Virgin Media plans ‘imminent’ launch of targeted advertising
 

http://www.digitaltveurope.net/30414...d-advertising/

I am not looking forward to this level of personal targeting.

Re: Virgin Media plans ‘imminent’ launch of targeted advertising
 

I will imminently look for the opt-out clause.

Re: Virgin Media plans ‘imminent’ launch of targeted advertising
 

I will be moving provider its that simple if this is

A. DPI based Aka PHORM

B. Opt out Not Opt in


If this is DPI based i suggest those who don't remember PHORM read this link

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/technolog...-unfolded.html

How ever until they give out more information on how the information is gathered to allow the targeting of adverts we don't know if it will be invasive or not. I do so hope this is not DPI based and therefor none invasive

Re: Virgin Media plans ‘imminent’ launch of targeted advertising
 

I had assumed that this would be based on overall television viewing preferences much in the same way as is currently done on a program by program basis. ie Food companies targeting Cookery programs. Whilst I don't like to be targeted in any way I could live with this level of manipulation as I am always happy to fast forward or make a cup of tea during commercial breaks.

.... but if DPI is involved it will be a wholly different issue. The Phorm War was hard fought and I wouldn't stand to have my privacy invaded to that extent if I had any alternative options to use.

Re: Virgin Media plans ‘imminent’ launch of targeted advertising
 

It won't be DPI as it's got nothing to do with broadband

Re: Virgin Media plans ‘imminent’ launch of targeted advertising
 

Reading the article, this seems to be TV Video on Demand Services, not broadband.

There should be no concern over DPI (Deep Packet Inspection) of your internet use.

The system will no doubt insert adverts into the VOD programmes you select, and that would be based on your watching habits, something that no doubt TiVo systems already track.

Re: Virgin Media plans ‘imminent’ launch of targeted advertising
 

Yeah I'd have to say that's what I would read it as - either VoD or the 'Discovery Bar' on TiVo or both - especially because of this:

which was on the Discovery bar for ages.

Of course 'targeted' doesn't even have to be viewing habits, it could be something as simple as 'we know we've already showed X advert to Y box, so let's not do it again'

Re: Virgin Media plans ‘imminent’ launch of targeted advertising
 

So advertising in front of and possibly in the middle of any VOD you play, the Tivo interface and the Apple/Android (when they finally release it) apps? Based on what programmes they know you have watched via these apps.

Re: Virgin Media plans ‘imminent’ launch of targeted advertising
 

Which at least C4 have been doing for ages through VMOD.

Re: Virgin Media plans ‘imminent’ launch of targeted advertising
 

Which has exactly WHAT to do with what I was asking? :bsmack:

Individuals do not pay C4 for a service unlike the ad'less BBC, or pay a subscription to them, like they do to virgin.

Re: Virgin Media plans ‘imminent’ launch of targeted advertising
 

And what has that got to do with anything

You pay a subscription for channels, and yet those channels carry adverts.

Also TiVo already has adverts and has done for a while now

Re: Virgin Media plans ‘imminent’ launch of targeted advertising
 

Fast forward button is your friend.
Hence why I record any non BBC channel I wish to watch. Even if only starting to watch 15 minutes or so in. As for the bar - totally wasted on me trained my eyes to ignore it. If it brings in money & therefore helps keep prices down bring it on.However it will be wasted on me :D

Re: Virgin Media plans ‘imminent’ launch of targeted advertising
 

C4 is funded by adverts. VirginMedia is funded by paying customers.

I only asked a question about the adverts, trust Carl to drag the thread downhill and a VM employee to back him over something that stupid. Pathetic.

Re: Virgin Media plans ‘imminent’ launch of targeted advertising
 

Nothing wrong with targeted advertising .If we must have advertising,and we must, to pay for the services ,then far better to have adverts that are pertinent to an individual rather than ones that aren't .No point advertising baby products to an 80yr old couple and no point advertising over 60's pension plans to young couples

Re: Virgin Media plans ‘imminent’ launch of targeted advertising
 

Whatever VM do it certainly won't be that specific

---------- Post added at 15:42 ---------- Previous post was at 15:39 ----------

Of course, who said that the ad revenue goes to VM?

C4 VoD ads go back to C4 as far as I'm aware http://www.broadcastnow.co.uk/news/b...013270.article

EDIT: never know why those pages work from Google, but via a link, anyway:

Re: Virgin Media plans ‘imminent’ launch of targeted advertising
 

So why the big hoohar ,and why the big announcement if it's not that specific will anyone notice ?

Re: Virgin Media plans ‘imminent’ launch of targeted advertising
 

If there is a way to earn a few extra pennies and further degrade their services to the detriment of the subscribers you can be sure that VM will always be first in the queue.

I am so glad I no longer take any services from VM.

Re: Virgin Media plans ‘imminent’ launch of targeted advertising
 

This:
You should not really dismiss what is being said just because of who is saying it :rolleyes:

Which has what to do with anything?

Re: Virgin Media plans ‘imminent’ launch of targeted advertising
 

Because he was addressing an industry conference, where things like that are of interest?

Re: Virgin Media plans ‘imminent’ launch of targeted advertising
 

All I was trying to say in response to Carls pathetic and obvious reply, was that C4 has always been free to air and customers expect adverts to pay for it. There is no reason their VOD should not have them either. There would be uproar if the BBC tried to do this with the iPlayer though, as customers pay a yearly subscription to it in a roundabout way, hence no adverts on their broadcast channel.

Did that really need spelling out?

Like I say, all this is off topic, I only asked if my assumptions would be correct. Thread derailed by the usual suspect :nutter:

Re: Virgin Media plans ‘imminent’ launch of targeted advertising
 

It wasn't a "big announcement" more than it was a mention on a website related to that subject; ie not of any real relevance to the public at large.

Or, to put it another way....

What he said :)

---------- Post added at 15:52 ---------- Previous post was at 15:50 ----------

Exactly, marty.

Re: Virgin Media plans ‘imminent’ launch of targeted advertising
 

Ok, but don't think the BBC was mentioned anywhere in this was it? Although now you mention it, there are ads I believe around some of the BBC content in VoD same as there is on Dave / GOLD etc, but not on iPlayer

Re: Virgin Media plans ‘imminent’ launch of targeted advertising
 

So I watch Shameless on demand so VM try to sell me beer and a spliff?

Re: Virgin Media plans ‘imminent’ launch of targeted advertising
 

But as marty just said, if I have to put up with some ads I would rather they be relevant to me and what I might want.

Re: Virgin Media plans ‘imminent’ launch of targeted advertising
 

C4 was not mentioned either. I don;'t see you questioning Carl for throwing in that non-relevant info, which then lead to my explanation that wasn't needed? Thought not. Nuff said. :banghead:

Re: Virgin Media plans ‘imminent’ launch of targeted advertising
 

To clarify, that would be content from BBC Worldwide; the corporations commercial arm. UK, LF-funded programming would not have such ads.

---------- Post added at 15:58 ---------- Previous post was at 15:56 ----------

The topic was ads surrounding OD content. I was merely pointing out that this is not something new in and of itself; but the 'relevant ads' bit was.

And yes, your original assumption was correct.

Re: Virgin Media plans ‘imminent’ launch of targeted advertising
 

So now you have nowhere to go with the first argument you started, you now pick on another comment to run with to show you was right? Unbelievable!

Re: Virgin Media plans ‘imminent’ launch of targeted advertising
 

But you are fine for example with Sky running ads on their channels which are subscription?

Re: Virgin Media plans ‘imminent’ launch of targeted advertising
 

he should have made it a top secret memo ,does he not realise the trouble he has caused on CF :D

Re: Virgin Media plans ‘imminent’ launch of targeted advertising
 

Indeed. Did you know that Sky could make all the channels it owns completely ad-free and still make loads of money as they get much more from subs than advertising.

Re: Virgin Media plans ‘imminent’ launch of targeted advertising
 

I remember seeing the HTC ad on my parents TIVO Discovery bar , I also believe they had one for Mercedes at one point , they were pretty unobtrusive anyway.

Re: Virgin Media plans ‘imminent’ launch of targeted advertising
 

What has Sky got to do with this? You seem to be asking that question on the assumption I have something against VM running adverts, which I have stated no actual opinion on. My previous posts were answering Carl's statements which were totally irrelevant and nothing to do with my original post which asked where the adverts would be.

Obvious fanboys are obvious.

Re: Virgin Media plans ‘imminent’ launch of targeted advertising
 

Indeed. I won't mind if they stay that way :)

Qtx. Threads sometimes go off at a tangent. You just have to live with it, not moan about it.

Re: Virgin Media plans ‘imminent’ launch of targeted advertising
 

Aren't Sky also planning the same

http://www.pocket-lint.com/news/3907...ts-coming-2013

Re: Virgin Media plans ‘imminent’ launch of targeted advertising
 

Did you know VM could give all its customers working broadband customers and still make money? As relevant as your VM cheerleading and anti anti-sky comments. Why am I even taking your thread derailing bait? :erm:

---------- Post added at 16:09 ---------- Previous post was at 16:06 ----------

I might be upset if I was getting more adverts instead of just ones being replaced that were going to be there anyway.

Re: Virgin Media plans ‘imminent’ launch of targeted advertising
 

They already do. It just works better for some than others ;)

My comment was neither of those. I was just stating a well-known fact. (Check their Annual Reports for the details.)

Re: Virgin Media plans ‘imminent’ launch of targeted advertising
 

I wasn't answering your original post.

Threads generally evolve, so they start at point A and get to point Z - this is magic of conversation I guess, so stop getting your knickers in a twist because I want to pick up on a point you made which was.

So why no uproar that Sky charge for there channels and still run ads, was and still is the point I am making.

Re: Virgin Media plans ‘imminent’ launch of targeted advertising
 

I was comparing a terrestrial/freeview channel to another. I had no uproar over VM, so why would I over Sky?

You are trying to prove a point that doesnt have to be made, because you made a mistake based on your own personal bias towards VM and Carls knack for turning most threads off topic and into arguments.

Re: Virgin Media plans ‘imminent’ launch of targeted advertising
 

It takes two to make an argument, Qtx so there's no way I'm taking all the "blame".

Re: Virgin Media plans ‘imminent’ launch of targeted advertising
 

You are the common factor in this threads Carl. You want to blame me for the threads you argue in that I have not replied in too? ;)

Re: Virgin Media plans ‘imminent’ launch of targeted advertising
 

I wasn't specifically referring to you and this thread, though.

Re: Virgin Media plans ‘imminent’ launch of targeted advertising
 

So do we PAY a subscription to C4 for watching there output each month

Re: Virgin Media plans ‘imminent’ launch of targeted advertising
 

Re: Virgin Media plans ‘imminent’ launch of targeted advertising
 

They do. Four years ago, they developed a system that used the data sent by the boxes on what people were playing to predict who would win or lose American Idol.

http://www.tmz.com/2008/04/10/crazy-...s-idol-losers/

Re: Virgin Media plans ‘imminent’ launch of targeted advertising
 

Now personally I'd love to see VM do something similar

#TrendingonTiVo anyone? ;)

Re: Virgin Media plans ‘imminent’ launch of targeted advertising
 

I don't have a bias one way or the other:rolleyes:

Re: Virgin Media plans ‘imminent’ launch of targeted advertising
 

What always worries me when TARGETED adverts rear there ugly heads is WHERE and HOW the data that allows the adverts to be TARGETED is taken from. For any advert to be targeted at an individual using a service the data to allow that targeting must be gleaned from the service the individual is using. Therefor will the user be given the ability to opt out and for his usage not to be tracked. ?

Re: Virgin Media plans ‘imminent’ launch of targeted advertising
 

Worried you might get some 18+ ads while playing cartoon central on demand? :notme:

Usually a customer is assigned a number and the logs go against that number, going by some other similar systems. Then only that number needs to be shared and it cannot be linked back to an individual customer by a third party at least.

Personally I don't like tracking even if there is a small benefit.

Does make me wonder how targeted ads will work in houses with multiple boxes and a family of 3+. How does it know which individual is watching which program?

Re: Virgin Media plans ‘imminent’ launch of targeted advertising
 

Nail and head is what you have just posted :)

Re: Virgin Media plans ‘imminent’ launch of targeted advertising
 

Well done , you've just posted the most ridiculous post of the day.

If Sky were to make all their channels ad-free , how much money do you think they'd lose ? We're would that drop in income be made up ? I'm sure you'd find us the subscribers would be the ones to pick the tab up , I have no problems with ads on channels if helps keep subscriptions at an acceptable level.

Re: Virgin Media plans ‘imminent’ launch of targeted advertising
 

Not a lot when compared to the income they receive from subscriptions which, the last I heard was something around £500 per subscriber.

Of course they would never do it but that wasn't the point I was trying to make.

Re: Virgin Media plans ‘imminent’ launch of targeted advertising
 

You don't allow hearsay, so provide proof please :nono:

My tv bill with Sky for the next year will come to a little over £160. The STB becomes mine at the end when I cancel too :tu:

Re: Virgin Media plans ‘imminent’ launch of targeted advertising
 

£95 million last quarter. I'm amazed how little they make from advertising.



---------- Post added at 19:02 ---------- Previous post was at 18:59 ----------

Allow me, as I was in the area:
(Source for both http://corporate.sky.com/documents/p...ss_release.pdf)

Meanwhile, back on topic...

Re: Virgin Media plans ‘imminent’ launch of targeted advertising
 

Is ARPU an average customer spend? Not a term I am familiar with.

Edit: Googled it, Average Revenue per user.

Carls statement is still wrong as he said per subscriber and not average. Wouldn't normally be fickle over such a small detail but he does it all day long to everyone.

Re: Virgin Media plans ‘imminent’ launch of targeted advertising
 

Our total revenue from continuing operations in fiscal 2011 was
£6,597 million (2010: £5,709 million), as set out in the table below.
For the year to 30 June
2011
£m
Retail subscription 5,455
Wholesale subscription 323
Advertising 458
Installation, hardware and service 112
Other 249
Revenue 6,597

2011 annual report

Re: Virgin Media plans ‘imminent’ launch of targeted advertising
 

When Sky Digital started in 1998, the price for all the movie channels was £19.99 per month. If one subscribed to the Sky movie channels, the basics were thrown in for free.

When Sky Sports became a subscription channel, after the introductory offer
of £2.99 a month ended, this became £5.99.

Total: £25.98.

Adjusted for inflation, this figure becomes £39, yet the average ARPU is currently £45.83 per month.

Re: Virgin Media plans ‘imminent’ launch of targeted advertising
 

The point being they still make money from advertising 458 million annually , so why would they give that up ? I do however take your point its a small amount in comparison to subscription revenue.

Re: Virgin Media plans ‘imminent’ launch of targeted advertising
 

Yet I was still correct as you knew what I meant despite the error :rolleyes:

---------- Post added at 19:43 ---------- Previous post was at 19:42 ----------

Thank you.

Re: Virgin Media plans ‘imminent’ launch of targeted advertising
 

They need as much as they can get with the company debt standing at over a billion £'s .The same for VM they are in debt and targeted advertising is worth more to them as they can sell the slots at a premium

Re: Virgin Media plans ‘imminent’ launch of targeted advertising
 

No, you would have been correct if you had said £500/550 average per subscriber. You did not say that. You said £500 per subscriber.

If you want to question and nitpick everyone elses posts, expect them to do the same to you.

Re: Virgin Media plans ‘imminent’ launch of targeted advertising
 

Re: Virgin Media plans ‘imminent’ launch of targeted advertising
 

Back on topic, this only seems to affect TV on demand for Tivo users. Seems to be a good reason to keep V+ box!

Re: Virgin Media plans ‘imminent’ launch of targeted advertising
 

Well, as I ignore all the ads at the moment, I expect I will just ignore the targeted ads....:D

Re: Virgin Media plans ‘imminent’ launch of targeted advertising
 

My thoughts exactly, Hugh. A big fuss about nothing. (As was Phorm, as it turned-out but that's way OT)

Re: Virgin Media plans ‘imminent’ launch of targeted advertising
 

Yes indeed the ads have no impact in our household either.

Re: Virgin Media plans ‘imminent’ launch of targeted advertising
 

:LOL: I knew you would say you liked Phorm :rolleyes:

Re: Virgin Media plans ‘imminent’ launch of targeted advertising
 

Where did I say that? Go on. Show me.

I am getting seriously annoyed with people like you who seem to want to put words in my mouth (so to speak). Please STOP IT :rolleyes:

Nowhere in that post did I say I "liked" Phorm. I don't like ads either. But if I have to suffer them then at least make them relevant to me.

Re: Virgin Media plans ‘imminent’ launch of targeted advertising
 

Wouldn't that just mean you saw ads from Virgin Media about TIVO :)

Just kidding :D

Re: Virgin Media plans ‘imminent’ launch of targeted advertising
 

LOL! But what would be the point as I already have one of those :confused::p:

Re: Virgin Media plans ‘imminent’ launch of targeted advertising
 

Carl, you've made it clear that you (like me) record most of what you view. Skipping the advert breaks is a bonus. Timeshift is a wonderful thing :)

Re: Virgin Media plans ‘imminent’ launch of targeted advertising
 

Same here.

Re: Virgin Media plans ‘imminent’ launch of targeted advertising
 

Has this imminent plan actually started yet?

Re: Virgin Media plans ‘imminent’ launch of targeted advertising
 

Not that I know of but.... I expect it will be 'coming soon' in VM speak.

Re: Virgin Media plans ‘imminent’ launch of targeted advertising
 

Does this imminent plan worry you that much or have you got some input that will help us ?

The longer it takes in my eyes the better, but you will have a different reason for it to be delayed

Re: Virgin Media plans ‘imminent’ launch of targeted advertising
 

Can I not ask a simple question or make an enquiry without you and the other VM cronies questioning my post?

Keep up the harrasment! Just makes me want to post more.

---------- Post added at 14:54 ---------- Previous post was at 14:53 ----------

Well done on getting your edit in there quickly. Sly at hiding the reasons for you posts ;)

Re: Virgin Media plans ‘imminent’ launch of targeted advertising
 

If only their "coming soon" price rises took as long to implement as their "coming soon" speed upgrades...

Re: Virgin Media plans ‘imminent’ launch of targeted advertising
 

While this kind of delay might be appreciated by some, im interested to see how it actually looks when working. Fully understand what you mean by Virgins 'coming soon', its a bit like a womans 5 minutes when it comes ot the bathroom :D

Re: Virgin Media plans ‘imminent’ launch of targeted advertising
 

Although I feel uncomfortable at the idea of being targeted a small part of me is still interested to see what adverts are prompted by my eclectic viewing habits. Still, the longer the delay in implementation the happier I shall be.

Re: Virgin Media plans ‘imminent’ launch of targeted advertising
 

???

Anyone who knows me will know just how much i hate targeted adverts.

Re: Virgin Media plans ‘imminent’ launch of targeted advertising
 

I'll second that and for the record I feel the same.

I've jumped ship now and so don't give a monkeys about VM anymore, I just hope Sky don't jump on the same bandwagon anytime soon. :erm:

Re: Virgin Media plans ‘imminent’ launch of targeted advertising
 

The comment you highlight with the pretty bold lettering was referring to the fact that your previous reply was just a single sentence to have a dig at me, which hypocritically and ironically added no input to the thread.

You added a second sentence relating to something else in an attempt to hide this personal attack. I pointed that out :)

I know you hate the idea of targeted advertising but that doesn't negate your original unedited reply was an attack on me.

Re: Virgin Media plans ‘imminent’ launch of targeted advertising
 

Re: Virgin Media plans ‘imminent’ launch of targeted advertising
 

You have people with massive chips on their shoulders feeling that everyone and his dog is against them and this thread is a prime example, now if this poster had firstly been here long enough he would realise how much you actually hate targeted advertisements and have a dislike/hatred of Phorm which you posted many a thought on such as in this thread HERE.

Now if they could just get the dislike of Virgin Media out of their head and remove the blinkers they would find that oddly enough no one is after them.

This just seems to be a potential replacement for Phorm and done in an underhand manner thinking that we may have forgotten about it.

Here is a refresher in how Phorm works from their own website click HERE.

Re: Virgin Media plans ‘imminent’ launch of targeted advertising
 

It's not so much the advertising, that's easily blocked. It's the, usually, unavoidable and always underhand gathering of the personal data that makes it possible.

Anyway VM is no longer the only game in town for fast BB. We can only hope that folks will vote with their feet over this, among a myriad of other grouses.

I would really like this to savagely bite VM's ass, will they never stop taking their customer base for granted.

Re: Virgin Media plans ‘imminent’ launch of targeted advertising
 

Re: Virgin Media plans ‘imminent’ launch of targeted advertising
 

Ok Peter, tried to PM you to apologise but can't for some reason. I actually respect your views and enjoy your posts.

Re: Virgin Media plans ‘imminent’ launch of targeted advertising
 

If this is released by Virgin Media then we need to ensure that we have blocking software on our machines to stop it from being of any use to them.

I do not see any of the adverts at the top of the page due to me using Adblocker plus, the same can be said of virtually every website that I visit.

Re: Virgin Media plans ‘imminent’ launch of targeted advertising
 

It appears that VM are not the only company intending to use targeted advertising in 2013.
http://connectedconsumer.mediatel.co...rticles#110518

Re: Virgin Media plans ‘imminent’ launch of targeted advertising
 

There isn't a fault with the system, it's because Peter has set up his account to not accept private messages.

Re: Virgin Media plans ‘imminent’ launch of targeted advertising
 

Many people especially Virgin Media staff and Ex Virgin Media staff set their preferences this way and only allow contacts and friends access.

Re: Virgin Media plans ‘imminent’ launch of targeted advertising
 

I didn't know that. This facility is in place to be used, so people might as well use it if they find it useful!

Re: Virgin Media plans ‘imminent’ launch of targeted advertising
 

I would expect that the known VM staff can be snowed under so I can fully appreciate why they do this.

Re: Virgin Media plans ‘imminent’ launch of targeted advertising
 

I did it because i had some abusive pm,s sent to me.

Re: Virgin Media plans ‘imminent’ launch of targeted advertising
 

And members have a choice whether they wish to be contacted by PM - it is their right to switch it off if they wish.

Re: Virgin Media plans ‘imminent’ launch of targeted advertising
 

I never thought of that, you make a good point. They would probably receive lots of requests for help, information etc.

You should have reported it, there's no excuse for obscene language.

It's normal for admin to be able to view private messages, as is the case on a forum that I oversee, so any claims of inappropriate messages can probably be easily verified and dealt with by The Cable Forum Team.

Absolutely.

Re: Virgin Media plans ‘imminent’ launch of targeted advertising
 

I wish sometimes I could use the facility.:angel:

So is there any way to opt out of this new system?

Re: Virgin Media plans ‘imminent’ launch of targeted advertising
 

Admin on this forum have stated they cannot see Pm's unless you send them to them.

Re: Virgin Media plans ‘imminent’ launch of targeted advertising
 

We cannot view private messages.

Re: Virgin Media plans ‘imminent’ launch of targeted advertising
 

Thanks for confirming that Maggy :tu:

Re: Virgin Media plans ‘imminent’ launch of targeted advertising
 

okidoki :)