Earp, Six, Aftermath? Just some of the programmes on Paramount Network next week.

Compare that with Death in Paradise, Miss Fisher's Murder Mysteries, Murdoch Mysteries, The Coroner, New Tricks, Taggart, Judge John Deed, Dalziel & Pascoe, Doctor Blake Mysteries, Rebus and Father Brown, which are examples of UKTV programming over the whole week from Alibi, W and Drama. Harrow is new, so I won't pass judgement on that, but I reckon just the Paramount Network on its own, with its additional films on screen this coming week, does rather better than those three UKTV channels combined.

I agree that the UKTV shows were not bad when they were first shown, but they have been done to death now. They should all be on Freeview, in my humble opinion.

Re: VM loses UKTV channels
 

Each to their own l say as one persons dislikes are another's persons likes OB..

Re: VM loses UKTV channels
 

Seems a lot of VM customers disagree with you OB. There's hundreds of threads on this subject of the official forum.
People have different tastes which may surprise you,, maximum choice is best, we're not getting that atm, with VM.

Re: VM loses UKTV channels
 

https://uktvplay.uktv.co.uk/tv-guide/


This is for the free to air channels on the official UKTV site.

Re: VM loses UKTV channels
 

Just annoyed they are offering Sport for 2 months. If we wanted sport we would have the sport package already, plus for those with the sport package already they gain nothing. https://www.cableforum.uk/images/local/2018/07/4.gif

Bit like offering Ham and Jarlsberg to a vegetarian who ordered Cheddar and Onion.

Re: VM loses UKTV channels
 

Hey. come on, Swedish speedway is surely an equivalent replacement for Inspector George Genitals ;)