Re: Coming Soon to Virgin Media TV (2016) Vol 2
 

Testing with Video off the EPG right now - ready for launch.

Fox News is testing for launch by 2017.

No news on the rest of them testing.

Is CITV HD even broadcasting?

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin Media TV (2016) Vol 2
 

Must admit, i'd not heard anything about this.

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin Media TV (2016) Vol 2
 

Not seen citvhd on any service.

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin Media TV (2016) Vol 2
 

CITV HD and ITVBe HD were rumoured to be testing on the Astra 28 cluster a few months ago. There now seems to be some confusion with some sites listing these channels as testing (originally listed as unencrypted but now listed as encrypted) but with other sites listing them as encrypted with no service labels. If the service labels aren't present the satellite transponders could be carrying, well, anything...

So not actually broadcasting anywhere at present but possibly being tested for carriage on Sky.

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin Media TV (2016) Vol 2
 

Hope I get Fox News before the presidential election.

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin Media TV (2016) Vol 2
 

I like you! Excellent. Yes I hope we do.

Seems a long time to be testing if it's not till 2017

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin Media TV (2016) Vol 2
 

You won't it's coming but not yet.

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin Media TV (2016) Vol 2
 

Love Fox News missed it since it was taken off Birmingham cable and sky never an option for me due to my location so it's been a long old wait.

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin Media TV (2016) Vol 2
 

i just like the comedy gold aspect of it. the ranting americans, the extreme views and agendas...fun for the whole family.

I'm glad i'm not the only one on here who wants it now!

I am not alone anymore everyone! Not alone!

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin Media TV (2016) Vol 2
 

Well we have told you this channel is in extremely bad taste old bean but it seems you are not listening to us.;)

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin Media TV (2016) Vol 2
 

I think only lefties don't like it as it's too honest��

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin Media TV (2016) Vol 2
 

It all depends on your definition of lefties. If you mean anyone to the left of, say, Mussolini, then you are probably correct.

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin Media TV (2016) Vol 2
 

Lol it's not that bad and the women presenters are to die for.

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin Media TV (2016) Vol 2
 

ITVBe HD is already on VM, I think it's a channel exclusive.

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin Media TV (2016) Vol 2
 

Well l am certainly not a lefty but nor am to the right either.:)

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin Media TV (2016) Vol 2
 

It is but if it is running in the background on Astra 28 then it might not be exclusive to VM for much longer.

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin Media TV (2016) Vol 2
 

You do realise, don't you, that they have guns in their handbags?:D:D

I never have had any violent tendencies to anyone, but there was a female presenter on their breakfast show several years ago, who I would quite like to see come to a untimely end. She made Bill O'Reilly look like a enlightened and well measured person...;)

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin Media TV (2016) Vol 2
 

I suspect that VM might have done a deal to help with the HD set up costs like Sky have done with various channels in the past.

Film 4 HD is the only other channel that I'm aware of that VM got first.

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin Media TV (2016) Vol 2
 

Horizon wow that must have been some woman i would love to know who that was.

I think Bill o Reilly is the closest thing to common sense you will find anywhere.

also great historian his book on Patton was great.

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin Media TV (2016) Vol 2
 

We've been given October 20th as a launch date for FOXNews, this is a new source.

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin Media TV (2016) Vol 2
 

Just spot this below

5 USA + 1 moved to channel 185
5star +1 launched on 186
Spike launched on 154

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin Media TV (2016) Vol 2
 

Do we know what it is, out of curiosity. Do they have UK/Europe programming or is it like a feed of the US channel or a mix like other "international" variants???

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin Media TV (2016) Vol 2
 

... it is the US channel (minus adverts) "fair and balanced"...

When they talk about the world on Fox, they mean the U.S.

Should give you a clue as to the channel's content...

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin Media TV (2016) Vol 2
 

Thanks. Wish we had the US version of CNN. Hate it when there is a big US story and they break off to cover the golf from Scotland.... or something :mad: Even worse is watching coverage of US sport with UK commentary, except when it is JUST to cover the ads. :D

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin Media TV (2016) Vol 2
 

.... we were due to get the US version of CNN at some point. I don't know if mediaboy/denphone or someone else has any more info on that. Meant to get HD too.

I agree about US news. When there's a big American story, you want to watch it on a American channel. Hoping CBS news channel might arrive here at some point in the future too.

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin Media TV (2016) Vol 2
 

l have heard nowt about the US version of CNN coming soon but perhaps MB knows something more.

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin Media TV (2016) Vol 2
 

Could be onto something there old chap, CNN USA are indeed rolling out internationaly.

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin Media TV (2016) Vol 2
 

Seems to me BBC does that with regard to UK - You cater for your viewers.

Me I watch Fox news as part of a mix - I have even been seen reading The Guardian. :erm:

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin Media TV (2016) Vol 2
 

Yes, wonder if this is in response to the global roll-out of RT and Al Jazeera? (The latter is now back in the USA.)

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin Media TV (2016) Vol 2
 

Spike Has Launched on Virgin Media Channel 154 Today. It came up on my Tivo EPG.

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin Media TV (2016) Vol 2
 

Its been available through Sky GO in HD for a while, so not quite exclusive.

http://www.a516digital.com/2014/11/f...tch-itvbe.html

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin Media TV (2016) Vol 2
 

and is a lot more insular to the US than the one we get over here. Who needs it IMHO.

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin Media TV (2016) Vol 2
 

Hi Everyone, I'm back from my 2week hols and a lot has been going on.
Nice to see a few new channels, but looking forward to seeing what VM TV has waiting in the wings over the next few months

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin Media TV (2016) Vol 2
 

price rises :p:

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin Media TV (2016) Vol 2
 

I've already seen them lol

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin Media TV (2016) Vol 2
 

5USA +1 Moves to Virgin Media Channel 185 and 5Star +1 relaunches on Virgin Media Channel 186.

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin Media TV (2016) Vol 2
 

We have seen nothing on this.

---------- Post added at 14:04 ---------- Previous post was at 12:40 ----------

Sky Cinema Star Trek back next week.

From Monday Sky Cinema will rebrand Sky Cinema Sci-Fi and Horror as Sky Cinema Star Trek.

You will find it on the following channels numbers:

-Sky Cinema Star Trek - Virgin UK Channel 411 and Virgin Ireland Channel 304.
-Sky Cinema Star Trek HD - Virgin UK Channel 441 and Virgin Ireland Channel 334.

---------- Post added at 15:06 ---------- Previous post was at 14:04 ----------

Rishtey Cineplex to replace UMP Movies in UK.

http://www.media247.co.uk/bizasia/ex...september-2016

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin Media TV (2016) Vol 2
 

I thought it was Star Wars that was getting the channel?

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin Media TV (2016) Vol 2
 

Was there a rumour recently that AMC was coming to Virgin ? If so any substance to the rumour ?

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin Media TV (2016) Vol 2
 

Nope.

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin Media TV (2016) Vol 2
 

You mean Sky Cinema Star Wars.

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin Media TV (2016) Vol 2
 

Star Wars will still be shown on Virgin UK Channel 404.

Star Trek Movies will be shown from Monday on Virgin UK Channel 411 (Sky SciFi Horror).

Info was from Radio Times.

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin Media TV (2016) Vol 2
 

no, that rumour resulted in theone2k10 eating his socks, blacklisting his source and downgrading to SSE broadband in shame :)

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin Media TV (2016) Vol 2
 

September List update - September 1st update.

Keep up-to-date on the latest news on upcoming channel launches and other important events across all platforms of Virgin Media UK and Virgin Media Ireland.

NOTE: I DO NOT WORK FOR VIRGIN MEDIA UK OR VIRGIN MEDIA IRELAND SO ALL THE INFORMATION ON THIS LIST IS STILL SUBJECT TO CHANGE

Colours on my list are as followed:

Media Boy = New Info just added.
Media Boy = Virgin Media UK/Ireland News and links.
Media Boy = Local TV news, other Media news/Things.

=== Coming up on Virgin's Digital TV ===
=== Freeviews on Virgin Media UK OR Ireland ===
(Put start date here). (Put channel name here) is having an freeview to all TBC Customers on Virgin UK/Ireland Channel TBC right now until (Put end date here.)

=== Soon ===
-Made TV will rebrand Bay TV Liverpool as Made in Liverpool on Virgin UK Channel 159 (Liverpool areas only).
-Virgin Media UK will launch Arabic Hafla soon on Virgin UK Channel TBC.
-Virgin Media UK will launch Babenation soon on Virgin UK Channel TBC.
-Virgin Media UK will launch Fox News Channel soon on Virgin UK Channel TBC.
-Virgin Media Ireland will launch W soon on Virgin Ireland Channel TBC.

=== September ===
5th. Sky Cinema will rebrand Sky Cinema Sci-Fi and Horror as Sky Cinema Star Trek on Virgin UK Channel 411 and Virgin Ireland Channel 304.
5th. Sky Cinema will rebrand Sky Cinema Sci-Fi and Horror HD as Sky Cinema Star Trek HD on Virgin UK Channel 441 and Virgin Ireland Channel 334.
29th. Viacom18 will rebrand UMP Movies as Rishtey Cineplex on Virgin UK Channel 830.
-Sky Cinema will rebrand Sky Cinema Star Wars as Sky Cinema Greats on Virgin UK Channel 404 and Virgin Ireland Channel 307.
-Sky Cinema will rebrand Sky Cinema Star Trek as Sky Cinema Sci-Fi and Horror on Virgin UK Channel 411 and Virgin Ireland 304.
-Sky Cinema will rebrand Sky Cinema Star Wars HD as Sky Cinema Greats HD on Virgin UK Channel 434 and Virgin Ireland Channel 337.
-Sky Cinema will rebrand Sky Cinema Star Trek HD as Sky Cinema Sci-Fi and Horror HD on Virgin UK Channel 441 and Virgin Ireland Channel 334.

=== October ===
No News...

=== November ===
No News...

=== December ===
No News...

=== Before 2017 ====
-ITV will launch an HD Channel for ITV Anglia (East) region on Virgin UK Channel 113 soon.
-ITV will launch an HD Channel for ITV Tyne Tees region on Virgin UK Channel 113 soon.
-ITV will launch an HD Channel for ITV Yorkshire (West) region on Virgin UK Channel 113 soon.

=== January 2017 ===
No News...

=== February 2017 ===
No News...

=== March 2017 ===
No News...

=== April 2017 ===
No News...

=== May 2017 ===
No News...

=== June 2017 ===
No News...

=== July 2017 ===
No News...

=== August 2017 ===
No News...

=== September 2017 ===
No News...

=== October 2017 ===
No News...

=== November 2017 ===
No News...

=== December 2017 ===
No News...

=== Local TV on Virgin Media ===
-All the following Local TV broadcasters may launch by 2017 on Virgin UK Channel 159:

-Bay TV Swansea
-YourTV Manchester
-YourTV Blackpool & Preston
-That’s Basingstoke
-That’s Surrey
-That's Solent - CHANNEL TESTING ON VIRGIN MEDIA UK.
-That’s Reading
-That’s Salisbury
-That's Oxford

=== Unknown dates ===
-The BBC hope to launch English regional variants of its existing BBC One HD service as well as Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland editions of BBC Two HD - but still need to be approved by the BBC Trust.

=== Channels ONLY in Virgin Media Ireland areas ===
List last updated on February 8th 2016.

ONLY TV CHANNELS THAT ONLY BROADCAST IN THE UK ON OTHER NETWORKS WILL APPEAR ON THIS PART OF THE LIST.

ALSO THE FOLLOWING LIST OF CHANNELS IS CURRENTLY BROADCASTING ON VIRGIN MEDIA IRELAND BUT NOT ON VIRGIN MEDIA UK:

Documentaries/News:
-History HD
-Crime + Investigation HD
-RT

Lifestyle:
-Fashion TV

Music:
-MTV Classic

Kids:
-Disney Channel HD

Specialist:
-EWTN

Radio:
-UCB Ireland

Channels only in Virgin Media Ireland areas.

©copyright 2016 Media Boy 2006 - 2016. An ''Keep it real and free'' Production.

==== Virgin Media's Deals with broadcasters ===
Full list now at: http://mediaboyblog.blogspot.co.uk/p...adcasters.html

This part of list has now moved to my blog - follow link.

=== What is Media Boy on about??? ===
Here is what I mean when I post the following on Cable Forum:

Virgin Sources - means just that.
'Do Not Post' order - means an Virgin insider has given me some info on things that set to happen but has told me not to reveal it right now.

=== Media Boy Extra info: ===
Liberty Global - http://www.lgi.com/
Media Boy Blog - For all things Virgin UK and Ireland - http://mediaboyblog.blogspot.com/
Follow Virgin Media UK on ''twitter'' here - http://twitter.com/virginmedia
Follow Virgin Media Ireland on ''twitter'' here - https://twitter.com/VirginMediaIE
See Nialli's blog on Virgin Media High Definition & TiVo Services here - http://vmhd.blogspot.com/

=== Ask Media Boy ===
Last updated January 4th 2016.

Q: WHERE DO YOU GET YOUR INFORMATION ABOUT VIRGIN MEDIA FROM?
A: Media Boy HQ gets all info from Virgin Media viewers, some Virgin Media workers (I called them Virgin Sources) and Web Sites (NOTE: When I used web sites I will post an link to that web site).

Q: WHY HAVE YOU ADDED 'ONLY IN VIRGIN MEDIA IRELAND AREAS' AND INFORMATION ON VIRGIN MEDIA IRELAND ON THIS THREAD IS FOR VIRGIN MEDIA UK?
A: Virgin Media Ireland is now part of Virgin Media and are both owned by Liberty Global. And you voted for Media Boy HQ to join both Virgin Media UK and Virgin Media Ireland threads up for 2016.

Q: WHY AM I NOT GETTING ''DISNEY CHANNEL HD'' FOR?
A: Disney Channel HD is only broadcasting in Virgin Media Ireland areas right now.

==== See you later ===
List last updated on September 1st 2016.

Next update: TBC.

A) If Virgin Media UK/Ireland are set to launch more than TWO channels (TV or Radio) in Virgin Media UK/Ireland areas.
B) If Virgin Media UK/Ireland are set to move more than TWO channels (TV or Radio) about in Virgin Media UK/Ireland areas.
C) If Virgin Media UK/Ireland are set to close or repackage more then TWO channels (TV or Radio) in Virgin Media UK/Ireland areas.

©copyright 2016 Media Boy 2006 - 2016. An ''Keep it real and free'' Production.

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin Media TV (2016) Vol 2
 

Interesting to see that BT has added Universal HD and E! HD to its tv package. VM only managed to get Universal HD...

http://tv.bt.com/tv/tv-from-bt/bt-tv...11364083196291

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin Media TV (2016) Vol 2
 

Yes i got told it by a source but nothing came of it and i ended up eating my socks.

---------- Post added at 19:49 ---------- Previous post was at 19:48 ----------

Still suffering from that one lol.

---------- Post added at 19:52 ---------- Previous post was at 19:49 ----------

From what i heard BT are making some huge improvements to their tv service one thinks they might of got a deal with SKY, i'm keeping a eye on this one and will uodate in relevant thread when more solid info emerges.

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin Media TV (2016) Vol 2
 

Improvements more than likely , a deal with Sky Delia Bushell says not. Watch the video interview with her on the following page. (Around 22 mins)
http://www.seenit.co.uk/bts-delia-bu...v-and-youview/

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin Media TV (2016) Vol 2
 

Aren't BT and Sky enemies though because of BT Sport, AMC etc??

Maybe they've both realised that withholding channels benefits nobody.

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin Media TV (2016) Vol 2
 

Very interesting article, can't watch video at mo as got no speakers, stupid cat thought he could lie on them and fell off landing on cord snapping it.

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin Media TV (2016) Vol 2
 

Ha ha. A bit cringeworthy in the way that the host reads off the script on his lap.

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin Media TV (2016) Vol 2
 

AMC is on Sky's platform, but you have to contact BT directly to subscribe to it.

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin Media TV (2016) Vol 2
 

If that were true shouldn't bt have Sky Atlantic, your logic is flawed...

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin Media TV (2016) Vol 2
 

BT, as the tv newbie, were keen to get their content onto other platforms, so I wouldn't be surprised if AMC comes to VM at some point. But Sky take a different view and VM and BT can't agree reasonable terms for Sky Atlantic.

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin Media TV (2016) Vol 2
 

I remember Spike as having decent programming. All rubbish now though. :(

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin Media TV (2016) Vol 2
 

Spike has Justified which I thought was a really good show. Unfortunately it was halfway though the latest series by the time the channel appeared on VM. I hope it's repeated from episode one (of the latest series).

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin Media TV (2016) Vol 2
 

They're competitors and not enemies. BT Sport has benefited BT and keeping Sky Atlantic priced out of its competitors' reaches has benefited Sky.

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin Media TV (2016) Vol 2
 

Given they have moved the 1st run of the final series to midnight you will have to keep an eye on late night schedules. I watch it on My5 (the on-demand service not the new channel) so that they know someone is watching it as I'm not in a BARB household. They are bound to repeat it at least once though, TV rights don't tend to get sold to broadcasters with option to show it just the once and they want to fully utilise what they paid for, even if it's late night/early morning.

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin Media TV (2016) Vol 2
 

You sir are a handsome gentleman and i would warmly shake your hand

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin Media TV (2016) Vol 2
 

Can't come soon enough please hurry VM

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin Media TV (2016) Vol 2
 

Will it be given a channel number in the news series or placed as a comedy channel?

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin Media TV (2016) Vol 2
 

Well it won't be in the lefty section that's for sure

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin Media TV (2016) Vol 2
 

Somewhere near the Horror Channel I suspect!

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin Media TV (2016) Vol 2
 

Ha ha! :)

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin Media TV (2016) Vol 2
 

The way that they are behaving towards each other I'd say that it's gone beyond normal competitiveness.

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin Media TV (2016) Vol 2
 

All companies are as bad as each other sky and bt constantly squabble, vm cry to ofcom constantly or fall out with someone, talktalk are just a joke.

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin Media TV (2016) Vol 2
 

How about the True Crimes Section: How Hillary Lost 33,000 Classified Emails, got away with it and could end up as President.

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin Media TV (2016) Vol 2
 

Media boy quick question as with Fox News and other channels that launch why does it take so long to do why not over night tonight or am I missing something.

Passing bat....... Nice one

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin Media TV (2016) Vol 2
 

Contracts not technology.

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin Media TV (2016) Vol 2
 

Now now less of the pessimistic.;)

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin Media TV (2016) Vol 2
 

Exactly, I reckon there will be no more price rises this year after November's. :)

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin Media TV (2016) Vol 2
 

Al Jazeera English HD is to expand from Freeview onto satellite.

Viceland starts on the 19th*

Any news as to whether these will come to VM? Thus far only Sky & Now TV have confirmed carriage deals.

* There has been speculation that Video and will replace H2.

Maybe this is why we got this in HD and not the parent channel?

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin Media TV (2016) Vol 2
 

Seriously, does anyone really give a mod edit about those crappy channels?

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin Media TV (2016) Vol 2
 

The website says it is coming soon to Sky and Now TV. Virgin Media isn't mentioned.

https://www.viceland.com/en_uk/

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin Media TV (2016) Vol 2
 

Indeed l agree Andrew as if there was another price rise there would be a mutiny that would make the poll tax uprising seem like a tea party.;)

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin Media TV (2016) Vol 2
 

IMHO the poll tax was the best method of collecting local tax ever!!!

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin Media TV (2016) Vol 2
 

It didn't work as people deregistered to vote particularly in poorer parts of the country. As 80 per cent of council's funding comes from central government on a per-head basis, these areas lost a lot of funding.

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin Media TV (2016) Vol 2
 

It does some good uk undercard boxing when Channel 5 has the main event :)

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin Media TV (2016) Vol 2
 

We do not get to know why - but here an good point.

As of September 2nd Fox News Channel was testing it EPG out with no broadcasting video.

---------- Post added at 12:25 ---------- Previous post was at 12:21 ----------

In other news:

Over the past weekend we was told by Media Boy Sources that an new Worldbox Tier is testing called "Mix Pack Tier".

More info when we get it...

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin Media TV (2016) Vol 2
 

That sounds more like subscription authorisation for the new TV pack.

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin Media TV (2016) Vol 2
 

We have seen October 4th as an rumour launch date for Fox News Channel.

https://www.tvchannellists.com/Forth...K_%26_Ireland)

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin Media TV (2016) Vol 2
 

Read something interesting...(for those who like F1)
Liberty Global are interested in buying the commercial rights "And it seems F1 itself may soon have a new owner, with US company Liberty Media in the final stages of a buyout that would see it take over from majority shareholder CVC Capital Partners.

from BBC website

Do you think VM could have it's own F1 channel coming soon? Or are they looking to rival Sky in other ways?

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin Media TV (2016) Vol 2
 

That's not a Worldbox tier or a channel. Just the way that VM allocates the on demand content available to users on the new TV "Mix" package. Basically just an account check for on-demand content.

---------- Post added at 15:08 ---------- Previous post was at 14:57 ----------

As we have seen recently, channels testing in the background, with video streams, have fully launched on the EPG within a short time period.

Channels such as Fox News have only been added to the SI data. Think of these as being at an early planning stage, a placeholder has been reserved on an existing transport stream, which may or may not turn into a full channel at some point.

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin Media TV (2016) Vol 2
 

J20x

So am I right in thinking if there is no video stream first there is no chance Fox News will just launch say overnight.

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin Media TV (2016) Vol 2
 

AIUI that website is like Wiki where anybody can post anything.

Aye, another channel launches whilst VM are still playing catch up.

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin Media TV (2016) Vol 2
 

It's unlikely but ultimately the channel will arrive at the date agreed in the contract. Channels that have held placeholders for a long period of time should allow for the video stream to be added, in a timely manner, prior to the official launch, as we saw with the NDTV channels.

---------- Post added at 18:00 ---------- Previous post was at 17:57 ----------

That always seems to be the way, VM launches a few extra channels and more pop up elsewhere. Their acquisitions team seems to be reactive rather than proactive.

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin Media TV (2016) Vol 2
 

I don't think that's entirely fair these days as VM is making an effort. Vice UK is a joint venture with Sky so will be on that platform first. In terms of FTA channels, VM will tend to be later as the TV channel has to negotiate with VM whereas Sky and Freeview are open platforms with set prices.

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin Media TV (2016) Vol 2
 

Well Andrew the doomsayers are still alive and well my old chap.;)

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin Media TV (2016) Vol 2
 

People also need to understand the economics. VM TV has what - about 3.7m customers. Whereas Sky and Freeview each has over 10m. Broadcast FTA on Sky and you may as well buy a Freesat EPG slot and pick up a couple of million more customers.
The TV channels were neglected for a while by VM but that is no longer the case.

What they do need to sort out are the essentials of:
- Network coverage: in hand
- New box: in hand
- 4G mobile: unknown
- wifi network via Superhub: status unknown, launched in some LGI countries

Then desirables would be:
- Remaining HD channels
- Amazon Prime
- Price freeze
- 4k carriage announcements

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin Media TV (2016) Vol 2
 

Indeed l echo the same thoughts Andrew and one thing l did hear is one of those desirable's is highly like to turn up sooner then we think according to several sources.

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin Media TV (2016) Vol 2
 

Remaining HD channels would be good, but I'm not sure how many of the more popular channels are we missing out on now? VM seem to have got the bigger channels covered.
I don't think any of my recordings are in SD...it was only the ones on Universal channel, but we've got HD variant now :-)

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin Media TV (2016) Vol 2
 

Agreed, Universal HD was the biggie that VM sorted out with little fanfare.
Media Boy says that Disney Channel HD, History HD, Crime + Investigation HD are on VM Ireland but not VM UK. So I guess these will come in due course.

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin Media TV (2016) Vol 2
 

Kids don't need HD channels, they don't pay for the subscriptions lol

History HD would be good, I'm surprised we don't have C+I HD already...I don't watch that channel though.

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin Media TV (2016) Vol 2
 

Pany more new channels testing beside the the ones. you mention?

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin Media TV (2016) Vol 2
 

A price freeze is a must as far as I'm concerned because the cost is spirialing out of control fast. To the majority of us the "we're improving our services" just doesn't wash anymore. How can services be improving when On demand is at it's worst since Virgin took over from NTL.

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin Media TV (2016) Vol 2
 

They have been inundated with calls to cancel since the announcement of the price increase.

Doing this on top of the dysfunctional TiVo was the last straw for many people.

This was a kick in the teeth to many once loyal customers, so i'm glad that it's backfired on them.

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin Media TV (2016) Vol 2
 

I thought the Tivo update was supposed to improve the running of the Tivo,mine is slower than ever since the update

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin Media TV (2016) Vol 2
 

Yep my TiVo too is so slow it's poor really

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin Media TV (2016) Vol 2
 

"Making an effort" isn't quite the same as being proactive. It was a statement of fact, new channels will, inevitably, pop up as soon as VM add additional channels. VM don't appear to be very proactive, after all, we are still waiting for History HD. Hardly a new channel and, new kid on the block, BT has managed to carry the channel. Sure, VM have finally managed to add Universal HD to the lineup. Meanwhile though, BT has again managed to out negotiate VM by adding not only Universal HD but also E! HD. Sure though, good effort, must try harder!

Is Freeview an "open platform"? broadcasters have to negotiate a contract with either Arqiva or SDN for carriage on Freeview, just as they would have to negotiate a contract with VM for carriage on cable...

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin Media TV (2016) Vol 2
 

It's a statement of your opinion, not a statement of fact. VM did lag in this area but has recruited people to improve matters and it has succeeded in this area this year. We've seen examples of VM's proactivity in securing unique content (best UKTV coverage of any platform, exclusive on-demand shows like Kingdom, first TV platform to broadcast Ginx three years before Sky, Fim 4 HD available three years before Sky, exclusive commissioning in place with All3Media and a comedy company, Hayu on-demand app, Netflix before BT and TalkTalk, etc).

It's strange about E!. I guess BT needs the channel more than VM does and is prepared to pay for it. I highlighted the absence of History HD and Crime + Investigation HD in my earlier post. I suspect these might be the subject of a Europe-wide deal; they're on VM Ireland.

Freeview is an open platform because any channel can appear there providing there is sufficient capacity. EPG positions are also strictly regulated. By contrast, VM is the gatekeeper for its platform and channels have to negotiate with it and is not a given.

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin Media TV (2016) Vol 2
 

Incorrect! It's not my opinion that new channels will appear after VM add channels. I have no opinion on when and if new channels appear. It was a statement of fact, channels come and go all of the time. For example, Blaze will arrive shortly on Freeview. Again, it's not my opinion that Blaze will appear, it actually will appear.

Aha! that would indeed be your opinion...

Incorrect| As I stated previously, the only way a channel can appear on Freeview is to negotiate a contract with one of the multiplex operators, generally Arqiva (for COM5-COM8) or to a lesser extent SDN, which is limited in that it only operates a single multiplex (COM4). There is no freedom of entry to Freeview, in your terms, Arqiva and SDN are the "gatekeepers" for their respective multiplexes and channels have to negotiate with one of these multiplex operators. The PSB multiplexes are totally closed platforms and don't make space available to independent broadcasters.