Re: Virgin TV (2025)
 

i was thinking before you know what would be something great for virgin media to get? youtube premium for people in the top package. they seem to be pushing FAST channels etc but nothing beats youtube without the ads. I think it would really appeal to people who subscribe for that package.

Maybe i'm just biased tho...

Re: Virgin TV (2025)
 

Yes, I get YouTube Premium and it makes a huge difference to my enjoyment of the streamer.

Re: Virgin TV (2025)
 

VPN set to Albania OB save you some cash.

Re: Virgin TV (2025)
 

Sky Replay time of closure is 6am (on 30/10/25).

Re: Virgin TV (2025)
 

Do they not have ads? How is it funded?

Re: Virgin TV (2025)
 

No ads,
Google cannot run ads in Albania because the Albanian language is not supported by Google Ads and Google AdSense. While advertisers can run campaigns with English ads targeting Albania, these ads are not displayed to Albanian users, and the Albanian language is not an option for targeting. This is because Google's systems either reject ads in Albanian or do not show them to users in that region, impacting the ability of Albanian businesses to monetize their Albanian-language websites.

Re: Virgin TV (2025)
 

Norman Wisdom is a legend/folk hero in Albania. Interesting that.

Re: Virgin TV (2025)
 

Sounds like quite a country…

Re: Virgin TV (2025)
 

A Country with no Google ads . . . Paradise found :D

Re: Virgin TV (2025)
 

Hahaha, if their business model was adopted by our TV, radio & streaming services, we would have everything for free with no adverts :D

Re: Virgin TV (2025)
 

Sounds too good to be true, doesn’t it?

Re: Virgin TV (2025)
 

Sky Max to become Sky One again at the end of this year:

https://mediamole.co.uk/broadcasting...tober-30/5612/

Re: Virgin TV (2025)
 

I suspect January is more likely
https://www.skymedia.co.uk/news/wbd-...ip-uk-ireland/

Isn't there a change freeze from early December.

They are basically going to just reverse the Sky Showcase and Sky Max changes aren't they? Possibly with more original drama.

Re: Virgin TV (2025)
 

I think the odiginal dramas may go predominently to Sky Atlantic, when the HBO streamer launches. I may be wrong, but Sky will have to prepare to ensure Atlantic is able to show new, original dramas. Sky Studios are ramping up their new productions for this very reason.

Re: Virgin TV (2025)
 

But they getting shown on Sky Showcase of late and branded on Virgin as Sky Showcase which remains unexplained.

Sky Group press releases are carefully worded aswell now , just say 'Sky and Now' , compare this to Sky Documentaries , Sky Cinema and Sky Arts for example.

The way it's packaged on Sky Stream is weird aswell.

Re: Virgin TV (2025)
 

Quite a few Sky Atlantic shows previously exclusive to Sky Atlantic are being shown also on Sky Showcase. Not all, though.

Re: Virgin TV (2025)
 

They also been showing some on Sky Sci-Fi (in particular the ones due to exipre)

Newer Sky Originals especially are shown on Sky Showcase, newer HBO shows doesn't really matter now since they also will be on HBO Max anyway (pretty much everything before April 2022 becomes exclusive to HBO Max), they don't appear to show HBO Comedies on Sky Showcase either.

Not sure why On Demand section even exists for what was intended as linear only brand , not explained.

There is only 2 reasons why this is could happening.

Re: Virgin TV (2025)
 

Sky One and Sky Comedy is all they need surely? everything else can be on demand surely with HBO Max?

Re: Virgin TV (2025)
 

TNT Sports have announced coverage details for the upcoming Winter Olympics 2026 in Milano Cortina, which starts in 100 days. As was expected ever since they absorbed Eurosport, full coverage will only now be available through a Discovery+ subscription. TNT Sports 2 will be the dedicated 24/7 Olympics channel, with additional coverage spread across TNT Sports 3 & 4.

https://www.broadcastnow.co.uk/broad...210354.article

Re: Virgin TV (2025)
 

Sky Comedy has it's own problems from April, Tonight Show With Jimmy Fallon has been dropped even though it's from NBC.

I remember E! News being dropped from E! News about a year before it was closed...

Re: Virgin TV (2025)
 

Two new series - ‘It: Welcome to Derry’ and ‘All Her Fault’ are only on Sky Atlantic.

Re: Virgin TV (2025)
 

It Welcome To Derry is a HBO series (was originally ordered as Max Original then rebranded), the other isn't a Sky Original, very little US shows that aren't from Sky Max rarely premiere on Sky Showcase aswell , The Chair Company and I Love LA from Sky Comedy aren't either, I don't think they ever premiered something from Sky Witness on it at all.

Can't say I am surprised they basically just going to reverse these changes , its just spilt the audience, it hasn't worked.

Having Sky Atlantic in Sky Stream Essential TV package alongside remaining Discovery pay channels and the free to air channels is strange to say that.

Re: Virgin TV (2025)
 

Maybe not, but it shows it’s not a given that all new stuff on Sky Atlantic is on Sky Showcase as well.

I’m glad that some of the older originals shown on Sky Atlantic in the past, such as ‘Game of Thrones’ and ‘Boardwalk Empire’ are now available on demand on Virgin Media under the Sky Showcase label. It took a while for that to happen now, though.

Re: Virgin TV (2025)
 

Slate now appeared on channel 156 saying 'We're sorry, but Sky Replay is no longer available'.

Re: Virgin TV (2025)
 

I dare say the content that was shown on there will pop up elsewhere.

Re: Virgin TV (2025)
 

is there a definitive list of sky channel changes coming up? i still dont get what all the channels mean currently....showcase, replay etc

Re: Virgin TV (2025)
 

Sky Showcase was meant to pick out some of the best shows from Sky’s other channels. Sky Replay, as the name suggests, are just repeats.

Re: Virgin TV (2025)
 

https://rxtvinfo.com/2025/sky-removi...-month-update/
Sky customers will see some changes to their channel line-up as services are closed or withdrawn.

Re: Virgin TV (2025)
 

For the past couple of weeks, Sky Witness HD (110) has suffered picture break up on many recordings,

So I just went to On Demand and watched the affected programme with that.

But 2 days ago, when accessing On Demand, it comes up with "Subscribe" and "Update to watch".

I called to complain and spent over half an hour as the system was checked, reset, checked and reset again with no change.

I suspect a software glitch at VM or Sky, but they are sending a tech on Monday to check out my box and connection. The lady spent ages explaining that I would be charged £25 if they found no fault, or if we weren't in when they arrived.

Re: Virgin TV (2025)
 

Appreciate this is shooting the messenger a bit, but I won't be surprised if they also use TNT5-10 which at least provide an HD stream to users who have TNT but not Discovery. That would not be dissimilar capacity-wise, to what Eurosport offered, whilst losing the recordable element.

Time'll tell - they certainly have some odd strategies with scheduling at times.

Re: Virgin TV (2025)
 

It's also now possible to subscribe TNT Sports (via Discovery+ for now) on O2 Extras
https://news.virginmediao2.co.uk/tnt...-on-o2-extras/

Re: Virgin TV (2025)
 

There have been reports of picture break up on various channels (i've experienced this myself).

What a cheek to threaten you with a £25 charge if no fault is found. An intermittent fault may not manifest when the engineer visits. They really do go out of their way to piss off customers and, thus, lose subscribers.

Re: Virgin TV (2025)
 

Speculated to be Sky Crime but if, as another forum member states, it's based on ratings then Sky Kids or Sky Nature should be going, or perhaps Sky History 2 (but that's not fully Sky owned). Movies24+ also rates poorly, if that counts as part of the Sky family.

Re: Virgin TV (2025)
 

That'll either be a signal fault if the live feed was affected, or a hard drive fault. Pausing a known good channel for a short time and viewing delayed, is a good test of HDD issues.

The "subscribe to watch" VoD flag sounds like a flag is set incorrectly. What's the programme in question?

The £25 charge for no-fault-found has always been in-place, but perhaps the CS script is now being more proactive in mentioning it.

Re: Virgin TV (2025)
 

Unlikely to be Sky Crime, a new sponsorship opportunity is available on Sky Media for it, a +1 channel closure is more likely I suspect based on that comment or Movies24/Movies24+

Also Sky History2 was mentioned in Sky new long term distribution agreement with Hearst in February which I suspect lead to the closure of Sky History+ 1 in April

Re: Virgin TV (2025)
 

so for the 26.99 (you pay 24.99 with the 2 quid discount) do you get discovery + or just TNT Sports?

Re: Virgin TV (2025)
 

TNT Sports only plan on Discovery+

Re: Virgin TV (2025)
 

The "subscribe" error was still there at 18:00 yesterday, but it was gone at 21:00. So I cancelled the tech visit online (I don't want to be handing over £25).

The programme in question was "Doc" (Sky Witness HD 110).

As I cancelled the tech visit, the reporting page did checks and came back with "Intermittent signal in your area".

Re: Virgin TV (2025)
 

ah so you get all of discovery plus too? doesnt sound as expensive if so. not sure whats on discovery plus these days mind

Re: Virgin TV (2025)
 

No , It doesn't include Discovery+ entertainment content at all and there is no option to on O2 Extras either....

Guess it wouldn't make sense for Discovery+ entertainment plans to be available if they are going to be discontinued for new subscribers in a few months...as they have done outside the U.S where HBO Max has launched.

Re: Virgin TV (2025)
 

ahh yes that makes sense i suppose

Re: Virgin TV (2025)
 

Re: Earlier post about Disney Jnr returning. Now been confirmed that it restarts on Sky on 13/11/25, no mention of Virgin, so we'll have to wait and see.

https://rxtvinfo.com/2025/sky-confir...drens-channel/

Re: Virgin TV (2025)
 

Disney with egg on their face.

Re: Virgin TV (2025)
 

with comcast interested in buying itv could any deal resurrect the chance of NBC Sky World News?

that channel was going to launch but then the pandemic occurred. they could in theory merge the two news departments (sky and itn)

Re: Virgin TV (2025)
 

New app for 360 and Stream/Flex customers - OnDemand Streaming.
Provides OD access to some of the assets on the streaming channels.

Re: Virgin TV (2025)
 

Another new app that's launched (today?) is Watch Free, featuring on demand shows and movies from the True Crime and Legend channels.

Re: Virgin TV (2025)
 

I've had this app on my tablet for a while, you usually don't get any full series on it. An example is Star Trek TOS only has 5 episodes available.

Re: Virgin TV (2025)
 

This app is also on V6 boxes. Not much content, seems to be mostly a CatchUp App for some but not all of the FAST channels.

---------- Post added at 10:31 ---------- Previous post was at 10:26 ----------

Not showing on V6, so I guess they are sticking with using VM’s servers for that box.

Re: Virgin TV (2025)
 

Good quality picture, much better than the new FAST channel, cooking, gardens etc, which is stuttering.

Re: Virgin TV (2025)
 

It won’t be on either Virgin or EE, and it won’t be on NOW either.

Re: Virgin TV (2025)
 

But linear tv is dying right?

Re: Virgin TV (2025)
 

Yep. It’ll be a long decade of decline.

Re: Virgin TV (2025)
 

Just keep active and taking the multi vitamins OB, you'll be fine ;)

Re: Virgin TV (2025)
 

Well, judging by your antiquated choice of preferred TV content, you must be considerably older than me, so make sure your oxygen tank isn’t too far away!

Re: Virgin TV (2025)
 

Alongside Sky Max rebranding back to Sky One, Apparently Sky Entertainment channels will also getting a brand refresh from mid January with the Entertainment channel brands downplayed with a focus on watching shows On Demand/streaming.

Guess that makes it easily to close them in the long term, Sky Sci-Fi in particularly looks doomed, another boxset (Wynonna Earp) moves to Sky Max on 1st December.

Re: Virgin TV (2025)
 

You’re probably right. Sky appears to be the leading force in pushing the change to come.

Re: Virgin TV (2025)
 

Oh I'm a spring chicken OB, working full time, pay your state pension/streaming subs, which is nice of me.

Anyway new isn't always better, in fact it usually isn't given the dire state of current tv drama.

BTW 1960s episodes of Z Cars are coming to Talking Pictures, and C5 are reviving 'Play for today'. Thought you'd be interested :)

Re: Virgin TV (2025)
 

A little while ago I saw part of an episode of Juliet Bravo, and I couldn’t believe how boring and dated it looked.

‘Keeping Up Appearances’ was a comedy that I thought was hilarious back in the day, but now it is no longer as funny and to be honest, it’s a bit tedious to watch now.

I’m sorry, but I can’t agree with your view on dramas these days.If you avoid the woke series, there are plenty of good ones out there that are very enjoyable.

I think you will have plenty of old stuff to watch when we go IP only. There are already quite a number of FAST channels with old cheap material that will keep you amused for a very long time.

Re: Virgin TV (2025)
 

TBF, I always found Julient Bravo boring anyway, even originally.

Re: Virgin TV (2025)
 

why not?? any particular reason why its sky exclusive?

Re: Virgin TV (2025)
 

With the BBC and Channel 4 previously indicating their support for a shift to online-only viewing, TV broadcaster Great has joined a growing number of smaller broadcasters and charities involved in the Broadcast 2040+ campaign, which calls for free-to-air TV and radio to be safeguarded.

The campaign demands that free-to-air is retained, “ensuring that its audiences continue to have access to TV no matter the technology they have in their homes”.

Ratings data from Barb shows 93% of those 55 and over watch broadcast TV every week, and Great’s recent report, The Upper Third, shows that the majority appreciate terrestrial TV because it is free, doesn’t require any kind of login or password, and offers vital companionship for viewers across the UK.

The UK government is actively reviewing the future of TV distribution through a ministerial forum to make a decision on whether to renew the licences supporting terrestrial TV beyond 2034. MPs recently convened to defend the importance of terrestrial TV led by the Rt Hon. David Mundell, MP for Dumfriesshire, Clydesdale and Tweeddale.

https://rxtvinfo.com/2025/freeview-b...ree-to-air-tv/

This brings the total number of organisations in the coalition to 38 with other members including: Age UK, the Digital Poverty Alliance, Silver Voices, the Rural Services Network, the Voice of the Listener and Viewer, and Arqiva.

Re: Virgin TV (2025)
 

Woke? You mean the ones that aren't sexist, racist and homophobic?

Re: Virgin TV (2025)
 

Nope, I think you just made that up.

Re: Virgin TV (2025)
 

Yeah OK. people who are too scared to actually say what they mean hide behind the word ‘woke’!

<Updated, Removed, dont post like this again>

Re: Virgin TV (2025)
 

Post any more insults and you'll be taking a short rest.

Re: Virgin TV (2025)
 

It’s usually this…

https://www.cableforum.uk/board/atta...5&d=1763367751

A recent example where was a poster didn’t believe that someone from a minority would actually be present in a historical TV drama - it was pointed out that the screenwriter* had based the character on research about someone like that who had actually existed.



*who was a 76 year old Tory Peer, so not exactly "woke"…

Re: Virgin TV (2025)
 

And is there a similar exception elsewhere, Hugh? You know what we are talking about. How do you explain the black Queen Anne in the AMC ‘Anne Boleyn’ series for example? People are rebelling against this for a reason and it should not be disregarded. It is causing a lot of discontent amongst the native population and it does nothing for the cause of equality, which should be about treating everyone fairly.

---------- Post added at 11:53 ---------- Previous post was at 11:46 ----------

I was about to post that when I saw this, Legendkiller. Yes, there’s certainly a fight back going on, although this was to be expected. It’ll be interesting to see how this pans out.

Re: Virgin TV (2025)
 

"native population"....

You do know that two of Henry VII's wives weren't from the "native population", don't you?

Catherine of Aragon was Spanish and Anne of Cleves was German...

Re: Virgin TV (2025)
 

Because Disney says so!

There are still those Sky users with no access to these streaming services (eg those with Sky HD boxes), whereas all Virgin and EE users have such access.

---------- Post added at 12:05 ---------- Previous post was at 12:04 ----------

Yes, but Anne wasn’t black, was she? Stop being so argumentative, please. It’s boring.

Re: Virgin TV (2025)
 

Hey, Dr Who can be a black, cross dressing, wheelchair bound bald hermaphrodite with a lisp, why can't anyone have a black queen?

:p:

Re: Virgin TV (2025)
 

Imagine the comments when Tom Cruise rocks up on set to play Nelson Mandela

Re: Virgin TV (2025)
 

Well, because Dr Who is a fictional changeling!

---------- Post added at 13:15 ---------- Previous post was at 13:14 ----------

Well, that’s just as wrong, isn’t it?

Re: Virgin TV (2025)
 

Dr Who is no way a fictional changeling, it's still William Hartnell with some very very good AI driven CGI . . . and the Tardis is used as a wardrobe in films about Witches & Lions . . . or sumfink

Re: Virgin TV (2025)
 

But at least Dr Who is filmed in Wales, where the nearest thing to a native (Brythonic) population that still exists lives.

Re: Virgin TV (2025)
 

Agreed OB it will be interesting to see how this all pans out.

Re: Virgin TV (2025)
 

sorry to change the topic from discussions on the future of streaming and the definition of woke but...

any idea if anything new is due for the rest of the year in terms of any additions or software updates?

In other news my friends 45 quid deal with virgin media was expiring and virgin media ended up calling him about 10x until he finally picked up. 46 quid a month with VM Tv360, phone and increased broadband speed. he was quite happy with it and likes the new 360 software.

Re: Virgin TV (2025)
 

Really +1 is testing on satellite, no idea if it will come to Virgin.

Re: Virgin TV (2025)
 

I doubt that, Richard. Virgin is taking a different path. If you miss a programme, just bookmark it instead. It’ll keep your hard drive clearer as well.

Re: Virgin TV (2025)
 

slightly off topic but ive subscribed to youtube premium and it really is a game changer. its worth more than most streaming subscriptions

Re: Virgin TV (2025)
 

I agree, I watch it a lot now. It’s great not to have all those ads randomly interrupting what you’re watching.

Re: Virgin TV (2025)
 

totally agree some absolute classic stuff on there too which is shocking really theyve not been copyrighted down to be honest!

---------- Post added 20-11-2025 at 00:46 ---------- Previous post was 19-11-2025 at 23:43 ----------

anyone know any black friday offers incoming for

netflix
prime
paramount plus
now tv
etc?

Tis the season for a bargain

Re: Virgin TV (2025)
 

Tis the season to get ripped off by something pretending to be bargain ! Just put the words 'black friday' on it, and folks will pay double ;)

Re: Virgin TV (2025)
 

I spotted Paramount+ for around £35 for an annual subscription iirc

Re: Virgin TV (2025)
 

Paramount+ are sending out upto 50% off emails.
Netflix have never done black friday or any offers
Now still have the 12 months at £4.99p/m offer on
Prime normally do 12 months for £50.

Re: Virgin TV (2025)
 

Not in my experience…

Re: Virgin TV (2025)
 

Thats very reasonable!

Re: Virgin TV (2025)
 

Get Standard for £3.99/month for the first 3 months on a monthly plan or £35.49 for the first year on an annual plan. After that, the regular price will apply (£7.99/month or £70.99/year).

Advert just appeared on my FB lol

Re: Virgin TV (2025)
 

It is currently but in 2027 their prices are going to rise l would reckon quite considerably.

Re: Virgin TV (2025)
 

aye denphone. they take on all these big contracts and then go "well we do need to up our prices as a result!!"

but if they didnt put in for the champions league and left it to sky sports they wouldnt need to....and sky could have got it much more cheaply. but thats capitalism i suppose!

Re: Virgin TV (2025)
 

Apple TV is currently £4.99pm (no ads and 4K] for 6 months

Re: Virgin TV (2025)
 

According to an email today, Sky Sports is changing for a month, which I presume will filter through to VM.

Re: Virgin TV (2025)
 

excellent spot. offer ends 1st december and my free trial ends 2 days later so i cant take advantage of it hahah.

Re: Virgin TV (2025)
 

Just use a different email address.

Re: Virgin TV (2025)
 

It seems from listings released today that the UK MTV channels will be closing on 30th December, while some of the European feeds (including MTV Live) close a day later on New Years Eve.

Note: MTV 90s returns on 29th December for a final two days.

Re: Virgin TV (2025)
 

Does anyone know whether VM has any plans for upgrade any of the remaining SD channels to HD for V6 and 360 customers?

The obvious ones would be 5USA, 5STAR and 5SELECT as these are already available in HD on Stream and other platforms.

Re: Virgin TV (2025)
 

are they all completely closing bar MTV itself?