Dropping TV package in the next 12 months
 

Seen more than a few people say they are likely to drop their tv packages soon and just go with freeview due to cost or just not needing all the channels. Wondered if this was just a handful of people or if many more are contemplating it?

Hope this is in the right subforum as there isn't one that covers all providers.

Re: Dropping TV package in the next 12 months
 

Depends what happens with the temporary Freeview HD channels.

Re: Dropping TV package in the next 12 months
 

IF you have XL because of ESPN being included for free, rather than HD for free, a drop down to the L package would save you money each month. You'll lose some channels but the L package is still very good indeed:

http://store.virginmedia.com/digital...els/index.html

When you strip away all the HD channels, and +1 channels, you'll only really lose:

Liverpool TV
Motors TV
CBS Reality
CBS Drama
Horror Channel
FOX
Comedy Central Extra
Disney XD
Disney Channel
Disney Junior
Discovery Travel & Living
Discovery Turbo
National Geographic Wild
National Geographic
History
Crime & Investigation Network
Bio
MTV Rocks
MTV Dance
TV5

Admittedly there will be an impact on the on demand library you have access too however couple this with a drop in your current broadband size and the savings start to make sense.

Each to their own of course but I think the L TV package is worth considering. If BT Sports does come to Virgin, and costs between £12 to £15 per month, a few package changes will allow you to add the BT channels without being hit in the pocket.

Also remember Virgin charge £5.00 per month if you don't pay by direct debit, and a further £1.75 if you have your bill posted to you. Switch to Direct Debit and e-billing to save a further £6.75 per month.

Re: Dropping TV package in the next 12 months
 

I'd drop to the L package but watch a lot on FOX so dropping would actually be bad as I would then be upgrading as soon as I could again which would defeat the purpose.

Unfortunately, whilst there are channels on the XL package I love watching, there are others that wouldn't bother me if I never saw a single programme on them. I won't be dropping the package at all at any time.

---------- Post added at 23:17 ---------- Previous post was at 23:16 ----------

And the Nat Geo channel I watch a lot on, especially the Air Crash series.

Re: Dropping TV package in the next 12 months
 

Have they added some some? Not heard anything about them.

Used to live down the hill from the main crystal palace transmitter and got a terrible signal for being below and so close, which was my main reason for getting Pay tv. Since moved and get around 107 freeview channels with perfect reception now.

Would miss the HD on channels more than losing most of the Sky channels. Tend to watch more catchup tv or on demand anyway, so switching to downloading them could be an option to take. My NAS can act as a PVR for freeview or Sky freeview so losing the recording storage on their box wouldn't matter.

If a lot of customers are looking to go to freeview/youview then it will obviously change the strategies of BT/Sky/VM.

Re: Dropping TV package in the next 12 months
 

Ofcom have asked for bidders interested in a 5 year (IIRC) HD slot on Freeview. ITV are thought to be interested in (at least) one.

Re: Dropping TV package in the next 12 months
 

Some good points raised Chad, and I am sure many will find the list helpful.

I must admit though, I have become a HD snob recently, and I simply could not bear to watch the HD programmes (not a huge amount) I do actually watch in SD anymore. Horror channel, nat geo wild, comedy central extra, would all be missed somewhat too (and yes I "suffer" those in SD). I am lucky in having the TV package I have as a luxury I can still just about afford and, more importantly, justify spending money on.
L TV is very much worth considering, but currently it's not for me.
If my financial situation ever changes TV packages and broadband speeds would be the first to go though.

Re: Dropping TV package in the next 12 months
 

i watch alot of fox. only reason i dont downgrade

Re: Dropping TV package in the next 12 months
 

I am tempted to drop altogether and live with freeview simply because I can source everything I want elsewhere. I would however miss recording features so I dunno if I would just go down to m+ this of course means I keep the kit and add channels back again

Re: Dropping TV package in the next 12 months
 

I have in the last month, got BT vision and a feesat box for the other TV

Re: Dropping TV package in the next 12 months
 

I'm exactly the same, I tend to source whatever I want to watch and don't rely on my v+ nor the normal scheduling.

As most freeview boxes / recorders come with 320 to 1tb hard drives and can also record 2 channels at the same time I don't quite understand why you'd miss the record functions.

Re: Dropping TV package in the next 12 months
 

I'll be dropping mine in the next few weeks when i switch BB to FTTC. I only have the free M package though so it's no big loss, i'll just plug the arial into the TV for freeview and pretty much have the same channels anyway.

Re: Dropping TV package in the next 12 months
 

My particular problem is that in my house we have 4 adults of varying ages, one 5 year old grandaughter and the dog who loves watching Animal Planet HD (not kidding). The point is we all have differing viewing preferences that go across several genres'. Therefore, only option is to have Pay TV. XL covers all our favourite channels and based on Harry's list we would loose a lot of those favourite channels if we went down a level.

Switching provider is not an option really due to documented signal problems in our area and to be honest potential cost saving is minimal, especially after first year as would need to take out insurance on repairs, support etc

Even though the above is limiting there is of course a break point. Where the headache I would get from the family members moaning would be countered by the relief of not giving any more of my hard earned money to the money grabbing entertainment industry.

Re: Dropping TV package in the next 12 months
 

Not dropping down a package as really love HD channels on XL. Am treating it as money saved whatever ott amount BT will charge if we get their sport channels...

Re: Dropping TV package in the next 12 months
 

I'm dropping tv fullstop once my contract ends in june 2014. I'm on M+ atm but i'm thinking about dropping my whole pack down to the starter bundle as only me here so 30mb bb should be fine.
I mostly watch stuff on the American networks sites via a vpn nowadays it's very rare i watch any live tv.

Re: Dropping TV package in the next 12 months
 

thinking of going with a tesco rolling one month bb contract dropping everything else and see what offers I get over the next few months

I really cant say HD is worth extra at the moment I love my blurays but watching the news etc in HD doesnt really grab me

Re: Dropping TV package in the next 12 months
 

Guess it may be some time before we actually get those channels though. Enough HD freeview channels could tempt more to lose Pay tv.

Re: Dropping TV package in the next 12 months
 

I dropped my package down too the basic TV, BB and Phone. I was considering this due to the ESPN removal. (31st July)
I have started to watch a lot of the BBC programmes, good educational stuff that I would have previously missed due to channel surfing..

Re: Dropping TV package in the next 12 months
 

Well, I'll phone retentions with the intention of dropping the TV package, whether they'll let me and instead persuade me to keep it with some sweet deal is another thing

Re: Dropping TV package in the next 12 months
 

If I was a full paying customer I would use be on the starter collection, tvM with a tivo and 15meg traffic managed broadband suits me

Re: Dropping TV package in the next 12 months
 

:) Not a bad idea, got me thinking, if ESPN goes off the XLpackage :td:

Re: Dropping TV package in the next 12 months
 

I did this last week because ESPN was going. They just said "Bye then".

I must admit now that if I could get just the freeview channels (jn HD) plus Sky sports HD I would drop Virgin Media.

Bloody sport rules everything.

Re: Dropping TV package in the next 12 months
 

i was thinking about dropping mine earlier today...in fact i am gonna call later on tonight.

i'm on the old VIP50 pack but since i took it out the price has increased 3 times i think and with sky increasing their prices in sept...virgin wont be long following suit

if i had my way...

Phone - XL

i would drop the phone completely, the only people call are *******s trying to sell stuff i dont need like loft insulation, guttering, ppi etc even though i am registered with TPS - told them plenty of times i dont need it but they still ring back at a later date

TV - XL

currently have XL with sports / movies, never watched a movie since it was put in 18 months ago and dad watches the sports...but he even said last night that for what he watches its alot of money and not getting any value out of the subscription. i tried cancelling the movies plus a few other bits months ago....but the price went UP!

Broadband - 100mb

Had the "free" (with a price increase few weeks later) upgrade to the 100mb...to be honest, the 50mb was ample for my needs. Now with all the traffic management rubbish...you (i) cant use it to its full potential...well i can but i am normally at 50mb anyway!

So by the looks of it, i am paying for a premium package and not getting any value for money, i will miss the HD channels but i only watch the HD as its there - yeah the picture is clearer but the SD is good enough

---------- Post added at 17:04 ---------- Previous post was at 17:02 ----------

edit:

i have never had any "sweetner" deals from retentions....i normally get like it or lump it.

Paying £115per month approx....hmm time for a change me thinks

Re: Dropping TV package in the next 12 months
 

i dont intend to drop my TV- VM still offer me by far the best BB in my area and only when BT (Or sky) can match that would i even think of leaving VM. Dont really want to go back to Sky as i dont really like them as a company.

it is more cost effective to have your tel,tv and BB all thru the same provider- i have in the past had sky tv and ntl broadband/tel but you end up paying more.

i have dropped Sky Sports and Movies in the last few months to save ££. i hope to stay on XL- i like the HD and up to now ESPN.

we will soon find out how the XL pack changes when ESPN gets taken over by BT Sports next month- once we know whats what i shall see if XL still give me the best value- i may consider dropping down to L pack.

if recent rumours are right and BT Sports and Sky Atlantic do come to the XL pack i shall probably keep it .If not, looking at Chads list in a previous post, it depends how much i can justify HD channels and FOX to myself.

i do have freeview and freesat in other rooms. i too watch some US and Canadian stuff via VPN

Re: Dropping TV package in the next 12 months
 

Well called them up and decided it was not worth changing (could hardly hear the woman tbh)

but if i only cancelled movies / sport then i would only save £20 (even though when i looked on my bill i am charged £39.75)

L tv, 60BB, XL phone - £77.74
L tv, 60BB, L Phone - £74.34

i might try again in a few days when the call center is quieter

Re: Dropping TV package in the next 12 months
 

Might think about dropping Sky Sports when the price increases in October - not made my mind up yet.

I voted for may consider dropping TV package, but if the rumours on the coming soon thread are true then I would be very happy to stay!

Re: Dropping TV package in the next 12 months
 

Did you go through to retentions? 150, option 5 then option 3. They are in a better position to offer you a deal rather than call normal CS staff to change packages.

Re: Dropping TV package in the next 12 months
 

No...i listened to all the options but retentions was not mentioned

Will bear the above guidance and try again

Cheers

Re: Dropping TV package in the next 12 months
 

Yeah it is called thinking of leaving us, but 5 then 3 are the shortcuts so you don't have to listen to the choices.

Re: Dropping TV package in the next 12 months
 

I love the Tivo box but I am going to drop it when my contract ends as I got 1 years sky for 12.50 a month so I can save 20 quid a month. When Sky runs out I will have Tivo back even if I have to pay install I still save money

Re: Dropping TV package in the next 12 months
 

Very nice lady and even with all the patter...i never got much better deals.

she did say when my line advance ends in a few month then try again

Re: Dropping TV package in the next 12 months
 

Nice Thread! I have Tivo and an additional V+ box in another room. 30 Mb BB TX XL and phone XL.

This is costing me about ?£70 a month and I called recently to drop the TV down to M+ Or L as the only real difference is the HD channels and I would not miss them TBH.

It annoyed me that the drop meant I would be charged for having the additional recording function on the V+, or extra as I have the tivo when droppng to the M+ package.

All very well set up to make sure it is not worth my while to drop down.

He did up my BB to 30Mb as it was 20 - never had any issues with the 20 anyway!

It annoyed me that I could not change really.

Re: Dropping TV package in the next 12 months
 

If you move to the premier collection you get 60mb broadband for 99p extra

Re: Dropping TV package in the next 12 months
 

Aye that was suggested - but that is more money and a new contract.

The point was to cut the monthly costs.

I dont need the 60mb anyway - the quality of the 30mb is very good.

According to my bill I get triple loyalty discount and a new person joining still gets better :-(

Re: Dropping TV package in the next 12 months
 

They appear to be making a big effort to get people to take out a new contract.

Re: Dropping TV package in the next 12 months
 

Not by putting the price up.

Its more likely that I will switch to Freeview TBH.

Re: Dropping TV package in the next 12 months
 

With the addition of more HD on Freeview it comes more and more attractive.

Re: Dropping TV package in the next 12 months
 

If only Sky Sports HD was on YouView, I think I could live without Fox or Comedy Central.

Re: Dropping TV package in the next 12 months
 

Why?:nutter:

---------- Post added at 17:34 ---------- Previous post was at 17:33 ----------

:nutter::nutter:

Re: Dropping TV package in the next 12 months
 

Since I made the switch to freesat from Sky I've not looked back at all.

If Natalie wasn't here I think I'd get rid of the TV all together and just listen to the radio.

Re: Dropping TV package in the next 12 months
 

:nutter::nutter::nutter:

---------- Post added at 18:05 ---------- Previous post was at 17:42 ----------

:nworthy:Schorl to you all good luck

Re: Dropping TV package in the next 12 months
 

In fact ideally I'd like a box that can pickup freeview but not put out the picture just the audio - wonder if I'd still need TV license then.

Re: Dropping TV package in the next 12 months
 

Boxes do exist that produce the TV sound only (including audio description) and a TV license is not required (just checked on the TV Licencing website) :)

Re: Dropping TV package in the next 12 months
 

I dropped to L from XL with no real loss, just missed a few HD versions of some channels & the On Demand bit seems quite a bit smaller.

I also dropped from 60 to 30 Meg BB with no noticeable loss in anything (I'd never consider 30 meg as 3rd class personally, coming from an era when 3.3k/sec was regarded as 'good'...)

Re: Dropping TV package in the next 12 months
 

Can you leave virgin if espn goes?

Re: Dropping TV package in the next 12 months
 

Excellent - 'till I can persuade Natalie I guess I'll stick with tunein radio on my phone....

At the moment I've got LBC on a lot.

Re: Dropping TV package in the next 12 months
 

Did your monthly cost drop by much?

Re: Dropping TV package in the next 12 months
 

The RNIB website says
"You do not require a TV licence if you use a digital set-top box solely to listen to television programmes through a hi-fi or stereo system. The set top box must be incapable of recording and must not be connected to a device capable of showing images. "

So you don't need a special sound-only box. Any standard non-PVR will do.

Re: Dropping TV package in the next 12 months
 

By reducing the BB & the TV package it went from something like £90 to £65 or so

Re: Dropping TV package in the next 12 months
 

Maybe for what I have my price is not so bad then