Re: Virgin Media News
 

And ofcom have issued a licence aswell really gutted never mind will turn eventually.

Re: Virgin Media News
 

Bull Crap!

I cant believe its been delayed!

Why would TWI pull out of something so significant.

And so, we are left playing the waiting game.

Is there really a point in even releasing this channel now?

I mean, Soccer Saturday is back on SS1.

Re: Virgin Media News
 

I also like football but remember there are other sports apart from football. ;)

Re: Virgin Media News
 

Yea. ANd with it being a Sports News channel, thinking about all the sports I could be hearing about apart from football is MAKING THE HULK ANGRY!!!!

lol

Re: Virgin Media News
 

Virgin Media will be announcing their Second Quarter 2007 results Tomorrow at 9am.

Re: Virgin Media News
 

On TWI pull out I smell a rat inteference called SKY. I am really worried that VM sinking under it just seems like no one is allowed to rival SKY as they crush them. If virgin goes it would leave me wthout digital televesion and from 2012 no tv thank you SKY. How many others are not in position to go sky. Quite frankly the way they act even if I could I would not give them my money.

Re: Virgin Media News
 

And what will they do with their 12 month contract?

Re: Virgin Media News
 

what can i say . i did not think of that,

Re: Virgin Media News
 

Cable will always be here.

It might not be Virgin. It could be Smelly Cable United.

Cable wont just go away. It cant. Otherwise there would be loads of cables underground, working perfectly fine, but not being used...

Billions of £££ worth of cables, for that matter.

Re: Virgin Media News
 

I don't really think it was interference from sky,as stated on media gaurdian twi coudnt come to an agreement,just hope virgin 1 doesnt go tits up now.;)

Re: Virgin Media News
 

VM are to launch the BBC's iPlayer on their tv service later in the year giving VOD access to hundreds of hours of BBC programmes.

Source: VM's 2nd quarter results which came out today.

Also announced today:

VM services now will be sold in Comet and Carphone Warehouse.

Further major content additions to VOD later in year. No further details given.

As well as new series' The Riches and The Sara Conner Chronicles, the entire Star Trek franchise will be on Virgin 1 when it launches in the autumn. Virgin 1 will be the exclusive home of Star Trek. Now if Virgin 1 got Simpsons and a few other shows, they could rename the channel Sky One.:)

Re: Virgin Media News
 

lol.

It will be good to see that iPlayer. Ive seen a vid and pictures of it, which I will post tomorrow if someone doesnt beat me to it, and it looks impressive...

Very 21st century.

NOTE: The iPlayer itself is increasing the VoD rate from 50 Hours of BBC content, to 500!!!!!

Crazy Mofo's!

Re: Virgin Media News
 

Ftn+1 now on ch123

Re: Virgin Media News
 

I signed up for the oonline Beta Version. Very good

Re: Virgin Media News
 

so it is they snuck that in quiet eh
as channels or services say same 289 to me ??

Re: Virgin Media News
 

Yea when i got in from work about 3am this morning just had a flick through and it was there.;)

Re: Virgin Media News
 

Deal in France could spearhead Virgin Media assault on Europe




Virgin Media is poised to be rolled out across Europe after talks between Sir Richard Branson’s Virgin Group and overseas cable operators.


It is understood that Virgin Group is in discussions with Numéricable, France’s largest cable operator, covering nine million households, about a deal to rebrand its service under the Virgin Media name.

Similar licensing deals with the Virgin Media brand are expected to follow in other European markets.

The French talks, which mark the latest in a series of international expansion moves by the Virgin empire, come amid unhappiness among some Virgin Media investors about the forced abandonment of its planned $23 billion (£11.3 billion) sale.

http://business.timesonline.co.uk/to...cle2246438.ece

Info from Times online.

Re: Virgin Media News
 

Wow, Virgin really do have no money to buy those Sky channels.

Re: Virgin Media News
 

It's Virgin Group though not VM there is a big difference and virgin group have deeper pockets than VM much deeper. Could be good news for VM though if the other companies rebrand under the same name

Re: Virgin Media News
 

Nobody said Virgin Media did not have enough money to pay for the Sky channels, they said they were not worth the price being asked.

I have enough money to buy a tub of Flora margarine but I choose not too as the own-brand sunflower spread at half the cost is just as good.

Re: Virgin Media News
 

I wouldnt have paid it either if it was not justifiable

Re: Virgin Media News
 

The BSkyB chief executive, James Murdoch, has received a cash payout of almost £4m following the achievement of operational targets over the last three years.

The £3.91m cash sum comes on top of the near-£3m remuneration package Mr Murdoch received for the year to the end of June.

Today's payout relates to the vesting of shares that Mr Murdoch received in August 2004 and November 2005 under BSkyB's Long Term Incentive Plan.

Full story here: http://media.guardian.co.uk/city/sto...148628,00.html

Re: Virgin Media News
 

...and I thought the thread title was "Virgin Media news":dozey:

Re: Virgin Media News
 

As you know Shaun, this forum does like to be unbiased and fair - heaven forbid someone suggests it isn't ;)

Re: Virgin Media News
 

It isnt!



















PS... You asked for it...

Re: Virgin Media News
 

lol like it

Re: Virgin Media News
 

Berkett eyes Virgin Media top job

Virgin Media's acting chief executive Neil Berkett has confirmed he is in the running for the top job and said he is treating his time in charge as if the post was his permanently.


Speaking to the Financial Times, Berkett said he wanted to appoint "a couple of new people" into senior roles in the coming months. He included his own former post of chief operating officer as one of these.

He was made acting chief executive last week following the surprise exit of Steve Burch, who said he was returning to the US for personal and family reasons.

City analysts had previously predicted that Virgin Media would find it difficult to replace Berkett due to uncertainty surrounding the company's future.

Story from Broadcast.

Inquiry delay into Sky's ITV stake
 

The UK Competition Commission has moved back the deadline for the completion of its inquiry into BSkyB's 17.9% stake in ITV until early 2008 because of the "complex" nature of the inquiry.

In a statement today, the Commission said the deadline had been extended from 7 November to 2 January because of the amount of work involved in "dealing with both competition and media public interest considerations".


The Commission will now deliver its report to the secretary of state for business enterprise and regulatory reform, John Huttonby, in "early December", although it has until the New Year to complete.

Provisional findings are expected in early October. The original timetable said this would occur before the end of September.


Full story here: http://www.broadcastnow.co.uk/broadc...StoryID=171194

Info from Broadcast.

Re: Virgin Media News
 

Good to see they are taking it very seriously

Re: Virgin Media News
 

Branson: Virgin still wants ITV

Sir Richard Branson has signalled that cable group Virgin Media has not abandoned its ambitious plans to buy ITV.
Sir Richard, Virgin Media's largest shareholder, also suggested his Virgin group would retain its 10.5% stake if the cable company is sold.
Speaking today from his home in Oxfordshire at the launch of Virgin 1 channel, Sir Richard was asked about recent takeover approaches from private equity groups and what a sale would mean for the Virgin Media brand.

Full story here: http://media.guardian.co.uk/city/sto...178666,00.html

Info from Media Guardian.

Re: Virgin Media News
 

Will Virgin 1 be big and bold enough to live up to the Branson megabrand?

Or is the channel destined to be a £40m knee-jerk reaction too far against the 'bully' Sky?

It was with considerable relief that the chosen few left the rest of the press pack shivering in a cold damp field, while we were led to the warmth of Sir Richard Branson's manor.

Although manor is not exactly the right word as the tycoon's pad is more a cosy Cotswold cottage than rambling Virgin Towers.

Full story here: http://www.broadcastnow.co.uk/Broadc...intStoryID=146
Info from Broadcast.

Re: Virgin Media News
 

Reading that is very promising, but the problem is if Virgin Media (theres no question Virgin can) can afford it.

At the moment, shares in ITV are becoming cheaper and cheaper, and even though its not at the rate of, say, Northern Rock, its still decreasing.

The £940m it mentions Sky bought in ITV could be worth £700m by the time the report is published. It could be £800m. But if Sky are told to sell, and Virgin and willing to Buy, then the deal is set. 17.9% would be Virgin Media's.

Im concerned that VM are actually interested in ITV which, as I say, is flagging, even though it has some of the highest viewed programs on TV, plus footie rights and so on.

Finally Id like to add an important note.

The last time Sky were put under the Microscope of Ofcom, the Government and all that, Sky were found guilty of having a Monopoly on many things... this resulted in Sky Sports ands Sky Movies being a mainstay for Virgin Media, back when it was Telewest and ntl: by LAW, and if they are seen to be doing this again, for example, with interactive services on Sky Sports, and other things, a Law could be passed that says Cable customers have the rights to have this content "in the interest of fair competition".

The announcement of the findings is definitly going to be a landmark decision in the TV Market in this country. BUT it could go eitherway. Both have very strong cases, but Sky have been done for this before, and therefore, they dont exactly have the law on their side.

Just like an everyday Criminal, if they have previous convictions, they are already fighting an uphill battle. Sky has a previous conviction in the exact same offence... thus they have started at the bottom of the hill, against Setanta, Virgin Media, BBC and Channel 4... and I know I wouldnt like to face those companies in a Legal Battle! lol

Re: Virgin Media News
 

'I believe Virgin Media can get to the top in the next two years'

Richard Branson hopes that putting 'proper telly' on his new channel - Virgin1 - will restore faith in the brand and put his rival in its place.

Full story here: http://observer.guardian.co.uk/busin...179939,00.html
News from Observer.

Re: Virgin Media News
 

Thats according to the Telegraph today...

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/money/mai...0/cnitv130.xml

Re: Virgin Media News
 

Virgin 1 now testing-showing previews and a countdown clock

Re: Virgin Media News
 

Hmmm... Sky launching ANOTHER Triple Play offering called "Picnic!"

What a crap name that it! lol

The early findings tomorrow... hehe. Cant wait!

Re: Virgin Media News
 

I don't know what the line ups like for Virgin 1 this weekend, but i hope they've got something that can pull in a good audience.

Re: Virgin Media News
 

BSkyB may be forced to sell ITV stake

BSkyB could be forced to sell its 17.9% stake in ITV after the Competition Commission ruled it was "against the public interest". The satellite giant spent £940m buying the stake last November in a move that effectively thwarted cable group NTL (now Virgin Media) from acquiring ITV.

However, after a lengthy inquiry the Competition Commission has found the stake could lead to a substantial lessening of competition by giving Sky the ability to influence ITV's strategy.

"As a pay-TV operator, Sky faces competition from the free-to-air TV offer, of which ITV is an important part," the inquiry's chairman Peter Freeman said in a statement.

"BSkyB would therefore have both the ability and incentive to take advantage of opportunities to weaken ITV or prevent it from taking actions that would threaten BSkyB's interests."

However, the regulator said it did not think the stake gave rise to competition concerns in other areas, such as advertising and news provision.

The Competition Commission has put forward three potential remedies to alleviate the situation. They are:

• BSkyB sells its entire stake
• BSkyB sells enough of its stake to ensure it no longer has material influence over ITV Views are invited as to the level of the sale of the stake required – previous examples include reductions to just below 10% and just below 15%.
• BSkyB sells some of its stake and is subject to behavioural restrictions These restrictions might relate to areas such as voting behaviour and the solicitation or acceptance of board representation. Views are invited on suggestions.

Sky's major rival Virgin Media, which initially called for the stake to be investigated, said the Competition Commission's provisional findings were "a major step towards addressing the problems caused by Sky's stake in ITV".

A spokesman for the cable giant said: "Strong remedies are required to finally resolve the matter - Sky should not be permitted to remain in a position where there is any question whatsoever about its ability to influence ITV. We will be closely engaged with the Competition Commission during this next remedies stage."

The Competition Commission's report is provisional at this stage and it hopes to file its full report in December.

More info here: http://www.broadcastnow.co.uk/broadc...StoryID=171478

Info from Broadcast.

Competition ruling could loose Sky £200m

BSkyB could lose in the region of £200m if it is forced to sell its 17.9% stake in ITV, one of the sanctions that could be imposed by the Competiton Commission after its provisional findings this morning.

The Competition Commission said the holding restricted competition, is against public interest and that such a stake would allow the satellite broadcaster to weaken ITV and alter its strategy.

Sky paid £940m (135p a share) in November 2006, a move widely regarded as a blocking tactic against NTL's ambitions to buy ITV. Based on ITV's current share price of 102.4p, Sky's holding is valued at £717m.

However, Virgin Media sources said that although the cable giant is pleased with the provisional findings, it was "unlikely" to make a renewed bid for the UK's biggest commercial broadcaster.

"First of all the credit market is in a mess," said a source. "On top of that, Virgin Media itself is up for sale. Thirdly it does not have a full time chief executive officer – it needs to get its own house in order first."

The Competition Commission will reach a final decision before the end of the year.

Info from Broadcast.

ITV is again a takeover target


ITV is once again a "potential target for take-over" following provisional findings from the Competition Commission that could force BSkyB to sell its 17.9% stake.

Virgin boss Richard Branson hinted last week that he was still interested in acquiring ITV but as analysts point out, "he appears in a far weaker position than previously".

Virgin insiders suggested this morning (2 October) that an imminent bid is unlikely.

Virgin Media is up for sale itself and currently has no chief executive.

The credit markets have also deteriorated sharply since its approach last year.
Matthew Walker of Lehman Brothers said that RTL could be interested in the future although added that the company has said many times it will focus on Five.

Numis Media analysts said they believed the Commission has made a "harsh judgement".
"We expect that BSkyB will have to sell down its stake in ITV to perhaps 9.9% or 14.9%," the company added.
In 2006, ITV was also the subject of two attempted takeovers from a Greg Dyke-led private equity consortium.

The broadcaster later began negotiations for a potential merger with cable operator NTL, prompting Sky to swoop on its stake in ITV.
ITV's share price had risen by 1.60p to 102.8p when Broadcastnow.co.uk published.

More Info here: http://www.broadcastnow.co.uk/broadc...StoryID=171480

Info from Broadcast.

Re: Virgin Media News
 

This is exactly what Ive been talking about. Sky obviously thought to themselves that they were TOO powerful to be called into an office and told to sell the shares again, and now they find themselves preparing for a loss of upto £200m this year.

Although the CC has released 3 remedies to combat this, there are others also, which dont involve Sky selling.

Dont forget, also, that a company such as News Corp. could buy the ITV stake off Sky, even though News Corp. owns Sky.

One way or the other, they have paid £200m for nothing. And that shows how much more money than sense Sky has.

Re: Virgin Media News
 

Virgin lobbies for Sky to shrink ITV stake


Virgin Media is reportedly lobbying for Sky to reduce its stake in ITV from 17.9% to 5%.

Earlier this week, the Competition Commission ruled that Sky's current stake restricted competition and was "against the public interest".

The Commission will present its full report to the Secretary of State in January, with Sky likely to be required to sell its stake or reduce it in order to restrict its influence over the broadcaster.

Insiders have told Broadcast that while Virgin Media would prefer Sky sold its entire stake, it will probably campaign for Sky to reduce it to 5%.

http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/broadcas...itv-stake.html

Info from Digital Spy.

Re: Virgin Media News
 

BSkyB hopes to avoid a forced sale of its ITV shareholding by proposing a series of undertakings to the Competition Commission.

Sky sources said they did not think it would be forced to offload their shares in ITV.

A move that effectively blocked Virgin Media's attempted takeover of ITV.

Sky says to be working on a number of proposals it will present to the Commission in an attempt to allay concerns over its potential undue influence.

These are understood to include offering assurances on how Sky will vote at ITV shareholder meetings and agreeing to limit its influence on the ITV board.

Info from The Mail on Sunday.

Re: Virgin Media News
 

Sky are now saying that a Private Partner was with them, and that means Sky wouldnt have owned such a big stake, and that it WAS an investment, not a scuppering tactic for ntl:.

The Guardian is saying "nobody in the City is going to believe this" meaning Sky are coming up with valid excuses to cover up the fact that they broke the rules.

-

In other news, Virgin has hired Ricky Tomlinson to explain the Digital Switchover in lamence terms.

Problem is, in an interview, hes been employed by Virgin, but he tells people that they "can buy a Sky box for the top of their Telly"...

Re: Virgin Media News
 

http://business.timesonline.co.uk/to...cle2690063.ece

Neil Berkett, age 51, has taken Steve Burch's job at Virgin Media, and has devised a strategy, which the Times newspaper, owned by News Corp. is calling a "conceaded defeat against Sky" in terms of competition.

It says, although Virgin will continue its court battle, the new Chief has set his sights on Mid-Tier customers and market, believing there is a set of customers out there on Freeview, who want just that little bit more. Thats where Virgin comes in.

However, by the sounds of it, there could be a price reduction of some sort on the cards.

Think about it, you want Freeview customers to come to Pay Digital, but they arent taking VMs XL or Skys 6 Packs, they want something in the lower scale, where you dont pay much at all.

Maybe Ive got the wrong idea, and instead they intend to advertise in the areas mostly taken up by Freeview.

One way or the other, this geezer seems to know what hes doing.

The other thing to point out from the story is that Customers have, for years, been frustrated, yet the CEO's naff off with nice pockets; mainly of outrr hard earned money, while they sit around and do nothing about the co. in turmoil!

Re: Channel 263 removed
 

Ch 263 (Ex UKTV Bright Ideas) removed from EPG.

(Ex-NTL)

Re: Virgin Media News
 

UKtv Drama +1 live on system ch130 has replaced 263 taken off

Re: Virgin Media News
 

Sky offers to concede ITV voting shares



Sky has proposed to put some of its voting shares into a trust in an attempt to mollify antitrust concerns raised by the Competition Commission.

More info here: http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/broadcas...ng-shares.html

Info from Digital Spy

Re: Virgin Media News
 

Virgin Media's 3Q Results will be givng out on November the 7th 2007.

Re: Virgin Media News
 

Virgin dispute hits BSkyB profits

BSkyB boosted pay-TV customers over the past three months, but a continuing row with cable network provider Virgin Media dented profits.

Sky added 83,000 net new customers in the quarter with churn - a measure of subscriptions cancelled - falling to its lowest level in more than a year.

But the firm's pre-tax profit fell to £121m, down from £166m a year earlier.

Virgin's refusal to screen certain key Sky channels because of a row over transmission costs was partly to blame.
Virgin launched a High Court action against BSkyB in April, accusing the broadcaster of abusing its dominant position in the pay-TV market.

According to an agreed timetable, the case is unlikely to be heard before next summer.

The firm estimated that its operating profit would be hurt by about £15m for each full quarter that the channels, including Sky One, Sky News and Sky Sports News, remained unavailable to Virgin Media's 3.3 million subscribers.

"We expect that performance for the full year will be in line with our plans," said James Murdoch, BSkyB chief executive.

But Richard Hunter, equity strategist at Hargreaves Lansdown, said the run on Sky's shares "centred around some slight disappointment on the profit numbers".

This, he noted, came on top of continuing uncertainty surrounding the firm's contentious 17.9% stake in rival broadcaster ITV and the distraction of the Virgin Media lawsuit.

Full story here http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/7074431.stm

Info from BBC News online.

Re: Virgin Media News
 

Virgin Media back on track after exodus of customers slows down


Virgin Media, the struggling cable group, will claim that its turnaround is on track when it unveils a slowdown in the exodus of customers to rivals.

The pay-TV and broadband group, whose hoped-for sale collapsed amid the global credit crunch, is expected to reveal a decline of about 31,000 customers in the third quarter, compared to a loss of 70,000 in the previous one.

It will also stress to investors that a sale of the business will now not happen until next year at the earliest.

Virgin, formed last year from the merger of the former NTL/Telewest cable groups and Sir Richard Branson’s Virgin Mobile, had hoped to shake up the home communications market by becoming the first “quadruple play” provider of pay-TV, broadband, fixed-line telephone and mobile services.


The company has also become embroiled in a messy legal spat with BSkyB, the satellite broadcaster which is 39.1 per cent owned by News Corporation, parent company of The Times.




At the results, on Wednesday, Neil Berkett, the group’s former chief operating officer and acting head, is expected to confirm a pledge to return the group to overall customer growth in the second half of this year.

Analysts at Citigroup are forecasting a decline of around 31,000 in the group’s customer base in the third quarter, followed by growth of around 45,000 customers in the fourth quarter. Residential telecoms customers, it says, are likely to decline by around 44,000 this quarter.

Instead of fighting for premium pay-TV customers, the group will unveil plans to focus on the cable operator’s broadband service as its core product for luring in customers.
Broadband is expected to be the strongest performing service in this quarter, with around 60,000 new customers.

Full story: http://business.timesonline.co.uk/to...cle2806510.ece

Info from Times online.

Re: Virgin Media News
 

Good to hear...

One thing Ive noticed, is that the Times HAVE to pont out that Sky is owned by News Corp. "parent company of the times" like the readers of the Times should have Sky!

Weird.

---------- Post added at 22:51 ---------- Previous post was at 22:43 ----------

Dunno if its really relevant, but when the Premier League rights come up for Buying again, Virgin, Setanta, BBC, ITV, BT could all have competition for On Demand rights... FROM MICROSOFT.

The 360 is doing On Demand programs, currently ESPN have signed a deal to supply some.

The other thing is, when the rights come up, a NEW Xbox could be out, so its very early stages.

Re: Virgin Media News
 

Sky, Virgin upset ASA again

Sky and Virgin Media have both found themselves in yet more hot water with the Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) after both were found to be running adverts that broke its code of conduct.

Complaints about a Sky advert questioning the speed of cable broadband, brought by two members of the public and Virgin Media, were upheld with Sky warned not to run the ad again.



Virgin found itself having its wrists slapped for an advert that contrasted its V+ digital receiver with the Sky+ service for making unfair comparisons. Unsurprisingly, it was Sky that complained to the ASA about the ad.

http://www.webuser.co.uk/news/news.php?id=154041

This has actually answered the question WHY Virgin arent pushing the PVR and comparing it to Sky+; Because they arent allowed!

So, because Sky+ doesnt offer HD, then its uncomparable to the V+. Although, Skys SkyHD has PVR Functions so Virgin should be comparing the V+ against that, which is the most expensive offering Sky have between SkyHD and Sky+, thus, it makes the V+ look expensive in itself!

One way or the other, Virgin cant win, although if Sky are questioning the speeds Cable can offer, then they are in for a rude awakening...

Re: Virgin Media News
 

Story in full http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/broadcas...kys-stake.html

Story from Digital Spy.

Re: Virgin Media News
 

Seems itv have some sense.

Re: Virgin Media News
 

Seems ITV dont want the Sky Influence to start with.

Sky are still losing money on this, also...

Re: Virgin Media News
 

I think cable has had the worst from the loss of the sky basic channels.

The people that really wanted those channels have left, and the results have been published, so it doesnt really matter how long the dispute goes on for as they are not going to lose much more.

In comparison, sky are losing out on a monthly basis due to advertising revenues, comboined with the likely loss from the ITV bid.

I think from the beginning sky has held the major bargaining power, should they chose they could cut the cost of the channel just to get the dispute to an end. Because of this i think it would make good business sense for sky to reduce the cost to get their channels on the cable platform and increase their advertising revenues.

The longer it goes on the more it will benefit cable.

Re: Virgin Media News
 

Agreed. People leaving now cant really use the Sky One excuse anymore...

They had their chance, and it went at the end of March (or was it April) so thats the end of it, as far as I am concerned. And as Ive said elsewhere, it goes to show, these channels arent needed for Cable to increase custom.

Re: Virgin Media News
 

Today I saw an Virgin Media CAR.

---------- Post added at 17:27 ---------- Previous post was at 17:24 ----------

The Competition Commission will advise the government that Sky should reduce its stake in ITV, a report has indicated.

According to the Financial Times, the commission will advise business and enterprise secretary John Hutton that Sky should reduce its 17.9% stake in ITV to between 5 and 10%. Sky acquired the stake in November 2006 at 135p per share; at lunchtime today, shares in ITV were trading at 85p. It is understood that the commission would want Sky to reduce its stake within 6 months of the ruling, which is expected this week.

Sky has offered to place 3% of its shares in a voting trust; ITV, however, has urged a total divestment of the stake.

Info from Digital Spy.

Re: Virgin Media News
 

Virgin Mobile and Samsung will be sponsoring the big bro spin off.

Virgin have said that the sponsorship of big bro 8 made the brand instantly recognisable and research shows that it had a positive affect on Virgin Media/Mobile.

Celebrity Hijack is due to air from 3 - 28 January 2008.

Info from DS Forum.

Re: Virgin Media News
 

Big Brother needs to die.... (the show, I mean! ;) )

Re: Virgin Media News
 

Just thought Id bump this up.

I know Virgin havent been in the news, but this thread is well needed.

Re: Virgin Media News
 

BSkyB gets extension to ITV appeal deadline

BSkyB has been given until the end of the month to appeal against the Competition Commission's recommendation that it reduces its controversial 17.9% stake in ITV to less than 7.5%.

Plus

David Elstein is expected to step down from the Virgin Media board after serving five years as a non-executive director.

Both storys from Broadcastnow.

I know this is old news but on December 18th 2007 Virgin Media announced that Charles Gallagher, a Director of Virgin Media, has resigned from its Board of Directors and will join the company's executive management team as Senior Vice President - Finance. George Zoffinger has succeeded Charles as Chairman of the Audit Committee. Edwin Banks has also joined the Audit Committee as an additional member.

In his new role, Charles will focus on providing senior finance support on the operational side, in particular at the division level, with a view to enhancing the effective implementation of Virgin Media's strategic priorities. He will take up his new position in January and report to Jacques Kerrest, Virgin Media's Chief Financial Officer, who has signed a new agreement extending his existing contract to December 31, 2008.

Info from Virgin Media.com

Re: Virgin Media News
 

thanks again tv boy for the info !! :D

Re: Virgin Media News
 

So the end of the month, for Sky to appeal. No doubt they will win. Appeals usually get what they want.

Lord Huttons announcement is at the same time though, so that might sway it a little.

Still havent heard much on Virgin Media maybe getting a major share in ITV, though.

I think it would be a good addition to Virgin TV.

Re: Virgin Media News
 

Virgin Media TV, the content arm of the UK cable company, has acquired Disney-ABC International TV reality series The Next Best Thing, plus documentaries from Dutch distributor Off the Fence.

Virgin will air celebrity look-a-like series The Next Big Thing (8x60') on its Living 2 channel, while over on Virgin 1 it will add two 60-minute docs from Off the Fence to its Extraordinary Humans strand, one about dwarfism and one about obesity.

Info from C21 Media.

Re: Virgin Media News
 

Hedge fund SRM Global Master Fund has again raised its stake in cable giant Virgin Media to 9.1%, according to a Securities and Exchange Commission filing.
Info from Broadcast

Re: Virgin Media News
 

Joe Pasquale and Suzanne Shaw have been lined up to present Virgin 1's BingoLotto show, which will be made by Spun Gold.

Info from Broadcast.

Re: Virgin Media News
 

JOE PASQUALE? The guy used to be funny coz of his voice, but he is so frikkin over now. lol

Re: Virgin Media News
 

Gemstar sues Virgin Media over EPG patents

Gemstar-TV Guide has filed proceedings against Virgin Media in the High Court, alleging that the cable operator has infringed three of its European patents.

The company, which licenses electronic programme guide technologies to cable operators around the world, including in the US where they are more commonly known as interactive programme guides or IPGs, said today that Virgin had infringed patents pertaining to "techniques for providing certain IPGs and for handling recordings from IPGs".


Full story here: http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/digitalt...g-patents.html

Info from Digital Spy.

Re: Virgin Media News
 

So what does this mean for us the "customer" ..is our epguide going to dissapear...or what.:confused:

Re: Virgin Media News
 

Mine disappears every morning with "No Programme Information" need to reboot it every morning to fix it :mad:

Re: Virgin Media News
 

lol:D:D

Re: Virgin Media News
 

No, it will mean that VM will pay to make the law suit dissapear, because there is no way on earth they will pay for a new improved epg. :)

This puts a bit more meat on the bones on that law suit article.

http://www.theregister.co.uk/2008/01..._virgin_media/

Re: Virgin Media News
 

Virgin have spoke with their lawyers and so on, and they say the case is without merit and they arent backing down.

Basically, they accuse Gemstar of blatant opportunitism.

In other news, EasyJet has aquired a contract with ntl:/telewest Business (The Virgin Media Buisness arm) to supply their telecommunications.

The link is subscription, but Im sure something will crop up again soon. :)

Re: Virgin Media News
 

I have just found that Gemstar-TV is 41% own by News Corporation. [The Sun and The Times ]

Re: Virgin Media News
 

murrdoch trying to get more money from vm try and push em out of bussiness another way his what a t**t

Re: Virgin Media News
 

Whilst that correct at present i did read yesterday that gemstar in the middle of being taken over so murdocks share may not exist after that.

Re: Virgin Media News
 

Virgin Media announces speed boost

Virgin Media is to give customers on its 4Mbps downstream broadband service a free upgrade to 10Mbps starting next month.

The upgrade will roll out on a region-by-region basis and is designed to position the mid-tier offering ahead of "up to 8Mbps" services offered by ADSL providers.

"Virgin Media's cable network gives us a natural superiority over other broadband services and we're delighted to reward our customers with this free upgrade," said acting CEO Neil Berkett, who will be speaking at tomorrow's Superfast Broadband symposium. "We've barely scratched the surface of what's possible with our cable network, and we will continue to look for new ways to satisfy the growing demand for even faster broadband in the UK. We're proud to be leading the country's superfast broadband revolution."

More info here: http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/digitalt...eed-boost.html

Info from Digital Spy.

Re: Virgin Media News
 

Forbes summed it up perfectly: (Search Virgin Media on Google News for details)

BSkyB 1, Virgin Media 0.

Sky may have to sell their stake down to 7.5%, but its sill effectively blocked Virgin from buying ITV.

Plus the fact that no one actually knows or will know the date the share has to be sold by, then Virgin couldnt stand a chance, and the shares could end up anywhere.

Im not too sure, though, that Virgin couldnt raise about £250m and equal the share Sky holds right now...

Re: Virgin Media News
 

I doubt they (VM) will bother to be honest. The money markets at the time that Sky blocked a share purchase with their own stake in ITV was favourable.

Right now, it isn't.

Re: Virgin Media News
 

As soon as Sky bought that share, I already knew it was a bad move.

They werent intet on doing anything with it, apart from block Virgin.

I agree that Virgin will stay away from the company, now, simply because it is falling so rapidly. Although, on the same token, the Shares look a lot more desireable now at the price they are, than the price they were.

And also, you have to look at the current situation with Northern Rock. Branson has said Virgin are very interested in taking it national, even though Northern Rock is probably the least favourable bank/building society in the world. (Of course, I am in no way saying that Branson runs Virgin media, but I reckon that once Virgin sees the UKs biggest Commercial Broadcaster up for a bargain, they may instruct Virgin Media to apply for it again.)

A bit of ambition doesnt hurt, and given the price of the shares in ITV, I believe you can never say never.

Re: Virgin Media News
 

Hmmm, if that's the case, who's gonna lend them the stake money, they are not exactly liquid at the moment. :)

Re: Virgin Media News
 

...And Virgin Media has already been mortgaged once...

Eitherway, Ive found this today, regarding the Gemstar thing.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/media/2008...rss&feed=media

So they want an injunction to STOP VM distributing Set Top Boxes, effectively blobking them from getting new TV Customers.

Now, all of a sudden, it sounds like a proper News Corp. Dirty Tactic.

---------- Post added at 22:23 ---------- Previous post was at 22:19 ----------

Also, the big Bandwidth debate goes on, with Virgin Media stating that;

Other quotes from BT and Tiscali are here:

http://www.businessweek.com/globalbi...ge_top+stories

Aparently Tiscali cant cope with the demand, but BT arent complaining, with the hint being dropped that BT are going to start traffic shaping customers.

Also, there is a little bit that says the BBC iPlayer will be added to our TV Service, and it wont impact the Broadband Bandwidth (much).

Re: Virgin Media News
 

4th Q Results Notification

http://money.cnn.com/news/newsfeeds/...ire/135557.htm

For those that dont know, these conferences display the current number of customers on all platforms of Virgin Media, and also what the future holds, profit, churn and total income.

It makes for very interesting reading.

Im particularly looking forward to hearing news on the DOCSIS 3.0 roll out, and also any further developments on VoD and Program Acquisitions.

---------- Post added at 20:40 ---------- Previous post was at 20:09 ----------

The new Terminator SERIES was advertised last night in the coveted Superbowl Ads.

They were only shown in America, but it shows how hard this is going to be pushed.

Re: Virgin Media News
 

dont you sleep grabbi..sheesh!!!

Re: Virgin Media News
 

HAHA. Yes... not much, but yes! :D

Re: Virgin Media News
 

David Elstein has resigned from the Virgin Media board where he was the primary independent voice.

Full Story Here

http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/digitalt...gin-board.html

Re: Virgin Media News
 

Neil Berkett has announced Virgin is officially out of the race for ITV.

http://money.cnn.com/news/newsfeeds/...6_FORTUNE5.htm

That means Virgin wont compete with Sky on the Premium TV side, but will compete on Middle Ground TV.

After reading that Virgin were out of the race, actually got me thinking about the BSkyB 1; Virgin Media 0 article previous.

If anything, Sky have done Virgin a favour by buying that share. They have lost money, as they didnt see the Credit Crunch coming. So because Sky blocked Virgin, Virgin SAVED money!

Id say thats BSkyB 0; Virgin Media 1.

---------- Post added at 01:53 ---------- Previous post was at 01:49 ----------

Talk Talk has sent a complaint to the ASA for the adverts containing “Truth, Lies and Broadband”:

“There are lots of companies out there selling “high speed” broadband, claiming to be the fast and cheapest in the land.

"Most broadband companies wouldn’t tell you that. We’re not most broadband companies.”

http://www.broadbandgenie.co.uk/broa...gin-media-ads/

Once again, the ASA ruled in favour of Virgin and stated that they cant see how the advert makes other companies look "decietful".

Virgin said that would make their service less popular.

Re: Virgin Media News
 

....I said last year that VM should've just gone ahead with the ITV bid rather than announce their intentions first. The door was left wide open and you never do that with Murdoch. A brilliant move by Sky, that despite the cost, was a masterful strike against VM.

As for Mr Berkett and his "we're not interested in premium content anymore" comment - if people believe that, they'll believe anything... VM is a company that sells pay tv. For such a company not to be interested in premium tv, would be like saying that Comet isn't interested in selling LCD tvs. Don't believe a word of it.

Re: Virgin Media News
 

Well, Berkett said "premium TV space" so they won't be placing a stake in ITV, so I tend to believe that as fact. They still have their own TV channels which they will continue to invest in those.

He mentioned nothing about premium content in that article Neptune.

Re: Virgin Media News
 

....for VM to make the most of it's VOD and faster broadband services, it needs to "monetise" these resources, ie use them to their fullest. The way to do this is by using its own content, especially premium content. VM has said this to the City multiple times and until they say different, I do not believe for a second that VM aren't interested in premium content.

Mr Berkett's comments (or, at least a few comments) were reported in several publications including the Guardian. In the Guardian article (link below) Mr Berkett says in one paragraph that VM is not interested in premium content and in the next paragraph says that he doesn't just want to be a utility company but wants to control content too. Make of that what you will, I know what I think.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/media/2008...rss&feed=media

Re: Virgin Media News
 

Actually they said something similar.

That they wouldnt sell Analogue TVs anymore, and only Digital TVs.

I believe that... So if Comet said they wouldnt sell LCD TVs Id believe that also.

Re: Virgin Media News
 

http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/hr/...3cc1cb0389d3e7

Would that be Virgins way of saying "Sky is too dominant?"

Its a good thing to say, when you consider the court case, at this moment in time, and who would argue?

---------- Post added at 22:43 ---------- Previous post was at 22:38 ----------

The Direct Debit charge debate rages on, also.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/main.../nbills109.xml

Re: Virgin Media News
 

Virgin Media in Rumors to Bid for Setanta

According to Digital Spy:

http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/broadcas...bp1bn.html?rss

Very interesting, coming from a company that believes they havent got a future for the Premium Market.

£1bn is the price. And it looks like a very solid investment.

---------- Post added at 17:22 ---------- Previous post was at 17:10 ----------

The V Box and V+ Box trademark registration from Virgin Media has been removed.

They believe that BT will win the war, simply because they got there first.

Name Change? (Details from DS Forum)

http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/forums/s...d.php?t=744526

Re: Virgin Media News
 

Dont Sky also have a Non-DD Charge as well which when added to the BT would dwarf VM Outrageous £60 Charge. I seem to remember intheknow raised this on digitalspy some time ago and then ran off with his tail between his legs when he had to criticise Sky!

Re: Virgin Media News
 

I beg all customers, investors, shareholders, if rumours are true, that VM, are thinking of bidding to take control of Setanta, my advice is DON'T, Setanta at the moment are doing very well, and is successful, if you let VM, get hold of it, it will be ruined, VM can't run there own service properly, so surely they will ruin Setanta, the first thing they would do, is take Setanta of Sky, look what they are doing about Arsenal TV.:mad:

Re: Virgin Media News
 

Disagree completely.

Setanta would be owned by Virgin Media, but would be run by Virgin Media Television. VMTV (Living, Bravo etc) I would happily let that production company take over any TV Channels I have.

I know I keep rabbiting on about this, also, but if they managed to get Setanta, that would mean you could put WWE on Setanta, and keep the platform of Paying to have it on Sky Monthly, and leave it as is on VM. (Also, Setanta and the McMahon's have the Irish connection. ;) Although so do the Murdoch's.)

Re: Virgin Media News
 

Guys please, this is all pure speculation.

VM's share price is falling, the equity markets are all but closed.

Please look at paragrpah seven for a more than informed view of this news.

Re: Virgin Media News
 

That SHOULD say it all... but you could say VM got burned the last time they tried the public route of a takeover.

http://money.cnn.com/news/newsfeeds/...3-22908911.htm

Re: Virgin Media News
 

what makes you think that if there were a take-over bid (purely speculation) that they would take it off sky?

The only company that has lost channels is VM. It wouldnt make financial sense to remove a package from over half their customer base, especially when it is a subscription on sky, so everyone has to pay for it. Plus it would also half the advertising revenue from the channel making it less able to bid for new seasons.

Also if it isnt avaiable to half the UK then the people that sell the rights to the matches wouldnt be as inclined to sell to setanta.

The same as Virgin 1. This was put on the sky platform for the above reasons.

Re: Virgin Media News
 

Its true there is far less money around but for good deals there is always money available. Look at virgin being able to get backers for northern rock and microsofts offer for yahoo (first time theve ever looked outside for money).
No matter what people at ground level think of branson he does have the ears of major financial backers.