Re: Sky Sports Select
 

For the above and other reasons, I think these are concept as oppose to actual channels. But I can see the point in a Sky Sports lite type channel if it is exclusive to the Sky platform. It will have to be a bit lighter than those shown above though!

Re: Sky Sports Select
 

I don't think we'll have too long to wait to find out. One picture suggests coverage of the US Open tennis. That runs for the first 2 weeks of September. If the channel(s) launch it'll be in the next 4 weeks. If nothing by the middle of September, it was all just BS :)

Re: Sky Sports Select
 

This would be very good news in my eyes. 10 hours of live sport "free" will be pretty decent, especially the cricket and the rugby. Should help increase the viewing figures considerably to help Sky get extra ad revenue too. A good idea all round in my eyes. Fingers crossed it happens sooner rather than later.

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2015) Vol. 2
 

New Rumour.

http://forums.digitalspy.co.uk/showp...postcount=1611

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2015) Vol. 2
 

Still think it's a nice idea but no more than an idea at this stage. Apparently, it the rumour came from one of Sky's many surveys.

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2015) Vol. 2
 

August List update - August 3rd update.

Keep up-to-date on the latest news on upcoming channel launches and other important events across all platforms of Virgin TV.

NOTE: I DO NOT WORK FOR VIRGIN MEDIA SO ALL THE INFORMATION ON THIS LIST IS STILL SUBJECT TO CHANGE

Colours on my list are as followed:

Media Boy = New Info just added.
Media Boy = Virgin Media News and links.
Media Boy = Local TV news, other Media news/Things.

From 2016 all UPC Ireland news will appear on this list.

=== Coming up on Virgin's Digital TV ===
=== Freeviews on Virgin Media ===
Jun. 10th. Premier Sports is having an freeview to all XL Customers on Virgin Channel 551 right now until August 10th 2015.

=== Soon ===
-That's Solent will soon launch in Southampton and surrounding areas.
-The Africa Channel may re-launch on Virgin Channel 293.
-Virgin Media has confirmed that Lifetime HD will soon launch on Virgin Channel ???.
-BT Extra 1 will soon launch on Virgin Media.

=== August ===
18th. Local TV Broadcaster 'Cambridge TV' will launch by 2016 on Virgin Channel 159 in Madingley Transmitter areas only.
-Sky Movies to rebrand Sky Movies Greats as Sky Movies Star Wars every weekend in August on Virgin Channel 404.
-Sky Movies to rebrand Sky Movies Greats HD as Sky Movies Star Wars HD every Weekend in August on Virgin Channel 434.

=== September ===
1st. Sky Sports to rebrand Sky Sports Ashes as Sky Sports 2 today on Virgin Channel 513.
1st. Sky Sports to rebrand Sky Sports Ashes HD as Sky Sports 2 HD today on Virgin Channel 503.

=== October ===
No News...

=== November ===
No News...

=== December ===
No News...

=== By 2016 ===
-Sky Movies to rebrand Sky Movies tbc1 as Sky Movies Aliens on Virgin Channel 4??.
-Sky Movies to rebrand Sky Movies Sky Movies Aliens as Sky Movies tbc1 on Virgin Channel 4??.
-Sky Movies to rebrand Sky Movies tbc1 HD as Sky Movies Aliens HD on Virgin Channel 4??.
-Sky Movies to rebrand Sky Movies Aliens HD as Sky Movies tbc1 HD on Virgin Channel 4??.
-Sky Movies to rebrand Sky Movies tbc2 as Sky Movies Gangsters on Virgin Channel 4??.
-Sky Movies to rebrand Sky Movies Gangsters as Sky Movies tbc2 on Virgin Channel 4??.
-Sky Movies to rebrand Sky Movies tbc2 HD as Sky Movies Gangsters HD on Virgin Channel 4??.
-Sky Movies to rebrand Sky Movies Gangsters HD as Sky Movies tbc2 HD on Virgin Channel 4??.

=== January 2016 ===
-The BBC may close BBC Three on Virgin Media subject to final approved by the BBC Trust.
-The BBC may close BBC Three HD on Virgin Media subject to final approved by the BBC Trust.
-The BBC may add two extra hours per day to CBBC and CBBC HD on Virgin Media subject to final approved by the BBC Trust.

=== February 2016 ===
No News...

=== March 2016 ===
No News...

=== April 2016 ===
No News...

=== May 2016 ===
No News...

=== June 2016 ===
No News...

=== July 2016 ===
No News...

=== August 2016 ===
No News...

=== September 2016 ===
No News...

=== October 2016 ===
No News...

=== November 2016 ===
No News...

=== December 2016 ===
No News...

=== Local TV on Virgin Media ===
-All the following Local TV broadcasters may launch by 2017 on Virgin Channel 159:

-YourTV Manchester
-YourTV Blackpool & Preston
-That’s Basingstoke
-That’s Surrey
-That’s Reading
-That’s Salisbury
-That's Oxford

=== Unknown dates ===
-The BBC hope to launch English regional variants of its existing BBC One HD service as well as Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland editions of BBC Two HD - but still need to be approved by the BBC Trust.

=== Channels ONLY in UPC Ireland areas ===
List last updated on June 2nd 2015.

ONLY TV CHANNELS THAT ONLY BROADCAST IN THE UK ON OTHER NETWORKS WILL APPEAR ON THIS PART OF THE LIST.

ALSO THE FOLLOWING LIST OF CHANNELS IS CURRENTLY BROADCASTING ON UPC IRELAND BUT NOT ON VIRGIN MEDIA:

Documentaries:
-History HD
-CI HD

Lifestyle:
-Fashion TV

Music:
-MTV Classic

Kids:
-Disney Channel HD

Specialist:
-EWTN

Radio:
-UCB Ireland

Channels only in UPC Ireland areas.

FOR LATEST NEWS ON UPC IRELAND SEE: http://www.cableforum.co.uk/board/11...iscussion.html

©copyright 2015 Media Boy 2006 - 2015. An ''Keep it real and free'' Production.

==== Virgin Media's Deals with broadcasters ===
Full list now at: http://mediaboyblog.blogspot.co.uk/p...adcasters.html

This part of list has now moved to my blog - follow link.

=== What is Media Boy on about??? ===
Here is what I mean when I post the following on Cable Forum:

Virgin Sources - means just that.
'Do Not Post' order - means an Virgin insider has given me some info on things that set to happen but has told me not to reveal it right now.

=== Media Boy Extra info: ===
Liberty Global - http://www.lgi.com/
Media Boy Blog - For all things Virgin TV - http://mediaboyblog.blogspot.com/
Follow Virgin Media on ''twitter'' here - http://twitter.com/virginmedia
See Nialli's blog on Virgin Media High Definition & TiVo Services here - http://vmhd.blogspot.com/

=== Ask Media Boy ===
Last updated May 8th 2015.

Q: WHERE DO YOU GET YOUR INFORMATION ABOUT VIRGIN MEDIA FROM?
A: Media Boy HQ gets all info from Virgin Media viewers, some Virgin Media workers (I called them Virgin Sources) and Web Sites (NOTE: When I used web sites I will post an link to that web site).

Q: WHY HAVE YOU ADDED 'ONLY IN UPC IRELAND AREAS' WHEN THIS THREAD IS FOR VIRGIN MEDIA?
A: Virgin Media and UPC Ireland are now both own by Liberty Global.

Q: WHY AM I NOT GETTING ''DISNEY CHANNEL HD'' FOR?
A: Disney Channel HD is only broadcasting in UPC Ireland areas right now.

==== See you later ===
List last updated on August 3rd 2015.

Next update: TBC.

A) If Virgin Media are set to launch more than TWO channels (TV or Radio) in Virgin TV areas.
B) If Virgin Media are set to move more than TWO channels (TV or Radio) about in Virgin TV areas.
C) If Virgin Media are set to close or repackage more then TWO channels (TV or Radio) in Virgin TV areas.

©copyright 2015 Media Boy 2006 - 2015. An ''Keep it real and free'' Production.

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2015) Vol. 2
 

By heck Sky's project purple is quickly becoming project salvation.

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2015) Vol. 2
 

Indeed, I took a survey a few months ago containing these pictures. Have done so many surveys like this that I didn't think much of it.

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2015) Vol. 2
 

I think they bury surveys that they're interested in with surveys that they're not interested in so that no one thinks anything of them! Having said that, there's no evidence to indicate that this initiative is happening anytime soon. If it does, I think it will be exclusive to the Sky platform so it acts as a differentiator to VM but it can't show too much live sport or it would result in cancelled Sky Sports subs!

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2015) Vol. 2
 

I'd be amazed if any of that comes to fruition if I'm honest.

Re: Sky Sports Select
 

I don't see how that wouldn't work! If you can sign up to Amazon Prime on a Smart TV, you can do so via an app on the TiVo, if the parties were agreeable.

The other services on Prime would still be accessible and would be an added attraction to the consumer.

Re: Sky Sports Select
 

You told us you'd bought a Roku box and a Smart TV just use the tv to access Amazon instead of waiting on something that may or may not happen. You'll find the interface is far quicker than the TIVO anyway.

Re: Sky Sports Select
 

Totally agree but my point concerned bundling Prime into a VM subscription as oppose to a direct relationship with Amazon. So I think it's a possibility that Prime will appear on Tivo at some stage but with customers paying Amazon directly. VM will merely be renting them space and including its content in its search option.

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2015) Vol. 2
 

Surely if these 2 new Sky Sports channels are real (and i think they are) then it is in the best interest for Sky to have them on as many platforms as they can as they are essentially what BT showcase is but for Sky Sports. They will be hoping that seeing some sport for free encourages extra people to subscribe.

The reason i think they are real is Sky have been experimenting with showing sport on Sky 1 for the last couple of years. We have had darts, Premier League, Champions League and F1 and these are some of the sports mentioned.

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2015) Vol. 2
 

One benefit is making a Sky subscription to basic channels better through Sky than through VM or TalkTalk. For that reason I can't see them being on VM.

Re: Sky Sports Select
 

Yes I have, but I am annoyed that I have had to do so, and there will be further streaming services in the future. So no doubt I'll have to buy yet another box or streaming stick when that happens.

It's really so unsatisfactory.

Granted, the current TiVo box is not going to win the Olympics on speed, but the next box should be much faster.

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2015) Vol. 2
 

That's how I see it too, it's like SKY offering an XL pack which includes premium sports content without having to pay a premium subscription.

I think we have about as much chance of getting this on VM as getting Sky Atlantic unless of course it's on a premium channel basis with a monthly subscription.

Re: Sky Sports Select
 

I have a Western Digital MyLive streaming box for my home media, a Amazon firestick and a Now box, all connected to different HDMI ports on my TV which all run in conjunction with the Tivo.
It would be nice if they all went through one interface, but its not going to happen. hardly a hardship pressing a few extra buttons to get what I want

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2015) Vol. 2
 

You'll get it VM will say it's free but will still stick a £3p/m price rise on anyway just for the Hell off it.

Re: Sky Sports Select
 

We need to look to the future. You are not going to have enough HDMI ports to deal with all the streaming facilities that will become available in the future unless something is done about the current ridiculous situation.

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2015) Vol. 2
 

Media Boy EXCLUSIVE: More BT Sport Extra red button tests start on Virgin Media.

Virgin Media has today started to test the following Red Button Channels from BT Sport:

-BT SPORT EXTRA 0
-BT SPORT EXTRA 2
-BT SPORT EXTRA 3
-BT SPORT EXTRA 4
-BT SPORT EXTRA 5
-BT SPORT EXTRA 6

Our Sources can view the following on one the tests: http://s15.postimg.org/3n6bhjw63/IMG...804_091832.jpg

All the rest have just got the BT Sport Extra screen like the one you can view right now on BT Sport 1.

Our Sources say the following about BT Extra 1:

©copyright 2015 Media Boy 2006 - 2015. An ''Keep it real and free'' Production.

Re: Sky Sports Select
 

Really a Smart TV and 1 box seems to do it for me using a grand total of 1 HDMI connection.

Re: Sky Sports Select
 

I'm terrible for buying streaming boxes lol i currently have a apple tv, roku1, firetv, samsung smart tv and just because i want it and not need it recently bought a chromecast lol, no doubt i'll buy the new nowtv box too just to add to my collection.
Yet i only use my firetv and appletv boxes lol.

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2015) Vol. 2
 

Very much doubt it, BT Sport Showcase advises customers who want BT Sport to phone BT. VM wouldn't permit this on their platform would they?

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2015) Vol. 2
 

Maybe Virgin will only broadcast BT Showcase when they are showing live things.

The rest of the time will be the Virgin channel off air screen.

All we know as of August 4th BT Extra 1 is broadcasting EPG info saying "Channel coming soon".

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2015) Vol. 2
 

We think it's something completely different ;)

Re: Sky Sports Select
 

Just buy an HDMI splitter as you'll only be using one of them at a time

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2015) Vol. 2
 

Agreed.;)

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2015) Vol. 2
 

Thanks for that PM.;)

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2015) Vol. 2
 

It's hardly difficult to work out they are red button streams for the Champions League.

Re: Sky Sports Select
 

Just buy another couple of TVs.:D

Re: Sky Sports Select
 

Do all of those streaming boxes differ in what you can watch?

Re: Sky Sports Select
 

No lmao especially now my pc and laptop have updated to window 10 which means i can cast the pc/laptop screen to the tv.
However appletv nbcsports quality is much better than other devices and the firetv allows me to use kodi on it (we won't discuss that though), the Roku is set up in the bedroom no idea what i'll be doing with the chromecast when it arrives lol, i'll prob set it up in bedroom.
Also the firetv box has Amazon instant video on it which i don't use but it's there as a option if i want it, appletv has a few more usa services such as usanow, abc on it.
I'm just a streaming device nerd lol.

---------- Post added at 15:49 ---------- Previous post was at 15:44 ----------

I bought a great device of ebay allows me to connect 5 devices to one hdmi port http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/5-PORT-HDM...item4ab7ffce6e my tv has 3 ports but they soon filled up.

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2015) Vol. 2
 

AMC channel goes live on the 28th August.

http://tv.bt.com/tv/tv-from-bt/amc-t...11363996151191

Re: Sky Sports Select
 

I used to use an HDMI switcher which besides having a remote control, had automatic switching. It sensed when a device was switched on, and changed the input. The problem is these days, that many devices don't fully switch off, remaining in sleep mode, so the automatic switching can be hit and miss.

Some of these switch remotes can be added to a Harmony remote activity, which helps. Or for people using an AV receiver, you often have up to eight HDMI inputs on that.

I share your love of devices, but don't have as many as you do, even though seven of the eight HDMI inputs on my AV receiver are occupied :)

---------- Post added at 16:35 ---------- Previous post was at 16:15 ----------


Everyone feels the same way, though not necessarily in regard to Tvio, which you can understand why potentially competing services may not be added.

But look at the Roku box; in the US it has both Netflix and Amazon Prime. Why isn't Amazon Prime on the UK Roku box? Maybe ask Sky, who are one of the investors in Roku.

Netflix was already on the Roku box when Sky invested, so there was probably nothing Sky could do about Netflix, and at that time, Video was not a part of UK Amazon Prime.

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2015) Vol. 2
 

plus all the other excess European games they will have at weekends now it looks as if they are about to win the La Liga rights.

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2015) Vol. 2
 

On BT TV they have the following
BT Sport X 1-7 on Channels 450-456 and
BT Sport X 1-7 HD on Channels 465-471

When selecting each channel it has the BT Sport Extra logo with the spinning BT logo shown in your image.

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2015) Vol. 2
 

So are we thinking that VM won't get the HD streams then?

Re: Sky Sports Select
 

I have 3 HDMI ports on my TV, and that's not enough - to save swapping things in and out, I use a couple of these..

Bargain at £7.99, and switch automatically, depending on input.

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2015) Vol. 2
 

From my interpretation of everything I've read so far the HD streams are exclusive to BT, VM are just getting the SD ones.

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2015) Vol. 2
 

La Liga is to stay on Sky Sports for the next 3 seasons.

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2015) Vol. 2
 

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2015) Vol. 2
 

Looks like I will need to look elsewhere again then...

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2015) Vol. 2
 

Dammed if you do dammed if you don't. Subscribe to BT you get the HD streams but Sky Sports 1,2 & 5 is all in SD.

So it seems that there is no one provider where you can get 100% of the sports content in HD.

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2015) Vol. 2
 

lets wait and see as you said it your interpretation so not fact yet

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2015) Vol. 2
 

Actually - its only Sky Sports 1 & 2 in most areas on BT-tv - Sky Sports 5 is very limited access. And it is only SD for all.

If you want all Sky Sports and BT Sports in HD - then you need two providers.

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2015) Vol. 2
 

BT Extra 1 has been renamed today as BT Sport Extra 1 when our source tune in, it still showing CHANNEL COMING SOON.

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2015) Vol. 2
 

Another example of the crazy world of media, where the needs of customers are of secondary consideration.

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2015) Vol. 2
 

I doubt there will be much content of interest on Extra anyway, I expect all the English and probably Scottish teams will be on the main channels, certainly from CL point of view.

I'm second guessing by putting two and two together, based on press releases, info on BT Sport lite and how the Europa League games are scheduled tomorrow but I think we will see the James Richardson Soccer Saturday style 'Goals' show on BTS1 or Extra and Showcase when no live match is on, then the first pick game on BTS Europe and second pick on BTS2, leaving the streams for the remaining matches featuring non British clubs. Would make sense from a ratings and ad revenue point of view anyway.

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2015) Vol. 2
 

It's just capitalism. You get a lot of choice, but you can't get everything under the same roof. Same situation as iTunes, Amazon Prime, Netflix and NowTV not being on every device. Or Waterstones selling different books than WH Smith and Daunt Books.

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2015) Vol. 2
 

BT are proving to be cut from the same cloth as SKY. Exclusive HD channels, an exclusive Ultra HD channel and of course AMC launching exclusively on BT later this month. BT Sports still hasn't even launched on Talk Talk! If anything, BT are withholding more channels and content from their competition than any other broadcaster in the UK.

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2015) Vol. 2
 

BT Sport subscribers on the Sky platform will get AMC as well.

---------- Post added at 22:15 ---------- Previous post was at 22:14 ----------

Good point, I guess TalkTalk doesn't have the same negotiating muscle as VM does.

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2015) Vol. 2
 

Just look at their BT Sport pricing on the Sky platform if you don't take BT Broadband , the other tv provider who uses the Openreach network for it's broadband (Talk Talk) also haven't been able to negotiate a wholesale deal.

Funny that isn't it.

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2015) Vol. 2
 

VM,SKY,BT and talktalk all need their heads banging together i add talktalk in because of their awful customer service lol.

On another note all btsport channels launchrd today on Plusnet tv.

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2015) Vol. 2
 

If you don't like the above companies, a reminder that Vodafone TV should launch in November this year.

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2015) Vol. 2
 

There is so many TV providers, with so many TV options. The only real problem is not 1 really hits the nail firmly on the head for me in terms of value and over the top services.

The ideal set up for me would be a hybrid between Youview and over the top on demand. So you'd have all freeview channels plus catch up for iPlayer, ITV Player, All 4, Demand 5, UKTV on demand plus Quest on demand free as standard. From there the ideal service would include Netflix, Amazon Instant Video and NOW TV with the option of adding additional streaming apps for the likes of BT Sport, Boxnation and WWE Network. All these apps exist but they're spread our over a series of streaming devices.

That would be a winner for me. Neat and tidy all available via one PVR. If one of the newer TV providers could somehow pull this off, I think they'd be onto a real winner. Especially if they offered all services in 1 monthly payment. For 17mb broadband, line rental, Netflix, Amazon Instant Video and NOW TV I'd be happy to pay between £35 and £40 per month.

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2015) Vol. 2
 

Will be keeping a eye on that one.

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2015) Vol. 2
 

OB has been saying this for a while Chad. Can't ever see it happening.

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2015) Vol. 2
 

And yet Ofcom do diddly squat about it.

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2015) Vol. 2
 

True, but I'd say to compete with SKY I imagine you have to play them at their own game.

SKY took on BT at BB and also withheld key content (still do) such as SS3, SS4, F1 and HD versions plus other content. So no wonder BT decided to try and take control back and buy content for themselves and then withhold it from SKY. At least they have bargaining chips now. It took bargaining chips for Virgin to get first the SKY basic channels back and then all the sport in HD, i.e sale of UK TV stake and deal over cable network.

As to your statement, you can't really count Ultra HD when no other competitor currently has a means to distribute it yet. SKY are launching a new box in the coming months, but VM I imagine will be last to the party.

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2015) Vol. 2
 

[QUOTE=1andrew1;35792165]BT Sport subscribers on the Sky platform will get AMC as well.[COLOR="Silver"/][QUOTE]

If that's the case then surely Virgin Media subscribers who also get BT Sport as part of their package will get AMC too? Or am I being naive?

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2015) Vol. 2
 

Could there be a chance that VM have also agreed a deal for the AMC channel but are holding back on the advertising of it?

If Sky customers can get it with the BT Sports pack, wouldn't VM have tried to include this in the deal for their customers too?

Just a thought, that's all...

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2015) Vol. 2
 

But they don't wholesale to Talk Talk either another of their competitors who use the Openreach network for their Broadband service , they aren't involved in the content war.

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2015) Vol. 2
 

they complain about sky and do exactly the same bleeding hypocrites they both bad as each other

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2015) Vol. 2
 

Yep both as bad as each other sadly.:(

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2015) Vol. 2
 

Not at all before VM got ss4&5 in hd sky had this habit of putting champions league matches involving Manchester United (the most watched team in Europe 2009 - 2010) on sky sports 4, now you don't even need to be cynical to see that play.

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2015) Vol. 2
 

Channel 5 goes UK Wide on Virgin?

Media Boy HQ thinks Viacom has remove regional advertising from Channel 5 (Virgin Channel 105) since last night - it was remove on Sky on August 3rd.

Virgin Media viewers in northern England, London, Scotland and Northern Ireland are affected.

Media Boy HQ V+ Box stop working for 5 mins about 1am last night when back our Total Channels want down by one. and listing for Channel 5 AD (Channel 855) was unavailable.

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2015) Vol. 2
 

D Speaking personally, I wouldn't criticise capitalism. It's from capitalism you get the innovation and efficiency. However, in a mixed economy, this needs to be tempered with rules and regulation. It's the Government that is failing here, not capitalism.

---------- Post added at 18:40 ---------- Previous post was at 18:27 ----------

Well, let's see how this pans out. They could be using the leverage they have to get Sky to the negotiating table.

---------- Post added at 18:43 ---------- Previous post was at 18:40 ----------

...Or they won't pay the price. Don't forget that Talk Talk is an economy option and their main concern is to keep costs down so they can undercut the big boys.

---------- Post added at 18:49 ---------- Previous post was at 18:43 ----------

That would certainly be true to form and I do hope you are right!

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2015) Vol. 2
 

Personally I think the ad revenue will dictate. if they have am choice of putting a repeat of the Claire Balding show or a CL game featuring an English team on BTS2 I'm sure that the Ad revenue and their need to prove to UEFA that they can still get decent ratings will be an influence.

Well we'll find out soon enough.

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2015) Vol. 2
 

I'm not so sure it's to do with negotiating power , Talk Talk sell broadband using a BT phoneline these are the very customers BT are looking to attract they also offer Youview and offer a more budget friendly package just like BT. VM already offers BB speeds far greater than BT's FTTC product so the majority are happy to stay put unlike those from other ISP's like Talk Talk , Sky etc.

The only other ISP to offer BT Sport is PlusNet and we all know who owns them.

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2015) Vol. 2
 

I'm not defending BT and I never disagreed with the statement BT are just as bad as SKY, my post was just more to say why they are just as bad.

SKY have built a business and grown a market which is largely down to securing premium exclusive content giving them USPs and bargaining power. They dictated and sowed up the UK market for many years and BT have played them at their own game in order to compete. So yes, definitely cutting from the same cloth at the moment.

Very brave to take on SKY and while I'm no fan of BT I am glad that at long last someone is having a go.

..... Obviously I'm totally bias being anti SKY.

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2015) Vol. 2
 

To be honest I have one friend my wallet , I agree with your points there are many things that infuriate me about Sky in fact too many to list.

I must admit though I'm getting equally concerned about BT in my opinion with the takeover of EE they have the potential to rule the roost and it's worrying the control they'll have over fixed line and mobile networks I think Vodafone and the other players have every right to be concerned.

I say this as a customer of both.

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2015) Vol. 2
 

Vodafone already have a strong relationship with Sky and i fully expect Now tv to be at the front of this new TV service from Vodafone.

As for AMC i am convinced that VM would not have signed up BT Sports without that being part of the deal.

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2015) Vol. 2
 

I agree with your sentiment in a sense but all I know is I paid a lot less when sky owned all the football. sure they dictated the price but I got all EPL football, champions league, fa cup and England games under one subscription.

Now in theory I pay for two.

In a way Ofcom should be investigated for the crime they committed at giving another multi million pound company the opportunity to steal money from us all (I'm sure it was Ofcom who said sky couldn't have all the epl rights anymore?).

"we're doing this to provide choice and value for the tv viewer"

yeah sure you were. nice fat little lunches and bonuses from sky and bt executives for getting two companies onto the football rights gravy train!

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2015) Vol. 2
 

It was the EC that required the Premier League to sell its rights to more than one bidder. It was not Ofcom.
In a way, the sports pay-TV market was artificially skewed in Sky's favour by government regulation. Firstly, BT was not allowed to sell its own payTV service until 2001. Secondly, the cable companies were licensed on a town-by-town basis, not nationally. This kept them distracted by mergers and without the scale and buying power to purchase sports content successfully in the long term.
As a result of this regulation, Sky was able to keep a large number of sports rights for a long time and to use the rights to develop its market share at the expense of its competitors and to secure a 64% market share of the pay TV market. This dominant position is the reason for the must-wholesale obligations that it has placed on it for SS1 and SS2.

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2015) Vol. 2
 

that was a EU ruling Vince that no one platform can have all the games

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2015) Vol. 2
 

True but I paid a lot less when all the sport was on FTA.

You want one subscription, I want sport back on FTA. Both are pipe dreams whose boats have long since sailed.

SKY created a premium sports market and ultimately gave birth to a beast of a market in the UK. Multiple subscriptions was an inevitable outcome, it's simple economics and it will continue to grow (perhaps a third sometime in the near future). However just be mindful of who got the ball rolling and who fuelled the demand when Sky Sports subscribers moan about multiple subs .

I actually hope to see many more multiple subscriptions in the future, e.g. divided by sport such as a cricket, tennis etc...

Just as XL customers are unhappy about paying an extra £3 for sport they don't watch the same goes for Cricket Fans, F1 fans, Tennis fans, NFL fans, etc.. who have to subscribe to SKY SPORTS who's price is over inflated due to the ridiculous amounts they have paid for PL. If you broke down a £35 (no idea of current cost) SKY Sports subscription by sport/competition you will probably be paying £25 for PL Football and about £2 for the cricket, £1 for F1 etc...

I like the growing US trend for MLB, NFL, NHL passes. You pay for the sport you watch and often can have an option to follow your team. However all the time SKY dominate the market it's unlikely to happen here, they have already restricted the NFL UK game pass by having them exclude many games SKY show and all the playoffs.



I know it's anti SKY chat again, I can't help myself they make it so easy ;)

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2015) Vol. 2
 

What would you propose the Government does?

Good point. And most of their TV subscribers just access the basic channels and don't pay for premium content.[/QUOTE]

Fingers crossed! Slight irony that it was VM that sold its stake in the CBS-Zone channels to AMC in the first place, thus bringing them to the UK market.

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2015) Vol. 2
 

In my view, the Government should look closely at exclusivity contracts and ensure that the needs of the consumer are taken into account.

It is ridiculous that we have to pay multiple subscriptions and have numerous devices to ensure that we have all the content that we want.

I know that some on this forum seem happy with this situation, despite the fact that the current state of affairs is hitting them in the pocket as well, but we're not all made of money!

Virgin Media have the opportunity to rectify some of these issues by allowing multiple streaming services on their Tivo boxes, but so far have declined to do so. If this straight forward solution to achieve John Malone's stated goal of bringing maximum content to cable viewers from multiple providers cannot be achieved, surely there is an urgent need for the Government to step in and sort the problems of exclusivity and the existing situation of having to buy multiple devices just to access your required content.

If the Government won't step in, our only hope seems to be the EU, who seem less hesitant to tackle big business monopolies. Not that I'm a big fan of the EU! :erm:

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2015) Vol. 2
 

But 10+ years ago the public were crying that the rights should not be with one broadcaster (Sky) and should be shared.

At the time the only other broadcasters were really BBC and ITV.

But those who complained got what they asked for - even if it wasn't what they meant.

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2015) Vol. 2
 

Correct. This is not what they meant.

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2015) Vol. 2
 

But there aren't any monopolies to tackle.

Channel exclusivity is not a monopoly. All of the content on the channel must be either produced by the network who owns it, which is fair play, or bought from the content producers on the open market.

In fact, market differentiation is a sign of a good market, not the other way around. if everyone had all channels and content, there would be no need for competition and a monopoly would likely emerge, as we basically had with Sky in the football TV market until BT came along.

Also, there is no such thing as "required content". Pay TV is a luxury item, outside of the PSB there is no right, nor requirement for customers to have all content from a single source. If you want the content, you have the ability to buy it. The fact that it isn't from one box is frankly irrelevant.

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2015) Vol. 2
 

Very well put.

As with, I would assume, the majority of others I'd like one box to show them all - but this isn't Lord Of The Rings. One box (preferably running off a rechargeable AA battery with 5 years between charges), one (low-cost) sub, UHD & a free telly - lead me to this place.

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2015) Vol. 2
 

I'm sympathetic to the one box idea but in reality, capitalism does not work this way. Companies like Thomas Cook have exclusive hotels that its main competitor Tui don't have access to and this will always be the case.
However, I think there is some hope with the growing popularity of more open platforms like YouView and Android TV. I can see these platforms having the fullest range of apps in time. If these platforms have a wealth of apps, Sky and VM may feel compelled to increase the apps they offer.

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2015) Vol. 2
 

Exclusivity happens in every industry , look at the new Apple music service they are signing all sorts of exclusive deals with artists etc.

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2015) Vol. 2
 

It does not help the customer though as he or she ends up forking out more as these companies charge heaven and earth for the premium exclusivity.

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2015) Vol. 2
 

Sometimes it does though - do you want every shop and every website selling the same thing?

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2015) Vol. 2
 

The more exclusivity you have the higher they inflate their prices Andrew as we see every day so all in all l don't think it is a good thing for the customer but sadly it ain't going to change anytime soon.

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2015) Vol. 2
 

Have faith guys have faith you will see something by the end of this month.

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2015) Vol. 2
 

Exactly in such a scenario the only thing a company would have as a differentiator is price which would soon lead to many going under.

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2015) Vol. 2
 

I think what they thought originally was that Sky would still keep the majority of the games at the price they were paying but another supplier would come in for the lesser games (perhaps a terrestrial channel) which would allow a wider audience to view them at a lower price.

Oops.

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2015) Vol. 2
 

Sounds promising, theone :)

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2015) Vol. 2
 

100% agree with you on this sir

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2015) Vol. 2
 

You'll like it not a lot but you'll like it.

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2015) Vol. 2
 

We shall see.:)

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2015) Vol. 2
 

If a single a boardcaster has all the rights there would be no incentive to make those games/channels available to rivals, costs would probably still go up and they would use their monopoly to dictate and run roughshot on smaller players in the market. In the long run multiple broadcasters in sport is very much a good thing. It makes companies innovate in making their product the best it can be, there is incentive to make sure their channels are on rival platforms.

The cost of football is what is driving up the game people seem prepared to pay ludicrous amounts to watch it, there has to come a time where the broadcasters think hang on a minute we can bid crazy sums for this but will people pay that price? I really can't understand the vast sums that get forked out for football.

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2015) Vol. 2
 

If it were only the football fans paying for the inflated prices, then that would be fine --- let them knock themselves out doing so. But everyone is paying for football through things like increased line rental.

The only true competition is to make all football available to all providers. Then the providers would have to differentiate themselves through things like price and added extras.

And why, in this day and age, aren't these various football leagues available as a direct online subscription? And the reason is, by keeping things the way that they currently are now, they can continue to fleece the whole of the British public. Daylight robbery springs to mind.

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2015) Vol. 2
 

Regarding a rumour awhile ago about vm teaming up with Sony to offer ps4s in bundles it looks like SKY have beaten them too it now http://www.sky.com/shop/offers/plays...affiliate=true ps4 £199 when taking out SKY broadband.

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2015) Vol. 2
 

I fully agree. People seem to want to watch every single game of football, and are willing to pay through the nose for it. It seems rather mental to me. BT offers a cheaper altnerative to Sky. If people voted with their wallets over the next few seasons, Sky will make a massive loss and only then will things change. People seem to love to moan, but don't want to do anything to change.

Personally, I would like to Sky offer a football only package, a football plus all other sports packages and, finally a sports package that covers all sports without paying over the top for 100's of boring games and the odd enjoyable game of football. If I want/get the chance and can afford to see my team live, I will go to the Abbey.

I base that last paragraph purely on the understanding that Sky will continue to convince people to pay them a small fortune each month. Obviously I would prefer FTA sports and football clubs to sell their own games via their own websites. I would, equally, happily pay the ECB and RFU a yearly sub for the right to watch England on TV. The PL can, frankly, do one.

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2015) Vol. 2
 

Just seen an advert on BT TV which says 'Fear the walking dead' 1st episode will be shown on BT Showcase.