Racing UK HD
 

Does anyone know if Virgin Media intend broadcasting Racing UK HD anytime soon. I pay £22 per month for the channel but am frustrated that it's not available in HD. If anyone can advise I'd really appreciate it.

Re: Racing UK HD
 

From what l can ascertain there is nothing that is on the horizon although there might be a chance that they might do it when Sky Sports Racing launches their new channel in HD on 2019 January 1st.

Re: Racing UK HD
 

There has lately been a trend for VM to replace SD only channels with an HD only channel.

As they are now starting to withdraw their SD only boxes, I wouldn't be surprised to see Racing UK go HD only.

There again, VM are now running out of capacity. After launching all those new channels at the weekend, it appears that they have had to use space reserved for UHD channels.

This situation will be improved in just under three months if the UKTV channels don't return and if VM switch off all SD channels with an HD duplicate once all their subscriber base are using HD capable boxes.

As Den also says, a similar channel is due to launch in HD.

All in all i'd say that it looks promising that Racing UK will go HD.

Re: Racing UK HD
 

Have you got a reference to fact that Virginmedia is running out of Capacity? It has been mentioned many times on this forum in the past, but I have never seen any proof.

Re: Racing UK HD
 

l am no expert on the capacity of Virgin Media but l would doubt that they have capacity issues personally.

Re: Racing UK HD
 

Exactly my point Den.

Re: Racing UK HD
 

spiderplant has already told us that if more space is needed, more space will be provided.

Re: Racing UK HD
 

I very much doubt that VM would provide this type of information.

Of course, but this would require further investment. It has been calculated that VM only have enough space left to provide up to four HD channels (obviously more in SD).

They recently deleted the previously reserved space for UHD channels, presumably to accommodate the extra channels introduced over the weekend.

A few days ago a project that analysises the VM network found the current state of play to be one free slot on TSID 30, two free slots on 31 and one free slot on 35.

Enough space for a maximum of 4 additional HD services with the current configuration of 6 HD channels per transport stream.

I doubt that VM would want to incur expenditure when, assuming that they don't return, some or all of the space currently being used by the UKTV channels could be recycled in a little under three months.

My guess is that the current project to rid the network of SD only boxes is being done to enable them to switch off the SD channels where an HD duplicate exists, thus further freeing up capacity.

I also think that before paying for new equipment, VM would squeeze more channels into existing bandwidth. Would this affect the picture quality? Yes, but John Malone is particularly noted for swesting his tangible assets! To be fair, Sky have started doing this to cut costs and Freeview is particulaly shocking in this regard.

The British public, as noted by Ofcom, seem to be more interested in channel quantity than picture quality.

Re: Racing UK HD
 

You stated as fact, so you have no idea what capacity Virginmedia have.:(

Re: Racing UK HD
 

I was trying to keep things easy to understand and user friendly.

Let's take a look.

TSID 22 - formerly allocated for UHD services, now deleted.
TSID 23 currently 7 channels but 6 after taking the BBC time sharing into account
TSID 24 currently 5 + 1 ( Was Paramount test).
TSID 25 currently 6
TSID 26 currently 6
TSID 27 currently 6
TSID 28 currently 6
TSID 29 currently 5 + 1 (Was internal Q - test)
TSID 30 currently 4 + 1 (Was Premier Sport HD test)
TSID 31 currently 4
TSID 32 currently 6
TSID 33 currently 5 + 1 (Internal L - testing)
TSID 34 currently 6
TSID 35 currently 5
TSID 36 cleared of HD channels and redeployed for SD Test ## services
TSID 37 cleared of HD channels and redeployed for SD Test ## services
TSID 38-41 cleared of HD channels and taken out of use - the frequencies previously used for these transport streams have been re-allocated to data/DOCSIS so they are no longer available.

So, 1 free slot on TSID 30, 2 free on 31 and 1 free on 35. Enough space for a maximum of 4 additional HD services with the current configuration.

With more demands for spectrum from DOCSIS and possibly bandwidth greedy UHD, it's easy to see why VM might want to close down a few SD only channels, redeploying the SD transport streams to HD, UHD, DOCSIS etc.

Re: Racing UK HD
 

1 that's a lot of money for one channel

2 why set your sights as low as HD, you should be expecting UHD for that price

Re: Racing UK HD
 

That depends on how much one loves the sport as some pay £25 for a boxing bill on TV.

Re: Racing UK HD
 

Wouldn't pay that either. Main fight usually in early hours and may only last a few minutes.

Re: Racing UK HD
 

Each to their own l say as some are big fans of boxing while others will be big fans of other sports.

Re: Racing UK HD
 

£22 is worth it if you're making atleast that from the bookies a month! Would be much nicer in HD and is about time to be honest, especially with ATR's rebrand sending it to a better place.

The capacity issue might slowly alleviate itself as more channels move to better compression techniques that the new boxes VM are pushing support. Probably will be a case soon of "x channels aren't available on clapped out old boxes."

Re: Racing UK HD
 

Yes hopefully in the six months we will get the RUK HD variant from Virgin with ATR's rebrand coming in January.

You can't live that far from the home of racing Scouser.

Re: Racing UK HD
 

I'm really not convinced that there is a capacity issue preventing the launch of new channels on Virgin Media.

Re: Racing UK HD
 

Absolutely as to me capacity issues are a load of bollocks IMO.

Re: Racing UK HD
 

My friend can see Aintree from his garden, can't get more HD than that!

RUK HD would be a welcome addition + the new courses ATR are getting make me happy.

Eh, I doubt it's an issue for launching channels - there are always ways to make more room! Still something that is worth noting I guess.

Re: Racing UK HD
 

Yes l am glad ATR have got the Ascot rights again as they will give the course the coverage it deserves as when the Irish rights move over to RUK in 2019 l can foresee significant problems personally unless they launch a second channel.

Re: Racing UK HD
 

Usually they give the biggest races for free though - I have seen two triple crowns championed in 4 years at like midnight UK thanks to like the BS being covered free to air. (Not to mention the year that AP messed up / Wicket Strong won out). Not bad.

It is like for golf...worth the entire sports package for 3 majors a year?