Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2019)
 

Personally l cannot see that happening anytime soon.

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2019)
 

I would have agreed with you until this happened.


https://edition.cnn.com/2019/01/07/t...tvs/index.html

Up until recently, Apple have been dogmatic about this and kept all their products to their own devices, but the sands are shifting, it seems. How far Apple takes this remains to be seen, but I think a process has begun.

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2019)
 

l still can't see it ever coming to a Virgin STB despite your optimism OB but l have been wrong before.:dig:

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2019)
 

I think the iTunes app itself is going 2018 and 2019 Samsung TVs only for now (along with Airplay 2 and Homekit)

The others are only getting AirPlay 2 and Homekit support.

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2019)
 

Since virgin have given up on apps these days (after all the talk about the v6 and its fantastic app potential!) i think you're probably correct den!

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2019)
 

Does anyone else find that when selecting the Starzplay upgrade box that it takes you to an upgrade screen for all add on channels and that it then says that you cannot do this via the STB, but you have to ring them up?!

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2019)
 

As per the streaming thread, if you sign up to StarzPlay on Tivo/V6, you are stuck with only being able to view it via that. Anybody with an Amazon Prime account might do better to sign up with that, as it gives greater flexibility to view on different devices. Cost is the same (£4.99). Apparently not like Netflix, where one account covers both platforms.

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2019)
 

Hi Richard
I have had the same screen come up since I tried from Wednesday and I have phoned VM twice and no one even knew what Starzplay was and both times thought I was talking about Starplus HD! Gonna try phoning again after the weekend :confused:

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2019)
 

Thanks for the tip :)

---------- Post added at 13:08 ---------- Previous post was at 13:07 ----------

Cheers, I did wonder if it was only me! Seems pointless to have this option if it doesn't work. Not going to phone VM after the ridiculous response they gave to yourself.

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2019)
 

A516Digital is reporting that TV5MONDE will be removed from Virgin Media on the 18th January 2019.

---------- Post added at 16:26 ---------- Previous post was at 16:09 ----------

https://www.a516digital.com/2019/01/...departure.html

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2019)
 

I will miss a couple of shows on TV5. Dreadful state of affairs.

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2019)
 

Never watched anything on this channel, in fact I didn't know it existed - so guess what, I won't miss it at all

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2019)
 

The main problem is that the online version is a linear channel without the ability to record. You will only be able to view something live. Although the ability to pause and continue seems to be there.

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2019)
 

If you select a Starzplay programme, it gives you the option to subscribe. Does that not work either?

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2019)
 

From what I've seen, you can't order online - you have to pick up the phone and talk to people at VM who've never heard of Starzplay :rolleyes:.

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2019)
 

Surely it should be far easier then that to subscribe to Starzplay.

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2019)
 

I don't believe you can't currently order via My VM. You can order via the STB itself.

As mentioned if you try and play a show from Starzplay you get an option to 'Upgrade to Watch' which goes into the TV Upgrade app. Or you can go there specifically via the Apps menu

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2019)
 

Radio Times is reporting that from Saturday Sky Cinema is having an "Spider-Man" week on Sky Cinema Greats.

---------- Post added at 19:06 ---------- Previous post was at 18:25 ----------

Base on info on Channel 834 (WorldBox home page) I see that Virgin Media are "making some changes to our TV service in 2019".

What will that be?

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2019)
 

Isn't that just that worldbox is shutting down? Rather than say we're losing a service they usually word it to say "changes are coming" etc.

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2019)
 

I've been doing lots of Netflix on my v6.
I would love Amazon just to save me having to put the Xbox on.
Any word on if or when

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2019)
 

Not one iota.

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2019)
 

No, but now that BT has it, Sky is bound to follow, and VM would not wish to fall behind in this area. My fingers are crossed for later this year, but as Den says, nothing official has come from VM or Amazon, and there are not even reports of rumours that they are in discussions.

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2019)
 

Its odd you'd think amazon would be creating the app for tivo/sky Q to try and get more customers subscribed etc and that these companies would be happy to get the app from amazon as you're tying them more to their service by offering a variety of "smart tv" apps.

Its odd how its taking so long

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2019)
 

Its taking so long because Virgin and Amazon have not advanced from any talks they did possibly have.

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2019)
 

https://seekingalpha.com/article/422...pt?part=single

November 8, 2018

Mike Fries -

On the OTT point, listen, I think we, like everybody, are evaluating both the quantity and quality of OTT services that are out there in each of the markets. In Netflix, YouTube, they sort of stand apart in terms of over the top video platforms. They have great prominence in our networks and great prominence on our boxes and they will continue to. We continue to talk to Amazon, also as a potential app in our environment. You should expect that, that's a normal conversation for us to have. In other apps, that look to have traction, we'll also consider whether they make sense or not.

But we have the luxury of picking winners. I'll go back to what I said many times, which is we believe that being an aggregator of both linear on-demand and over-the-top content for consumers with devices that are slick, easy-to-use, fast, powerful and work across multiple platforms, TVs, mobile devices, iPad, that's a great place for us. And with a with a video base that's growing in the U.K., for example, not shrinking, with increased investment in our video platform, in terms of V6 boxes rolling out and ultimately the Horizon 4 UI rolling out in the U.K., we are in a great position to not just retain customers consumers but be the go-to platform for their video consumption both in the home and out of the home.

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2019)
 

I thought the app for Amazon Prime had already been created and tested some time ago and hence its non-appearance on Virgin Media could only be entirely contractual.

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2019)
 

The word on the street was that Virgin were up for it but Liberty Global put a stop to it as Amazon was a retail company. I think we should be grateful to BT for showing the way - I would be very surprised if Liberty Global and Virgin Media did not reassess their position in the light of this and the fact that Sky have also recently added Netflix to Sky Q.

---------- Post added at 14:54 ---------- Previous post was at 14:52 ----------

I think Amazon wants to have Prime added to as many platforms as possible, so I don't think they are the problem here.

ADDENDUM

This probably explains a bit more about why Liberty Global saw Prime as a threat. It looks like it was the additional channels on Amazon which spooked them and persuaded VM that Prime was actually a threat to their business.

BT would have seen this differently as most of their channel offerings are Freeview.

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/business...-sky-smart-tv/

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2019)
 

Did you actually read that article, OB?

"Amazon has turned to broadcast technology after its attempts to convert its subscription streaming service Prime Video into a viable alternative to satellite or cable pay-TV fell flat."

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2019)
 

He only seems to read articles that agree with his philosophy.

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2019)
 

Yes, I did! The article confirmed that Amazon had been attempting to get its app on the Sky and VM platforms and failed, which we knew. However, I do think that both operators will have looked again at this with BT adding Prime to their offering.

---------- Post added at 10:33 ---------- Previous post was at 10:32 ----------

I haven't read any that support yours, old bean.

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2019)
 

Boom boom......:D

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2019)
 

I think that reply just proves my point.

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2019)
 

Nah, it doesn't, you read it wrong.

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2019)
 

I saw a tweet which gave the impression that there's a Eurosport Xtra on Amazon that is offering about 10 extra courts at the Australian Open tennis tournament. Can anyone confirm?

If they are offering this to Amazon's TV service I'm surprised a bigger provider don't have it already.

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2019)
 

It's Eurosport player. Its not included with prime. It's an add on so you pay a monthly fee of £6.99 on top of your prime sub. There's a Eurosport player promo at the moment where you get first 6 months for a penny a month

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2019)
 

When I went to look I saw that. There was however a branded Eurosport Xtra graphic in amongst it when I browsed about, though it wasn't clear what it meant.

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2019)
 

Xtra is what they call the live online streams which are available in addition to Eurosport 1 & 2

https://www.amazon.co.uk/b/?_encodin...ort+player+app

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2019)
 

Ok. Ta. I think it just doesn't sit right in my head. Maybe I just need industrial quantities of caffeine? :D

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2019)
 

Been a bit quiet lately

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2019)
 

The Smithsonian Channel is due to launch on 12 February. That's the only substantial thing we have that's fairly certain for the time being.

What replaces the existing Sky deal later this year will be interesting.

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2019)
 

BBC Radio Cymru 2 has launched on channel 913. :)

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2019)
 

Can't wait........;)

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2019)
 

This says that it launched a year ago, has it only been available on VM in Wales until now, or wasn't it on the network at all?

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-42856846

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2019)
 

It wasn't available at all.

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2019)
 

Interesting; PSB radio stations musn't have a 'must carry' clause in the same way that PSB TV channels do on cable.

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2019)
 

No they don’t. None of the digital platforms carry Radio Scotland FM.

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2019)
 

I was a bit doubtful about The Smithsonian Channel really coming...but @UKDTT tweeted a link to an OFCOM page for the channel license.

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2019)
 

On Saturday and Sunday Sky Cinema Greats will be rebrand as Sky Cinema Animation on Virgin UK Channels 404 and 434.

Also from Friday Sky Cinema Family will be rebrand as Sky Cinema Lego on Virgin UK Channels 406 and 436 for 10 days (Feb. 8th - Feb 18th).

Also Liverpool FC TV channel has now gone HD on Virgin Media UK. Its SD Channel has been drop.

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2019)
 

Virgin Media UK has confirmed that STV HD will move to Virgin UK Channel 103 next Tuesday February 5th.

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2019)
 

In Scotland only, of course.

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2019)
 

I predict they will move the SD series links to an Audio Description version on 857 (after S4C AD). I seem to remember rumours of a STV AD launching on VM a fair few months ago.

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2019)
 

Does anyone think VM will tie up a deal with Premier Sports for the rest of the football season now Premier have extra rights?

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2019)
 

Nah for the simple fact virgin media are cheap and never really add channels anymore....do they even have a channel acquisition manager anymore? I heard a rumour a while ago they didnt even have one anymore

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2019)
 

Not a chance.

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2019)
 

I think that just reflects that not so much is happening with new channels these days. But don't forget that we have recently had added those additional channels to replace the UKTV channels during the negotiations and we've also got the Smithsonian Channel coming this month. Oh, and let's not forget Sky Sports Racing.

---------- Post added at 08:35 ---------- Previous post was at 08:09 ----------

Virgin Media viewers outside of Sturgeon country will be able to watch BBC Scotland on channel 162 as well as on the BBC i-Player.

https://www.a516digital.com/2019/01/...nnel.html#more

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2019)
 

But , but , but according to you OB linear channels are going the way of the dodo which of course they are not.;)

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2019)
 

S4C has also gone HD only

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2019)
 

S4C in SD is still on 856

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2019)
 

Worldbox on channel 834 has now closed.

Still no sign of the new Desi App Pack on channel 800.

---------- Post added at 12:49 ---------- Previous post was at 12:13 ----------

Virgin TV Kids (channel 700) is offering us a 'special treat' from 4pm over the next 3 days, back-to-back episodes of the Cartoon Network animated TV series 'Summer Camp Island'.

https://www.virginmedia.com/virgin-t...mp-island.html

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2019)
 

Though it should be noted that is the Audio Description version of the channel.

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2019)
 

You've got your timelines muddled again, Den! :D

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2019)
 

l might have increasing grey hairs and a lessening brain but there is nothing muddled about me.:D

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2019)
 

In which case, what is it about 2035 that you don't understand? :beer:

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2019)
 

Moved to a more relevant thread.

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2019)
 

Good evening everyone, sorry I'm late to the 2019 party.

Changed jobs at the beginning of the year, everything been manic. Have I missed any exciting news?

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2019)
 

Deleted.

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2019)
 

The Smithsonian channel is believed to be launching on 12 February. BBC Scotland launches on Virgin Media UK-wide on 24 February.

Other than that, eyes are focussed on the VM/Sky carriage deal, which expires this summer.

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2019)
 

:erm: Is this something we need to be worried about? :erm:

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2019)
 

l doubt it..

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2019)
 

I don't think so. Relationships between Sky and Virgin have improved massively since a decade ago, when Sky tried to put VM out of business and they have changed their approach. Sky is now looking for better monetisation of its assets and has indicated already that Sky Atlantic will be on all major TV platforms this year. The deal with BT has been done already.

As well as Sky Atlantic, I would expect UHD content will be up for negotiation as well.

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2019)
 

All of which hasn't been under Comcast ownership , let's see what happens. There is no doubt Sky wants to distribute it's channels as widely as possible it's how much money they want to do so.

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2019)
 

Comcast would be rather foolish if they wanted far more money for its new Sky content as that approach would backfire significantly in my view.

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2019)
 

Sky needs a USP on it’s own platform.

If UHD and Sky Atlantic are made available what is the USP?

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2019)
 

Whilst I agree, they need to make it look like they are trying though, else the competition authorities will be on at them. Sky Atlantic was on offer, in theory, last time, but they made it unappealing. Pricing it high put 3rd parties off, and if 3rd parties had agreed anyway Sky would know they were getting more money. So the result would either be to retain a USP or make much more money. Win win.

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2019)
 

Sky Atlantic and the UHD content would be most welcome.
The Virgin UHD channel is good, but has limiting content. Be good to have access to The Blacklist in UHD and other such tv shows.

Sports is probably the biggest draw for UHD, maybe movies close behind. Be interesting to see how the negotiations goes on those.

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2019)
 

No, they don't. Most companies do absolutely fine basically doing the same as their competitors. Think about it - what are the USPs of Tesco, HSBC or Nissan?

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2019)
 

None maintain (or have their profitability depend on) as high a market share as Sky. Without that market share Sky’s profit plummets. As a key rights holder their costs are relatively fixed.

For as long as I remember the Sky strategy has been to withhold some key content from rivals through the red button, bonus channels or HD variants.

I accept what that is has evolved over time.

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2019)
 

Does anyone know if this is still happening tomorrow? As I've seen no notification on the V6 like I did with the recent BBC HD switch.

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2019)
 

I think I saw notifications watching the rugby on Saturday.

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2019)
 

It an on screen info when you tune into Virgin Channel 103 (STV).

Update The new BBC Scotland HD Channel will be on two channels.

It will be on Virgin Channel 108 if you live in Scotland.
as confirmed on Cable Forum this past weekend it will be on Virgin Channel 162 if you live outside Scotland.

BBC Two Scotland will close on February 17th at midnight.

BBC Two HD (England) will move to Virgin Scotland Channel 102 after February 17th.

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2019)
 

If the same happens as with other negotiations (I've channels go missing for weeks) then I for one will walk

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2019)
 

The BT deal is already done, so Sky Atlantic is no longer a USP for Sky.

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2019)
 

Rumours say that H2 will be called History 2 from Wednesday.

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2019)
 

Outrageous, am going to write to my MP !

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2019)
 

As I've pointed out before the BT deal is Sky retailing Now TV through BT. Something they offered to do with Virgin during the original Sky Basics dispute but Virgin don't want other companies retailing their products on the VM network. BT also made the concession of allowing Sky to retail BT Sport channels on the Sky platform which has taken the sting out of sports rights auctions for both providers.

I'm unsure Virgin are able to offer anything similar, although I'd be happy to be proven wrong as a Virgin subscriber who subscribes to Now TV.

If Virgin were going to get Sky Atlantic as part of the new deal I'd imagine they would want it sooner rather than later, with Game of Thrones final season due to start and all of the previous series available on demand until the middle of May.

Interestingly, Sky will have an idea how many Virgin subscribers take Now TV from the IP addresses and how much revenue they could lose on that side of the equation which could push up the wholesale price.

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2019)
 

Smithsonian is now testing off the EPG http://www.digitalbitrate.com/dtv.ph...&sec=0&lang=en (NiD 41048) >> C058 >> Smithsonian

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2019)
 

H'mm... and yet I subscribe directly to Netflix, which is on the VM platform.

---------- Post added at 07:18 ---------- Previous post was at 07:15 ----------

Good work, thank you for confirming, newapollo.

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2019)
 

I’m sure you know what I mean.

Netflix doesn’t use up any DVB-C capacity on the network. No channels broadcast on the TV platform retailed directly by any company other than Virgin Media. I bet after the new agreement Sky don’t either.

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2019)
 

Well there is no STV HD 103 switch today here.

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2019)
 

It’s early yet. :)

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2019)
 

If it were Freeview I'd be more inclined to agree, VM tend to do it overnight, that's what happened with the recent BBC HD change.

We had a couple of TV outages yesterday, maybe this was a wider issue (I assumed it was very local, but maybe I was wrong) and this delayed it.

I don't watch STV News so I'm not sure, but is there only one region of STV HD on VM? With the recent STV/Sky press release it mentioned HD regions, so I'm wondering if these outages were related to regional changes on the network i.e. the Dundee region of STV HD being added in background.

The first outage knocked out catch-up and on-demand on V6 despite the internet continuing to work (it was adamant I plug the ethernet back in despite it never being used in the first place). The second knocked out the broadcast channels for a wee while.

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2019)
 

The STV HD channel is becoming regionalised as part of this. So it's quite a complex, multi-step process.

I doubt the outages were related.

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2019)
 

Thanks spiderplant

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2019)
 

I can now reveal that the Smithsonian Channel will launch on channel 295 on VM from Tuesday 12 February.

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2019)
 

Something was afoot last night, as 113 was removed from my Favourites.

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2019)
 

Thanks. You don't happen to know the packages it will be on do you?

---------- Post added at 15:44 ---------- Previous post was at 15:43 ----------

I removed it from my Favs manually recently so I couldn't say the same.

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2019)
 

Cheers, OB.

Any new on the 4K content from Smithsonian? Maybe they will add some of those programmes to the UHD channel

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2019)
 

I would have said it was on the Player pack along with PBS America, but as this is an HD channel on Virgin, they may be adding this to the Full House and VIP packs only. I am afraid I have only speculation to go by on this question at present.

---------- Post added at 19:05 ---------- Previous post was at 19:02 ----------

As I understand it, we are getting Smithsonian in HD, but not UHD. But as to whether VM have a deal with Smithsonian to add UHD to Virgin Media UHD, I don't know. All I can say is that there is no sign of such programming on the Virgin Media UHD channel on the EPG to date.

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2019)
 

The 2018 thread saw a brief reprieve earlier today, much like linear television with Serie A moving from an ailing streaming service to Premier Sports.

I’m fully aware that cable operators bundling OTT streaming technology in their products would utilise different technologies. What I want to know is how that’s discernibly different for the end user than what we have now with live television bundled alongside libraries of on demand content from different content providers.

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2019)
 

No worries. Thanks Old Boy. As it's distributed by same company as LoveNature I wouldn't be surprised about Full House and VIP, and UHD via VMUHD channel.