Richard Branson believes TiVo is a "weapon" against Sky
 

So it says here, anyway: http://www.cableforum.co.uk/article/...on-against-sky

Discuss. :)

Re: Richard Branson believes TiVo is a "weapon" against Sky
 

It is a good product and competition is always good , get some more HD channels and the TiVo apps out there and VM could be cooking with gas. Just a thought but does anyone think if TIVo did eat into some of Sky's subscriber base that it could make them rethink the HD charge.

Re: Richard Branson believes TiVo is a "weapon" against Sky
 

It would do Sir Richard no good moving to the Isle of Wight to get a Tivo, as you can't get VM cable TV on the island!

Re: Richard Branson believes TiVo is a "weapon" against Sky
 

Meantime, Branson has been left wondering whether he should sell his Carribean paradise Necker Island and move to the Isle of Wight, so he can have a Virgin Media TiVo box of his own.

I spotted that one too "wightcable " supply the island.:D

Re: Richard Branson believes TiVo is a "weapon" against Sky
 

He could afford to lay a cable over LOL :D

Re: Richard Branson believes TiVo is a "weapon" against Sky
 

God love him, I really like Sir Richard but he is a bit gaff prone isn't he.

But what on earth has the man done to his face, he's on his way to looking like Joan Rivers!:)

Re: Richard Branson believes TiVo is a "weapon" against Sky
 

ha ha :D

https://www.cableforum.co.uk/images/...2011/04/54.jpg

Re: Richard Branson believes TiVo is a "weapon" against Sky
 

Ha ha, it was catty.

True though!

Re: Richard Branson believes TiVo is a "weapon" against Sky
 

[QUOTE=muppetman11;35190851]It is a good product and competition is always good , get some more HD channels and the TiVo apps out there and VM could be cooking with gas. Just a thought but does anyone think if TIVo did eat into some of Sky's subscriber base that it could make them rethink the HD charge.[/QUOTE]

sky will never drop HD charge it makes them far to much money they not want to lose that

Re: Richard Branson believes TiVo is a "weapon" against Sky
 

If Branson wanted a weapon against Sky why did Virgin stitch themselves up by selling the channels?

Re: Richard Branson believes TiVo is a "weapon" against Sky
 

Because Virgin doesn't believe that owning linear channels is a weapon. VM has decided that content delivery is the thing it does best. Pushing the speed of its internet, the versatility of its TiVo set-top box and the range of mobile handsets/tariffs it can provide is all in the game plan for VM's marketing over the next year or so. Bragging about the channels it owns is not (and, for the NTL half of the business at least, never really has been).

Re: Richard Branson believes TiVo is a "weapon" against Sky
 

I can understand your argument but I can see also why VM sold , let's not forget we got movies and sport in HD , some of the Sky basics in HD and sports red button.

Re: Richard Branson believes TiVo is a "weapon" against Sky
 

VM don't see any real benefit in owning content, they are a platform. NTL never owned any content, it was Telewest that owned Flextech (VMtv).

They are concentrating on their Next Generation platform now.

before anyone says it, owning content and having it on your platform are very different things.

Re: Richard Branson believes TiVo is a "weapon" against Sky
 

The only reason I paid any subscription to VM tv was for VOD. I have Sky HD which I find better anyway. When HBO went from on demand all interest I had in VMs product went with it so now I am just on M riding out my contract.

I like the idea of Tivo and if I have to leave Sky I would like a Tivo box but its certainly not a draw for me anyway

Re: Richard Branson believes TiVo is a "weapon" against Sky
 

That is a fair point many people have different opinions if it's content your after then sky is good where as VM excel in BB and On Demand/Catchup , it's really all about personal preference.

Re: Richard Branson believes TiVo is a "weapon" against Sky
 

I don't think VM will ever compete with Sky content-wise, not on a linear channel basis anyway. On-demand is the key. For TiVo to be a real weapon against Sky, the on-demand needs to be really beefed up from what we currently have, especially HD on-demand.

Re: Richard Branson believes TiVo is a "weapon" against Sky
 

Im looking forward to the day when all the terrestrial channels catchup content is available in HD.

Re: Richard Branson believes TiVo is a "weapon" against Sky
 

I'm looking forward to the day when all Sky's HD channels are available in catchup... Or is that a bit too much to wish for? :doh:

Re: Richard Branson believes TiVo is a "weapon" against Sky
 

LOL I can't see that happening LOL :D

Re: Richard Branson believes TiVo is a "weapon" against Sky
 

Anyone thinking Tivo vs Sky+HD on team deathmatch?
;)

Re: Richard Branson believes TiVo is a "weapon" against Sky
 

It would be good at the moment but it would be a bit one sided, But when VM/TIVO get rolled out to the rest of the country i would then say it would be a no contest?

Re: Richard Branson believes TiVo is a "weapon" against Sky
 

But it doesn't really matter whether you access your programmes through linear channels, video on demand or streamed video. Content is the key, and if the new TIVO boxes enable us to watch programmes that Sky are showing but from a different source (eg Blockbuster), who cares that we don't have certain Sky channels?

It is only a matter of time before Virgin Media do deals with such companies and we have a huge choice of movies, box sets, etc.

Sport might be more of a problem, though, unless there are providers out there who can stream sporting events that Sky have exclusive TV rights to in this country and this can be accessed legally.

It is only if VM can cross this hurdle and provide us with a huge choice via internet streaming, overcoming the Sky TV exclusivity issues, that we will see Sky customers coming over to VM in droves.

Re: Richard Branson believes TiVo is a "weapon" against Sky
 

HI OLD BOY I agree with your post internet streaming will be the way forward the fact the new TiVo box has a 10MB internet connection tells me that VM are thinking that way as well, in order though to do deals with companies especially for first run films the regulator may have to investigate the way sky buy up VOD rights they do not always use so others ie virgin media cannot do deals but you are correct internet streaming of content is the way its going and if vm can get the content so much the better.

As far as sport is concerned that in my view is not so much of a problem as vm have access to sky sports 1,2,3 and 4 and shortly will have the Red Button feature which means in reality there will be very little sporting events if any that are sky exclusive for vm customers.

Nice to see your post on here i read your postings on D/S.:)

Re: Richard Branson believes TiVo is a "weapon" against Sky
 

Thanks for that, Richard 1960! I'm not getting a lot of feedback on the video streaming issue, which I do think is the way forward for VM; I think perhaps a lot of people are either not with me on this or don't have the same vision. Glad to see at least someone shares that opinion!

I would be very interested to know whether the Sky exclusivity rights actually cover video streaming onto TV and whether VM could do what I am suggesting. If so, the future's looking good!

The reason I was concerned about sports rights was that Sky are witholding HD from us on two of their channels (Sky Sports 3 and 4), and if we can get these events via a different method, maybe we could avoid these monopolistic behaviours and ignore Sky altogether if that's how they want to play it.

Don't get me wrong, I have nothing against Sky personally, but if they are going to prevent us from getting the programmes or HD sports events that we want, then they deserve everything they get should we find ways to avoid receiving the programmes through them. They will lose out in the end -their policy is greedy, short sighted and one which they will live to regret in time through reduced business. For all Mr Murdoch's brilliant vision, he seems to have a disastrous blind spot when it comes to his VM Sky subscribers that is leading him and his successors to this course of action that they will regret at leisure.

Re: Richard Branson believes TiVo is a "weapon" against Sky
 

I'm with you on the streaming; it's one aspect of tivo that makes it so good.

I'm not shure how long it's going to take, but it's moving quite fast, with the growth of internet connected TVs and devices; Lovefilm and the other video services availabe via my Sony BR player are great.

I think sorting out content rights may be he thing that slows it down. but there are encouraging things happening there; the review of VOD rights and the finantial clout of Amazon, who now fully own Lovefilm, being a couple.

Re: Richard Branson believes TiVo is a "weapon" against Sky
 

More big money competition for Sky


http://www.theregister.co.uk/2011/02...e_says_report/


Google preps YouTube movie service 'for UK'

Google is reportedly planning to launch an unlimited movie subscription service in the UK.

The company is still searching for ways to make money out of its online video-sharing website YouTube, which – despite various content deals with big name record companies – remains something of a pet project at Mountain View.


According to the New York Post, Google is looking to offer a service similar to that provided by US-based Netflix and Amazon, which has been fiddling with its own film streaming service, after buying LoveFilm in January this year.

The YouTube brand will be wrapped around the UK launch of Google's own movie subscription service. If successful this will expand into Europe and the US, said New York Post, which cited execs briefed on the proposal.

Google is understood to have set aside $100m for deals with Hollywood studios and other content providers to get the service off the ground.

The Register has asked Google to comment on the story, but hadn't heard back at time of writing. ®

Re: Richard Branson believes TiVo is a "weapon" against Sky
 

It's big money competition for VM as well , VM have an on demand movie service.

Re: Richard Branson believes TiVo is a "weapon" against Sky
 

But VM could offer the google service as an app on Tivo ala netflix in the US.

Re: Richard Branson believes TiVo is a "weapon" against Sky
 

What a difference a day makes:

http://www.metro.co.uk/tech/856672-y...ervice-reports

Re: Richard Branson believes TiVo is a "weapon" against Sky
 

Does VM's VoD movie service get much business? It just seems quite expensive for what it offers.

Re: Richard Branson believes TiVo is a "weapon" against Sky
 

yeah, it does well. It offers convenience I guess.

Re: Richard Branson believes TiVo is a "weapon" against Sky
 

To be fair though most of the pay per view movie services are overpriced , Sky Box office is , Filmflex is , the PS3 service is.

Re: Richard Branson believes TiVo is a "weapon" against Sky
 

I'd like a movie subscription service like the music ones, where you pay a fixed monthly fee and you can stream as much as you want. I do that with Napster for music.

I'm not sure if it will ever happen for movies though?

Re: Richard Branson believes TiVo is a "weapon" against Sky
 

It does in America, and there's several not as good options over here. But honestly, Sky is preventing it from happening properly over here.

They have exclusive first run subscription on demand movie rights tied up with all the major studios so people just can't get the deals in place to make it viable. That's something that's been refereed to the competition commission though, so maybe in the future we'll see that change.

Re: Richard Branson believes TiVo is a "weapon" against Sky
 

I think it's outrageous that Sky have on demand movie rights when they don't even have an on demand service to offer it! That is something the competition commission need to stamp out straight away. That is pure and simply preventing anyone else from offering the content. If Sky were offering the content then perhaps it'd be a little easier to stomach, but they are depriving consumers the right to choose.

Hopefully with Amazon now full owners of Lovefilm, they will be able to challenge Sky. Maybe VM and Amazon should work together for it. Then the Lovefilm service could be provided across the Tivo platform.

Re: Richard Branson believes TiVo is a "weapon" against Sky
 

Sky do offer movies on demand via Anytime and anytime+ as well as Sky Player admittedly it is only available to Sky customers though.

Re: Richard Branson believes TiVo is a "weapon" against Sky
 

Sky do buy up exclusive VOD rights though which stops anybody else being able to do deals i am thinking about first run movies ect which ofcom i believe have now passed onto the competition comission to look into.

Sky in this way try to stifle competition and that also helps to keep prices high sadly.:(

Re: Richard Branson believes TiVo is a "weapon" against Sky
 

I agree that's not right however , the movie companies are also partly to blame as well IT'S CALLED GREED.

Re: Richard Branson believes TiVo is a "weapon" against Sky
 

I am sure VMs moviex are now 48hr rentals and not the old 24hr.

Also there is Picturebox at £5 a month and that is unlimited viewing, although mostly older movies but still some good ones.

Re: Richard Branson believes TiVo is a "weapon" against Sky
 

Yeah FilmFlex is 48 hour rental .. I sub to PictureBox, it does have a few older movies, but most are HD, so it's good value. :)

Re: Richard Branson believes TiVo is a "weapon" against Sky
 

I tried Picture box when it first launched, but not much of the selection appealed to me. HD was good but it only had a stereo soundtrack. That's a while back, so they may have improoved the selection now.

In the end, I decided on blueray rentals from Lovefilm. Their free streaming content is not too bad, but tends to be older films (the well known ones, anyway). Again only stereo sound though. But considering it's free with your subscription, it's good.

Ideally (for me), Lovefilm should launch an HD monthly subscription service and VM should carry it via Tivo. I think it could be a while before that happens though,

Re: Richard Branson believes TiVo is a "weapon" against Sky
 

Yes that is the case! However adding sky and the movie companies together = double greed, sky cannot supply VOD to a large part of their sub base due to phone line restrctions, or many subs not having a box that supports the service ,but the sheer power of their bank account makes sure nobody else can either competition commisson please do your job.:)

Re: Richard Branson believes TiVo is a "weapon" against Sky
 

I have Picture Box and it's a bit mediocre really with not an awful lot of choice.

It would be good if the rights issue could be sorted out and the streaming of TV programmes and films given to providers on a non exclusive basis, separate from linear TV rights.

Maybe the market will sort itself out without the need for regulation.

Re: Richard Branson believes TiVo is a "weapon" against Sky
 

Hardly a significant differential to most postal services. I have a couple of BluRays drop through my letter box each week for just £2 a go. Unlimited rental period too. And the worst inconvenience is I have to walk to the post box at the end of the street to send them back. To be honest I could do with the excercise ! :D

As for Tivo being a weapon agaisnt Sky, well isn't it a bit like buying a super new gun and then handing over all the ammo to the enemy ? The Tivo box is useless without the content. I suppose Brandson could walk round the Sky office and bosh the receptionist over the head with it ;)

Re: Richard Branson believes TiVo is a "weapon" against Sky
 

My thoughts exactly while I do believe TIVO could be a great product , I can't see VM trumping Sky on content anytime soon.

Re: Richard Branson believes TiVo is a "weapon" against Sky
 

The way some people talk, you'd think Virgin had no content at all.

Re: Richard Branson believes TiVo is a "weapon" against Sky
 

I wouldn't say they've got none either LOL

Re: Richard Branson believes TiVo is a "weapon" against Sky
 

I know, it's strange isn't it! You'd think with over 160 channels on the XL package that you'd have more than enough content available to fill the Tivo box with quickly. Most channels broadcast 24 hours a day so each day Virgin are piping almost 4000 hours worth of TV into your living room. If you can't find anything to watch, then clearly television isn't actually for you. I'd say drop down to Freeview and never worry yourself about Tivo again as it simply isn't a product designed for you or your viewing needs.

Re: Richard Branson believes TiVo is a "weapon" against Sky
 

4000 hrs is that all LOL :D

Re: Richard Branson believes TiVo is a "weapon" against Sky
 

Oh come on, there's naff all on over night and daytime TV is all dross.

So we are down to 1000 hours even before we start cutting out channels like Sky Simpsons (sky one) ;)

When you get down to it there's not that much new content out there. I hate picking up series when I've not watched from the start.

One of the benefits I hope to get from TiVo is getting some advance warning of new shows so I can get in on them at the start.

I just think it's a bit worrying VM won't be getting Sky Atlantic any time soon and therefore in theory no good HBO/US shows.

Re: Richard Branson believes TiVo is a "weapon" against Sky
 

I didn't include the SKY Movies or SKY Sports channels if you subscribe to them so that's another 360 hours on top of the 4000:D

I personally feel if Virgin do add SKY Atlantic we still won't be getting any good US shows to watch. If the latest Barb figures are anything to go by, SKY Atlantic STILL hasn't taken off with SKY viewers yet. Channels like Challenge TV, Cbeebies, Quest, Viva and Watch are kicking it's rear each week.

Re: Richard Branson believes TiVo is a "weapon" against Sky
 

But small viewing figures don't mean the shows is bad.

Compare the viewing figures for, say, 24, probably one of the best TV shows ever (it initially aired on BBC) and Coronation Street!