Re: VM loses UKTV channels
 

True, and about using us to fight their battle for them

Re: VM loses UKTV channels
 

Nah its the Tea time Top Gear repeats we will miss.

I blame Flambeau. https://www.cableforum.uk/images/local/2018/07/5.gif

Re: VM loses UKTV channels
 

Can UKTV legally demand payment for free to air channels?

Re: VM loses UKTV channels
 

Yes. But they will wrap the deal up to include on-demand and all the channels. I think there's just three pay-channels aren't there so they wouldn't be a strong negotiating hand but if they gave VM the free to air channels.

Re: VM loses UKTV channels
 

Thereis a free app that allows to to watch Free channels, it's on XBox and Windows.

It's called TVPlayer

Re: VM loses UKTV channels
 

Well I left again

Re: VM loses UKTV channels
 

Well there are all the ITV channels..Vera,Foyle,ETC..Pity about Murdoch Mysteries though. Not a BBC show as far as I'm aware.

Re: VM loses UKTV channels
 

Check out @davechannel’s Tweet: https://twitter.com/davechannel/stat...842954240?s=09

Cheeky

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2018)
 

Pathetic

Paramount (Freeview) is on 124 and 187

Lifetime (Freeview) is on 125 and 208

True entertainment (Freeview) is on 126 and 189

Premier sports is on 127 and 551

Your tv (Freeview) is on 128 and 218

4 music (Freeview) is on 129 and 337

Free sports (Freeview) is on 130 and 553

Sky sports mix is on 131 and 520

Vice (Freeview) is on 191 and 219

Yoo moo (Freeview) is on 248 and 739

Love nature (Freeview) is on 249 and 293

So what this about, why just leave it blank, duplicate in random order serious, majority are all free to air

Re: VM loses UKTV channels
 

Has the quality improved since i last used that a couple of weeks ago, or do you get better quality if you subscribe?

I tried looking around their site and googling it but couldn't find anything.

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2018)
 

VM created a load of "Parking" channels to allow them to launch all the new channels before the UKTV channels were switched off. There is still the possibility the free UKTV channels might return at some stage. If they don't the respective "Parking " channel will be closed.

With Premier & Freesports, SSM the extra channel permits Player TV customers to view the channels. At the end of the free period for Premier these will likely revert to their slots in the 500 range.

Re: VM loses UKTV channels
 

Another forum member has pointed out that the Sky basic channels are due to be renewed in the not too distant future.

He went on to say that if the UKTV channels are still missing. Sky could spot an obvious weakness in a competitors package and decide to exploit it by massively increasing the price of their channels.

VM then have the choice to either accept ridiculously inflated prices or go through a repeat of the UKTV farce. If it came to the deadline without a carriage agreement, VM may well have to go back to UKTV with their tail between their legs.

If the UKTV channels don't return before the Sky deal is up and the Sky channels are removed again, this would significantly weaken the VM platform. Take away the channels that can be obtained FTA and what would they have to offer?

What could they replace them with? The only channels of note that I can think of are MTV Classics, Disney HD and more from the Love Nature, Moozoo stable. Then it's a trip to the bargain basement for Sky1 +1, Pick +1 and True Movies +1!

Does anyone know when the actual date is for the Sky carriage deal to be renewed?

Oh and this time they would be able to remove the Sky Sports channels as Ofcom removed the rate card for Sky Sports saying that it was for the market to decide. I'm not sure about the position regarding the Sky Cinema channels.

Perhaps this may be one of the reasons why VM have started their own sports channels in the ROI. I suppose they could resolve any rights issues and stick these on as a replacement, the same with Virgin Media One, Two and Three. This would be more problematic as some of their material is ITV content.

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2018)
 

This is picking up speed please sign

https://www.change.org/p/virgin-medi...iiD9vHkB7fug.1

Also follow on twitter

https://twitter.com/SaveUktv

Re: VM loses UKTV channels
 

Admittedly, some of the shows on Paramount are good but its a free channel elsewhere and catch up is available on My5

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2018)
 

Thank goodness for that, watching repeats of The Bill and Casualty, oh dear...:o:

Re: VM loses UKTV channels
 

It was announced on 12 May 2014 that a new 5 year carriage agreement with Sky had been agreed with Virgin Media, so VM have about 10 months to play with.

Re: VM loses UKTV channels
 

Ah well,at least we have BT Sport UHD to look forward to on July 30th

Re: VM loses UKTV channels
 

Some decent content there.

Re: VM loses UKTV channels
 

When my husband retired we dropped packages. One reason he could cope was Yesterday channel was still offering better content than History. Now we are back to the shoddy History channel with the Samsung TV not offering UKTVPlay as an app.

Re: VM loses UKTV channels
 

Too recent and I'll miss the next new Murdoch.:(

Re: VM loses UKTV channels
 

The publicity is about as bad as we could have hoped for it was even on the BBC news at 10pm on BBC One last night

VM said they want box sets like Fawlty Towers

UKTV saying they want more money than was offered

Re: VM loses UKTV channels
 

And if BBC are now publicly supporting UKTV's stance, that rules out the BBC archive OD rights anytime soon. Doesn't put VM in a great position, the social media storm seems to suggest viewers want UKTV more than they do Virgin.

I can't say as I ever really "watch" UKTV, but they're staple channels that Virgin feels like a worse platform for not having. Time for some serious head-banging and for this to be resolved sooner rather than later.

Re: VM loses UKTV channels
 

I didn't say that we should not have maximum choice. What I said was that the replacement content was not 'cheap dross' in comparison.

Re: VM loses UKTV channels
 

It would be interesting to know:

- how many people who have Pay TV have the same TV setup and tuned into Freeview as a backup, just in case

- how many people who have Pay TV end up mainly watching channels they can definitely receive through an aeriel for free
(i.e. it would definitely work in their premises, not just in theory, as some people have likes of local geography, buildings that stop signal being watchable)

Re: VM loses UKTV channels
 

Last one out turn off the lights, 2 hour wait on the phone for cancellations, Online chat offline, crash and burn for VM I am afraid.

Re: VM loses UKTV channels
 

ok, 'expensive dross' then.

Re: VM loses UKTV channels
 

The only main issue is losing the HD versions, all TV's have Freeview inbuilt, just watch it on that?

Re: VM loses UKTV channels
 

l find the History channel a bit heavy metal trashy compared to the Yesterday channel.

Re: VM loses UKTV channels
 

Freeview doesn't cover all the UKTV channels and not everyone has an aerial. Cable customers may have discarded theirs long ago.

Plus if you're paying for Tivo you want it to record and have all your programmes in one place.

Re: VM loses UKTV channels
 

Interesting reading over on the main forums this morning!

Loads of unhappy customers leaving (or threatening to!) and 2 or 3 VM 'cheerleaders' defending as much as they can ... are they paid these people?

For what it's worth I don't watch any of these channels so this doesn't bother me too much, but the chance of cancelling early might tempt me ... then I can get away from this awful SHUB3 for good!

Re: VM loses UKTV channels
 

Calm down everyone, they’ll be back… History is repeating itself, this has happened previously on both Sky and Virgin media, it’s just the big boys flexing their muscles!

UKTV will want their channels on Virgin Media and Virgin Media want the channels, they’ll reach an agreement.

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2018)
 

Paramount is also on channel 188.

Re: VM loses UKTV channels
 

Pure serenity here this morning as the birds are singing and there is a nice smell from the kitchen as l hope you are sitting comfortably as it could take a fair while before they come to a agreement IMO.:)

Re: VM loses UKTV channels
 

I think the deafening silence from VM is quite telling. Also the C+P replies to people from VM are really annoying people.

Re: VM loses UKTV channels
 

Yeah but how long is a piece of string

Re: VM loses UKTV channels
 

We are all doomed, i'll tell ya, all doomed, try getting out and about a bit more folks, you're all watching too much dross on the telly, it's summer time, enjoy......

Re: VM loses UKTV channels
 

We did get out early this morning and several times last week as well and we are out again tomorrow as well.:p::p:

Re: VM loses UKTV channels
 

Online chat rarely seems to be on these days though you can only cancel over the phone anyway

Re: VM loses UKTV channels
 

Or if you have a connected TV, get TV Player. The solutions are there.

Re: VM loses UKTV channels
 

Checked out some of the replies earlier on twitter.

Re: VM loses UKTV channels
 

Most of the premium UKTV channels ie GOLD and W are not available through TV player on a TV they are online only

Re: VM loses UKTV channels
 

Exactly, so a person would have to send more money to get channels they were getting on Saturday.

Re: VM loses UKTV channels
 

And on a far smaller screen

Re: VM loses UKTV channels
 

My laptop does it full screen (it's an option in the bottom right of the picture in the TVplayer web page) and it has a 1080 HDMI output so you could view it on the main TV.

Re: VM loses UKTV channels
 

Lot of effort just to watch a TV channel I could straight to on Saturday.

Re: VM loses UKTV channels
 

I agree but the ideal solution of VM carryng the channels is not likely to be forthcoming in the near future it seems.

Re: VM loses UKTV channels
 

It depends. it VM really do start to lose customers big time, they might have to swallow humble pie and pay up quickly. I wouldn't blame UKTV if they increased charges.

Re: VM loses UKTV channels
 

Well that did not happen with the Sky Basics dispute Mr K so what makes you think that it will be any different now?

Re: VM loses UKTV channels
 

Here is what martin lewis says https://twitter.com/martinslewis/sta...387061766?s=12

Re: VM loses UKTV channels
 

The reason I mentioned it was that until Digital Switchover I couldn't get Freeview here. Telewest/Virgin Media were my only way to get digital television and they would have been (there's an offshoot story here but I won't tell you about the indoor satellite dish right now :) ) until August 2010 when the Relay transmitter came online with switchover.

Currently every screen (I use that word as I'm including computer monitors) here has a tuner inbuilt or connected AND they are all, at the very least, tuned in as backup.

If I went by postcode I'm in a Relay transmitter coverage area. TVs in the house that only have an indoor aerial only get the main PSB multiplexes (3 multiplexes). Those rooms that have a connection to the roof aerial get 9 multiplexes!
(3xPSB, 3xCOM SD and, to varying degrees of success, the lesser coverage 2xHD ones...oh and somehow even the Local TV one)

Why this difference? When the installer (maybe a year after switchover) came to install FreeSat and a roof aerial (to replace the one in the attic) he had the sense to try pointing the aerial at the Main mast. Our roof aerial is the only one in the street/block not pointing at the Relay.

Personally I can't have a Digital Terrestrial Tuner and not have it tuned in, even if it's just a wire aerial on the window sill getting 15 channels. I find it reassuring knowing every screen can fall back on the basics if there are problems with cable or satellite signals.

Short version...most TVs in house get the 5 Free-To-Air UKTV channels, either via Main transmitter or Freesat dish. Those limited to window sill aerials are without UKTV channels.

The irony of this ramble... you'll all have tuned out long ago. :D

Re: VM loses UKTV channels
 

Back then sky only had a few channels on VM and VM themselves didn't have around 4million TV customers like they have now according to various media reports

Re: VM loses UKTV channels
 

Virgin Media had about 3.3 million subscribers back then Gavin.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/6390655.stm


And lost customers because of the dispute.

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/...customers.html


And more headlines from then in which we are hearing the same language again 10 years on..

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

Re: VM loses UKTV channels
 

There wasn't nearly as much outcry, national news and unhappy customers as there are now. But who knows, if both sides are stubborn they'll both suffer.
(just hoping my hard drive freeview recorder has recorded 'Juliet Bravo' today - it hasn't been asked to record anything for years !)

Re: VM loses UKTV channels
 

Once lost, most are unlikely to come back.

Maybe Virgin dont really want to do TV anymore, and just want to concentrate on BB ?

Re: VM loses UKTV channels
 

If my decrepit memory serves me right l think you will find there was quite a lot of bad blood then as that is why it took 18 months for them to kiss and make up.

Re: VM loses UKTV channels
 

... but they wouldn't have rolled out the V6 though ... or would they?

Re: VM loses UKTV channels
 

After watching the latest twitter update from UKTV I have gleaned the following

So basically VM want to carry the free to air channels, but charge UKTV to be on the EPG, and charge us to view them. VM are not interested in the Pay channels clearly.

Re: VM loses UKTV channels
 

I've just spoken to a Sky agent who told me they'll pay up to £100 to buy you out of a contract with VM!

Re: VM loses UKTV channels
 

The outcry this time is massive but virgin now closed disscussions until such time as uktv wanting to compromise

Re: VM loses UKTV channels
 

Virgin Media haven’t spoken to us for a couple of days now, we’d advised getting in touch with them. From UKTV press office on Twitter. https://twitter.com/UKTVPress/with_replies. Its further down the page. Someone is therefore telling lies about still being in discussions.

Re: VM loses UKTV channels
 

They spoke to each other yesterday on BBC breakfast through their mouthpieces.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GwldQ6QHpyI&t=84s

Re: VM loses UKTV channels
 

Thanks for that. It really does not look like there will be a quick resolution.

Re: VM loses UKTV channels
 

If as it always seems to come down to money. I myself would happily pay £1 extra for the channels back no question. After all we are being robbed blind as it is. for a service that gets shoddier by the day since Liberty Global took over. If half of VM customers would also pay £1 that's 2 million quid. surely enough to sort out this cr@p

Re: VM loses UKTV channels
 

Could be the whole point of this, to sell a price rise. Much like the reintroduced Toblerone - good news it's back , but you'll have to pay more !

Re: VM loses UKTV channels
 

You can watch it through one of the apps on a connected TV, or through Roku or Amazon Fire. You don't have to watch it on a computer.

---------- Post added at 17:41 ---------- Previous post was at 17:37 ----------

I think they are looking at 'higher end' audiences, whatever that means.

---------- Post added at 17:44 ---------- Previous post was at 17:41 ----------

Well, as they say, you don't get owt for nowt!

---------- Post added at 17:46 ---------- Previous post was at 17:44 ----------

How has it got shoddier, exactly, and why blame Liberty Global? This is the first serious carriage dispute for quite a while, and if you recall, Sky very nearly went dark on the Discovery channels just recently.

Re: VM loses UKTV channels
 

Update from UKTV

https://twitter.com/twitter/statuses...87655387525120

Interesting bit on the free channels VM want to sell the channels to the customer but make UKTV pay them for the privilege

Re: VM loses UKTV channels
 

Very true. There's an old saying in business that it can takes years to build up good customer and seconds to lose it.

I don't think they'll want to pull out of providing TV tho as they need to compete in the triple play market.

Re: VM loses UKTV channels
 

Is the 2 year old running UKTV now.

All UKTV Channels could be on freeview anyway after all we pay £150.50 per year to make 70% of UKTV's output.

Re: VM loses UKTV channels
 

The first two weeks of TV Player are free and there is no contract.

For 50% off for three months use this code MAX50

---------- Post added at 18:14 ---------- Previous post was at 18:04 ----------

Interesting that he says that only some people have been offered a discount like myself and that only some are being allowed to leave penalty free. The majority are getting neither.

He also agrees with me (well my solicitor) that this change is so significant that VM cannot use their generic get out clause for this that they put into their t&c's.

In addition, I would argue that to be able to use this get out clause, VM would have had to give us 30 days notice, which they didn't.

Re: VM loses UKTV channels
 

Freeview and Freesat both pay to carry UKTV channels, UKTV buy from the BBC commercial arm.

Re: VM loses UKTV channels
 

Good to see you paid no attention to my previous reply about these points Media Boy.

Apparently actually answering people's questions rather than copy and paste responses for three days is the childish option, now.

Speaking of childish:
What do your fictional insiders say about how things are going, btw?

Re: VM loses UKTV channels
 

No news - we only get information from them when channels DO launch. And not take their ball and go home.

Re: VM loses UKTV channels
 

Well, to be fair, they wanted to play with the ball, whereas the other team wanted to take it from them and sell it for their own profit while giving them none of the money...

Are you saying they should just have happily accepted the fee reduction, despite their viewing share and on-demand viewing share on Virgin increasing?

Re: VM loses UKTV channels
 

Twice the distance from the middle to one end. - Sorry couldn't resist. https://www.cableforum.co.uk/images/...2010/09/25.gif

Re: VM loses UKTV channels
 

Yes but axe the number of channels brands UKTV own we do not see the point of the following channels

Eden
Drama

we would Keep Dave Gold, Home (but launch Home HD) and Good Food.

But add all the new Alibi shows from the US to W.

Then join Alibi and Drama up becomes know as Drama with +1 and HD

Also join Eden up with Yesterday to become Yesterday and launch an HD Channel.

This is only Media Boy HQ Views NOT Virgin Media or Skys.

Re: VM loses UKTV channels
 

Just wish there was a way of using the cable system for alternative providers. Aerial is useless and do not want a dish.

Re: VM loses UKTV channels
 

I had heard VM and TalkTalk were in talks to share the cables all has gone quiet on that one

Re: VM loses UKTV channels
 

For BB yes, not TV.

Re: VM loses UKTV channels
 

The point made by Virgin is that the value of these channels has diminished since the last time prices were negotiated. UKTV have spread themselves too thin and have blurred the distinction between free and premium tv. Additionally, they are either unwilling or incapable (due to the BBC's policy) to increase the amount of VOD available. They only have themselves to blame, really.

I can't see VM backing down on this, although they may meet them half way, possibly, recognising customer protests. However, it may be that Virgin want to reduce the amount of repeated material they are offering and increase the quality of programming. I certainly would not object to that, personally.

There will be more content coming soon, so I will reserve judgement at this time, although personally, I'm not going to miss any of the UKTV channels, which are tired and dated.

Re: VM loses UKTV channels
 

Err, no, other way around. If you want to launch a free to air channel on DTT, you have to pay for carriage on one of the commercial muxes, the basic EPG entry comes as part of the package, with extra charge if you want to be on the interactive Freeview guide. If you want to go Free to Air on satellite, you’ve got to pay for the uplink, transponder space, and then pay separately to go on the Sky EPG and the Freesat EPG. A lot of cost, that can only be recouped by selling advertising.

On cable, it varies, with some channels paying for the privilege (e.g. shopping channels), some getting a free ride, and others getting paid for carriage. UKTV was a bundled package, Virgin pay UKTV for a bundle of free and subscription channels. Virgin are right to say that the bundle is not as valuable as it once was, since the content of the subscription channels is no longer premium. UKTV are right to hold out for as much as they can, but both sides will need to compromised eventually.

Re: VM loses UKTV channels
 

Virgin won't compromise if they are tired of this arrangement and want to spend the money saved to improve their offering.

Re: VM loses UKTV channels
 

Who says they are tired of the arrangement? as it takes two to tango and two to sort it out at the end of the day.

Re: VM loses UKTV channels
 

I’m sure both sides will end up compromising, but i’m Also sure we will never know the detail. It will come down to the numbers.

Virgin will be balancing the cost / saving of having / not having UKTV channels against their estimate of the churn rate / drop in subscriber numbers. A fairly simple cost vs revenue equation.

UKTV will be weighing up the income / loss of income from Virgin and the drop in advertising revenue as a result of smaller audiences. UKTV costs are pretty much fixed, so for them it is pretty much a question of how much revenue can they get, or to put it another way, how little are they willing to tolerate?

Re: VM loses UKTV channels
 

I think they will compromise if not totally cave in, given the customer backlash/cancellations.. I suspect a certain head honcho at VM will lose his job too.

Re: VM loses UKTV channels
 

Haha! You don't see the point in UKTV's highest rating channel?! Good job that you don't work in broadcasting!

There is nothing wrong with UKTV's strategy of 5 free and 5 pay channels, but they do need to refine the remits and tone down the content sharing.

Re: VM loses UKTV channels
 

I agree.

I think in general more people are up in arms about this than they were when the Sky Basics went I don't think Sky One for example, was as good back then as it is now. VM have underestimated the power of Only Fools & Horses repeats never a wise thing to do, Trigger has more Brains than VM. :D

Re: VM loses UKTV channels
 

Quite ironically I actually "renewed" our Full House Sports & Movies only last Thursday, and got a new price for the next year that I'm quite happy with. We don't really watch any UKTV and can see a lot of merit in the whole FTA argument that Virgin are claiming.

But I am quite seriously unimpressed with Virgin's approach to this to be honest. "Replacement" channels that are nothing of the sort (great as an addition, fine - and the Love Nature one is actually pretty good), leaving the EPG slots open to pretend nothing's changed, and the whole PR approach to this.

Sure we don't know the detail in the contracts etc so this may have already been on borrowed time, I suppose VM have to draw a line somewhere - and yes I'm sure this will be resolved at some point. Perhaps within a couple of weeks, maybe longer. But it just leaves a sour taste.

My parents have VM mainly for the broadband & TiVo, with basic TV and a phoneline that's not even connected. They watch UKTV quite a bit and have Freeview but are thinking quite seriously about chopping the TiVo and phone, and just keeping the BB - assuming this isn't resolved quickly. I really can't say I blame them.

Re: VM loses UKTV channels
 

Official UKTV
‏
Verified account

@UKTV
6h
6 hours ago


More
Thanks for getting in touch, James - we are sorry for this being public, it isn't something we wanted to happen.
We care about our viewers and are trying to work things out with Virgin. If we have anymore information, we'll of course let you know.


look like there talking at least hopefully they get things sorted soon as possible

Re: VM loses UKTV channels
 

If you say so.:rolleyes::sleep:

Re: VM loses UKTV channels
 

Incorrect, premier sports is not included in my package and I have all sky sports and BT sports HD channels.

So the 2 month offer is better than the rubbish UKTV show.

Re: VM loses UKTV channels
 

This issue really seems to be gathering momentum more than I thought it would.

This is making the national news, a petition has been created, there are lots of posts about it on social media on people's personal accounts, Martin Lewis of Money Saving Expert has made a statement about it and there have been features about it on daytime programmes e.g. This Morning.

There are a lot of very angry and disgruntled people about and VM are making things worse by telling the majority of customers that they cannot have a discount, that they have to pay early termination of contract fees totalling hundreds of pounds, closing threads about it on their own forums and when any complaints are actually answered, it is with a standard copy/paste answer. Arrogant and defensive call centre staff aren't helping the situation either.

They are also trying to say that their generic "we reserve the right to amend our channel line up" clause in their t&c's means that they are not in breach of contract. However, they did not give customers the required 30 day notice period and legal people are saying that this change is so substantial that this clause cannot be used anyway. There are also Consumer Rights Act 2015 implications.

Sticking a similar number of mainly minority and low value channels on to replace these channels just doesn't cut the mustard. It can be alikened to a vegetarian ordering a vegetable curry in a restaurant, being brought a meat curry because the vegetarian curry is no longer available and being expected to pay for it on the grounds that a curry was ordered and supplied!!

A formal complaint has now been made to Ofcom by Martin Lewis who have been asked to make a ruling on this.

I think that VM took a gamble and lost. As often happens in these cases (if happens in politics too), they are too proud to admit that they misjudged the impact of this and don't want to appear weak. If they stand down, they will be afraid that it will send out the wrong signals to their other channel providers. However, if they don't reverse their decision, the bad publicity, possibility of legal ramifications, massive customer dissatisfaction and resultant disconnections will only worsen.

I believe that they don't now really know what to do, so are currently sticking their head in the sand. If they don't do something with regards to damage limitation soon though, it will seriously damage their reputation long term and popularity as a pay TV supplier. Many people are saying that they no longer trust VM, which is one of the worst things that can happen to a company.

I also seriously think that we may see resignations/replacement of senior staff over this.

---------- Post added at 02:16 ---------- Previous post was at 00:28 ----------

Just received a massive message on the V6 that almost covered the screen. It went on about their wonderful new channel launches and at the bottom said that the UKTV channels were 'no longer available'. Well, you don't say ��

I wonder if this is an attempt to reduce the number of phone calls they're having. I've read of people hanging up after waiting over an hour to get through to cancellations.

As an olive branch, perhaps VM could offer to return the FTA UKTV channels without an EPG fee for now. There again, to be fair, they may not be allowed to do that under the Fair, reasonable and non discriminatory regulations that cover EPG's.

Re: VM loses UKTV channels
 

What we don't know is how many people have ACTUALLY cancelled their VM services.

In my case, I would like to as I watch Drama a lot, mainly The Bill and He De Hi.

However, 100 broadband only is more expensive than what I am paying now for a basic TV package including V6. In addition, I would have to get the aerial working better and buy a Freeview recorder.

As I definitely want to keep VM broadband and cost is important, it is not in my interests to cancel. I suspect I am not the only one in a similar situation.

Re: VM loses UKTV channels
 

This is terrible publicity for Virgin and it will surely hit them very hard. Would be customers will now be thinking twice about signing up to them. The UK TV channels are very popular and much loved by many people including myself. I'm so glad I'm with Sky and certainly wouldn't even consider switching to Virgin now.

Re: VM loses UKTV channels
 

I think the large message will probably prompt more people to phone, as the people that didn't know the situation certainly do now.

Re: VM loses UKTV channels
 

I said if VM are tired of the arrangement (being ripped off, that is). We are paying far more than Sky do for these channels as I understand it.

---------- Post added at 11:02 ---------- Previous post was at 10:59 ----------

Eden and Drama are the better quality channels, so I certainly don't agree with that!

Re: VM loses UKTV channels
 

Be honest you haven't a clue who pays what so no point speculating.

Re: VM loses UKTV channels
 

It's not speculation. Every other platform gets paid for carrying channels, but for some strange reason, this is not the case for VM (except the shopping channels, I believe). As UKTV don't pay other platforms for carrying their free channels, why should VM subscribers pay for mostly repeated content funded by advertising?

---------- Post added at 11:39 ---------- Previous post was at 11:36 ----------

VM should not be paying for free channels. This practice is a hangover from the past.

A bit like the UKTV channels, actually. :erm:

---------- Post added at 11:43 ---------- Previous post was at 11:39 ----------

Not sure if your memory is failing you, but those were the days when Sky did have good programmes on it. In fact, the main draw of people to the pay tv channels was Sky TV.

UKTV has nowhere near as much clout and they will lose this fight. The sooner they realise that and climb down from their high horses, the sooner they will bleed less money.

They had better move fast, or Virgin will be reinvesting their money, hopefully in superior content.

---------- Post added at 11:50 ---------- Previous post was at 11:43 ----------

They will get over it. And if you think you are safe with Sky, remember that they almost lost the Discovery channels a few months ago.

Fortunately, Discovery saw sense. UKTV are trying it on. The people complaining are simply dragging this dispute out. If they quietened down, UKTV would be forced to re-consider. I am not expecting VM to give in over this, so the ball is in UKTV's court. Are they going to continue to discriminate against VM by making them pay for their free channels when other platforms get them free, or not?

Re: VM loses UKTV channels
 

That's frankly laughable I'm sorry but back when the Sky basics dispute was on Sky's content was vastly inferior to what it shows now and the viewing figures back that up , I completely agree with mot12 on that.

Re: VM loses UKTV channels
 

Its started

Sky TV Offer

Enjoy more channels than ever before, including UKTV channels like W and GOLD that aren't available on Virgin Media. Get over 1,000 movies on demand, plus 11 kids channels with over 5,000 episodes. And all of this in stunning HD.

https://www.sky.com/

Re: VM loses UKTV channels
 

Nonsense! I used to record four or five programmes from Sky One every week. There is nothing worth recording these days. Strikeback excepted.

More channels does not mean increased quality content. It just means more dross to fill it out.