Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2009)
 

go have a q1uick count on how many of them sky have stsakes in you find the numbers drops to just maybe 3 or 4 avaiable

i aint saying that virgin shouldnt have hd just it isnt as easy people think and it isnt virign faults.

for the record it was telewest not virign who did that advert

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2009)
 

ermmm no! Virgin media didnt exist when the TVDrive was launched (it was telewest that launched the TVDrive) NTL didnt have a PVR let alone HD box untill after the murger. SKY's HD service was launched and marketed about a year BEFORE VM came into being ;)

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2009)
 

yes we had telewest and it was tvdrive... in fact we still have the original tvdrive box

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2009)
 

well if it was 4 months that coutns april ;)

well as i said before berkett is a idiot

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2009)
 

Doesn't actually change the argument though. Ok, VM didn't have an HD product to market first, but Telewest did, and trumpeted it rather loudly:

http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/digitalt...-tv-drive.html

"HDTV takes the viewing experience a significant step beyond standard digital television and has to be seen to be believed," said Philip Snalune, managing director of consumer products at NTL Telewest. "It’s set to become this year’s must-have home entertainment experience and Telewest customers are the first in the UK to get access to it"

Note the "NTL Telewest" - The merger between the two was announced 3rd October 2005: http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/digitalt...-sale-off.html

Sky HD launched in May 2006 and there was a total of 9 channels in HD including Sports 1 & 2 and Movies 9 & 10.

HTH

Bri

---------- Post added at 18:17 ---------- Previous post was at 18:12 ----------

But IT IS Virgin's fault !!!! You yourself have just said that there are maybe 3 or 4 channels which Sky have no stake in. I don't know how accurate that figure is, but why isn't Virgin carrying those 3 or 4 channels..???

The merged NTL/Telewest (Which is Virgin Media just without the name change) has been around since 3rd March 2006, thats 3 years !

Basically, if the company had ditched the TVDrive on merger and gone with NTL's planned PVR which was to use MPEG4 then I would bet that VM WOULD now be carrying those 3 - 4 HD channels.

Bri

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2009)
 

what happened to the bbc channels that were meant to be coming today is it not happening now

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2009)
 

Hope the next virgin box is an mpeg4 box, if they give free upgrades to mpeg4 boxes they could add quite alot more channels. Obviously it would be expensive initially but i'm sure they could sell the boxes on to another cable company, they'd get alot more customers if there were more hd channels available.

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2009)
 

the new samsung v+ is mpeg4 and i believe they are going to start developing mpeg4 v box with samsung and eventally roll out meg4 jus tflike docsis 3

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2009)
 

This thread keeps going off the point of the title (yes i am as much to blame).

The problem is that not much happens in the world of anything new on digital TV on Virgin Media as they are more preoccupied with broadband services where they feel they have a technical advantage over their competitors :erm:

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2009)
 

i will ask again what happened to the bbc channels we were meant to get today

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2009)
 

When I give out the March 24th launch date for missing BBC Channels with BBC Alba launch on Virgin Media I says that the time:

See here: http://www.cableforum.co.uk/board/34748518-post502.html

The latest launch date I have at time of post is ''By Summer''.

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2009)
 

That's true, I'm just hoping that VM surprise us before the end of April. Even if it isn't the promised four HD channels the least they could do is put Channel 4 HD on the network, fingers crossed eh!:)

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2009)
 

Much as I like cable and would never have Sky, I always say to people, if you want HD don't bother with Virgin Media.

There will not be any HD on Virgin any time soon, this is the way the company works, they promise all sorts of things that they know they cannot deliver.

Trust me, by the time it arrives it will be obsolete.

When I worked for them in 2004 they were promising Sky red button services within a few months....they still aren't here!

Just forget it or move to Sky. They only keep promising it to try and prevent churn.

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2009)
 

I'm beginning to think your right, from my point of view I'll wait until my present contract expires in June then if we are still in the current situation of "we are getting HD content/channels very soon" then reluctantly I'll ditch the TV package and get Sky.
Its a real shame because I don't think people are expecting VM to match Sky on HD content, just give us something better than the current pitiful selection. As far as the argument goes that "Sky have tied up HD content", a favourite of Berketts, I don't buy that for a second, even with my lack of knowledge concerning the ins and outs of the HD market, there is know way that Sky has a complete monopoly on all HD, as said earlier what about Channel 4? according to numerous posts VM have had the opportunity to carry it for about a year now...so why haven't they?
It certainly looks as if your prediction for HD on VM is coming true scrotnig, not a word from them since Berketts four HD channel boast on the 15/12/08, it sounds even more hollow when you actually listen to that speech when he says,"our competitors have invested heavily in HD and we at VM don't intend to be left behind in the HD stakes":rolleyes:
That last statement is truly laughable, "left behind"!! blimey Sky are adding HD channels at a rate of one a month and currently have in excess of thirty of them, in comparison we at VM have one part-time channel and a bunch of programmes on demand that have not changed since God was a boy.
I don't think its a case of VM being left behind concerning HD, an apt metaphor would be Sky in a hundred meter race almost at the finishing line whilst poor old Neil is still limbering up in the green room waiting to make his move.
"Left behind"? we never even got in the starting blocks.

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2009)
 

What he said!

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2009)
 

Again the title of this thread is..............

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2009)
 

What he said.

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2009)
 

The irony is windy that HD should be "coming soon" to VM, that is if you can believe the four HD channels in four months boast made by Mr Berkett on 15/12/08, according to that it should be coming very soon.:)

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2009)
 

Again dont hold your breath..

Mediaboy should rename this thread ..coming to virgin tv ..soon or not it all depends on that neil bloke.

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2009)
 

I don't understand your concern, windy. HD is reputed to be coming soon according to Virgin Media. How is this not in keeping with the thread?

Please let's not be so pedantic. It's interesting to read the comments made on this subject and as long as people don't go off too much on a tangent, please let's just go with the flow!

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2009)
 

It says coming soon...they obviously are NOT coming soon so can we move on with something else..:)

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2009)
 

It is not obvious. We don't know when they are coming, but VM are indicating it will be soon.

Whether or not you believe that, the subject of HD channels is entirely in keeping with this thread.

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2009)
 

Ok....but like everyone else iam entitled to my own opion..like you are with yours..

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2009)
 

The purpose of this thread is to allow the discussion of the content of post #1, provided the discussion of HD channels is confined such that it falls within that purpose then there's no problem.

If you want to debate the relative merits of HD channels, whether or not they're ever going to appear, why VM are taking so long to bring them in, why the choice is (or will be) so limited, then I suggest you take the discussion elsewhere.

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2009)
 

O.k so Mr Burkett had said in effect 4 HD channels are "Coming Soon". IF..i say IF they do not appear by April 1st (quite a fitting date i'd say) i wonder if VM will put out a statement as to WHY they are not here?

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2009)
 

I am quite sure that the HD channels Mr Burkett mentioned are now about to launch. These things are not straight forward and when he gave his speech, it may well have been the intention to launch these channels by now. However, there could easily have been technical or contractual issues preventing this which were not known at the time.

Media Boy continues to report that these channels will be coming in the very near future (see #1!) and I think we must just be patient.

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2009)
 

Film4 update:

Its look like Film4 new broadcasting hours will not be starting on Monday after all.

I have seen Film4 will not start until 1pm on Monday.

Info from my Freesat from Sky Box and ''What's on TV''.

---------- Post added at 15:35 ---------- Previous post was at 15:32 ----------

As latest I have is Virgin HAS sign up one new HD channel and is also in talks about THREE or FOUR HD channels coming ''By Summer''.

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2009)
 

AAAARRRGGGG....burst blood vessel, we are no better off now than two years ago, the answer is it's still "coming in a few months".
Many thanks anyway Media Boy, you must have the patience of Job dealing with VM.;)

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2009)
 

Put it this way, VM are trying to agree terms and carrige rights for a few HD channels however these things can take a while and when Mr Berkett said they would be a few months thats probably the time they thought it would take.

However if things don't go to plan then these things can go on a lot longer. Its better they don't say anything at all until everything has been officially agreed and signed for otherwise you end up with lots of posts similar to these.

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2009)
 

Maybe more than just a few HD channels....

What Berkett also said at that same time and was mentioned here (but seems to have been forgotten) is that all the HD content locked up by Sky (which is pretty much all HD stuff anyway) had recently become available to VM. So that means if VM and Sky can agree a price we could see HD films and sport on cable as well as SKY 1 HD, FX HD, History HD, National Geographic HD and many others either directly or indirectly controlled by Sky.

But the bad news is that I don't see this happening anytime for at least a year for the reason that there isn't the capacity for the HD channels until analogue is totally switched off.

VM may have room for a few HD channels now and may launch channels such as CH4 HD, but for it to be worthwhile for VM to launch lots of HD, that MUST include films and sports. There is no point going to all the cost of upgrading things for HD, as well as all the marketing costs, if HD films and sports aren't part of the deal.

Berkett has made it quite clear that VM's priority at the moment is broadband, where VM has superiority over rivals. I'm sure HD will come to cable, but probably not for another 18 months or so.

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2009)
 

Are you trying to upset everyone or something?

:D

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2009)
 

18 months or so? Pure speculation, and unrealistic with your estimates. Virgin are never going to wait 18 months to get some HD content, get real. They will HAVE to atleast bring some HD this year.

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2009)
 

I agree vm will have some extra HD content this year.

But i do not think it will be the sky sports/movie HD channels which will be a long time coming,at the moment ofcom are on their second pay tv enquirey which focuses on access to premium content ie HD and the like, which could end up with a ruling that leads to regulated prices for access to hd content accross the platforms, which also requires if bought in, access to red button servies that cannot be replicated by other providers. As per page 13,appendix 1.49 of the consultation document.

http://www.ofcom.org.uk/consult/condocs/second_paytv/

If this happens then sky would surely appeal, and appeal,and appeal again so do not expect i would suggest to see too many more HD channels on vm in the near future (some yes possibly five or six maybe),until ofcom have sorted the access issues out,or should that be if ofcom sorts the access issues out cynical me. ;)

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2009)
 

Isn't the talk of HD coming " soon " rather academic at the moment ?

Is the physical state of the network up to carrying all or any of these channels at this moment in time ??

COULD they launch as of RIGHT NOW say ITV HD, C4 HD using MPEG2 so all existing V+ customers can receive them OR

Has the network to be upgraded PHYSICALLY i.e. servers etc. so that BEST case scenario ALL 30 odd channels that Sky has COULD TECHNICALLY be broadcast a la Docsis 3 for 50 Mbit broadband ?


OR agian is this a chicken-egg scenario. Virginmedia need the assurance from Sky in place BEFORE they spend the money to upgrade the network.

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2009)
 

On the network currently the could carry about 8 HD channels but no room for other channels, however they coudl add more transport streams so they could carry say up to 50 but that would involve adding a lot of ts's to the network with analouge switch off they could probally carry between 30 and 200 hd channels but i dnt know the exact analopuge channels they ae broadcasting to give a better idea

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2009)
 

As far as the Ofcom investigation goes into pay tv, that's not relevant now between Sky and VM as they've made "peace."

To repeat what Berkett said again, ALL Sky's HD content is now available to VM.

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2009)
 

ITV HD on Demand to launch in April on Virgin TV?

Over on DS Forums poster ''Technix'' has posted the following:

Info from DS Forums.

http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/forums/s...&postcount=477

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2009)
 

.....note, only on VOD!

Overall, yes.

VM could launch a few HD channels (CH4HD and ITVHD) and probably will, but that will be it for 18 months+.

No idea what you mean about assurances, once a contract is signed, that's it.

As for the network, Berkett gave a very insightful presentation to the City last year in which he explained exactly what capacity VM has. So here it is (roughly):

VM has 750Mhz of frequency (capacity) on their network. This is split into 75 slots, or channels. VM use these slots like this, as at November of last year:

28 - Analogue TV
31 - Digital TV
2 - 10mb broadband
4 - 50/20 broadband downstream
4 - 50/20 broadband upstream (being implemented now)
6 - VOD/Interactive tv

1 analogue tv channel = about 6 (of good quality) digital SD channels or 2 HD channels. More channels can be squeezed in, but the quality goes down.

So you see that by switching analogue off, (no major upgrades necessary) VM will have oodles of capacity, but at the moment they have room for about 30 new SD channels, or, could squeeze in 4/5 HD channels.

New compression and transmission technologies will allow VM to have even more channels in the future, so capacity is not a problem, it's just how they CHOOSE to use it. VM don't need to "broadcast" channels over broadband yet using DOSCIS3, they have a cable tv network for that! But, eventually all channels will be "broadcast" over broadband, but that's several years away and will free up even more capacity.

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2009)
 

Have you a link to neil berketts quote then that all skys hd content (including sports/movies)is available to virgin media! would love to see it.

However here is a link from december 2008 in which neil berkett says that key to virgin media investing more in HD is getting access to sports/movies.

http://www.broadbandtvnews.com/?p=11944


This is where the ofcom investigation is very relevant, despite your views to the contrary as if virgin media wait access to these channels may come through a regulated price,and for vm even to talk to sky about them would in that light would seem silly. Also the regulation ofcom may have in mind would include access to the red button services on sky sports.

Sky and virgin as regards the basics have kissed and made up but only on the basics issue i believe.

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2009)
 

....go to that link, and have a careful read through that article.:)

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2009)
 

I have it does say sky locked away all the hd content,that is now available to vm,but of course that does not include sports movies;)

Because if it did ofcom would not be having a second enquirey into premium content now would they? and by premium if you read the full pdf item from ofcom they mean sky sports/ movies both standard and HD.;) Available to all platforms at regulated prices.;)

Which on the link i posted neil berkett stated they needed access to before investing heavily in any other HD.

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2009)
 

....fair points. It's not clear, either way.

One minute he's saying he doesn't have access but in the next paragraph, he's saying he has access to all of Sky's HD stuff. I guess the question that needs to be asked to him, is, what does he mean by ALL?

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2009)
 

He does say virgin looked to take advantage of ofcoms decision to place HD on a par with premium content as well.

I agree with you though some of the statements he made do seem a little conflicting to say the least.

Although i believe vm will get a little more HD content in the relatively near future if only to stop people moaning! Any significant investment is unlikely to take place until ofcom have made a decision one way or another over access to premium content which in ofcoms view is sports/movies. Which could take some time yet. Sadly for those that are wanting it now.

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2009)
 

You know what,i don't mind that. I expect to have to wait for premium HD bcos of all the negotiation et al that go with it. I DON'T expect to pay for CHN 4HD and ITV HD which is all but FTA.

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2009)
 

But what decision is he referring to? Either Ofcom have decided the issue, or they haven't. I've not seen any decision, have you? He must be talking in the future tense here, quite bizarre.

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2009)
 

Ofcom have made no decision as yet,but in the case of premium content have already announced they are looking to put all premium content as regards sports/movies on a level par, be it standard definition sports/movies or HD sports movies,and have both on a regulated price available to all platforms as they are key subscription drivers.

I am sure neil berkett is referring to that,as it looks increasingly likely that is what ofcom will recommend.

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2009)
 

...yep, I agree. I was getting a bit confused about Ofcom's announcement to do something in the future and an actual decision. That's what happens when you post on a empty stomach.:)

So, I still think it'll be 18 months+ before we see any meaningful HD content on cable pending ofcom's decision and any appeal Sky may make.

As soon as any deal is done between Sky and VM on HD sports and films, VM will shout through the roofs about it.

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2009)
 

I meant i don't expect to have to WAIT for Chnl4 and ITV HD etc etc (why can't i edit my previous post??)

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2009)
 

Media Boy EXCLUSIVE 1: Two UKTV Channels to relaunch ''later in the year'' on Virgin TV.

UKTV has told me today that Eden + 1 and Yesterday + 1 will relaunch on Virgin TV ''later in the year''.

Info from UKTV.

Media Boy EXCLUSIVE 2: BBC Alba on Virgin TV update.

I have also got the following from the BBC:

Info from BBC Information.

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2009)
 

So BBC ALBA is in their 'launch schedule' so in other words its in the 'coming soon' schedule.

Media boy what do you mean EDEN+1 and yesterday+1 will relaunch?

You mean they are coming back?

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2009)
 

Yes

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2009)
 

....good stuff. Thanks for info.

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2009)
 

To be honest, l am getting totally confused by the whole situation on this HD crap on VM, firsly we are told that VM will be having the channels, then we are hearing that they have signed for ONE Hd channel (Sky have 32?), then we hear that they don't have the room for HD channels, Then we hear that they have signed for a further four HD channels, it is like watching paint dry, then they say by the end of the year, which year? Then we hear that although, we have kissed and made up on the Sky basics, But HD channels is a different matter, oh don't forget the text and red buttons, or is this ALL controlled by Sky giving us the thumbs up, l am still waiting for the pink elephant to fly past my house.

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2009)
 

I have strong intel that suggests Yesterday + 1 will be named "Today".

Seriously, wasting even more bandwidth on +1's basically tells us that there will be NO MORE HD.

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2009)
 

That doesnt say no more hd just says that they have a release scheduel for them channels meantioned. will people jsut drop the hd thing if it means so much to you get sky if you cant get it and it means so much to you move house then get sky, i want hd but i aint that desperate i moan because virgin dnt have ti, there other services in my opionion make upo for it plus the majority of the stuff i want in hd i have on blu-ray

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2009)
 

I think you missed my point. Adding more useless +1 channels is taking up valuable bandwidth that SHOULD be used foe either HD content or additional channels.

+1 channels are a complete waste of time.

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2009)
 

+1 are very good i liek them makes schedule recoridng easiers

there room for hd and +1

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2009)
 

Well said andrew ive said in numerous posts if you want hd go to sky.VM is an internet based media company offering tv and phone. All this moaning about hd people talk like theve been given a 3 year stretch of VM with no parole. Youre free to choose and if youre still moaning about hd you've made the wrong choice.

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2009)
 

If there is supposed to be no more room for HD channels, VM MUST get rid of +1 CHANNELS, as they are a complete waste of time, so why have them.

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2009)
 

If you don't have a V+ box the +1 channels are very useful.

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2009)
 

I also like the + 1 channels very useful if you have things taping etc. Also around this time!

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2009)
 

Indeed.

The only HD channels I'm interested in are the Sky ones anyway, and I know they aren't going to appear anytime soon because Sky want to milk them for their own revenue. I can live without them until ofcom tell Sky to play nice. If it gets to a stage I can't, I'll get Sky HD.

You have to wonder just how happy would actually people be if VM did get all the non-sky HD channels? The only ones I'd actually watch are Discovery and FX, and even then the stuff I watch on them doesn't really lend itself to HD. Sure it might be fun to watch Mythbusters blow some stuff up in HD, but, I can live without it, and I have a strange feeling Kari might lose some of her attractiveness in HD.

When we finally get ch4 HD I'll finally be able to watch deal or no deal and the Paul O'Grady show in HD! I can't wait!

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2009)
 

No, we don't have the choice. I want HD and VOD. I want it all! Is that unreasonable? For heaven's sake, I'm prepared to pay for it!

Sky is not an option for me as Sky Anytime isn't a patch on Virgin's On Demand service.

---------- Post added at 22:07 ---------- Previous post was at 22:03 ----------

VM have already confirmed that 4 more HD channels will be coming this year. The +1 channels are not preventing this.

The +1 channels are not a waste of time. There have been a number of occasions where the +1 channels have enabled me to record more programmes when I have had a programme clash.

Analogue will shut down soon and we will have loads more bandwidth. The new IPTV platform being rolled out this year and into next will resolve the problem completely.

I think you will find that it is not bandwidth that is preventing the addition of more HD channels, so we can leave the +1 channels alone.

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2009)
 

Personally I agree. I record maybe 3 or 4 things a week at most, so I have absolutely no problems scheduling. The quality of TV is so mind blowingly low now it always amazes me people can find so much they want to watch that they clog up both the V+'s tuners.

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2009)
 

Media Boy sent out emails to other broadcasters:

I have email the following broadcasters tonight: History, Pop Girl and Wedding TV.

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2009)
 

VM is not a "internet based media company", in their own words they are a "quadplay provider", it just so happens that in the last year or so what with the BB speed increases emphasis has been on the broadband arm of the operation.
Obviously your quite happy without HD, good for you:) but there are others of us who are still waiting for VM to catch up, not really much to ask from the second largest private TV operator in the country is it?
Obviously if your fed up reading about us moaning about the lack of HD the answers simple isn't it...read another thread, then we are all happy.

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2009)
 

freesat now has red button multi-screen BBCHD: http://www.joinfreesat.co.uk/index.p...ow-interactive

looks like it will be for HD sports like different tennis matches.

Wonder if/when virgin will add this.

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2009)
 

I would hazard a guess at....soon

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2009)
 

But frogstamp this isnt about the dicussion about the lack fo hd etc it about what coming soon even if coming soon in virign minds is 10 years :o: i have said it many times i want hd but i dnt moan about, if it means that much to me i will get sky hd and more blu-ray which i am doing, at end of the day this thread isnt about moaning about the lack of hd

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2009)
 

Or working on it.:D

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2009)
 

with regards to getting sky hd some of us do not have that option due to land lords not allowing dishes or other physical factors.

So some of us have no option but to wait and hope the coming soon is sooner rather than later.

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2009)
 

as i said before this thread isnt about the moaning of it there is another thread for this, and as i said previosuyl if it means that much to you, you would move since hd is the most important factor in your life (by you i dnt mean you personally)

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2009)
 

is there any news on the bbci channel coming 2 vm like what there have on freeview 301 and 302

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2009)
 

Seems strange that they are taking so long to completely "turn off" analogue.

Does anyone know how many subscribe to analogue services - surely it must be significent or they would have done away with it by now - even if just in prep for the arrival AT SOME POINT of significent HD TV.

---------- Post added at 14:49 ---------- Previous post was at 14:46 ----------

Thanks for that - very clear - even to me :dunce:

I can't see why they don't just offer RIGHT NOW what little there is available from ITV HD and C4 HD as a sweetener to all those still waiting for SOMETHING while the SKY OFCOM debate rumbles on.

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2009)
 

...And as I have said before Andrew, discussions on this thread about when HD channels are coming are perfectly legitimate. Media Boy's post #1 covers this and so I don't know why some contributors continue to say that discussion of HD channels on this thread is not appropriate.

It is appropriate, and many of us are interested in this. Hence the number of posts!;)

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2009)
 

Hi, any new's on us getting Bet & bet+1 , and will get the 1p movies for easter

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2009)
 

dicussion yes but moaning about ti saying virign are stupid and all other things isnt in context of the topic

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2009)
 

any news on sky sports 4 because i was looking on the web and found this

http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/broadcas...s-channel.html

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2009)
 

I bet it wont appear on VM because at the present time the rate card will cover that channel. Just as it does not cover the red button interactive sports. Ofcom will need to step in on that one unless they have disscussed this with sky before they gave them the go ahead for the channel.

---------- Post added at 19:07 ---------- Previous post was at 19:06 ----------

Sorry rate card will NOT cover that channel.

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2009)
 

im sure that sky sports 4 is sky sports xtra look at the date on the story

---------- Post added at 19:37 ---------- Previous post was at 19:36 ----------

sorry im wrong i should read things properly lol

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2009)
 

The chances of this happening, is totally zero. That was in 2004, there was big talk, l have a funny feeling that this could come as a HD channel, but wouldn't bank on it.

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2009)
 

well while everyone is sat tight with 1 HD channel waiting for VM to launch some more another one slips away as exclusive to sky HD

http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/digitalt...confirmed.html

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2009)
 

Surprise, surprise.:)

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2009)
 

:rolleyes: Yup!

"Through Sky+HD we continue to extend our leadership in HD and we remain committed to increasing the choice on offer to satisfy the growing demand from our customers." said Hilary Perchard, Sky's director of product management.

Makes Virgin look so pathetic... :sleep:

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2009)
 

Whilst VM continue to expand the TV on demand...

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2009)
 

any new channels coming 2 moz

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2009)
 

Ask Jacqui Smith ;) :)

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2009)
 

Doesn't Sky basically run Nat Geo? The play out part anyway?

Wouldn't they have a spare playout facility now that C4HD has moved to Red Bee?

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2009)
 

expand on demand thats a laugh !!!
VM on demand although better than Sky`s is not updated that frequently and most of the time the updates are just extentions to air the same old programs that have ran out.

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2009)
 

I think that VM is starting to become a white elephant, they are promising customers, HD channels, and what happens, NOTHING.

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2009)
 

"starting to become..."! They've been out of the running on the TV front for years. I'm surprised they even bother to keep the TV service running at all anymore. They'd do better just to finally put it out of it's misery and focus on improving their badly over burderdened broadband offering.

Freesat and Freeview will be fine for most, and for those who want a real premium TV service then Sky HD is there for them. Competition would be nice of course, and I'll never subscribe to Sky personally due to the Murdoch factor, but Virgin have made it crystal clear that they have no intention of ever competing. Frankly when a free service (FreeSat HD) is better than a paid service (Virgin) it's all rather embarassing.

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2009)
 

Virgin have absolutely no incentive WHATSOEVER to give you more HD channels.

THEY ARE GETTING ALL YOUR MONEY FOR A V+ HD CAPABLE BOX that is showing you nothing but a BBC HD PREVIEW CHANNEL.

YOU PAY FOR THIS BY THE WAY.

SIMPLY JOIN SKY -49 POUNDS FREE INSTALL plus 9 pounds for HD content.


Oh and by thw way to the MURDOCH factor simpleton ---- HES DEAD.

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2009)
 

Really? Maybe you should tell him that, he seems quite alive.

If you can stomach the idea of giving money to one of the most right wing, ruthless businessmen in the world, then go ahead. Personally though, I have to draw the line somewhere, be it boycotting Israelli produce, never voting New Labour, and of avoiding anything related to Murdoch.

Go and watch OutFoxed to see what goes on at Murdoch's flagship 'news' channel Fox News. Murcoch's group also publishes gutter press rags like 'The Sun' and 'News of the World' too.

It's why I'm still with Virgin, although I'll be moving to Freesat once my contract is up.

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2009)
 

And getting more HD channels for nothing -- fair play sir. :)

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2009)
 

BBC HD is no longer a "preview channel". Quite some time ago now the BBC trust approved BBC HD as a channel. Meaning BBCHD is now a full channel (a bee it part-time - just like bbc3/4 etc)

And no we dont pay for BBC HD (well apart from the TV licence) ;)

ermmm i dont think your getting "more HD for nothing" as you suggest (unless you've done an amazing deal with sky of cause). The standard charge for HD from sky is £120 a year ;)

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2009)
 

Well I've heard it all now:) a Sky fan burying the prince of darkness while he still walks the earth...and he called you a simpleton;)
The words pot, kettle and black spring to mind.

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2009)
 

Perhaps because it's the most popular pay tv service in their not to shabby 12m addressable homes. Perhaps because, if given a choice, most people actually opt for Virgin TV over Sky TV.
That would be their badly over overburdened broadband offering that wipes the floor with Sky, BT, O2/Be and every other ISP in the UK, that will still trash BT FTTC when it fully rolls out at less than half the speed of Virgin Media in 2012. But why settle for one, when you already have two 'hero' products. Remember, TV/VOD along with broadband are the two areas where Virgin claim superiority over others, two areas where they claim to offer a 'richer' offering than their rivals.
Those that want a choice (including the Home Secretary) are more likely opt for Virgin TV which offers the most comprehensive pay tv and largest ppv porn service on UK TV. V+ was the fastest selling HD DVR in VM areas in 2008 and the best selling Sky DVR does not even support HD, not today, not ever.
Virgin have said no such thing, they not only compete with but beat Sky in their addressable areas where the number one broadband isp is virgin, the number two fixed line telco is virgin, the number one pay tv service is Virgin, the number one TVoD service (in the entire country) is Virgin and the best selling HD DVR in 2008 was called V+. As for HD, Virgin have already stated that subject to a satisfactory outcome of Ofcom's pay tv review and with the analogue tv closure they will not an only meet Sky for HD, but most likely beat them same as they have always done with the overall TV service, more so since Jan 05 when NTL and Telewest launched what is now the most advanced TV on demand service in the UK.

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2009)
 

well we have to agree to disagree here currently im comming to the end of a virgin vip package. I take it your quoting the virgin party retric and dont actually have one of these buggy boxes where on demand seldom works when it decides to break the box requires a reboot. The epg often records what might be listed as say the simpsons but turns out to be something different.

Broad band i have virgin 50meg which is incredible i stepped up from the 20 on release as the area i live in in pretty much perma capped on that circuit with huge latency and awful speeds. I will remain with this till virgin run short of funds need to cram more customers in and stm it to death. So in this respect ill agree at present virgin offer better broadband but wih the new stms there doing there best to change that rapidly and i dont think virgin cable have won many prizes on customer support or relations even quality of service to that end. I had 13 years flawless ervice with telewest and two years of grief with ntls renamed crap wagon

I just had my sky hd installed today and it records hd which there is plenty of btw perfectly so to conclude all i can say is its nice to spout facts but have some real evidence to back it up.

And as to virgin/ntl being ahead of sky on any tv platfrom the only time they were ever ahead was offering multiple rooms for a fiver a box extra back in the the days of the old analogue boxes. As 99% of virgins content is sourced from sky please explain how they are going to overtake them if you are refering to the mythical hd channels we have been waiting nearly two years " Smoke and mirrors" are hardly a solid business model to base customer retentions on.

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2009)
 

Wow, you really must either work for Virgin, or be their no.1 fan, because there's no other way you could come up with some fanciful nonsense.

Better TV than Sky HD? Oh Really?! Wow! I must have missed all Virgin's HD channels, because I've only ever see one part time channel and a microscopic amount of ancient catalogue stuff on VOD. Oh sorry, more HD is 'coming soon', how silly of me to forget. Let's check again in say, 10 years and see if Virgin still only have one HD channel. I suspect they will. And as for Virgin having the best on demand TV service, again that is utter pish. Try an Apple TV. Vastly, vastly more content, and a good amount of it in HD. There is absolutely no comparision, and Apple TV also has the added advantage of a nice user interface too.

And better broadband than Be? Oh Really? I love the way my 20mbit connection slows down to less than 0.5mbit during the evenings, and I'm just crazy about those super restrictive download and bandwidth caps! Virgin/NTL/Telewest used to have a good broadband offering, but it's so incredibly over subscribed now as to be virtually useless during peak times (ie. when most people actually want to use it), and so throttled with download caps as to be anything but built for the future.

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2009)
 

This week list update is now online - see post one.