Should the VM EPG be aligned with the Sky EPG?
 

As per a discussion in the 'Coming Soon to VM' thread, I have created this poll to gauge the opinion of forum members.

As the Sky EPG is regulated, it would have to be VM who instigate any change.

The pros, as as I can see, are that it will make it easier for customers swapping from one of the two main platforms to another as they will already know their favourite channel numbers. It will also make it easier when channels are marketing themselves.

The cons appear to be that VM may dislike appearing to be seen to be following Skys shadow. Forum member DaMac also believes that this would be a mistake as the Sky EPG is a mess in itself!

Taking everything into consideration, what do you think?

Re: Should the VM EPG be aligned with the Sky EPG?
 

The position of some channels are contractual.

Re: Should the VM EPG be aligned with the Sky EPG?
 

I'm not aware of any VM channels that are contractually placed on specific EPG numbers, that's not to say that there aren't any!

You do make a good point though, as, if this were to go ahead, there could be the added complication of contract renegotiation.

What do you think about alignment in principle Andy?

Re: Should the VM EPG be aligned with the Sky EPG?
 

I'm sure Sky would be in favour , 1st page prominence for Sky One on 106 , Sky Living 107 and Sky Atlantic on oh wait.......:D

Re: Should the VM EPG be aligned with the Sky EPG?
 

Not sure why channel owners would have a problem with this anyway - it makes it easier to promote and publicise their content if they only have one channel number to quote.

Re: Should the VM EPG be aligned with the Sky EPG?
 

Calm down oh great one as we would not want the precious to have a turn.:D

Re: Should the VM EPG be aligned with the Sky EPG?
 

Why shouldn't the Sky EPG be aligned with VM's, Freeview and all the other stuff put together.

It would be nice to think there could be an independent commitee that could get conformity across all the platforms. But it's unlikely.

What I would really like to see though it channels with HD options and +1 grouped together logically. In manyt respects the V+ EPG is better than the TiVo one as you can at least set your own favourites on V+, yet on TiVo you can only sort by channel types. But to be able to put your own order on all the channels displayed is the real way forward so I can group say all the BBC, then all the ITV and so on.

Re: Should the VM EPG be aligned with the Sky EPG?
 

I think currently channels are forced to give multiple channel numbers in their publicity, which provides additional awareness of Virgin Media, which would be lost. Can't see any benefit for Virgin on that basis. In addition, they are in a position to leverage epg position when negotiating with new channels or renegotiating expiring deals, but that would go if it was always going to be the same as where they already are on Sky.

---------- Post added at 19:55 ---------- Previous post was at 19:53 ----------

You can do favourites on TiVo. The issue is that after an hour the epg snaps back to show all, which is a slight irritation.

Re: Should the VM EPG be aligned with the Sky EPG?
 

In my opinion the sky epg is in more of a mess than the Virgin epg so I would rather it not be changed to match Sky

Re: Should the VM EPG be aligned with the Sky EPG?
 

You left off the don't care in the slightest option?

Re: Should the VM EPG be aligned with the Sky EPG?
 

QFT

Re: Should the VM EPG be aligned with the Sky EPG?
 

Are you sure :angel:

Re: Should the VM EPG be aligned with the Sky EPG?
 

Thanks Paul. Can vote now.

Cheers

Grim

Re: Should the VM EPG be aligned with the Sky EPG?
 

They may object if their channel ended up going further down the EPG. The theory is that the further down the EPG your channel is, the more likely that channel surfers will find something that interests them before reaching your channel.

I did think of suggesting this, but I don't know anybody from the Talk Talk, Freeview, Youview etc platforms to feed back to.

It would be a good idea though.

Good points, there may indeed be beneficial commercial factors for VM to keep things as they are.

I left off the don't know/care option deliberately as, for the purposes of this poll, I'm only interested in those who have a definite opinion on the matter either way.

I had assumed that those who don't care either way wouldn't vote, or, if undecided, would be pushed into making a decision.

At the moment, it looks like most people are against this idea. Could any of those who voted "no" possibly give your reason/s in the thread if you haven't done so already? Thanks.

Re: Should the VM EPG be aligned with the Sky EPG?
 

Personally, I believe that Sky should align their own EPG with that of Virgin's because at least we have some form of structure. Quite simply, Sky's EPG looks like a bomb has landed on it and mixed all the channels up. Honestly!!!

Even though I'm glad Virgin are moving the Sky channels; it is daft having Sky Living ahead of Sky1 in the EPG and leaving 501-509 in the Sports section. !Que loco!

Re: Should the VM EPG be aligned with the Sky EPG?
 

voted don't care

Re: Should the VM EPG be aligned with the Sky EPG?
 

Sky Living has a better EPG placement as Virgin Media used to own this channel.

Unlike Sky, VM aren't required to allocate EPG numbers in a "fair, reasonable and non discriminatory manner".

Re: Should the VM EPG be aligned with the Sky EPG?
 

with you dave42 really don`t care

Re: Should the VM EPG be aligned with the Sky EPG?
 

Same here, i know the channel numbers of the channels i watch the most so if they change the EPG i will have to remember the new ones all over again :mad:

Re: Should the VM EPG be aligned with the Sky EPG?
 

Bad news i'm afraid, VM are imminently due to change some channels on their EPG anyway (which is what prompted this poll, as now would seem a good idea to do any alignment if it were to take place).

I have seen some information that would seem to suggest that there is a desire to align the Sky Movies channels as far as possible between the VM and Sky platforms, but no final decision has been made yet.

As long as you remember what channel number 244 is for, you'll be ok :)

Re: Should the VM EPG be aligned with the Sky EPG?
 

Did not know that channel had started so thanks.

Re: Should the VM EPG be aligned with the Sky EPG?
 

Will Virgin Channels 119 and 120 are both still free.

Maybe Virgin are keeping them open for when that Channel joins.

Re: Should the VM EPG be aligned with the Sky EPG?
 

A lot of people think that this is just a news channel, but it will be showing sport and documentaries too.

Re: Should the VM EPG be aligned with the Sky EPG?
 

I used to watch BFBS in Germany many years ago.

Re: Should the VM EPG be aligned with the Sky EPG?
 

And, of course, AFN from the Septics..... :D

Re: Should the VM EPG be aligned with the Sky EPG?
 

:LOL:

Re: Should the VM EPG be aligned with the Sky EPG?
 

When I visit the mother-in-law who has Sky, the EPG drives me barmy.

Much prefer VM's....

Re: Should the VM EPG be aligned with the Sky EPG?
 

It's actually produced by the same people who make the BFBS channels (The Services Sound and Vision Corporation).

Unfortunately, Sky wouldn't be able to align their EPG with that of VM as theirs is regulated.

However, it looks like your view is currently in the lead Doug, with approx 1/3 in favour of alignment and approx 2/3 against- with most reasons being given that the Sky EPG is in an even worse state than that of Virgin Media.

Thanks to everybody who has voted thus far, this data is very interesting. It appears that, before any alignment should be considered, the Sky EPG needs to be tidied up itself.

The last time the Department for Culture, Media and Sport produced a report on the EPG systems was 4 July 2012, so it is due a revisit.

Re: Should the VM EPG be aligned with the Sky EPG?
 

I think it's just what you are used to Doug. Neither of them are that well thought out, but I have to admit it doesn't bother me in the least.

Re: Should the VM EPG be aligned with the Sky EPG?
 

Blimey - a Sky epg AND having to spend time with your mother in law. A perfect storm ...

Re: Should the VM EPG be aligned with the Sky EPG?
 

they would both say they copyrighted eatch other :D lol!

'Hey you copyed of my EPG no you did'

but i would say Virgins EPG has more intresting infomation, Programs when it first aired and rating with the stars, what year the film come out, thumbs up and down especially on the TiVO, never had a V+HD box i dunno.

Re: Should the VM EPG be aligned with the Sky EPG?
 

Never used a TiVo, showing the date of the first airing is useful. There are times where I've recorded a programme, only to find that I've already seen it.

Re: Should the VM EPG be aligned with the Sky EPG?
 

Sorry, regulated by who?

As a VM customer I don't have any idea how the Sky EPG is set up and don't really care. I am very happy with VM's set up.

Re: Should the VM EPG be aligned with the Sky EPG?
 

OFCOM.