Cable Forum - Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2010) Vol. I

If these deal goes ahead I suspect Virgin will demand red button and HD, access to all Sky channels at launch, access to all 3rd part channels that Sky helps launch and a clause that ensures that VMTV channels are always available on cable and that that the Sky channels can never be removed.

I would also expect that there would be a clause that would forbid VM from entering the content business again or at the very least for a number of years.

Hopefully VOD will be factored in as well as Sky seem to by VOD rights to all its US shows. and if we really want to dream how about a tie up where Sky customers can get Virgin cable to access VID via their Sky box?

There is no way this is going to happen, they're not suddenly going to become friends, they are businesses. They will want to keep their usps for themselves. If we do get Sky HD channels then no doubt we will have to pay a sub fee for them like sky customers have to, otherwise it would mean VM suddenly looks way more attractive than Sky. Plus VM would have to do their own seperate deals with content providers for ondemand rights, they can't share the rights it wouldn't be fair on the seller.

zantarous

19-02-2010 09:49

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2010)

I don't see how the seller of VOD has to be involved, as long as Sky make it clear that they are buying rights to show on other platforms it would all be factored into the cost. Am I am of course thinking best case scenario here and of things and not at all what would actually happen.

Mobes

19-02-2010 09:51

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2010)

Thats two seperate things Tvtimes

Zantarous hasn't said VM won't charge for Sky HD channels all he's said is that he thinks we'll get them as part of the deal.

I fully expect to have to pay for Sky HD if we get them - there's no way VM could consume the cost and not charge even XL holders for them - we might get some sort of discount but will still have to pay.

tvtimes

19-02-2010 10:02

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2010)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mobes (Post 34966095)

I know he didn't but people are speculating, people are getting excited at the prospect of getting sky HD. I just think if Sky HD does come along we won't get them for nothing. Sky don't give things away especially when it will be detrimental to their own platform.

zantarous

19-02-2010 10:24

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2010)

The important thing is that we will have the choice which is better then what we have now. if there is a surcharge of about Â£5-10 for:

Sky 1 HD
Sky 2 HD (coming soon)
Sky News HD (coming soon)
Sky sports 1HD
Sky sports 2HD
Sky sports 3HD
Sky Movies 1-10 HD
Sky Arts

Seems like a choice I would splash the cash for. Although in the past VM have not wanted to take this stance, remeber them refusing Sky to sell its basic channels directly to VM customers.

tvtimes

19-02-2010 10:31

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2010)

Quote:

Originally Posted by zantarous (Post 34966093)

Why would Sky absorb the cost for vm? Plus Vm already has loads of deals in place for the ondemand they already offer these would all have to be renegotiated. In an ideal world your idea would be fantastic but this is Sky and Virgin were talking about, they hate each other.

---------- Post added at 11:31 ---------- Previous post was at 11:29 ----------

Quote:

Originally Posted by zantarous (Post 34966105)

But if it's less than what Sky charge i can't see Sky being happy at all with Virgin under cutting them on HD. Sky put up a fuss when Virgin used to offer Sky1 free to their medium pack customers and tried to insist it was only available to people paying for their top package.

zantarous

19-02-2010 10:38

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2010)

Quote:

Originally Posted by tvtimes (Post 34966108)

I didn't say anywhere about absorbing the cost. Again it would be extra revenue for Sky from selling another service to cable customers. Admittedly VoD is not on the cards at all I am just speculating on what could happen if the two companies actually put hostility aside and shared services, there is money aplenty to be made for everyone.

---------- Post added at 11:31 ---------- Previous post was at 11:29 ----------

Quote:

Originally Posted by tvtimes (Post 34966108)

Well there is a price point that customers won't pay, Â£10 on satellite gets you 37 shiny HD channels as there latest advertising campaign says. The Sky sub on cable would only include the sky channels. There could well stipulate that you have to take out the L or above pack before you could subscribe to it. Anything above Â£10 and they might as well not bother.

tvtimes

19-02-2010 10:43

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2010)

Quote:

I don't see how the seller of VOD has to be involved, as long as Sky make it clear that they are buying rights to show on other platforms it would all be factored into the cost.

sorry, i read into that, that you meant Sky could buy the rights to the ondemand services and then give them to other providers.

Media Boy UK

19-02-2010 10:51

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2010)

Sky on Demand is not part of any deal AFAIK.

But I know that Virgin are also looking to sign an longer deal for the Sky Basic Channels as part of any Deal as well.

Mobes

19-02-2010 10:51

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2010)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Media Boy (Post 34966116)

Sky on Demand is not part of any deal AFAIK.

But I know that Virgin are also looking for an longer Sky Basic Channels deal as part of any Deal as well.

I hope, as has been suggested, that there will be clause that Sky could not withhold channels bought from VM if there is a disagreement over price in 5-10 years time.

A lomghaul deal over Sky basics would be very welcome i'm sure.

What still worries me sighlty is that V were able to say in the last dispute:- "This is what Sky 1 bring as far as viewing figures are concerend and you want us to pay Â£XXXXX for them wheras this is what Living etc pull in."

They wouldnt be able to do that now.

Media Boy UK

19-02-2010 11:26

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2010)

New Channels to launch next month?

Just found this over on DS:

Quote:

Cartoonito (Spring 2010)
Pre-school Cartoon Network spinoff channel
Availability: Virgin Media

Military History (Spring 2010)
History Channel spinoff covering ancient battles to modern warfare
Availability: Virgin Media

And as far as I know Spring starts on March 1st.

http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/broadcasting/upcoming/

BenMcr

19-02-2010 11:39

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2010)

They are launching in April

Media Boy UK

19-02-2010 11:45

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2010)

Quote:

Originally Posted by BenMcr (Post 34966147)

They are launching in April

Thanks for info.

Any dates yet for them as well as Eurosport HD and Discovery HD?