Should Virgin introduce an HD charge
 

The lack on HD channels on Virgin Media is a well discussed topic throughout cable forum so please you this topic for discussions.

My question is should Virgin Media now introduce an HD charge it seems fairly clear to me that holding off trying to get the HD channels on the cheap is not working out at all, now if they were to bring in a flat rate of say £8 or £10 per account per month that's surely going to generate more funds to get the HD channels we want but only Sky have.

The way VM are going on with the lack of HD channels more and more will just simply join Sky.

Re: Should Virgin introduce an HD charge
 

There should be a set of HD packages that people can subscribe to starting with a free HD package then if people wanted more HD then there should be a package involving more HD in which they could subscribe to if they wanted too.

Re: Should Virgin introduce an HD charge
 

I be happy with no HD and SD only

Re: Should Virgin introduce an HD charge
 

I haven't searched, but surely there was an existing thread similar to this that could have been used (it comes up so often)?

For the record, I'm against an extra HD charge on VM. Free HD is a selling point for VM and although we have to wait longer and have fewer channels than Sky. Keeping HD free, works for me.

Re: Should Virgin introduce an HD charge
 

I've quoted this from the coming soon thread

Now yes we know some will be students or simply can't afford to pay their bills if their cutting back ect, but how may of the 36,000 were TV subscribers? Surely with the TiVo box now out and with HD now taking over Virgin need to address there HD line up asap.

Re: Should Virgin introduce an HD charge
 

I was one of them :D

Re: Should Virgin introduce an HD charge
 

You're guessing as to why these customers were lost and you seem to be assuming it was due to lack of HD. But you have no proof of that (or maybe you do?)

Don't you think VM have a team of people analysing those figures to determine the reason? And if it is HD, they will start to do things about it.

Re: Should Virgin introduce an HD charge
 

Agreed. It's very simple, if HD is the priority, Sky offer more of it.

Yes, vm have done a reasonable job with tivo, but tivo is a means to an ends. It's only there to navigate and record content, it's not the content in itself what's important despite whatever apps may launch.If just looking at the tv package on its own, this is true in a way, although vm don't offer anything for "free", it's just packaged differently.

Most people take a bundle from vm now and the last time I looked, vm charge £13.90 line rental just to have a bit of old copper wire connected to your house. Even Berkett calls it a connectivity fee. Pure profit.

So, I don't think we should be looking at HD pricing, one dimensionally, if I can put it that way. VM has its own network, it has more costs than Sky, but no rental fees. I think VM has far more flexibility in pricing than it lets on.

And don't forget the six billion debt vm is still in... That's the problem. To make money, you have to spend it first. VM has to be selective about what channels it chooses to launch, and even if there weren't any debts, it would still be selective over channel launches as it's a closed network, unlike Sky's.

To answer the OP's question, I don't think there should be an additional HD charge, cable tv costs enough as it is!

Re: Should Virgin introduce an HD charge
 

I agree with the Batman. :p:

The 'Free HD for no extra charge' has been a good USP for VM, if they did introduce a HD charge, that will only encourage channel providers to ask for even more money for their HD content.

Given enough time, we'll have a "Should Virgin increase the cost of their HD charge?" thread, after Sky announce that Virgin want Sky Atlantic 2 HD on the cheap.

Re: Should Virgin introduce an HD charge
 

The responsibility for VMs financial ruin, due to lack of HD, falls firmly at your feet! :D

Re: Should Virgin introduce an HD charge
 

LOL :D

Re: Should Virgin introduce an HD charge
 

Some would see the activation charge for the VHD/V+/Tivo as type of HD "lump sum" anyway. VM have a better offering than anyone except for sky, and anyone who really wants "HD with everything" would go to sky anyway. I'm happy for VM to sit in the middle. It also seems for the most part, the quality of the SD channels on my V+ boxes are better than I've seen on the equivalent sky equipment, so I'm happy with the status-quo.

Re: Should Virgin introduce an HD charge
 

No.

(in response to the OP question).

Re: Should Virgin introduce an HD charge
 

WHY, it's like comparing VHS with DVD. In 5-10 years SD channels on VM/SKY will be seen as taking unnecessary space on their respective platforms!!!

Re: Should Virgin introduce an HD charge
 

Ditto!! The the V+ box is far superior to the Sky Boxes and I am happy to wait for more channels in HD. I have been with cable since the Nynex days and the only box changes that I have had are the change to a digital one and the upgrade to the V+ box, my brother has had around ten changes of the Sky boxes within the same time frame due to constant failures plus a basically useless broadband so much so the he is changing over to virgin next week and looking forward to it, plus it actually works out cheaper with Virgin for a similar package but with 30 meg broadband. Not their so called up to 20meg offering which only delivers around 1/2 meg
I certainly do not want a HD channel just for the sake of saying I have it in HD when it consists mainly of upscaled 4:3 black and white films or programs.

Re: Should Virgin introduce an HD charge
 

VM want every HD channel on the cheap,Thats why we aint getting any new ones.:(

Re: Should Virgin introduce an HD charge
 

All the UKTV HD channels will launch this Autumn.

Re: Should Virgin introduce an HD charge
 

So Dave HD, Watch HD and Good Food HD will be launching in the Autumn and Alibi HD in 2012? If so that's a start but we need ITV 2, 3 and 4 HD plus History HD as a minimum.

Re: Should Virgin introduce an HD charge
 

Not Forgetting ESPN America in HD:D

Re: Should Virgin introduce an HD charge
 

I doubt VM will spend any money on a channel hardly anyone watches.

Re: Should Virgin introduce an HD charge
 

I'm watching college football on ESPN America right now wishing it was in HD! Think you'll find it's more popular than people think!

But going back to the HD charge I wouldn't pay anymore than I already do, yes the premium HD charge is absorbed in my VIP package but regardless I'm still paying £7 P/M somewhere so I don't feel I should pay anymore when I get less HD than Sky for a tiny £3.25 P/M less than what they do for lots more HD.

Re: Should Virgin introduce an HD charge
 

It's average viewing figures, and this includes sky and vm sd and hd combined, is less than 9000. I think we all make the mistake of thinking if we like something most people do to.

Regards

John

Re: Should Virgin introduce an HD charge
 

Fair enough and thanks for enlightening me John, surely at those poor figures VM could negotiate the channel even with their tiny budget!!

Re: Should Virgin introduce an HD charge
 

Ditto for Sky Atlantic. :D;)

Re: Should Virgin introduce an HD charge
 

Do tell where did you get your figures from? I am watching Minnesota @ USC.

Re: Should Virgin introduce an HD charge
 

I was rather generous on the 9000 average;) I got my figures from here:

http://www.barb.co.uk/report/weeklyTopProgrammes?

You'll have to select espn america manually, as I can't get a direct link.

Regards

John.

---------- Post added at 22:25 ---------- Previous post was at 22:23 ----------

Sky atlantic gets considerably more viewers than espn america

If your up for a challenge, alwaysabear, find me a channel that has lower viewing figures than espn america

Re: Should Virgin introduce an HD charge
 

Maybe that is the reason why more people choose satellite be it through Sky or Freesat to gain access to these niche channels that VM don't deem worthy to broadcast.

Re: Should Virgin introduce an HD charge
 

The trouble with all Barb figures is that they are taken from so few homes that are not representative of actual viewers watching.

Re: Should Virgin introduce an HD charge
 

What has worthy got to do with it? Espn america is on virgin, they just don't want to pay extra for HD for the tiny amount of people that watch it. And I have to say I agree with that decision. Its a commercial one not a question of taste or worthiness.

Regards

John

---------- Post added at 22:36 ---------- Previous post was at 22:35 ----------

I think you will find they are more representative than the few tens of us that post in these threads.

Re: Should Virgin introduce an HD charge
 

I wasn't just referring to ESPNA HD I was meaning others such as CBS Action , CBS Drama , Al Jazeera News , Numerous music channels , Premier Sports etc.

Re: Should Virgin introduce an HD charge
 

That is why it would be better For VM to change their package system for those of us who are prepared to pay to see the HD channels they want, then customers like you would not be affected. I paid to watch NASN, so all I am asking for is the same opportunity for ESPNA HD.

Re: Should Virgin introduce an HD charge
 

But how much would you pay for that channel? It would be great if VM just had to pay per viewer but they don't. So lets roll through some actual numbers here. What would you pay for espn america HD? And how much do you think espn america hd are asking vm for per month?

Regards

John
nasn channel what is that and how much does it cost you?