Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2014) Vol. 4
 

A pretty basic mistake! I can't understand what has happened here - why would anyone want to make up channels that don't exist, like Sky 2 HD and also create their own logo?

Very strange. Maybe somebody's having us on.

---------- Post added at 12:43 ---------- Previous post was at 12:40 ----------

If you want blockbusters, you are looking in the wrong place Vince! You'll only find them on Sky Movies or Virgin Movies. However, you will find colour films on these minor Christmas film channels.

As for the intriguing Mr/Ms reference, you did refer to yourself as a lonely girl in a call centre (or words to that effect) a few weeks ago, which did throw us all into confusion!

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2014) Vol. 4
 

Well, VM did say that they had the same deal as Sky to get the UKTV VOD services. This was a long time ago, can't remember when, but it's taken them long enough to put them on.

Maybe UKTV have eventually given in and accepted the amount that VM were prepared to pay.

I would guess that you are correct IMO.

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2014) Vol. 4
 

Thanks for latest rumours.

I did seen reports on DS Forum last week that LFC TV HD was testing up to last week on Sky.

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2014) Vol. 4
 

Indeed. Perhaps someone at VM creates these mock-up logos and the staff have a sweepstake, guessing how long it will take for the "new channel" to be mentioned on Cable Forum. ;)

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2014) Vol. 4
 

l am not sure if we have such a influence as that unless the great one speaks thy spoken word.:)

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2014) Vol. 4
 

With ITV ordering its first new commission for ITV Encore, it will be interesting to see when this channel will actually be added to the VM lineup.

http://www.broadcastnow.co.uk/news/c...&contentID=870

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2014) Vol. 4
 

Come on, Len, put us out of our misery.

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2014) Vol. 4
 

Maybe sometime next year if we are lucky.

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2014) Vol. 4
 

Apparently, new commissions will have first run on Encore and will then be shown on ITV, so even though they are now showing new programming, we won't miss anything.

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2014) Vol. 4
 

Other than missing the first run?

Repeating the programming on ITV makes sense for ITV in that they mop up extra advertising income after gaining subscription income. I'm not so sure that this is such a wonderful situation for VM subscribers, we get to pay for the privilege of waiting to watch the repeat airings with FTA viewers.

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2014) Vol. 4
 

From what I can gather, it'll be a matter of days before it's shown on ITV. The rest of the programming is repeats similar to ITV3, so I don't blame VM for not paying for it initially.

I say let Sky pick up the bill for the set up costs, whilst VM can save some money, which (in theory) should help to keep our TV bills down.

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2014) Vol. 4
 

Is Made in Bristol now on Virgin Channel 159 in some Bristol areas?

Made TV has confirmed that Made in Cardiff is now broadcast in Cardiff on Virgin Channel 159.

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2014) Vol. 4
 

ITV Encore is not available to us currently because it is exclusive to Sky until late 2015. I believe that we will get the channel at about that time, although VM haven't confirmed this yet.

You surprise me Richard with your comment that first run programmes may be repeated on ITV 'within days' of being broadcast on ITV Encore. I would have thought it would be at least 6 months before they would do that. If your comment is true, this will be our first 'minus 1' or 'minus 7' channel in all but name!

Such an arrangement will certainly devalue the new channel and if your report is true, I would not be surprised to see the time lag increased after a while.

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2014) Vol. 4
 

I think ITV could get away with drama being aired a week or so before showing on ITV but if shown six months afterwards then ITV could be in danger of appearing to look like a slightly newer ITV3.

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2014) Vol. 4
 

I would expect ITV1 to show new dramas as well though, and air the ITV Encore repeats on days which do not tend to get the audience, particularly Saturday evenings.

If BBC did the same and put on a premier channel, it would never have to show those dreaded summer repeats ever again! Incidentally, this could be a deal to address the forthcoming reduction of the licence fee.

If ITV Encore is to be regarded as a premium channel for ITV, then the arrangement described by Richard will not achieve that. I would not be too bothered if we did not get ITV Encore at all if that's how it would work. I always watch programmes after the event anyway.

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2014) Vol. 4
 

Bristol 159 is now on.I live about 6 miles from city centre and is on here as well.

I live in South Gloucester.

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2014) Vol. 4
 

Thanks for info.

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2014) Vol. 4
 

I'll be blunt. Who in their right mind for that this channel would make people sign to Sky? ITV Encore? It can stay on Sky.

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2014) Vol. 4
 

I think I understand what you mean. It's probably the other way round. Why would someone leave Sky for Virgin if that means losing Sky Atlantic and ITV Encore? These two channels might just tip the deal in favour of Sky if everything else is equal. Plus it gives the reassurance to Sky subscribers that they're with a premiumm service that gets channels well before the other platforms.

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2014) Vol. 4
 

At the moment, with a format based on repeats, it's certainly not a "must-have" channel. I'd be amazed if ITV has managed to sell this channel as a premium product to Sky on the basis of 7 days exclusivity. Especially considering that the article suggests that there will be only 2 commissions in the first year, both to be limited to only 6 parts.

On the basis of what ITV is offering, I can't see the set up costs being that much. Similarly I wouldn't expect the price to Sky or VM to be astronomical. After playing catch-up in the game of acquiring channels last year, VM is now in danger of losing ground again.

---------- Post added at 18:38 ---------- Previous post was at 18:34 ----------

A delay of only 1 week would probably give the channel no significant value at all. Which didn't seem to be what ITV had in mind in their 5 year plan.

---------- Post added at 18:47 ---------- Previous post was at 18:38 ----------

As it stands, perhaps. Going forward, we don't know how many new commissions ITV have planned for Encore or how popular they will be with potential viewers. In the unlikely event that it commissions material of a similar quality to Sky Atlantic, the demand will be there. If the commissions are sufficiently popular and exclusive, ITV Encore may become a mainstream channel. VM shouldn't really have mainstream channels missing from its line-up. At the moment, ITV Encore isn't mainstream but VM should closely monitor this channel and make sure that they offer the channel before it becomes a "must-have".

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2014) Vol. 4
 

VM does not really get much of a say in the matter. It's not that it's not prepared to pay ITV's asking price but it's because Sky has signed an exclusive deal for ITV Encore for a set period of time with ITV, rumoured to be 18 months.

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2014) Vol. 4
 

A) I do not really care about Sky Atlantic - the day time lineup look poor to me.

B) ITV has always says that ITV Encore will have its own commissions in 2015.

C) If Virgin sign an deal to carry CSC Media/Sony and Tru TV I will be more than happy to miss the two channels on both ITV and Sky.

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2014) Vol. 4
 

That suggests that Sky is actively seeking out partners and VM have their nets set out downstream, only catching what Sky doesn't want to keep for itself. Perhaps a more pro-active approach and better communication with channel suppliers would encourage such channels to be made available from the start. Maybe it is time to set the nets upstream...

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2014) Vol. 4
 

Virgin Media like to do things the Telewest way - wait until the deal is up with the broadcaster (If the broadcaster do not want to talk) before going after new channels.

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2014) Vol. 4
 

The daytime line-up is poor but that is the filler material that will make up the bulk of any channel's content outside peak hours. The main selling point of Atlantic is the high quality of the peak time HBO content. Although probably not at the price Sky want to extract from competitors to carry it.

Yes, but they didn't say it would only be 2 6-parters. ;)

It remains to be seen whether the original commissions will be popular and make the channel a "must-have".

Tru TV is dreadful and CSC/Sony content is largely cheap, aged, downmarket material. It would probably be useful to have these on VM to increase viewer choice when other channels are showing their "filler" content. But, overall, not a great catch.

---------- Post added at 19:12 ---------- Previous post was at 19:10 ----------

Allowing Sky to get their foot in the door with exclusive deals simply because VM simply isn't open to discussions. A more proactive approach is needed.

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2014) Vol. 4
 

With all the talk of ITV Encore, do I remember correctly that when Sky and ITV agreed on the ITV Encore deal, Sky were shareholders in ITV, thus making the deal a sensible idea at the time. After the deal was struck, did Sky not effectively sell their shares to LG who could (in theory) have struck a different deal to that over-rode the previous Sky-ITV agreement?

I appreciate Sky's original exclusive deal (whatever that may be) is likely still to be in place, but perhaps ITV had a clause in the contract that allowed them to air the shows within a few days if Sky stopped the funding?

Can't say it bothers me, I doubt the first commissioned show (Frankenstein) will be that decent. I will give it a go when it airs on VM/FTA, but (like Game Of Thrones) I will probably end up not enjoying it and re-read the book anyway.:-)

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2014) Vol. 4
 

Sky were, indeed, shareholders in ITV at the time. But a minority shareholding giving them no effective control over ITV, largely irrelevant as far as the deal for ITV Encore is concerned.

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2014) Vol. 4
 

That's exactly what it is , most of the feedback I've seen and been involved in suggests people state this as being one of the reasons currently keeping them with Sky.
How many channels have great daytime schedules ? I tend to look at how many shows I view on a particular channel over the course of a year , personally I watch quite a few shows off Sky Atlantic I appreciate however not everyone is the same.

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2014) Vol. 4
 

Right-o, cheers.:)

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2014) Vol. 4
 

It's pretty hard to conclude anything from one deal in isolation. Sky and VM have finite resources and can't pursue every opportunity so it could well be that they're adopting different strategies with VM extending its network in NE England and E London and Sky setting up exclusive channel deals. On paper, Sky would probably be able to justify an absolute bigger spend for an exclusive channel as it has nearly three times the TV subscribers that VM has whilst VM will get more customers by extending its network in areas where the competition is weak.

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2014) Vol. 4
 

It wasn't a conclusion just a suggestion that VM would probably get better deals by being more pro-active in their dealings with channel providers. As Media Boy has pointed out, VM appear to be continuing with the old Telewest policy of waiting for a contract renewal before negotiating for any new channels.

If the channel provider knows that VM shows little interest in any new channels, they may as well enter into an exclusive deal with Sky.

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2014) Vol. 4
 

Funnily enough, I had thought that myself. The BBC could raise revenue by letting subscribers see new material before it's planned air date. This way, licence fee payers not subscribing to the premium service couldn't complain that their programmes were being delayed.

I think that any dramas that originally aired on Encore, but new to ITV, will be aired at the usual peak times.

What do you mean by a planned reduction in the TV licence :confused:

Maybe these new dramas are what would have aired on ITV and are now being premiered on Encore? ITV viewers still get to see them after those who have paid a premium to see them a little earlier.

This way, ITV get the extra revenue from Sky, without it costing them any extra.

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2014) Vol. 4
 

I think ITV Encore will only be worth having if the first run dramas were shown at least 6 months prior to being shown on ITV1. If I was running the show, I would air them during the summer months on ITV1, which should still have its own original programming as it does now.

Regarding the BBC, the Conservative Party is planning to slash the cost of the TV licence if they get in with a majority next time. This will force the BBC to cut its costs and find new income streams.

---------- Post added at 12:21 ---------- Previous post was at 12:18 ----------

I understand what you are saying, but I think it is true to say that ITV1 will still carry original dramas of its own. If ITV Encore was only going to show new programmes a few days before ITV1, I really don't see the point!

---------- Post added at 12:23 ---------- Previous post was at 12:21 ----------

Who would be foolish enough to want to pay for a channel simply for the privilege of seeing programmes a few days before the free airing? If that's the plan, it ain't going to work IMO!

---------- Post added at 12:25 ---------- Previous post was at 12:23 ----------

I agree. One of the main complaints on this forum is that VM is too slow in acquiring new channels.

The aim should always be to have them put on the system from the launch date, except where they have determined that they are not worth watching or spending the amount of money demanded.

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2014) Vol. 4
 

Isn't the whole point of ITV Encore explained by the name? Or is there some strange new definition of 'encore' that I don't know?

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2014) Vol. 4
 

October List update - October 22nd update.

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

NOTE: I DO NOT WORK FOR VIRGIN MEDIA 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 News and links.
Media Boy = Local TV news, other Media news/Things.

=== Coming up on Virgin's Digital TV ===
=== Freeviews on Virgin Media ===
September 1st. CBS Reality, Horror Channel, CBS Action, CBS Drama, CBS Reality +1 and Horror Channel +1 is having an freeview to all M, M+ and L packages on Virgin Channel 148, 149, 192, 197, 201 and 202 right now untill December 1st 2014.
October 1st. TV5 is having an freeview to all M, M+ and L packages on Virgin Channel 825 right now untill November 1st 2014.

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

=== November ===
1st. NBCU to rebrand Movies 24 as Christmas 24 on Virgin Channel 419 today at 6am.
1st. NBCU to rebrand Movies 24+ as Christmas 24+ on Virgin Channel 420 today at 6am.
2nd. Sky Movies to rebrand Sky Movies Superheroes as Sky Movies Greats on Virgin Channel 404 today at 6am.
2nd. Sky Movies to rebrand Sky Movies Superheroes HD as Sky Movies Greats HD on Virgin Channel 434 today at 6am.
5th. Local TV Broadcaster Made in Leeds will launch today on Virgin Channel 159 in some Leeds areas.
12th. Local TV Broadcaster Made in Tyne Wear will launch today on Virgin Channel 159 in some Newcastle areas only.
Media Boy HQ has been told that ITV Be HD will launch sometime this month.
Reports says that ITV Be +1 may also launch sometime this month.

=== December ===
9th. Media Boy HQ to reveal winners of "Best of 2014" today.
9th. Media Boy HQ to reveal top posters of "Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2014)" threads today.
29th. Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2015) Vol. 1 to launch today.

=== Before 2015 ===
-Local TV broadcaster Bay TV Liverpool hope to launch on Virgin Channel 159.

=== January 2015 ===
5th. NBCU to rebrand Christmas 24 as Movies 24 on Virgin Channel 419 today at 6am.
5th. NBCU to rebrand Christmas 24+ as Movies 24+ on Virgin Channel 420 today at 6am.
6th. CSC Media to rebrand True Christmas as True Movies 1 on Virgin Channel 424 today at 6am.
Local TV Broadcaster STV Edinburgh will launch sometime this month on Virgin Channel 159 in some Edinburgh areas only.
Media Boy HQ has been told that both Sky News HD and Sky Sports News HQ HD will launch sometime this month.

=== February 2015 ===
No News...

=== March 2015 ===
No News...

=== April 2015 ===
No News...

=== May 2015 ===
No News...

=== June 2015 ===
No News...

=== July 2015 ===
No News...

=== August 2015 ===
No News...

=== Autumn 2015 ===
-The BBC may close BBC Three on Virgin Media subject to approved by the BBC Trust.
-The BBC may close BBC Three HD on Virgin Media subject to approved by the BBC Trust.
-The BBC launch BBC One +1 on Virgin Media subject to approved by the BBC Trust.
-The BBC may add an extra hour per day (to 8pm) to CBBC and CBBC HD on Virgin Media subject to approved by the BBC Trust.

=== September 2015 ===
No News...

=== October 2015 ===
No News...

=== November 2015 ===
No News...

=== December 2015 ===
No News...

=== Local TV on Virgin Media ===
-All the following Local TV broadcasters may launch by 2016 on Virgin Channel 159:

-YourTV Manchester
-YourTV Blackpool & Preston
-Cambridge Presents
-That’s Basingstoke
-That’s Surrey
-That's Solent
-That’s Reading
-That’s Salisbury
-That's Oxford

=== Unknown dates ===
-TruTV soon to launch on Virgin Channel 245 - And is now rumoured to be testing on Virgin Media HQ with rumoured launch date of November 2014.(UPDATED October 13th 2014).
-Media Boy HQ has been told that Sky Sports News HQ HD will be on Virgin Channel 511 from launch on Virgin Media.
-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 Smallworld and UPC Ireland areas ===
List last updated on October 17th 2014.

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 SMALLWORLD CABLE OR UPC IRELAND BUT NOT ON VIRGIN MEDIA:

Entertainment:
-Sky1 +1*
-MTV +1*

Documentaries:
-History HD^
-Nat Geo Wild HD^
-CI HD^

Lifestyle:
-Travel Channel +1*
-Food Network +1*
-Fashion TV^

Movies:
-Movies4Men*

Music:
-MTV Classic (Channel broadcast in both UPC Ireland and Smallworld areas)
-Channel AKA*
-Now Music*

News:
-Sky News HD (DEAL SIGNS COMING SOON).^

Sports:
-Sky Sports News HQ HD (DEAL SIGNS COMING SOON).^

Kids:
-Disney Channel HD^

Specialist:
-EWTN^

Radio:
-UCB Ireland^

*Only in Smallworld areas.
^Only in UPC Ireland areas.

©copyright 2014 Media Boy 2006 - 2014. 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 Insiders - 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 TV - http://mediaboyblog.blogspot.com/
Follow Virgin Media on ''twitter'' here - http://twitter.com/virginmedia
See Nialli's blog on Virgin Media High Definition & TiVo Services here - http://vmhd.blogspot.com/

=== Ask Media Boy ===
Last updated October 13th 2014.

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 Insiders or 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 SMALLWORLD AREAS' AND 'ONLY IN UPC IRELAND AREAS' WHEN THIS THREAD IS FOR VIRGIN MEDIA?
A: Virgin Media, Smallworld and UPC Ireland are now ALL own by Liberty Global.

Q: WHEN WILL SKY SPORTS NEWS HQ HD AND SKY NEWS HD LAUNCH?
A: Base on information Media Boy HQ has seen Sky Sports News HQ HD and Sky News HD are not set to launch until January 2015.

Q: WHY AM I NOT GETTING ''SKY1 +1'' OR ''DISNEY CHANNEL HD'' FOR?
A: Sky1 +1 and Disney Channel HD are only broadcasting in Smallworld and UPC Ireland areas right now.

==== See you later ===
List last updated on October 22nd 2014.

Next update: November 3rd - unless:

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

©copyright 2014 Media Boy 2006 - 2014. An ''Keep it real and free'' Production.

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2014) Vol. 4
 

Which seems to be the strategy VM/LG have had in place for a long time.

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2014) Vol. 4
 

LFC TV to be an 'Add on' channel from November 4th?

Liverpool FC TV to move to a La Carte Channel and also launch an HD channel on the 4th of November on Sky.

Seen no information on full link for this story or info for Virgin Media Viewers.

http://forums.digitalspy.co.uk/showp...3&postcount=38

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2014) Vol. 4
 

:rolleyes:

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2014) Vol. 4
 

I agree with you, Encore suggests that they are a channel for re-runs, yet they are to air new dramas on there first:confused:

Well spotted. I was told last Sunday that LFC had approached VM with a view to them carrying the HD variant. There was no mention that the SD version would become an a la carte channel, but I can't imagine that this change will take place on Sky and not VM.

IIRC it was originally a stand alone channel, but became part of the Setanta Sports pack. When they ceased trading it became a free channel.

---------- Post added at 16:58 ---------- Previous post was at 16:53 ----------

Maybe that's why VM were happy to let Sky help to pay the set up costs for Encore, in return for a period of exclusivity.

Thanks for the info. re: the TV licence, I'd not heard of that before. I guess it's all part of the Tory plan to reduce the role of the BBC in broadcasting for reasons best known to themselves.

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2014) Vol. 4
 

I mean, seriously, does anyone really give a stuff about LFC having an HD channel?

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2014) Vol. 4
 

Unless someone is a avid Liverpool supporter.:D

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2014) Vol. 4
 

This Breaking story now on my blog. My Blog will be updated when more info become known.

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2014) Vol. 4
 

Well MUTV launched in HD on Sky and as of yet Virgin Media don't plan to carry it.

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2014) Vol. 4
 

MUTV copy ITV and took money off Sky for all the start up costs for MUTV HD.

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2014) Vol. 4
 

The following wording from your link makes me think Liverpool have done the same ,

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2014) Vol. 4
 

Only seen rumours that time of posting.

But RichardCoulter did say on Sunday night at Virgin are in talks with LFC TV.

http://www.cableforum.co.uk/board/35736303-post188.html

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2014) Vol. 4
 

Great news about Liverpool, one less meaningless channel I have to flick through when surfing the sport channels:p:

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2014) Vol. 4
 

always thought the liverpool channel was decent tbh and i dont support liverpool. when i say decent i mean i rarely watch it but always has some classic clips. usually of liverpool beating my team but still decent for a few mins watching

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2014) Vol. 4
 

I'm a huge Manchester City supporter and I don't give a rat's rear if LFC TV gets an HD variant. I want citytv (so I can watch the youngsters play and watch the classic games of Manchester City thrashing big teams when we were rubbish), and on behalf of Manchester City Football Club, I want it NOW!

By the way, I watched the channel to watch the highlights of the match where we thrashed them 3-1 at the Etihad Stadium.

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2014) Vol. 4
 

IIRC, Sky had shares in MUTV when it started in 1998, not sure if they still do.

Forgot to mention in my earlier post that there are to be some improvements to the VM VOD service for M+ and L customers. Broadly speaking, they will be able to access all VOD content for any of the linear channels that they receive in their package.

A start date of Feb 2015 is being mooted.

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2014) Vol. 4
 

Cant believe this thread, I thought it was for more upmarket channels like ITVBe ;)

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2014) Vol. 4
 

MUFC TV was originally equally-owned three ways between Manchester United, ITV and Sky. ITV sold its stake to United in 2007; Sky did did the same last year.

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2014) Vol. 4
 

Thanks :)

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2014) Vol. 4
 

There's too many unanswered questions at the moment. If the premier is only a week before the main channel, I don't think the subscription status of the channel would be viable. Similarly, unless there's significantly more than 12 original episodes a year, I think there will be a problem justifying the subscription status in the long term.

It doesn't really mean "repeat". The meaning is "again" in the sense of wanting to see more of the content. So the channel name is supposed to give a sense of compelling content the viewer will want to see more of. Whether that is overly optimistic, or not, remains to be seen...

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2014) Vol. 4
 

MUTV 100% own their own channel, they have done for over a year now, VM probably won't carry it because MUTV want the HD variant to be free for subscribers.

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2014) Vol. 4
 

I don't think the Tory plan is to reduce the role of the BBC necessarily but to introduce a more level playing field so that the commercial broadcasters are not disadvantaged by having to compete against an organisation that is flush with licence fee money.

The new thinking about funding streams is more in line with Tory policy, I think.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/t...t-reveals.html

The BBC would be open to charging subscriptions for premium content, the new head of the BBC Trust has revealed for the first time.
Rona Fairhead, who took up her new role two weeks ago, said that subscriptions could be an "intelligent way" to generate extra money for the Corporation.

Asked whether "niche" and "premium" programmes could be offered on a subscription basis, Ms Fairhead said: "I think that would be an intelligent way to look forward in terms of the charter review."

Earlier this year, the BBC rejected calls for a subscription model, which would see viewers pay for the services they use.

It argued the £145.50 licence fee was still the "most effective way" to fund its output, warning that subscriptions would increase the cost for those who chose to pay.

Ms Fairhead said the “core” funding for the BBC should still come from the licence fee, the charter review should look at “all sources of income that we could use and then decide.”

She told the Culture, Media and Sport select committee that the BBC must look at "other sources of funding... with a view of making sure we have the funding to make quality programmes and stay impartial but also give the best value for money.”

The BBC's royal charter, which sets out the corporation's scope and remit, and funding arrangement is up for renewal at the end of 2016.
How the BBC is funded will form a key part of these negotiations with the possibility of a subscription model replacing the traditional licence fee. If such changes were introduced it would be the biggest shake-up since the BBC was founded in 1922.

Some members of the Cabinet are understood to believe that the compulsory £145.50 annual charge for television ownership is outdated and does not represent the changes in how people watch television in the modern world.

Sajid Javid, the Culture Secretary, told the committee he had made "no decision" about the future of the licence fee and that the "charter review should rule nothing out and rule nothing in."

He defended previous comments that the current annual licence fee was a lot of money to many families.

Angie Bray the Conservative MP and member of the Culture, Media and Sport welcomed Ms Fairfield’s support for the model. She told The Daily Telegraph that people would be happy to pay for "niche" programme as long as the BBC's "absolute untouchable" content was still available for free.

Mrs Bray told The Daily Telegraph that channels like BBC three and BBC Four would be protected if they were offered on a subscription only basis "as long as people were willing to pay for them". Subscriptions would also bring down the cost of the standard licence fee that would only include the basic package, she said.

"I think, therefore, I can see a case to be made for letting the BBC reign supreme on the things that it does well like the news, Question time, Newsnight and equally they have some very good mainstream entertainment programmes.

“I can see a channel that provides everybody with what they consider the absolute untouchables as far as the BBC is concerned, and there would still be a licence fee for that.”

---------- Post added at 12:28 ---------- Previous post was at 12:20 ----------

I'm not sure that 'happy' is necessarily the right word, Richard! They didn't really have much choice in the matter.

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2014) Vol. 4
 

Local TV Broadcaster "Made In Leeds" has today confirmed via Twitter that they will launch on November 6th on Freeview Channel 8 and Virgin Media Channel 159 in some Leeds areas.

Sky Viewers in Leeds will need to wait until November 24th.

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2014) Vol. 4
 

Any news on the Liverpool channel? I have suspicions it'll go out of business before it even starts. Sounds like a lol type channel plus they never replied to my kind offer of working for them on a Friday night drinking on camera

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2014) Vol. 4
 

Bay TV Liverpool says they hope to launch on both Freeview and Virgin Media by March 2015.

February 2015 has been set as launch month.

---------- Post added at 09:13 ---------- Previous post was at 09:05 ----------

If the BBC is that poor why not;

-Axe BBC Radio 4 LW.
-Move BBC Radio 3 from FM to LW.
-Launch BBC 6 Music on the old BBC Radio 3 FM Channel.
-Axe all local BBC Radio Channels in England and have two Radio Channels called "BBC Radio England FM" or "BBC Radio England MW".

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2014) Vol. 4
 

Whatever happens to the license fee I can assure you all of one thing. We'll end up paying more money

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2014) Vol. 4
 

Can't see that going down well with the Radio 3 listener, nor the trawlermen. (The Shipping Forecast has to be on the LW channel)

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2014) Vol. 4
 

At launch, they will not be available on Sky so Vince it is the turn of your Sky friends who may have jested you about you not getting Sky Atlantic to be envious. :D "At launch, Bay TV Liverpool will also be available on Virgin 159, but not on Sky TV for a while yet. Watch out here, on Channel 8, and on social media for further updates."
http://www.baytvliverpool.com/vod/?vid=EBV541efe8502331

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2014) Vol. 4
 

BayTV says on that link:

So that now launch date of November 2014 - March 2015.

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2014) Vol. 4
 

Yes, elsewhere on their site they say that they will only launch once all the Freeview transmitters have been configured for them. I think there's one that broadcasts to the Wirral area that is not ready yet, hence the change in launch date.

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2014) Vol. 4
 

It would be a sorry sad day if BBC radio were interfered with like that MB.
I believe the standard of BBC radio on the whole is outstanding.

---------- Post added at 12:15 ---------- Previous post was at 12:14 ----------

Agreed. Vital service.

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2014) Vol. 4
 

Cant they use the internet or an Iphone for that?:confused:

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2014) Vol. 4
 

Hundreds of miles out at sea? :shocked:

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2014) Vol. 4
 

Meanwhile, Liverpool FC has announced details of its HD channel on Sky. No mention has been made of the HD version being on VM; the SD version is available free on channel 544 until it becomes chargeable next month.
http://www.liverpoolfc.com/news/late...rs-a-day-in-hd

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2014) Vol. 4
 

Well, you've heard of cable cars. Perhaps VM should persuade the fishing industry to invest in cable trawlers. ;)

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2014) Vol. 4
 

l hope we don't end up paying £7 for the SD version on Virgin because if so they can get stuffed.

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2014) Vol. 4
 

I think you'll find that Radio 3's FM listeners are there because they enjoy listening to classical music. Of all the radio stations, Radio 3 is probably the least suited to the noisy, interference prone long wave band.

I think you are missing the point of local radio. That is, providing local news and information to licence fee payers. There are already channels providing national news and information.

Commercial radio has proved that is totally incapable of providing truly local services. This is a good use of the licence fee, providing a service that commercial services simply won't fund.

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2014) Vol. 4
 

Indeed, but by that it appears BBC Radio Scotland is missing the mark also!

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2014) Vol. 4
 

A local radio structure existed in Scotland but didn't prove to be very successful. The infrastructure is still there for the former Radio Orkney / Shetland / Aberdeen / Highland / Solway / Tweed, although nowadays they are only local news opt-outs from Radio Scotland.

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2014) Vol. 4
 

And how are we defining success?

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2014) Vol. 4
 

Oh, they are very good at trawling up undersea fibres already :erm:

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2014) Vol. 4
 

Its moving to a pay model , I'd expect it to become chargeable personally.

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2014) Vol. 4
 

Yet more greed sadly by our leading football clubs.:td::(

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2014) Vol. 4
 

Haha I'll be sure to begin my bragging ... Who needs Atlantic then we have bay tv...

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2014) Vol. 4
 

Success as local radio brands. In Scotland the local radio stations became news opt-outs of Radio Scotland. In England the local brands have been more successful, the English model being for local radio stations to merge output into regional and national programmes off-peak. That said, there isn't a Radio England for them to opt out of. A BBC Radio England brand with opt-outs would probably be less successful than local radio in England.

Lol, I don't doubt that.

---------- Post added at 17:03 ---------- Previous post was at 16:58 ----------

And if you get the late night show, they'll not want to miss that. ;)

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2014) Vol. 4
 

I would hate to see BBC 4/3 interfered with. In my eyes, there is something special about listening to TMS on LW whilst. The shipping forecast is a very important part of my cricketing experience. On many occasions, I find I actually hating myself for buying Digital radios in my flat and thus missing out on the shipping forecast when listening to TMS on digital radio. Yes, I know, I am very odd.:)

If the BBC want to save money, they can easily let someone else have prem highlights, and send less reporters/pundits/commentators/hosts to sporting events. Take cricket for example, TMS have many commentators and pundits at each test/odi/t20. Yet 5live will use someone else to give them an update every hour or so. BBC are already paying people to be there for TMS, surely one or two of them could speak to 5live at some point?

I have no other issues with the BBC and (other than Radio 1 and BBC 3 - they are too immature for my tastes.) I think their radio output is streets ahead of anyone else. I love their sporting output (what little they have left that is) pundits, commentators et al, but if they just stopped paying to send so many people to these things, they would save a fortune.

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2014) Vol. 4
 

http://www.liverpoolfc.com/news/late...rs-a-day-in-hd

No info. on their website about what will happen to their VM service, but I was told that negotiations were at a VERY early stage.

My guess is that LFC SD will become part of M, M+ or L and (if negotiations are successful) LFC HD will be part of XL.

We'll have to see what happens...

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2014) Vol. 4
 

I agree, they should not be messing with radio at all.

However, the BBC do have an unfair advantage where TV is concerned, and they need to have their financing scaled back. I am happy for this to be recouped through alternative income streams, but not at the taxpayer's expense.

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2014) Vol. 4
 

I have always listened to BBC Local radio. Good mix of talk and music without the ads and OTT of Heart Radio and so on. The call in shows are always full of people talking and Twitter would stand up for that to. I am in no way implying by the way that they're trend setters either.
As far as sport is concerned, it baffles me. I hate sport on telly with a passion. An example would be BBC News channel going on and on and on when Sky Sports "news" is there for such things. Sport is not news unless it impacts life IE Pistorious. Someone kicking a ball round a field for millions of pounds is not news. If I had it my way it would be banished to sports only channels.

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2014) Vol. 4
 

The BBC have effectively had an income cut with the freezing of the licence fee in spite of them having to take on more tasks requiring extra funding eg S4C, the World Service etc.

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2014) Vol. 4
 

Just like a lot of the population then. How reassuring.

Only the BBC could be at its innovative best when creating the iPlayer, without realising that they were effectively giving people a legal way to access their content without any longer contributing to their main revenue stream.

Mostly great product, appalling management. Lots of people, myself included, begrudge paying the TV tax to a company that can produce the world's most watched TV show, and the best online catch up service possibly anywhere, and be so poor at monetising them that they continually moan about being underfunded.

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2014) Vol. 4
 

Agree with your opening sentence.
Presumably your other two paragraphs are suggesting that the BBC charge a lower licence fee for non-licence payers to use iPlayer a bit like the black-and-white licence was cheaper than the colour one or some kind of PPV?

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2014) Vol. 4
 

Talking about LFC TV.

From Tuesday at 1pm the listing say on LFC TV "Coming Soon" all the way up to next Sunday night (Using V+ Box).

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2014) Vol. 4
 

The BBC are bound by the legislation created by parliament regarding collection of the licence fee and only have a right to insist that a licence is needed for watching live television.

I believe that they are now looking into ways to change this and close the unfair iplayer loophole.

I didn't mean to include the M pack in my quoted post.

I wonder what this means? If LFC TV was coming off VM, wouldn't it would say something like "channel no longer available" or something similar??

Perhaps the SD version of the channel is being replaced by the new HD variant on VM as a result of the negotiations? This would keep down carriage fees and would allow VM to softly introduce the concept of phasing out simulcasting of both the SD and HD variants as it would affect relatively few customers. Don't we have an HD news channel (NHK??) that arrived as an HD channel only?

This is all pure conjecture on my part, not been told anything from a source.

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2014) Vol. 4
 

Yes we do have NHK HD.

But Virgin do not carry any of the follow HD channels of (Right info at time of posting):

-BoxNation
-MUTV
-History
-Nat Geo Wild
-CI
-Sky News*
-Sky Sports News HQ*
-Disney Channel

*Deal signed will launch soon on Virgin Media areas in early 2015 - rumoured to be January 2015.

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2014) Vol. 4
 

Their FAQs aren't too positive:
http://help.liverpoolfc.tv/app/answe...%20for%20lfctv

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2014) Vol. 4
 

I think the whole thing needs looking at. Having to pay the licence fee regardless of whether you actually watch or listen to the BBC in order to consume content from other providers is clearly unfair.

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2014) Vol. 4
 

The listings go all the way up to Monday 10th November on the TiVo.

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2014) Vol. 4
 

Just checked and it's still the same as MB reported on the V+. Pressing the i button on the remote gives the synopsis for 'Coming soon' as 'for exclusive breaking news live from Melwood, behind the scenes access , matches and...'

Don't know what that's supposed to mean!

As it's still on the TiVo EPG, maybe the SD and/or HD variant is going TiVo only? :confused:

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2014) Vol. 4
 

Maybe it will become app based.

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2014) Vol. 4
 

Knowing VM this could go to the wire, it's probably more important for Liverpool FC to be on VM than for VM to have the channel so it's probably a tough negotiation.

Taken from VirginMedia

Liverpool FC / LFC TV
Options
on ‎28-10-2014 15:17
Hi,

We have been informed that the sports channel Liverpool FC TV (544) will no longer be a free channel, nor will it be included in our packages.

The decision to remove the channel from our free listings today has been made by the channel provider.

From Tuesday 4th November, it will become a subscription-based channel, and will not be available on our TV services.

However, you will be able to use your superfast Virgin Media broadband to access the LFC TV GO service (although please note, a subscription is required through the football club website to access it).

Sorry about this sudden change, and I hope you continue to enjoy the rest of the wide range of football coverage that is available through Virgin Media.

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2014) Vol. 4
 

Looks like the negotiations failed spectacularly then :shocked:

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2014) Vol. 4
 

Have to say pretty poor from virgin once again sky have a channel that virgin don't now

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2014) Vol. 4
 

:(:td:

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2014) Vol. 4
 

Probably don't like the closed system VM operates. We nearly had the same situation with BT sports. LFC TV have far more control of costs by piggy backing onto Sky's cards.