Re: Large bundles of Channels
 

I am not surprised that Sky wouldn't want to divulge this sort of negative nformation! However, if instead of concentrating on fleecing its customers it could pay more attention to the quality of their content on the likes of Sky 1, 2 and Living, people may be less likely to ditch their subscriptions.

People are becoming less enamoured about subscribing to pay TV channels when the Freeview offering is so much better. Reality TV is less popular now and has lost its surprise/disgust factor.

Re: Large bundles of Channels
 

Sky 1 is one of the best if not the best performing pay tv Entertainment channel according to Barb viewing figures , I can think of a whole load of channels I'd gladly lose before the ones you mention.

I struggle to ascertain how you believe Sky is the only one to be fleecing its customers I've just had a quick look on Virgin Medias website and their prices seem to be in a similar ball park. My own personal view is they are all getting to expensive hence my belief things will need to change with the way they all bundle and sell their TV packages.

Re: Large bundles of Channels
 

You say things need to change MM but the these companies obviously don't share your sentiments and l cannot see it changing anytime soon.

Re: Large bundles of Channels
 

Things have already started to change Den , expect more going forward.

Re: Large bundles of Channels
 

Got to agree. There's companies offering real alternatives to the big bundled packages.

Plusnet customers with broadband and line rental can add Plusnet TV for £5.00 per month. For your £5.00 you get a Youview box, all Freeview channels plus Alibi, Animal Planet, CI, Comedy Central, Discovery, E!, Eurosport, Eurosport 2, Gold, History, Investigation Discovery, Lifetime, MTV, Nat Geo, Nat Geo Wild, Sony Channel, SyFy, TLC, Universal and W.

EE customers with broadband and line rental can get EETV added to their package. Total cost £27.50 per month including the line rental. You get their PVR and Freeview channels however their box supports NOW TV & TV Player Plus meaning customers can easily access the UK's top pay TV channels.

Re: Large bundles of Channels
 

Indeed, Sky 1 is Sky's most popular channel (because Atlantic is only available on direct subscription to Sky on two platforms). However, the content on that channel is disappointing and people are demanding better by ditching their subscriptions.

Netflix and Amazon provide much better value, IMHO.

I did not say that Sky was the only company fleecing its customers, although my perception is that they are the worst culprits.

Re: Large bundles of Channels
 

Please tell me a pay tv Entertainment channel that beats Sky One on the content front , as for worst culprits how many times have Virgin increased prices within the last 12 months ? They are all as bad as each other.

As for Netflix and Amazon shows we'll never know how many UK viewers they get as they don't disclose that information.

I agree Netflix and Amazon represent pretty good value for money.

Re: Large bundles of Channels
 

On your first point, I think Fox is my favourite, but I agree that Sky 1 is probably the best (if you exclude the premium channels). However, that is my point. The content on the pay channels is poor when compared with the best of the terrestrials, and I think a lot of people who subscribe to pay tv for the first time are surprised at the small amount of additional choice that is of good quality that they can access.

My comment about Sky 'fleecing' its customers was a passing comment rather than one that was central to the argument, and I know that a lot of us have negative views about Sky in that respect. I accept that you may not agree that Sky is the worst culprit.

My point was not about viewing figures for Netflix and Amazon. I am simply pointing out that they are better value for money, and people are likely to come round to that view unless content on the pay tv is improved.

Re: Large bundles of Channels
 

The availability or otherwise of Sky Atlantic won't make much difference. Sky1 gets four times as many viewers as Atlantic.

Sky News, Sky Sports News and Pick all give Sky1 a run for its money, though.

Re: Large bundles of Channels
 

I don't disagree about the OTT providers being decent value for money do you think I'd have started this thread if I thought traditional pay tv was value for money for me.

My point is in a create your own bundle world I'd be choosing the Sky Entertainment channels over the majority of its competing pay tv Entertainment channels.

I read your posts and I'm astonished you even continue with Pay TV when your so happy with the online providers , my only current reason for keeping pay tv is sport however I know you've said you don't watch that.

Re: Large bundles of Channels
 

Wonders how advertising revenue is worked out? If you can say your channel is "available" to so many millions via bundling on the major distributors compared to knowing your channel is only subscribed to by so many thousand.

Re: Large bundles of Channels
 

Do you mean across all platforms or just on satellite, Spiderplant?

Re: Large bundles of Channels
 

All platforms. See BARB data.

Re: Large bundles of Channels
 

So that accounts for Atlantic's poor ratings compared with other Sky channels. I would imagine that if you confine the audience figures to satellite viewers only, Atlantic will have a very respectable score indeed.

Since I acquired access to Sky Atlantic material through my Roku, I have been blown away by the quality and number of programmes I have missed. Sky 1 doesn't come close.

Re: Large bundles of Channels
 

Even if Sky Atlantic was available across all the platforms Sky 1 is its viewing figures would generally still be lower.

The majority of the content shown on Sky Atlantic is aimed at adults as opposed to the many family shows available on Sky 1.