Talking Pictures TV
 

http://talkingpicturestv.co.uk/

This seems like a great channel showing vintage British films. The Radio Times often recommends the films they show. Available on Freeview and Sky, but not Virgin. Why not ?

I've contacted Talking Pictures to find out why and the Managing Director kindly replied saying that 'it's up to Virgin'. They are making it available if VM want it. As its being shown free to air, there can't be much, if any, cost involved. There is a lack of film channels, outside the Sky premium ones, on VM's output.

I've asked this on VM's support forum, so hopefully I'll get a reply from someone in the know, rather than a bland 'we've no plans to'. Posted here aswell, as I might get a more informed response !

It's basically free and they're offering it.

Re: Talking Pictures TV
 

Probably same as SpikeTV, POP and others ... that are free to air on freeview, freesat and Sky...

VM seem to invest heavily in BB but very little in TV IMO, last big change was TiVo in 2010... that was an age ago...

Re: Talking Pictures TV
 

As i understand it there is a cost for Virgin to broadcast channels. Some channels such as shopping channels pay these fees in order to be listed on VM. Premium channels add value to the packages so Virgin make money that way by having some of the big names available as people will want to subscribe. As almost everybody who has VM should have access to Freeview by adding those channels brings little value to the VM package and will add running cost to VM. I am sure if Talking Pictures offered a fee to VM we would see the channel on VM.

Re: Talking Pictures TV
 

They are quick enough to up their prices though.....

Re: Talking Pictures TV
 

So let me get this straight, channels pay to be on VM and we pay VM as well! Must look into shares in VM...

Still no response on the official forum. Reasons to stay with VM tv are less day by day, particularly when the opposition offer more and are free.

Re: Talking Pictures TV
 

There is always the risk that if I switch to a Freeview channel I'm outside of Virgin, I might start thinking that if now I'm watching a Freeview channel, what other Freeview channels are available and is it worth paying VM for TV

Re: Talking Pictures TV
 

If I didn't watch live football like I love to do, I'd ditch Virgin in a heartbeat!

Re: Talking Pictures TV
 

Yes £24 extra a month is a lot to cough up...

Re: Talking Pictures TV
 

I've had no response from VM, what a surprise ! Another example of the contempt and complacency they have for their customers. I have managed to access Talking Pictures through Freeview (very good it is too, with rarely shown films), but of course can't use Tivo to record it.

They really are letting the TV service go down the pan. As well as not offering many channels that others provide for free, they've let Sky steal a march on them on the TV box front. Maybe they're going to sell it off and concentrate on broadband . Hopefully they'll sell it to Sky then we'll be offered a decent box, with all channels available !

Re: Talking Pictures TV
 

I think we need to wait and see regarding the TV box. It looks likely that an all singing and dancing new fangled Tivo box will be coming out in the summer.

Re: Talking Pictures TV
 

yes, very good, but will it have 'Talking Pictures ' on it !

Re: Talking Pictures TV
 

The trouble is the fact that Tivo will be offering it does not mean Virgin will. Tivo have been offering superior boxes since 2014, and Virgin don't. Tivo also has a multi room/device system that, on the face of it at least, easily equals what Sky offers in their Q system, but Virgin don't offer that either.

Re: Talking Pictures TV
 

Talking Pictures is now available on Freesat too.

Re: Talking Pictures TV
 

So that's Freeview, Sky and now Freesat. And no reply from VM to my enquiry. VM need more than a new box to revive their dying TV service.

Re: Talking Pictures TV
 

But they've just won the awards for 'Best TV Content' and 'Best TV Provider' for 2016.

In February of 2016. :confused:

So why would they want to boost their offerings? ;)

Re: Talking Pictures TV
 

Don't know how they managed that when there are now several channels both Freeview and Sky provide but VM don't. Plus of course another round of inflation busting price rises this month.

Who was the sponsor of these prestigious awards; it wasn't R Branson was it? ;)

Re: Talking Pictures TV
 

l never take any notice of these awards.

Re: Talking Pictures TV
 

But I bet the higher-ups in VM do, and are rubbing their hands in glee and slapping each other on the back.... instead of looking to improve a service which is falling behind.

Re: Talking Pictures TV
 

Indeed Taf.

Re: Talking Pictures TV
 

They don't seem to have the sense to realise that.

Since LG bought VM, the TV service seems to have ground to a halt.

Me neither Den, a load of people giving each other awards and slapping each other on the back is meaningless.

Re: Talking Pictures TV
 

Branson hardly has anything to do with Virgin Media nowadays.

Re: Talking Pictures TV
 

Its a No from VM to getting Talking Pictures. Might say No renewing my contract..

Re: Talking Pictures TV
 

VM have closed my 'Talking Pictures' thread. It must have become an embarrassment that this and many other Freeview channels are missing from their line up. As mentioned on another thread, I wonder if capacity is an issue ? If so it doesn't say much of the power of cable fibre optic when freeview carry these missing channels. There's loads of rubbish (+1, shopping etc) they could dump. This and Sky Q mean VM are way behind on TV now.

Re: Talking Pictures TV
 

Your rubbish, other peoples likes ....

Re: Talking Pictures TV
 

Yes, you're right. I love Challenge+1 as I know all the answers to the quizzes, struggle with Challenge though ;)

There's so much rubbish channels on VM, that I can't believe anyone is interested in. However there a few free view film channels that I believe punters would more than welcome - Moviemix, Movies4men, Talking Pictures.

Re: Talking Pictures TV
 

All forums attempt to censor certain things for one reason or another; hardly a great advertisement for free speech (not that this exists in reality anyway).

Re: Talking Pictures TV
 

In the Radio Times this week, it's pick of the films includes 4 films on Talking Pictures, 3 on Spike, 4 on Moviemix and 1 on Movies4men. None of these will be available to VM customers.

However VM are launching 3 new QVC shopping channels, they'd better be good !

Re: Talking Pictures TV
 

Can I respectfully ask why you still have your services with Virgin Media who seem incapable of matching your requirements?

Re: Talking Pictures TV
 

Because I'm in contract at the moment. Once that's up it'll be goodbye VM and hello Freeview -outside the Sky premiums, they are providing more film channels than VM.

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Sorry if I'm mistaken but weren't you also complaining vociferously about the February price increase but didn't take the opportunity to get out of your contract then?

Re: Talking Pictures TV
 

Still waiting for the Talking Pictures film channel - available on Freeview/Freesat/Sky.... I contacted TP and got the below:-

Dear *****
We are STILL in negotiations with Virgin, since 2014 actually- but I have no news. I would advise you let them know you would like to watch Talking Pictures TV on their platform as it all helps.
Many thanks
Sarah

TPTV
Sarah Cronin-Stanley
Managing Director
Talking Pictures TV SKY 343 FREEVIEW 81 YOU VIEW 81 FREESAT 306
01923 290555
Sarah@talkingpicturestv.co.uk
www.talkingpicturestv.co.uk

A bit more forthcoming than VM. Probably money being 'negotiated' but since Freeview/Freesat have it can't imagine the cost is high. So let VM know if you want a film channel that everyone else is getting.

Re: Talking Pictures TV
 

Remember that old motto of "its coming soon" Mr K and you won't go far wrong.

Re: Talking Pictures TV
 

The following was posted on the coming soon thread yesterday:

Seen nothing yet to back "theone2k10" up.

Re: Talking Pictures TV
 

Although 'soon' doesn't sound quite right. 'In due course, if there are no potholes on the way' sounds more like it.

---------- Post added at 17:03 ---------- Previous post was at 17:01 ----------

Well, if it takes this long to negotiate carriage for a black and white film channel, I don't rate our chances of getting anything of quality in the near future!

Re: Talking Pictures TV
 

No surprise there then.;)

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It does have colour films aswell OB ! Some good stuff on there depending on your tastes - Dr. Crippen, The Mummy’s Shroud, Moby Dick, The Day Of The Triffids, Dr. Jekyll & Mr. Hyde, Beast in the Cellar (a gory horror with Beryl Reid which I can highly recommend !)

Re: Talking Pictures TV
 

I know, Mr K, that was a bit tongue in cheek! ;)

The channel doesn't appeal to me much. I've already seen most of the films you've quoted there, but I no longer watch all that old stuff. However, it does appeal to some, including your good self, and VM do need to try to cater for as many tastes as possible.

Re: Talking Pictures TV
 

From hell's heart I stab at thee; for hate's sake I spit my last breath at thee. Ye damned whale.:)

---------- Post added at 17:32 ---------- Previous post was at 17:30 ----------

The trouble is OB you are still a young pup ;) who has not developed the taste for these good old films of yore.;)

Re: Talking Pictures TV
 

Apart from the whale bit that also comes from Star Trek II - Wrath of Khan.

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Nah! Been there, done that, got the square eyes!

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A avid film buff old bean then?.:)

Re: Talking Pictures TV
 

Well some films, but there are memorable bits from many.

"So they took your film made by your German scientists, put it in our camera made by our German scientists and put it in their rocket made by their German scientists." :D