Cable Forum

Cable Forum (https://www.cableforum.uk/board/index.php)
-   Virgin Media TV Service (https://www.cableforum.uk/board/forumdisplay.php?f=11)
-   -   General : Virgin TV (2026) (https://www.cableforum.uk/board/showthread.php?t=33713673)

ozsat 02-04-2026 16:35

Re: Virgin TV (2026)
 
In your view maybe - but VM are doing no different to Sky.

It is a premium channel which is NOT available on Sky+/HD even with the full subscription.

Because regularly asked to changed your current kit is not different for VM customers than it is for Sky.

If you don't like what VM do - then leave

Quote:

Originally Posted by RichardCoulter (Post 36213339)
I'm not a Sky customer, so have no knowledge or interest in what Sky are doing as, whilst i'm with Virgin, it's irrelevant to me.

It's hardly surprising that a Virgin customer doesn’t talk about Sky in a thread about Virgin TV, in the same way that a Sky customer isn't likely to mention the Sky Atlantic situation in a thread about Sky!!!

Edit: Just looked into this and, apparently, this is a premium channel offered with the Sky Cinema pack. I haven't subscribed to Sky Cinema for years because there's nothing on it now that interests me, I didn't even bother when I was offered it for a period for free!

Sky Atlantic is a basic entertainment channel ie not premium and it's my view that all those who receive Sky channels with their package should see it on the EPG from day one.


TimeLord2018 02-04-2026 17:08

Re: Virgin TV (2026)
 
Quote:

Originally Posted by RichardCoulter (Post 36213339)


Edit: Just looked into this and, apparently, this is a premium channel offered with the Sky Cinema pack. I haven't subscribed to Sky Cinema for years because there's nothing on it now that interests me, I didn't even bother when I was offered it for a period for free!

This is the bizarre thing

All movies are on Disney+ anyway (ads version included with Sky) so why is the linear only channel not?

As much as i could see Virgin including Disney+ with ads at some stage , why would they pay for this channel.

ozsat 02-04-2026 17:10

Re: Virgin TV (2026)
 
It is also on Sky Go - even for old satellite box users.

So if they don't want to upgrade(?) to SkyQ or Stream they do have access - same as VirginMedia with Sky Atlantic.

Quote:

Originally Posted by TimeLord2018 (Post 36213347)
This is the bizarre thing

All movies are on Disney+ anyway (ads version included with Sky) so why is the linear only channel not?


RichardCoulter 02-04-2026 17:51

Re: Virgin TV (2026)
 
Quote:

Originally Posted by ozsat (Post 36213343)
In your view maybe - but VM are doing no different to Sky.

It is a premium channel which is NOT available on Sky+/HD even with the full subscription.

Because regularly asked to changed your current kit is not different for VM customers than it is for Sky.

If you don't like what VM do - then leave

This issue is simply irrelevant to Virgin Media customers. The only people who may be interested are Sky Cinema subscribers on the Sky platform who use Sky+ HD.

It has already been fully explained to you why Virgin suits me at this particular time and that, if/when this changes I will be exploring other options. This is not to say that I am happy with everything about them, I most certainly am not.

---------- Post added at 17:51 ---------- Previous post was at 17:43 ----------

Quote:

Originally Posted by TimeLord2018 (Post 36213347)
This is the bizarre thing

All movies are on Disney+ anyway (ads version included with Sky) so why is the linear only channel not?

As much as i could see Virgin including Disney+ with ads at some stage , why would they pay for this channel.

It is indeed bizarre, perhaps they can tune it in manually??

I can't see Virgin throwing in the various streaming services in at no extra cost in the way that Sky do.

Bouchier has repositioned Virgin from being a triple play provider to that of primarily a broadband provider who happens to include TV (no mention of phone at all.) This is his explanation anyway. Sky is probably a better option for those who want all the streaming services that Sky provide, but the only streaming service i'm interested in is HBO max, so I don't take these Sky freebies into consideration.

TimeLord2018 02-04-2026 18:04

Re: Virgin TV (2026)
 
Expect Virgin do include Netflix standard with ads.

I think those comments were referring to HBO Max specifically and I understand why if you look close enough, not only will new seasons of existing HBO series still air on Sky and along with 1.not being on HBO Max (The Gilded Age), one of their upcoming series is Sky co production (War) and so will only air on Sky Atlantic.

At least Disney+ with ads would add value with over 10 new dramas ordered aswell.

RichardCoulter 02-04-2026 18:32

Re: Virgin TV (2026)
 
Speculation that we will be losing the Discovery +1 channel(s).

They have been removed from Sky Ireland and there's been a report that at least one (Discovery +1) has been removed from Virgin Ireland.

TimeLord2018 02-04-2026 18:48

Re: Virgin TV (2026)
 
Quote:

Originally Posted by RichardCoulter (Post 36213357)
Speculation that we will be losing the Discovery +1 channel(s).

They have been removed from Sky Ireland and there's been a report that at least one (Discovery +1) has been removed from Virgin Ireland.

There was only a Discovery+ 1 channel on Virgin Ireland unlike the 9 on Virgin UK, +1 versions of Food Network, Quest Red and Discovery Turbo never got added to Virgin and probably never will.

Removing them only in Ireland is strange, when they will still be broadcasting on Satellite , I don't see how it saves any money.

RichardCoulter 02-04-2026 19:08

Re: Virgin TV (2026)
 
Quote:

Originally Posted by TimeLord2018 (Post 36213359)
There was only a Discovery+ 1 channel on Virgin Ireland unlike the 9 on Virgin UK, +1 versions of Food Network, Quest Red and Discovery Turbo never got added to Virgin and probably never will.

Thanks, I didn't know that.

OLD BOY 02-04-2026 19:17

Re: Virgin TV (2026)
 
Quote:

Originally Posted by TimeLord2018 (Post 36213325)
Isn't that because Disney+ isn't available on Sky +

The channel has no On Demand content.

The on demand content is on Disney+, which Sky includes.

---------- Post added at 20:13 ---------- Previous post was at 20:10 ----------

Quote:

Originally Posted by RichardCoulter (Post 36213327)
It is fact that the 360 lacks many features of the V6, this has been discussed many times previously and lists have been posted by various people.

I am able to access Sky Atlantic should I want to watch it by using Virgin TVGo and casting it to my TV. Once Virgin have realised that the number of people persuaded to change to the 360 has been exhausted and once the TVGo workaround is well known, I believe that Sky Atlantic will be quietly added to the V6.

Alternatively Sky Atlantic is included with the Now TV/HBO max service at £3.99 per month

The 360 lacks some features of TiVo (which I believe are patented), but the 360 offers other features, which I dare say more people use.

You won’t find those TiVo features on other boxes either, so don’t see why you are slagging off Virgin.

---------- Post added at 20:17 ---------- Previous post was at 20:13 ----------

Quote:

Originally Posted by RichardCoulter (Post 36213336)
There's lots of offers that are coming and going. Do you think that the reason is that people are abandoning Now in favour of HBO max?

Now will be losing Virgin customers who are either no longer interested in what Sky Atlantic has to offer or who can now access it via Virgin.

NOW will definitely lose subscribers. It’s only guaranteed to keep the existing HBO content for the life of the contract. HBO will have all the new stuff exclusive to them, like ‘The Pitt’.

Unless NOW think of ways to get new exclusive content, I can’t see it existing for much longer.

TimeLord2018 02-04-2026 19:23

Re: Virgin TV (2026)
 
Quote:

Originally Posted by OLD BOY (Post 36213363)
The on demand content is on Disney+, which Sky includes.

---------- Post added at 20:13 ---------- Previous post was at 20:10 ----------



The 360 lacks some features of TiVo (which I believe are patented), but the 360 offers other features, which I dare say more people use.

You won’t find those TiVo features on other boxes either, some don’t see why you are slagging off Virgin.

---------- Post added at 20:17 ---------- Previous post was at 20:13 ----------



NOW will definitely lose subscribers. It’s only guaranteed to keep the existing HBO content for the life of the contract. HBO will have all the new stuff exclusive to them, like ‘The Pitt’.

Unless NOW think of ways to get new exclusive content, I can’t see it existing for much longer.

There is evidence of that though, Crystal Lake was acquired from A24 quite far in advance for Sky Atlantic for example.

Ponies is another next month on Sky Atlantic according to this
https://www.skymedia.co.uk/content-hub/drama/

RichardCoulter 02-04-2026 19:37

Re: Virgin TV (2026)
 
Quote:

Originally Posted by OLD BOY (Post 36213363)
The on demand content is on Disney+, which Sky includes.

---------- Post added at 20:13 ---------- Previous post was at 20:10 ----------



The 360 lacks some features of TiVo (which I believe are patented), but the 360 offers other features, which I dare say more people use.

You won’t find those TiVo features on other boxes either, so don’t see why you are slagging off Virgin.

---------- Post added at 20:17 ---------- Previous post was at 20:13 ----------



NOW will definitely lose subscribers. It’s only guaranteed to keep the existing HBO content for the life of the contract. HBO will have all the new stuff exclusive to them, like ‘The Pitt’.

Unless NOW think of ways to get new exclusive content, I can’t see it existing for much longer.

Are you able to use the list of features that are on the V6, but missing from the 360, to provide the same or even similar feature available on the 360?

I remember you saying that one was available to replace 'suggestions', but never received an answer as to what it was called.

It's never been suggested by anyone that the TiVo features are available anywhere else. It's this very fact that they aren't and that Virgin are slyly trying to get people onto the 360 to save money on licensing fees that pisses me off about them.

Phunkenstein 02-04-2026 19:38

Re: Virgin TV (2026)
 
Quote:

Originally Posted by OLD BOY (Post 36213363)
The on demand content is on Disney+, which Sky includes.

---------- Post added at 20:13 ---------- Previous post was at 20:10 ----------



The 360 lacks some features of TiVo (which I believe are patented), but the 360 offers other features, which I dare say more people use.

You won’t find those TiVo features on other boxes either, so don’t see why you are slagging off Virgin.

---------- Post added at 20:17 ---------- Previous post was at 20:13 ----------



NOW will definitely lose subscribers. It’s only guaranteed to keep the existing HBO content for the life of the contract. HBO will have all the new stuff exclusive to them, like ‘The Pitt’.

Unless NOW think of ways to get new exclusive content, I can’t see it existing for much longer.

Sky just ordered their biggest IP play to date... https://www.skygroup.sky/en-gb/artic...ennium-novels-

Day Of The Jackal was their biggest series launch ever - and season 2 is coming down the pike...

A James McAvoy starrer (based on a Frankie Boyle novel) seems like a big deal...

Plus they've announced a deal with Canal Plus to develop English language drama and a first look pact with Starz (of which they've ordered Fightland)...

Suspect they'll be okay for the foreseeable future

TimeLord2018 02-04-2026 19:43

Re: Virgin TV (2026)
 
Quote:

Originally Posted by Mad Max (Post 36213256)
I have the 360 box and I looked on today and yes, Sky Atlantic is available. I was wanting to watch the drama series Under Salt Marsh but it says its not available until Friday 3rd April, why is this?

Is available via On Demand now.

Paul 02-04-2026 20:24

Re: Virgin TV (2026)
 
Quote:

Originally Posted by OLD BOY (Post 36213363)
Unless NOW think of ways to get new exclusive content, I can’t see it existing for much longer.

I disagree. NOW is a great alternative for people who want Sky channels, over the internet, without being tied into long (12/24 month) contracts.

OLD BOY 02-04-2026 22:29

Re: Virgin TV (2026)
 
Quote:

Originally Posted by RichardCoulter (Post 36213369)
Are you able to use the list of features that are on the V6, but missing from the 360, to provide the same or even similar feature available on the 360?

I remember you saying that one was available to replace 'suggestions', but never received an answer as to what it was called.

It's never been suggested by anyone that the TiVo features are available anywhere else. It's this very fact that they aren't and that Virgin are slyly trying to get people onto the 360 to save money on licensing fees that pisses me off about them.

I did respond to your question about ‘suggestions’ and I told you there was a separate row of tiles for that on the Home page.

I don’t doubt that they are trying to wean people off the V6 - after all, they are having to pay a licence fee to TiVo for their features.

It’s hardly ‘sly’ - it’s pretty obvious really!


All times are GMT. The time now is 00:23.

Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.11
Copyright ©2000 - 2026, vBulletin Solutions Inc.
All Posts and Content are © Cable Forum