Cable Forum - Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2011) Vol. III.

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Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2011) Vol. III.

Quote:

Originally Posted by denphone (Post 35276463)

Excellent news MB.

I forgot to add that Good Food HD may also launch as part of any deal.

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2011) Vol. III.

Food Network on Freeview from tomorrow already on Sky and freesat but suprise suprise not on VM

http://www.c21media.net/news/detail....&article=61584

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2011) Vol. III.

And for those without the broadcast now subscripition here's the full artical,

Quote:

Scripps Networks Interactive is on the verge of buying Virgin Mediaâ€™s 50% stake in UKTV, and the British broadcaster is preparing to follow the deal by launching a VoD player.

Ten months after it was first linked to the broadcaster, and after more than six months of negotiations, Scrippsâ€™ acquisition is â€œall but doneâ€, according to one UKTV insider. An announcement is expected imminently.

The two largest barriers to a deal - UKTVâ€™s new 10-year advertising sales deal with Channel 4 and the lack of non-linear programming rights for BBC Worldwide content - are understood to have been navigated, paving the way for Scrippsâ€™ estimated Â£350m buyout.

One executive said the deal made good sense for both parties. â€œScripps has a small international presence that it has tried until now to grow organically, and the deal will add real ballast overnight. BBCW is a content company and has far more shared goals with a company like Scripps than a platform operator like Virgin Media.â€

Problematic delay

Negotiations between Virgin Media and Scripps slowed when C4 took on the sales contract for UKTV on 1 January this year. C4 was asked to estimate the revenues it would generate almost immediately, but was reluctant to provide a figure while the new arrangement was in its infancy.

That delay was problematic, and there are suggestions that BSkyB used it to re-pitch for the UKTV sales account, but sources indicated it was never likely to be an obstacle that could kill the deal.

â€œThe market improved and it was not an issue, but they needed something to help them pin the multiple on,â€ one source said.

Another factor in the deal was whether BBCW would grant VoD rights. Several sources indicated an agreement is now in place, and that UKTV is â€œwell down the lineâ€ with plans to launch an on-demand player before the end of the year.

Former BBC Vision controller of multiplatform and portfolio Simon Nelson is understood to have been drafted in to help UKTV work on the project, although he declined to comment.

The player is likely to launch via the UKTV website, as well as via Virgin Mediaâ€™s cable-based TV on Demand service and website.

â€œUKTV certainly has ambitions to develop an on-demand business across both TV and PC,â€ one source said. The planned service would not be as vast as a â€œBBC iPlayer archiveâ€ and would be â€œcarefully editorially curatedâ€.

It is thought it would offer BBC archive content, original UKTV commissions and acquisitions, and US programming from Scripps.

One issue to be resolved is how the VoD player reflects UKTV straddling both the pay and free-to-air markets. Content from free-to-air channels Dave, Really and Yesterday could sit on an ad-funded player, but Sky and Virgin Media may have concerns about shows from UKTVâ€™s pay channels being available on that basis.

The Scripps deal could also usher in a restructure or staff recruitment drive at UKTV. Recent senior departures include Matthew Littleford, Richard Kings bury and Jane Mote, and it is thought chief executive Darren Childs will now decide whether to replace them directly or reorganise the business.

UKTV, Scripps, Virgin Media and BBCW all declined to comment.

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2011) Vol. III.

Quote:

Originally Posted by muppetman11 (Post 35276507)

Food Network on Freeview from tomorrow already on Sky and freesat but suprise suprise not on VM

http://www.c21media.net/news/detail....&article=61584

Oh noes - how will I survive? ;)

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2011) Vol. III.

Quote:

Originally Posted by muppetman11 (Post 35276507)

Food Network on Freeview from tomorrow already on Sky and freesat but suprise suprise not on VM

http://www.c21media.net/news/detail....&article=61584

l am sure it will come soon.:)

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2011) Vol. III.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hugh (Post 35276510)

Oh noes - how will I survive? ;)

It may not interest you Hugh ? But it must have a market. :D

---------- Post added at 19:48 ---------- Previous post was at 19:47 ----------

Quote:

Originally Posted by Media Boy (Post 35276465)

I forgot to add that Good Food HD may also launch as part of any deal.

Source ?

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2011) Vol. III.

Quote:

Originally Posted by muppetman11 (Post 35276520)

It may not interest you Hugh ? But it must have a market. :D

---------- Post added at 19:48 ---------- Previous post was at 19:47 ----------

Source ?

His Source is his "Insiders" who will remain name-less i guess.

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2011) Vol. III.

Quote:

Originally Posted by muppetman11 (Post 35276520)

It may not interest you Hugh ? But it must have a market. :D

---------- Post added at 19:48 ---------- Previous post was at 19:47 ----------

Source ?

When Virgin sold their channels (Bravo, Living ...) to Sky.

Virgin Media got the rights to some HD Channels from Sky plus the Sky Sports red button and Sky Anytime as part of deal.

So I think we may see the same thing happen with the UKTV sale.

---------- Post added at 20:36 ---------- Previous post was at 20:35 ----------

Quote:

Originally Posted by muppetman11 (Post 35276507)

Food Network on Freeview from tomorrow already on Sky and freesat but suprise suprise not on VM

http://www.c21media.net/news/detail....&article=61584

Food Network launches on Freeview on July 7th 2011.

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2011) Vol. III.

As August is fact approaching could I ask if we've had any firm acknowledgment if Football Firts/Match choice will be available to VM viewers via the red button when the new Premiership season starts?

I've been keeping my eye out and i know red button functionality is coming to the Premiership but does this mean specifically Football First/Match Choice???? :) TA!

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2011) Vol. III.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mobes (Post 35276745)

We will find out in l suppose when the season starts.

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2011) Vol. III.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mobes (Post 35276745)

Phase 2 was set to launch on July 31st for Sky Sports Red Button for non TiVo viewers but I was given that date months ago.

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2011) Vol. III.

It should launch soon

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2011) Vol. III.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Media Boy (Post 35276544)

When Virgin sold their channels (Bravo, Living ...) to Sky.

Virgin Media got the rights to some HD Channels from Sky plus the Sky Sports red button and Sky Anytime as part of deal.

.

1. Jury out on the benfit of the HD channels

2. Sky Sports Red button - despite the hype either does not work or Sky refuse to put the content through to STB eg the current cricket Test Match v India where Sky Commentators big up the Red Button content but pressing Red Button goes nowhere - joke

3. where is the Sky Anytime availability ? - are you saying that we can now eg if we subscribe to SkySports on VM you can access the Sky Anytime version online - Great ! if true - please advise how I can logon

Thanks

RJ

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2011) Vol. III.

Quote:

Originally Posted by RamJet (Post 35277681)

1. Jury out on the benfit of the HD channels

I do not care about HD Channels on Virgin it the same film as the SD Channels.

Quote:

2. Sky Sports Red button - despite the hype either does not work or Sky refuse to put the content through to STB eg the current cricket Test Match v India where Sky Commentators big up the Red Button content but pressing Red Button goes nowhere - joke

The Red Button on Sky Sports we have right now is just phase 1. But Virgin can only broadcast all Sports events content given to them by Sky.

Quote:

3. where is the Sky Anytime availability ? - are you saying that we can now eg if we subscribe to SkySports on VM you can access the Sky Anytime version online - Great ! if true - please advise how I can logon

I only know of Sky Anytime being on Virgin on Demand via the following:

1) Press Home
2) Press TV Choice on Demand
3) Press TV Choice XL
4) Press By Channel
5) Press Sky Anytime.

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2011) Vol. III.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Media Boy (Post 35277690)

I do not care about HD Channels on Virgin it the same film as the SD Channels.

The Red Button on Sky Sports we have right now is just phase 1. But Virgin can only broadcast all Sports events content given to them by Sky.

I only know of Sky Anytime being on Virgin on Demand via the following:

1) Press Home
2) Press TV Choice on Demand
3) Press TV Choice XL
4) Press By Channel
5) Press Sky Anytime.

Why would anyone not want to watch their favourite shows in HD , I'm sorry but if you have a HDTV and can't see the difference you must have it setup wrong. I'm the complete opposite I do not care about SD as the PQ just doesn't cut it.