Re: Changes to Virgin TV (2021)
 

I believe that Sky Cinema customers are to get Paramount+ at no extra cost.

Will this be the same for those who receive Sky Cinema via Virgon Media?

We've always received any free bonus channels in the past, but I have a feeling that we won't get this. Does anyone know for sure?

Re: Changes to Virgin TV (2021)
 

It is an app not a channel - so unlikely.

Re: Changes to Virgin TV (2021)
 

I think it’s up to VM, Richard. It’s will be a free service on Sky because it comes with advertisements. I am only interested in the subscription version.

Re: Changes to Virgin TV (2021)
 

It hasn’t been announced whether the U.K. version will have an ad supported tier or not.

Re: Changes to Virgin TV (2021)
 

https://www.whathifi.com/news/paramo...-coming-to-sky

[EXTRACT]

Sky subscribers across Europe will soon be able to watch Paramount+. As of next year, viewers in the UK, Ireland, Italy, Germany, Switzerland and Austria will get access to ViacomCBS's TV and movie streaming service.

However, it will only come free to Sky Cinema subscribers. Everyone else will have to pay to watch. There's no UK price yet, but in the US Paramount+ costs $60 a year for the entry-level tier (though this deal offers all tiers at half price). It can also be had with Amazon Music for three months for just $3.

Re: Changes to Virgin TV (2021)
 

Paramount + ad free is $9.99 in the USA what chance have they got if its similar in pounds at retaining people I'd say slim to none.

Re: Changes to Virgin TV (2021)
 

In the US, it has two tiers - one without ads and a cheaper plan that’s supported by ads… there is no free AVOD version even in the US - it’s not been announced if the U.K. will have two tiers or not…

Re: Changes to Virgin TV (2021)
 

UPDATE: Eurosport UHD to carry on after August 9th?

TiVo EPG listings say that Eurosport UHD are still broadcasting until August 19th at time of posting. After August 9th the listings are the same as Eurosport 1 HD.

Re: Changes to Virgin TV (2021)
 

It could be a continuation of EPG data as it has had the same programmes as Eurosport 1 throughout, but you never know.

Though I can’t see them launching a new service if your ‘sources’ are correct in them closing all their channels next year.

Re: Changes to Virgin TV (2021)
 

Actually there are variations in programming between 521 and 523 next weekend. You never know!

Re: Changes to Virgin TV (2021)
 

Not impossible that the truth is actually halfway in-between. Discovery closing all SD and HD channels but with a UHD Discovery Channel and UHD Eurosport channel remaining as showcases of Factual and Sport. UHD being more efficiently supplied as a single broadcast rather than lots of UHD streams (and without the lag, so better for Live programming).

Re: Changes to Virgin TV (2021)
 

Media Boy Sources confirmed to me last Wednesday that Discovery is to axe linear channels by 2023 when Discovery deals are up with Virgin and Sky.

But reports on channellists.com some time ago says that an Eurosport Events Pay Per Views linear channel for Discovery live sports rights.

Re: Changes to Virgin TV (2021)
 

A previously reliable source has said that Disney will close the rest of their channels by the end of this year and that Discovery, whilst publicly supporting the continuation of linear channels, have "told a bare faced lie" (his words) and that they intend to close their linear channels in 2022*. No distinction was made between FTA and pay channels, but I honestly can't see them closing any of their FTA channels (as long as they are still profitable that is). Maybe the downturn in advertising has impacted on them, but they are keeping them for contractual reasons??

* He did say that, in his view (he works in the industry) that Discovery may be saying this to platform operators to aid in carriage deal negotiations. This looks to me like Discovery will pull their channels off if they don't get an acceptable offer, but will keep them on if they do.

Re: Changes to Virgin TV (2021)
 

I must admit that I found it strange that Discovery appeared to indicate that it wouldn’t abandon its TV channels. This flies in the face of the general trend, so I’m not at all surprised that they have now said their content will only be on the streamer in future.

If there is a Discovery channel left on Freeview, it will probably just be a showcase channel promoting content on Discovery+. I think they want to draw everyone into the streamer - they don’t want to dilute their audience by keeping the TV channels going.

Re: Changes to Virgin TV (2021)
 

This is exactly what their proposals said in the document I saw a few years ago.

I forgot to add that he also said that the process will start properly* at the beginning of next year. From January, they will be showing all new content on Discovery+ first and that every linear channel will be showing reruns only.

He also mentioned a 'First on Discovery+' thing. I think that this will be a new marketing tagine from January, but that's just my supposition.

*Some new series of programmes that used to be on the linear channels have actually already been put onto Discovery+.

The ViacomCBS channels are safe for at least the next 4.5 years.

If your daughter uses streaming services on her Sky Q box, Sky Peacock and HayU will be built into SkyQ, similar to how they are presented on Now TV, but Paramount+ won't be.

Whether Paramount+ would be available for free to Sky Cinema customers on Now TV was my main concern. It will be made available on the devices that have now been discontinued, but it won't be free.

I wonder why all these new streamers are using a + at the end of their name?