An email from Neil Berkett re: VM HD Channels
 

I sent this to Neil Berkett today at 15:52:

"Mr Berkett,

In early December 2008 you announced “To date our HD content is limited, we only have a couple of HD channels today and we will be launching four channels over the next three months.�

Please could you clarify whether or not you were in fact referring to 4 non-HD channels being launched in the three month period following this announcement. I assume this is what you were referring to as the three month period has now passed and to date the only HD linear channel available on the Virgin Media platform is BBC HD.

I look forward to your response coming soon.

Kind regards

Aaron Atkinson
Loyal and long standing Virgin Media customer."

At 16:35 I received this:

"No I was referring to HD channels which was absolutely our intention. We are negotiating as we speak and will be launching 6 or seven channels at once shortly

Neil Berkett | Chief Executive Officer
Virgin Media"

I did post this in another thread but it is mangled in with other info and I thought it deserved a thread of it's own for discussion.

Re: An email from Neil Berkett re: VM HD Channels
 

Interesting - did the reply come from Berkett's own email address?

Re: An email from Neil Berkett re: VM HD Channels
 

It did indeed! Obviously this doesn't mean it was from Neil himself though.

Re: An email from Neil Berkett re: VM HD Channels
 

No, but very few people will be proxied to his mailbox. Whether the words are his or someone from PR, it will have been sent with his express permission and the 'send' button pushed either by him or someone who works closely with him, probably his PA.

Re: An email from Neil Berkett re: VM HD Channels
 

Well, can we therefore take from this that six or seven HD linear channels are actually coming our way?! I do hope so. I did email back with a slightly tongue in cheek comment asking him to list the channels but no reply!!

Re: An email from Neil Berkett re: VM HD Channels
 

Well done mate... lets see if he keeps to it... :)

Re: An email from Neil Berkett re: VM HD Channels
 

I'm waiting for my reputation to go through the roof......nothing yet though! ;)

Re: An email from Neil Berkett re: VM HD Channels
 

I assume that "at once shortly" (????????????) now replaces "coming soon".

It's truly hilariously oxymoronic / contradictory. LOL.

Re: An email from Neil Berkett re: VM HD Channels
 

Not really. Makes sense to me. At worst it's missing a comma.

Re: An email from Neil Berkett re: VM HD Channels
 

Come to think of it, I assume the number of 'promised' channels too will grow arithmetically / geometrically with the passage of (yet more) time:

3 -> 6/7 -> 12-14 etc., etc.

Absolutely fed up with all the fine? words and lack of action.

---------- Post added at 17:53 ---------- Previous post was at 17:50 ----------

Then he should have said 'at the same time' or simultaneously' to make himself clear?

Re: An email from Neil Berkett re: VM HD Channels
 

and nobody is suprised with the date he replies in an inverse sort of way replying on the day of fools might be the only time we get truth out of his lying ass. "If you lie they will stay"

Re: An email from Neil Berkett re: VM HD Channels
 

lol, he didnt say 6-7 in today official press release, he's constantly lying in order to keep customers.

join this facebook petition group i just created: http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=76027038034

Re: An email from Neil Berkett re: VM HD Channels
 

Just joined the group..and started a topic..guess what it is..:)

Re: An email from Neil Berkett re: VM HD Channels
 

When he says new HD channels in Q1, he may mean Apr- Jun 09. In most business's the financial year starts April not January.

Re: An email from Neil Berkett re: VM HD Channels
 

It's January for VM, they run January to December.

Re: An email from Neil Berkett re: VM HD Channels
 

Hi

Thx for getting in touch. We will be introducing half a dozen HD channels in July.

email from neil berkett so look at autum time for these HD channels if your lucky.:td::td::td::td::td:

Re: An email from Neil Berkett re: VM HD Channels
 

Is this an email you got then?

Re: An email from Neil Berkett re: VM HD Channels
 

His e-mail was that short and he wrote "thx" instead of thanks?

Re: An email from Neil Berkett re: VM HD Channels
 

Surely you're not suggesting that the email didn't come fron Neil! :shocked:

Re: An email from Neil Berkett re: VM HD Channels
 

In the announcement he made in December he DIDNT say Q1. he said "next 3 months" ;)

Re: An email from Neil Berkett re: VM HD Channels
 

If Virgin months are anything like British rail minutes - then we are in for a long haul wait....

H :rolleyes:

Re: An email from Neil Berkett re: VM HD Channels
 

I do not know what to take form it, that there going to be a while before the channels might appear or that they are (at least what there telling us) trying ot get more HD channels. Well i will be goign to SKY HD in the future but not because virign wont carry them but for other reasons :) still will have full virgin service oh well guess i best get my army gear since my wife will want to kill me for having both he he

Re: An email from Neil Berkett re: VM HD Channels
 

Not for the financial year they don't.

Re: An email from Neil Berkett re: VM HD Channels
 

Hi All,

I too am fed up with waiting for Virgin to add some decent HD content, especially when my gf gets more HD than me on freesat!! I have had the V+ as long as it has been in my area (originally as TV Drive), and so I also emailed Neil Berkett to find out when I would get more channels as got a very similar response to the previous poster:

Hi

We will be launching half a dozen channels in July

That was it no thanks/thank you - I'll wait and see if it is true, but I'm nopt holding my breath!!!

Re: An email from Neil Berkett re: VM HD Channels
 

Freesat only has 2 HD channels so i wouldnt say that is much more if your gf had SKY HD i could see your point but comparing ot Freesat isa bit unfair i say

Re: An email from Neil Berkett re: VM HD Channels
 

Is this an April Fool? because i dont believe it for one minute :). Either the e-mail was faked for April Fool or VM are playing with peoples minds :D

Re: An email from Neil Berkett re: VM HD Channels
 

It was a real email sent from a real VM address. Whether or not it was NB, I can't say.

Re: An email from Neil Berkett re: VM HD Channels
 

Haha fair enough, just had to clear that one up ;) lol :)

Re: An email from Neil Berkett re: VM HD Channels
 

Sadly, l don't believe a word of it, VM have ' conned ' us for months, and we have fallen for it, The channels, they claim are coming, have now increased by two.

It is no good people sending Mr Berkett, an email as his PR will answer it, so you are hitting your head against a brick wall, 'HE' has already said, he has no plans for HD, but plans to expand VOD, now what does that tell you.

Re: An email from Neil Berkett re: VM HD Channels
 

Do you have a link to that please

Re: An email from Neil Berkett re: VM HD Channels
 

Don't hold your breath, he still hasn't answered my question about the 1.6M unsatisfied VM Internet customers. :)

Re: An email from Neil Berkett re: VM HD Channels
 

Hi Suris, if you go back several months, when all this crap started, it is on there, and also, when VM were planning selling channels, which they have, he stated on that story, about HD, and also when they went to a big meeting they all had, he said it then, l will will tell you something, that pink elephant is getting bigger, and it still hasn't flown past my house yet. That is when l will believe it about HD.:):D

Re: An email from Neil Berkett re: VM HD Channels
 

On where, Its all well and good you saying this was said and that was said, It means NOTHING without evidence, Now if you please can you post a link ?

Re: An email from Neil Berkett re: VM HD Channels
 

OK sir, I'm going to start you off.

http://www.trustedreviews.com/tvs/ne...HD-Channels/p1

Re: An email from Neil Berkett re: VM HD Channels
 

Thank you Toto, for pointing that out.:)

Re: An email from Neil Berkett re: VM HD Channels
 

So a quote has been twisted to suit the posters viewpoint. Arthur that so not you :LOL:

this is how you qoute

Now thats better

Re: An email from Neil Berkett re: VM HD Channels
 

There's no getting away from the fact that he has stated that the VOD business was their main push, so in that aspect you weren't wrong, but its fair to say now he sees thing differently, and maybe the market has opened up to more HD services in a more linear format.

Re: An email from Neil Berkett re: VM HD Channels
 

Lets hope he does because at the moment Virgin are NOT doing themselves any favours with there lack of linear HD.

Re: An email from Neil Berkett re: VM HD Channels
 

Agreed.

Re: An email from Neil Berkett re: VM HD Channels
 

But they are doing far better with the TV on demand

Re: An email from Neil Berkett re: VM HD Channels
 

I agree with that Andy and the 56% (or whatever) VM subs that use it are good numbers but i will reiterate a point i made in another thread.

Most people still like to sit down and watch the same programme on the same channel at the same time each week.

With HD demand ever increasing, VM are failing to let their "top" customers (i.e V+) sit and watch those programmes in HD. Now i understand that the amount of HD that people will watch over and over i.e Lost ect is small and a lot owned by Sky BUT they could have given themselves some breathing room by easily adding Chnl4HD and ITVHD - they have failed to do it and it makes them look backward looking and a poor substitute to Sky.

Sky is more easily available, i get that, and therefore will always have the money, influence and be quicker "on the ball" with new technologies. FINE! But if this was a 100m race then Sky are already half way down the track whilst VM are still in the dressing room putting on their jockstrap.

It's not good enough!

V+ was sold as an HD box primarily and a TV drive secondarily IMO.

It's time they put more linear HD channels on their system!

(It sounds like i'm having a direct go at you mate, i'm not :) )

Re: An email from Neil Berkett re: VM HD Channels
 

the box now called the 'V+' was originally only available to Telewest customers - and was called the TV Drive, when launched :)

Re: An email from Neil Berkett re: VM HD Channels
 

So what are we looking at folks?...yet another "few" months. By the way Nat-Geo wild-HD has now launched on Sky, but don't worry we aren't being left behind.:rolleyes:

Re: An email from Neil Berkett re: VM HD Channels
 

We aren't looking at anything - until an official roll out of any more HD channels is announced, and by 'official' I don't mean PR speak from executives, then there are, arguably, no new HD channels due to launch anytime soon....

Re: An email from Neil Berkett re: VM HD Channels
 

Or even VOD HD. :(

Mines branded V+HD!?! :p:

Oh well I'm going to stop worrying about HD so much, for the moment.........dur dur duuuuur!

Re: An email from Neil Berkett re: VM HD Channels
 

I take your point but the way I see it 2 HD channels is 100% more than VM and Freesat is free, VM isn't so I don't think it is an entirely unfair comparison.

I've seen Sky HD as well and I agree that is where you really see a difference, especially as that is comparing pay tv with pay tv!

Re: An email from Neil Berkett re: VM HD Channels
 

So would the users who are so anxious to have more HD be willing to pay an additional price for the HD?

Re: An email from Neil Berkett re: VM HD Channels
 

Yeah i would! NOT for Chnl4HD or ITV HD - i don't that should be allowed or justafiable.

But for Sky Movies/Sports and Eurosport HD, yeah i would. Maybe a another few quid a month.

Oh and i think "anxious" is an emotive word to use - it seems to imply that HD "wanters" are asking for something "unbelieveable" and we're really not.

Re: An email from Neil Berkett re: VM HD Channels
 

anxious alspo means cant wait

Re: An email from Neil Berkett re: VM HD Channels
 

Yes

Re: An email from Neil Berkett re: VM HD Channels
 

I know but i'm guessing that wasn't the inference here...

Re: An email from Neil Berkett re: VM HD Channels
 

I certainly would, not as mentioned above for C4-HD or ITV-HD, but £2-3 would be reasonable for four HD channels, I'm just going on what Sky charge for their thirty plus HD channels, which I believe is £9.50pm, having said that I seem to recall reading somewhere that Sky were considering dropping this charge.

Re: An email from Neil Berkett re: VM HD Channels
 

and sky charge £10 a month for there few channels i think 6 at the begining so some could say it not unreasonable to think virign could charge it, however i to think it should be cheaper for a few hd channels but for virign to try take the bit out of sky make it cheaper

Re: An email from Neil Berkett re: VM HD Channels
 

I do agree that if they are to compete with Sky, they need to have more linear HD channels. On demand is good (I use it regularly), but the cliff hangers used as the end of certain TV Series lose a little of their impact if you can just watch the next episode immediately because there is no time to build up anticipation.

As for Sky, well, they have two advantages over VM. One of which VM could go some way to removing, but won't for various reasons.

1. VM have a lot more hardware to maintain. They have the super head ends, the regional head ends, thousands of miles of cable and the user's STBs to maintain. Sky have a lot of hardware, but they do not maintain thousands of miles of cable, and are not responsible for the maintenance of the user's STB. Beyond the warranty and what the user is willing to pay for. As such, Sky can broadcast to most of the country relatively cheaply,
2. Sky have the financial backing of what is arguably one of the largest companies of any kind in the world. A company that has repeatedly shown it is willing to invest a lot of money in new media even where it is taking very heavy losses. Thus, Sky do not have to turn a profit.
   
   

Now, VM can remove some of their costs for the 1st problem, simply by offering users the chance to *buy* STBs and offering a warranty rather than free repairs for life. The same thing Sky do. They could also offer different models of box. For instance, with the V+, they could offer a basic V+ with no Hi Def and an 80Gig hard drive, then one with the same spec and a 160 Gig Drive, then one with HD and a 320 or 500 Gig drive.

Re: An email from Neil Berkett re: VM HD Channels
 

Good points Stuart, though i for one hope they don;t chnage and become like Sky and make you buy your boxes and insurance - it's a massive tick in VM box that they do not.

HOWEVER i fully appreciate that if they need revenew (spl?) for products like HD this would be a good place to get some extra cash.

Though they'd have to be careful to offset that cash boost against losing customers over it - the loss would probably be neglibable though.

Re: An email from Neil Berkett re: VM HD Channels
 

A difference is that Sky's home equipment isn't connected to their network. If it goes funny it's not going to damage any other Sky equipment and unless it goes really nuclear isn't going to affect other Sky customers. With our service you are connected to our network and if the box starts sending crud back upstream it can affect others. Hence we really need to keep tighter control on what gets attached.

Re: An email from Neil Berkett re: VM HD Channels
 

Ive got a lovely HD telly, and I am unlucky enough to have bad sight.. so to be honest, HD content will never interest me, im just glad to have a nice picture in widescreen without a flicker ;)

Re: An email from Neil Berkett re: VM HD Channels
 

i agree,good points.VM's set tops are seen as an asset,i.e. part of the companies worth,i think for this reason they will not change the supply/maintainance aspect of the set tops ;)

Re: An email from Neil Berkett re: VM HD Channels
 

I shall explain, why l have a gripe and am very angry about the whole situation, an why l feel conned by VM.

When l found out that VM were going to get HD channels, l went and bought the V+ box and then spent another £800 on a HD TV, ready for it, then what happens, NOTHING, we get all this crap from VM saying we are going to get it, it is all a con, l could quite easily, go over to Sky and get there 32 channels, but l want to stay loyal, BUT not for much longer.

Re: An email from Neil Berkett re: VM HD Channels
 

Oh so you lied about already having sky then arthur? ie the sjky channels keeping makign things into your way and not saying the whoile truth? jsut like you are odign with HD? if you are going ot be critially at least be honest and both critise and appaulaude things

Re: An email from Neil Berkett re: VM HD Channels
 

Hi Andy, firstly l don't lie about anything, l do have the whole package on Sky, on multi room, and l have been with Sky a long time, l went over to VM for the phone package and better quality of picture with VM, l bought an HD box from VM as they said they were getting HD channels (Sky's box was £150.00), l even bought a damn telly cause of it, I do compliment VM, there phone service is very good, my only complaint against VM, is that they tell so many lies about HD channels, there is going to be a herd of pink elephants outside my house, VM have been saying for months, we are going to have HD channels in a few months, that has gone well and trully.

Re: An email from Neil Berkett re: VM HD Channels
 

You didn't buy an £800 HDTV for Sky even though they have HD channels and you already have their services.
You bought an £800 HDTV for VM cos they were going to get HD channels.

Re: An email from Neil Berkett re: VM HD Channels
 

Sky were too expensive, thats why l have the VM v+ BOX, as they were cheaper. and also as there phone service was better.:)

Re: An email from Neil Berkett re: VM HD Channels
 

When I was watching Futurama the other day just as the opening credits were rolling they came up with a very novel idea for people with poor sight, they recommended,

"For cheap laser eye treatment sit in front of TV until eyeballs are touching screen"

Now I have not tried this myself yet, because apparently it works better if you do it while watching an HD program...so not only is Berkett denying us HD channels his now stopping me from getting my eyesight fixed...right now where are my tablets.;)

Re: An email from Neil Berkett re: VM HD Channels
 

Having pedalled home furiously from work to watch the US Masters I'd have to say no to this.
I get a great picture from the V+ but the only thing in HD I have seen that 'pinned my eyelids back' was Sin City about a month ago.
My parents have a Sony LCD + SKYHD which can give a really poor SD picture but the HD I have seen on it is a lot more impressive(6 nations rugby on my TV versus theirs was 1 example).

Longtime Lurker

Re: An email from Neil Berkett re: VM HD Channels
 

hd channels soon ???i was emailed hd channels july time by neil berkett so you can bet your bottom dollar it will be xmas time.bloody joke:td::td:

Re: An email from Neil Berkett re: VM HD Channels
 

I wish people would calm down, at the end of the day its only TV there are bigger issues in the world than VM not having a few HD channels and people whinging about it all the time doesn't make them appear any quicker. Get on with your life and forget about it and before you know it they will be there.
VM are working hard and really are in the process of getting more HD, the VOD stuff is starting to appear, all be it a bit slowly. Its not as simple as asking for the channels and getting them. There are terms and contracts of carriage to sort out and then the signing and launch dates to settle too. When they announced the HD in 3 months they probably thought they would have the deal done by then but for whatever reason its taking longer.

Re: An email from Neil Berkett re: VM HD Channels
 

Too little Too late.

People are getting shafted by virgins promises - it should be allowed to work the other way round - people leaving for SKY until virgin actually get some HD channels - in contract or not.

What with the STM pratices virgin are operating just inside the law - i personally am awaiting a class action suit.

Re: An email from Neil Berkett re: VM HD Channels
 

Funnily enough I saw an ad on Sky 1 last night - something along the lines of upgrade to HD on Skysports for only £4.50 per week.

Any takers for HD at that price? (assuming I understood the ad correctly in my tiredness...)

Re: An email from Neil Berkett re: VM HD Channels
 

What is berkett email i have a nice one ready to go ;) weirdly only maybe 10% of the email is about HD the rest about loads of other things, i know i will never get a email form him back but at least i willget a reply to it :)

Re: An email from Neil Berkett re: VM HD Channels
 

Correct,

Its going to be a long wait for VM to add additional linear HD channels. There more interested in VOD because they can charge lots of money for that. Meanwhile as is the norm Sky corner the market leaving cable high and dry on yet another technology that they COULD have competed on.

Re: An email from Neil Berkett re: VM HD Channels
 

It is not a case of whinging about HD channels coming onto VM, it is a case of feeling conned by VM for NOT bringing on the channels, which the customers deserve.
We are so far behind Sky in the channels, system, that Blu ray will be here before we get the HD channels, and l DO feel conned by Berkett.

Re: An email from Neil Berkett re: VM HD Channels
 

Arthur

Sorry to break it to you via a forum but Blu Ray has been out for a few years now :LOL:

Re: An email from Neil Berkett re: VM HD Channels
 

You have nothing to feel conned about, they are really trying to get HD channels and things really are in progress. The only reason Sky has an advantage is the deals and contracts they have with the content providers makes it really hard for anyone else to gain access to those channels. Which is why VM are getting Ofcom to look into things.

Also Blu-Ray has been here for a few years already.:dunce::angel:

Re: An email from Neil Berkett re: VM HD Channels
 

Its already here Arthur and has been for a while now, it really is excellent, I recommend you buy a player asap :)

Pinocchio looks nice in 1080p ;)

Re: An email from Neil Berkett re: VM HD Channels
 

Obviously no-one wants HD at this price then!;)

Re: An email from Neil Berkett re: VM HD Channels
 

I want HD in with my package please. If I pay for Sky Sports 1-3, I don't want to pay extra for HD versions of the same channels. No. No thanks. Which is why I won't go to sky who are effectively charging people twice for one product.

Re: An email from Neil Berkett re: VM HD Channels
 

So you want something for nothing?

Re: An email from Neil Berkett re: VM HD Channels
 

They aren't charging twice for the same product. They are different products - one is standard definition and one is high definition. HD brings a lot of additional costs with it and Sky as a commercial enterprise is entitled to recover those costs. It isn't a charity.

Re: An email from Neil Berkett re: VM HD Channels
 

No, I pay for Sky Sports, SD/HD is irrelevant.

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

So they should offer the choice. You pay one price and either get SD or HD. Sky Sports 1 and Sky Sports 1 HD are the same. Same programmes, same ads, same everything. The consumer should get to choose SD or HD. One price.

What resolution is Bravo broadcast at? What resolution is ITV broadcast at? Is there a difference?

Re: An email from Neil Berkett re: VM HD Channels
 

I beg to differe hd is a new techonology and it shouldnt be the same price as sd, and htere is a difference s between itv and bravo resoltion i think certainly diffenret between bbc1 and say cbbc

Re: An email from Neil Berkett re: VM HD Channels
 

Why should you get one price? All of Sky's channels are bundled or packaged in one way or another. And no, SD and HD are not the same. The HD version of the channel requires more processing and more bandwidth from the satellite. The extra costs are real, not simply some imaginary figure pulled out of a hat to screw more money out of the subs. Granted they may use a single set of HD cameras at the venue and then downsample for the SD broadcast, but those cameras cost money - a lot of money - and Sky has opted to make those people who are able to benefit from the extra detail they capture, pay for it.

What's the relevance of this?

Re: An email from Neil Berkett re: VM HD Channels
 

With regard to Sky's HD pricing, I was under the impression if you had Movies and/or Sports, and took HD on top of either or both of those, you only paid the £9.75/mo for HD on both, not twice for each package. Does that make any sense?

Re: An email from Neil Berkett re: VM HD Channels
 

I might have it wrong - it was only a quick advert I saw out the corner of my eye on television which said "Upgrade to Sky Sports HD for only £4.50 per week"
Now £4.50 per week is £18 per month - which I think is quite expensive.
On that basis, I am quite happy with my SD channels upscaled through the V+ box.

My point is basically that there are numerous posts on this site about the HD channels (indeed with some people it seems something of the Holy Grail). Whilst it's nice to have, I just wondered if people had to pay a premium for the additional HD channels - would they still clamour for it?

I think the answer is no.

Re: An email from Neil Berkett re: VM HD Channels
 

That might include the cost of Sky Sports and HD on top of that.

Re: An email from Neil Berkett re: VM HD Channels
 

It may be irrelevant to you - you are speaking only for yourself. If you are not bothered about HD, the increased price shouldn't worry you. So why are you worried?



I can see you are not a business man!

Re: An email from Neil Berkett re: VM HD Channels
 

I see the prices are here

So if VM were going to follow suit - I'd be quite content with the status quo!

Re: An email from Neil Berkett re: VM HD Channels
 

Yep from what I can read you get the HD equivalents as part of the HD pack if you are subscribed to the SD equivalents. If you take SD Sky Sports you get HD Sky Sports as part of the 9.75GBP HD pack charge.

4.50GBP/week I guess would be both the cost of Sky Sports and the HD pack if you have neither already. As an incremental upgrade on top of SD it's actually pretty inexpensive.

---------- Post added at 23:33 ---------- Previous post was at 23:31 ----------

You pay the monthly HD fee and that's it. It's pretty standard to pay an HD subscription for HD Pay TV, even if it's hidden inside an existing TV package's costs.

Re: An email from Neil Berkett re: VM HD Channels
 

Perfectly explained above by broadbandings, my dad has recently had the Sky HD box installed and all the channels that have an HD capability that he subscribes to in his package are included in the £9.75, so therefore the bigger your SD package the more value you receive from your £9.75. If VM were to offer a deal along those lines I'd be more than happy to pay the "HD supplement".

Re: An email from Neil Berkett re: VM HD Channels
 

My apologies for the original mis-post. I just caught the advert on the television - and the implication was upgrade to Sky Sports HD for £4.50 per week, which implied to me on the advert that it was an additional fee.

Having said that I see that they do offer BBC HD and C4 HD free (C4 HD only with a viewing card though). I'll assume that the pricing model for VM will be along similar lines - and a premium charged if you want full HD service.

Again - I ponder - all these people who clamour for HD - are they willing to pay, and I think the answer is no.

Re: An email from Neil Berkett re: VM HD Channels
 

errr yes actually. My family watches a lot of sport on Sky AND Eurosport - i would pay!

Re: An email from Neil Berkett re: VM HD Channels
 

Don't see that as a positive benefit - they are not allowed to charge for these channels.

Re: An email from Neil Berkett re: VM HD Channels
 

Would you pay more for ITV than Bravo because of the higher bitrate?

Re: An email from Neil Berkett re: VM HD Channels
 

I went home to my parents over Easter and they have Sky HD. You pay about £10 on top of your other charges for over 30 HD channels. It's not £4.50 a week. I would say it is worth it as well. Watching super league, the masters and the premier league on HD was amazing. I don't have virgin/ntl, I left them years ago due to their 'coming soon' crap. I don't have Sky either as I am in a flat and am not allowed a dish. If Virgin had the same HD channels as Sky, I would probably go back to them and yes, I would pay an extra £10 for the HD package, because the quality of the image on live sports is worth it, but they don't so I won't go back to them.

Re: An email from Neil Berkett re: VM HD Channels
 

I have no response to this. Please feel free to make more sense next time.

Re: An email from Neil Berkett re: VM HD Channels
 

Made sense to me..

He is asking why, if you are not worried about HD, are you bothered that they charge extra for it? If you aren't worried, you wont pay it anyway so it won't affect you.

As for the other comment, well, if you don't think that Sky (or any DTV platform provider) won't pass on the increased costs of High definition creation and transit to the users, then you would certainly seem not to be a businessman.. Here's a clue: Businesses have to find a way of funding increased costs. If they don't, they go bankrupt. Usually the easiest way to fund those increased costs is to pass them along to the customer in some form.

Re: An email from Neil Berkett re: VM HD Channels
 

Make of this what you will... i just saw it over at Digital Spy

"This is Virgin's reply to a complaint about the lack of HD channels:


Thank you for your e-mail dated 13 April 2009.

Unfortunately I have been unable to contact you. Please be assured we are aware that the amount of HD content currently available is limited.

We are trying to get more channels in HD as a priority. It is taking a lot longer then we would have hoped.

We have to negotiate the rights with the other providers to show the channels in HD. As our competitor Sky is one of those providers it is proving difficult to come to an agreement.

We can confirm that unlike Sky, when we have more HD content you will not be charged extra to have access to the channels.

There will be more channels available throughout the year. We do not want to give specific dates until we are 100% certain that we can transmit the channels.

Please look out for anything we may send through the post as you will be informed of any developments.


Customer Concern Team

Virgin Media"

Re: An email from Neil Berkett re: VM HD Channels
 

Thanks, Stuart C, that's exactly what I meant!

Re: An email from Neil Berkett re: VM HD Channels
 

So I'm willing to bet we get ITV HD and Channel 4 HD. Not to fused really but I won't get a V+ box until I see the confirmed channel line up. I do get the itch to subscribe to Sky HD when I see what my brother gets.

Re: An email from Neil Berkett re: VM HD Channels
 

Yes it is worth the £9.75 even if you dont sub to movies or sports you would get.
(Not counting free channels)

Sky 1 hd
Fx hd(Full hd)
Bio hd
Sci fi hd
Sky arts 1 hd
Sky arts 2 hd
Skyreal lives hd
Mtvn hd
Eurospot hd(great for the tour de france)
Rush hd(Full hd)
Discovery hd(Full hd)
Nat geo hd(Full hd)
Nat geo wild hd(Full hd)
History hd(Full hd)
Crime hd(Full hd)

so 15 channels so thats about 65p per channel.