Re: When VM launch their own Sky One... What would you like to see on it?
 

of course, sky now have a 2 year? contract to get these VM owned channels ( does their contract say what programs they get though ?).

would it be wise to improve this existing channel , or take the best content off these and produce a second new channel exclusive to VM cable and licence (a sub-set? of)that to freeview to remove the tosh gambling airtime.... with ANYTHING better.

the thing that strikes me in this thread and elsewere(from end users, and VM managment alike), is the lack of british innovative thinking in seeing just what IPTV really is...., its a vast move forward in interactivity and cost savings.

you take the VOD and bungle it up as people like it to be viewed, and add new options to that to show them how it can also be viewed in other ways( not the current crappy multi-button pressing back/ok/down etc beta front-end on-demand way please).

while tech is not a panacia as such , you cant do new innovative stuff without it, and given the current cheap and nasty stbs capabilitys, this will not happen to any great degree for a while yet, at least until both the head end and far more powerful STB's are put in place to then take advantage of the possabilitys at then no extra excessive costs.

but think of it this way, you ask for program x, y and z, and think its going to be delivered as its always been , but thats not the case, its potential can be far better than that old way for all concerned.

HD, SD, PIP, over lan, even to your browser and linkable in message boards to control your standard (powerful, some day...) VM STB (remember the VM STB uses limited html middleware to put up the GUI on the tv and control the box)and check out the PIP in a window as we post in this thread all become a possability if the basic tech is in place and the firmware in included.

why only supply the programs you already know and see elsewere, what about an ever changing supply of new and different programming that you can try for an episode or two and vote for it to be included in a generic tv channel, the more something gets votes the more gets supplyed.....

just one option:
advertising pays the bills,but again why not link these to the voting system, 'what do you want to buy today' type voting and that too gets linked into the main content on a rotation, the more an advert appears the more they pay.

just for the record , heroes, dresden files, primevil are all good new programs that do seem to bring something new to current viewing in the different channels they come from, so it might be nice to have them all in a single channel for convenience.

but...., how many more new programs are out there that we dont even know exists yet?, these new progams could find a very good home in VOD and become the next BIG hit, and VM could be the place to create this playgound were new tallent can collect, and become well known and watched.

its clear you dont need to go to the biggest and baddest studio's to get good programming, apparently there is a very big need to have a place were the smaller studio's and indys can get their new content on screen, why not VM...

Re: When VM launch their own Sky One... What would you like to see on it?
 

there are loads of programming out there that never see the light of day in the UK or it takes months for us to see it - they need to forget about Lost/24 etc as they are losing viewers with each season & concentrate on some new programming - if they had got something like Heroes that would have been great but there are other great programs out there that would soon pull in the audience either for a new channel, Living or VOD

Re: When VM launch their own Sky One... What would you like to see on it?
 

The reason why channels like Living, etc show repeat shows is because they can get them cheaper. A simplistic calculation of a new channel launch which this thread talks about shows why it will not happen. Getting new content for only 8 hours programming at say £100,000 per hour is £800K per day. Add staff costs and overheads lets say £1 million a day or over £350 million a year. VM do not have that money as Sky also does not. That is why Sky1 has so many repeats. I cannot see VM ever launching VM1 and talk of VM2 is laughable. That is why they have gone down the path of Virgin Central, providing a best choice at least cost solution. VM will never be able to buy first runs of top shows if the likes of Sky are prepared to pay £1 million per show. The £40 million saving has not even happened as it is a potential saving over the next 12 months.

Re: When VM launch their own Sky One... What would you like to see on it?
 

Yup, the name "living" to me says day time tv rubbish. Change it to Virgin One and add a few more good programs.
:tu:

Re: When VM launch their own Sky One... What would you like to see on it?
 

A name change and a few more high focus programs just might work. The channel is up and going and VM1 does seem to be attractive to some people.

Re: When VM launch their own Sky One... What would you like to see on it?
 

...and if I'm not mistaken, it's available on Sky as well, - more audience to attract the program makers and advertisers.

Re: When VM launch their own Sky One... What would you like to see on it?
 

Interesting point, do you get more money by making the channel exclusive to cable for the extra viewers, or available on all channels for the extra potential advertising revenue?

Or start off exclusive and then go national?

Re: When VM launch their own Sky One... What would you like to see on it?
 

I didnt think there would be a VM 1 channel just more content added to VOD which is sadly lacking I have 7 shows on my list hardly inspiring. Wondering if its becasue my samsung is still on the old NTL software still.

Re: When VM launch their own Sky One... What would you like to see on it?
 

Personally, I think you are right. The VOD seems the Unique Selling Point at the moment, specially the quotation on the VM site about watching programmes without the adverts.

Re: When VM launch their own Sky One... What would you like to see on it?
 

That's on Virgin Central. If you look on OnDemand, you'll find hundreds of programs..

Re: When VM launch their own Sky One... What would you like to see on it?
 

i want "lost now" - missing it today

Re: When VM launch their own Sky One... What would you like to see on it?
 

Cheers THought most was meant to be on Virgin central. I stand corrected.

Is all OnDemand stuff free just now? Except movies?

Re: When VM launch their own Sky One... What would you like to see on it?
 

I think TV catch up is free if you are on the XL package, and when you have the new Virgin Media electronic programme guide. Maybe someone can confirm that?

Re: When VM launch their own Sky One... What would you like to see on it?
 

Did you not read your letter. TV choice section on the on demand is free for 3 months (but not all of it due to more errors), then you have to start paying the fees again. or upgrade your TV package, I was told(in another thread) that this is due to the delays in getting the new EPG working (for every one, not just the V+ users) and untill they fix the red button problems, you are missing even more content than you may Know, plus the lack of some, +1 and +2 channels and Movie channels and some sport channels, that they don't show in some areas for some reason, you're still getting half a service in some areas. Even after EX-Ntl and EX-Telewest merged, then the name change to virgin this still hasn't brought those extras YET, before there were Cable only channels that were not on sky, now its gonna be the other way around for a while.

Re: When VM launch their own Sky One... What would you like to see on it?
 

Perhaps VM could commission Terry Pratchett's Guards Guards and look at other programs out there which might appeal rather than sticking with the same old stuff.. Stargate SG1 is finishing anyway so why not see what else is available :shrug: