2018 price rises
 

Virgin have increased the costs of bundles for new customers:
Player was £29 now £32
Mix was £45 now £47
Full House was £55 now £57
VIP was £85 now £89

Worth noting also the £20 set up fee is being waived.
https://www.virginmedia.com/shop/bundles.html

Given the recent UKTV fallout, I wonder if/when existing customer price rises will be announced - last year it was made public on 1 August.

Re: 2018 price rises
 

Small increases for new customers; perhaps a sensible decision would be to have no annual increase for existing customers.

Re: 2018 price rises
 

Small increases, sensible decisions? It's a 10% increase on the Player bundle. We all know an increase for existing customers will be in the pipeline. Probably waiting a few weeks when they hope we've forgotten about UKTV and the footy season starts.

Re: 2018 price rises
 

I've noticed today that the upgrade options I had originally like 350mb BB was £6.06 a month for 6 months then £12 after that is now just over £15 a month and same with the other package deals they are offering have gone up by around £10 a month extra.

The only difference with them all other than the price increase is they are 1 month contracts

Re: 2018 price rises
 

They had to cover the cost of all those amazingly good new channels somehow

;)

Re: 2018 price rises
 

Mr K does not think much of them.;)

Re: 2018 price rises
 

Now then Den, you know how I love my 'Little House on the Prairie' and 'the Waltons' ;)

Re: 2018 price rises
 

I got a survey emailed to me this morning ,and as an ex member of staff i let rip with both barrels , it won't do any good but it will make an interesting read .

Re: 2018 price rises
 

Dont forget highway to heaven

Re: 2018 price rises
 

I had a (probably similar) "what do you think of us" type survey at the start of last week - I'm assuming it was triggered by my call to retentions the Thursday before UKTV stuff kicked off.

My answers won't have made for a happy read either. Whilst a lot of my frustrations have died down now, I'm still not comfortable recommending VM to anyone at the moment.

I presume that any new 12month price term set before this price rise is sent out, will override the increase...

Re: 2018 price rises
 

No, your Retentions price will be at the old prices - you will be ‘eligible’ for any forthcoming general price increase.

Re: 2018 price rises
 

Great, it's ' nice to be eligible for a price rise ! :)

It really would be incredibly cheeky (and risky) to increase prices for existing customers in the near future. They must have made a saving from not having UKTV !

---------- Post added at 10:44 ---------- Previous post was at 10:38 ----------

I also negotiated a new deal and paid line saver rental just before the UKTV announcement ! However rang up again yesterday and got a very much better deal after mentioning UKTV. £50 credit and an extra £10 loyalty discount on top of the £8 discount I was already getting. Took very little negotiating/hassle - it was just offered straight away. Always worth a phone call....

Does make you wonder with all the discounts they are having to offer, plus customers lost, plus negative publicity whether this whole UKTV debacle was worth it.

Re: 2018 price rises
 

Would'nt it be nice if they followed Sky's promotions same price for new and old customers!

Re: 2018 price rises
 

They need to be putting prices down not up! there is less choice the new channels are not a patch on what they replaced.

Re: 2018 price rises
 

Remeber its not as simple as less channels=putting prices down.

All companies are the same, rising costs in every area from wages to electricity to equipment costs. So the money has to be made somewhere to pay for it all. Otherwise there would be no VM.

Re: 2018 price rises
 

Rises just announced, with average 4.5% rise

Re: 2018 price rises
 

Price rises are inevitable sadly as it won't be long before the other providers follow suit...

Re: 2018 price rises
 

Source (for existing customers)?

Re: 2018 price rises
 

Source is MoneySavingExpert

https://www.moneysavingexpert.com/ne...in-price-hikes

And yes price rises are inevitable, but not at almost twice the rate of inflation and twice a year.

Re: 2018 price rises
 

And here are two more sources..

https://www.ispreview.co.uk/index.ph...-for-2018.html

https://www.thesun.co.uk/money/70201...bill-increase/

Re: 2018 price rises
 

Cripes they didn't have the decency to wait very long after UKTV did they !?

Good news earlier in the week 'the channels are back',, bad news today 'a price rise'. As for VMs quote that this has nothing to do with UKTV, the timing certainly has ! Inflation busting again too.

Re: 2018 price rises
 

That will help a few people on here to get out of their contracts they are locked in.

Re: 2018 price rises
 

Yes, very considerate of VM when you think about it ;)

Re: 2018 price rises
 

Mr K you need to come out of your make believe world and live in the real world as these things happen and will happen again and again..

Re: 2018 price rises
 

They do with VM Den that's for sure ! ;)

I've no problem with inflation rises but VMs have been above and beyond that for a few years now, sometimes more than once a year. Just aswell they give their 'discounts' out so readily. It's all smoke and mirrors really to retain your custom and make sure you keep that direct debit paying out.

Re: 2018 price rises
 

Its amazing how some on here are so unhappy with Virgin yet continue to give them their custom..;)

Re: 2018 price rises
 

They are 2 weeks later than last year in announcing the price rise. I agree the timing was likely impacted by UKTV and, perhaps, was to their benefit in negotiations.

Virgin could have held off the announcement for a couple more weeks, but that would have given them less time to communicate to customers, meaning a higher number of customers receiving notification per week and therefore a higher volume of calls into customer services/retentions.

Alternatively they could have put back the price rise a month, but obviously that would have adversely impacted on revenue.

So it makes sense to stick to the October/November increase and begin informing customers ASAP.

Re: 2018 price rises
 

Here's a breakdown of the rise


Broadband-only – up to £3/mth.
Broadband and line rental – up to £3/mth.
The Player bundle – by £3/mth.
The Mix and Fun bundles – by £3.50/mth.
The Full House bundle – by £4/mth.

Anyone who joined after August 1st won't have a rise as it was already implemented for new customers

Re: 2018 price rises
 

Yeah I just don't get how Virgin stay afloat on the TV side...I get that their broadband side is profitable and they have far better speeds than everyone else on an 80/20 system but on phone and TV offers they get crushed by Sky on price and content every which way.

It makes no sense but it seems to be kind of like the "Samsung" system of running a corporation. One thing (chip business) in Samsung's case is so profitable that it offsets the losses of all their other revenue losing businesses (phones / TVs / financial services / photography etc etc).

Must be the same for Virgin though for all I know, some of their other offshoots may be profitable.

Re: 2018 price rises
 

Would be nice to know for VIP

Re: 2018 price rises
 

£129 it's advertised at.

Re: 2018 price rises
 

Hardly, most contracts are usually priced in when it comes to marginal increases / RPI adjustments etc. In fact, it is usually stated at the beginning of a contract period / re-contracting whether the prices will stay frozen or not.

If it is not explicitly stated as such, prices usually are fine to increase at whatever rate - you are bound to remain in contract. Not bound to remain in contract at that price, unless they specify as much.

Re: 2018 price rises
 

If people's prices rise mid contract they are entitled to leave penalty free.
It's easily done with the likes of Virgin Media and Sky etc, but you can't do the same thing with mobile phone contracts.

See here: https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.the...-increase/amp/

Re: 2018 price rises
 

So no change for VIP.

Re: 2018 price rises
 

I suppose that is why my husband keeps getting offers to "re-contract" for like 12 to 18 months, and they agree to freeze the price...

With phones though, they state that within the original 18 to 24 month contract the price remains frozen except for the annual RPI change so it really works out the same difference.

Re: 2018 price rises
 

Damn £4 a month increase for me thats a bit naff. Be interesting to see where all these £3/£4 additional payments go. I'm sure my pack went up about £3 already this year thats a £7 rise in 2018. We are talking Millions gained this year from just the price rises.

Its a shame you couldn't pay per channel you wanted would probably save a lot of money I probably only watch around a mix of 30 channels.

Re: 2018 price rises
 

Yes, that sounds right to me. :)

---------- Post added at 17:07 ---------- Previous post was at 17:05 ----------

Perfect opportunity to ring them up and play your face. I ring them up every year when there's a price increase and always say I'm leaving. They usually cover the increase or at least most of it and usually for 18 months as well.

Re: 2018 price rises
 

VIP is currently priced at £125, so a £4 increase.

Re: 2018 price rises
 

One thing where new customers do seem to be slightly better off is that they avoid the 20 upfront for activation, which is good, right?

Though a minimum of 3 to 4 extra every month and I guess they would rather have the activation fee.

Re: 2018 price rises
 

According to Virgin, their TV, phone, broadband and mobile services are all profitable with Virgin TV enjoying similar margins to Sky TV (minus Sky premiums). They do not get crushed by Sky, BT, TalkTalk, Freeview, Freesat, Youview or anyone else which is why in Q2 they enjoyed record TV growth and in new build areas have so far (and at an early stage) taken 280,000 customers (representing over over 650,000 BB, TV & phone RGUs) from their rivals. TV is the product that gels the bundle and they remain the market leader for both broadband and traditional pay tv (subscription numbers) in their addressable areas.

Re: 2018 price rises
 

And with the inevitable movies and sports rise from Sky you are probably looking at a yearly rise of around £10. Time for a Now TV season pass and drop of the TV from Virgin, just not worth the money anymore

Re: 2018 price rises
 

That's exactly what I mean...parts of the bundle clearly are loss making so I am wondering how much they offset that with revenue additions from broadband etc.

Sky could lease out Sky sports to Virgin at such a rate that they had choice but to set the package at a certain cost to make it profitable. Sky then (presumably) discount it some for their own Sky customers undercutting Virgin who pay whatever Sky set as the price for their main networks. (Sports etc).

It doesn't work the other way round - Sky don't pay for any VM channels, do they?

Re: 2018 price rises
 

Seems a lot more than the £2.20 plus VAT average rise that VM are claiming. How they fiddled the average rise for their media releases always was a mystery :confused:

Re: 2018 price rises
 

Sky can not do that that. They are regulated by Ofcom to prevent them abusing their monopoly in the same way BT are.

Re: 2018 price rises
 

Huh...I never knew.

Must be rather coincidental that they keep offering cut price programing that they own the rights to though that may also be as my husband has been a customer for like 13 years now.

Thanks for the info - certainly explains how VM break even.

If Sky wanted to be cruel I suppose that they could just refuse to sell the rights of their network? They would lose the money they earn from VM though.

(Are you sure that they are prevented from doing so when it is not a case of hardware though? To provide the service for phone and broadband, Sky and others have to use BT's firm / hardware. It is not the same for Virgin as Sky has no monopoly at all).

Re: 2018 price rises
 

@tvtimes is correct, Sky cannot do it.

Re: 2018 price rises
 

Sky is considered to have a monopoly on sports rights and is subject to regs by Ofcom because of it. It's why when the Sky basics dispute happened over 10 years ago they pulled all their channels apart from sports and movies.

Don't quote me on it, but even though Sky is definitely forced to provide sports at a certain price point, I don't think there's anything stopping them beating VM prices of their own sports portfolio.
I'm not sure if they're regulated on movies anymore or not because there are other options like Netflix which didn't exist when the dispute happened.

Re: 2018 price rises
 

The wholesale must offer stipulation for Sky Sports was removed by Ofcom.

https://www.ofcom.org.uk/about-ofcom.../wmo-statement

Re: 2018 price rises
 

Ah, thanks. This is news to me and I don't know how I missed it seeing as it's 3 years old nearly! My bad.
It does state Ofcom will closely monitor and quickly step back in though if Sky try anything funny. I think that's quite an important statement.

Re: 2018 price rises
 

Yeah and a whole there does need to be a base level of regulation but given that Sky did all the ground work in establishing the infrastructure to create their sports and movie empire no way should they be obligated to provide it to other media platforms IMO.

Re: 2018 price rises
 

I don't think Ofcom or many millions of customers who don't want Sky would agree with that. I can see where you're coming from, I just think it will be a abuse of power.

Re: 2018 price rises
 

I'd understand the argument if it was possible for other providers to show the same content via their own channels, and so compete directly with what Sky Sports or Sky Cinema show.

But they can't, so there is a monopoly of content delivery (and not delivery platform) that has to be managed appropriately.

Re: 2018 price rises
 

That's exactly how I see it, Ben, so I was very surprised to learn the regulations against Sky have ended, and purely because there are more providers these days.
Even with more providers, what is to stop Sky overcharging competitors to over-inflate their prices to make Sky look more attractive?

Re: 2018 price rises
 

Nothing..

Re: 2018 price rises
 

Because...
(From the Ofcom link above)

Re: 2018 price rises
 

Then why not just leave the regulation in place in the first place?
I don't understand Ofcom sometimes.

Re: 2018 price rises
 

Well a good rule they came up with is that providers have to make Caller Display free from October, That doesn't stop them putting up their prices elsewhere to compensate though ! Like most regulators toothless....

Re: 2018 price rises
 

I must admit I was unaware of any change.

Re: 2018 price rises
 

Received the email this morning about the price going up...again.

It's a shame, because the only real option other than VM is a Fibre based product, which means paying for the fibre and the phone line which will never be used.

Re: 2018 price rises
 

Yes the huge ripoff with VM is the line rental, as most people barely use the home phone but have to take it to get the bundle price

Re: 2018 price rises
 

You can get VM broadband without a phone line but it will cost you more so where's the rip off?

Re: 2018 price rises
 

Because it shouldn't cost more, as I have no line rental overhead or calls included. Why is broadband by itself more money, does not make sense.

Re: 2018 price rises
 

If you take one service only, then you pay one price. You then get deals when you take two services, and a further deals if you take all three cable services.

So Broadband isn't more by itself. It's less as part of bundle as Virgin Media want to encourage you to take multiple services, same as any other company would like their customers to buy more from them.

Re: 2018 price rises
 

Well the line rental is around £19 a month but I don't think the increased BB/tv prices without are that high so you would probably save between the packages. I could be wrong though as never broke it down

Re: 2018 price rises
 

With Line Rental Saver it works out at £16.33 a month line rental - assuming they haven't increased that too. Not as good deal as it used to be but worth doing if you've just signed up to a 12 month contract; wouldn't bother at any other time as it effectively ties you in.

Re: 2018 price rises
 

It's the same with every other provider to be fair , I do agree though we never use the landline.

Re: 2018 price rises
 

Its most definitely a rip off but l for one don't have a choice due to medical reasons.

Re: 2018 price rises
 

And it's purely for retentions purposes - the more services a customer has - the less likely they are to leave to go somewhere else.
Virgin know full well if a customer has broadband with them and Tv with Sky, every time that customer rings up for whatever reason that is a potential sale.
All the providers do it.

What I do think is a rip off is the fact companies charge an "activation fee" when taking out standalone services -this is usually ridiculously high.
My friend, for example, is leaving VM for Sky but wants their Broadband only - they want £35 a month and £90 upfront for activation! She already has the services from the last time she was with them.
I helped her shop around she ended up getting the broadband for £25 a month, £20 activation and £50 prepaid credit card.

Re: 2018 price rises
 

If it's a siamese cable, does the line rental only apply to the small part of the cable? (being facetious)

Re: 2018 price rises
 

I know the Line Rental Saver says no refunds, but if they put up your prices and you have a right to cancel them they should be required to refund pro rata? This was clarified for BT customers and the regulator was involved, so it should apply to Virgin too as it is the same contractual principle?

https://www.theguardian.com/money/20...ving-regulator

Re: 2018 price rises
 

You'd think so, but they seem definite it's non refundable. Try it and let us know how you get on ;)

Re: 2018 price rises
 

Sky did remove their channels from VM anout ten years ago. It would probably be viewed as anti competitive if they just removed them for no good reason, but asking for unreasonably high carriage costs to try to damage a competitor is another matter...

I remember posting a thread about it at the time to alert people to the fact that Sky Sports was no longer regulated and could, in theory, be removed from VM.

I've no idea about the situation with the premium Sky movie channels though.

It used to be the case that if was cheaper to get a phone line with BB (even if you never plugged it in!)

However, when a family member dropped the phone, he saved something like two of three pounds a month, so I think this must have changed.

Re: 2018 price rises
 

It hasn't.

Attachment 27517

Re: 2018 price rises
 

Tried phoning a couple of times today to talk about the charges as I am thinking of leaving. First time I asked how long was left on my contract to be told me I was out of contract so mentioned about leaving and the advisor said they systems were down but to phone back in 2 hours. Phoned back and before I could say anything to the advisor started stating that the systems were down and to phone back in 2 hours.


At least the wait time to speak to someone is quite short at the moment, up to 30 seconds the automated voice said.

Re: 2018 price rises
 

That's because the systems are down so they're not dealing with customers and unable to answer the phones. It probably means when the systems return there will be an even higher backlog!

Re: 2018 price rises
 

Ok, thanks. I'll tell him that it would now be cheaper to take a landline again, does anyone know if there will be any installation charges? He used to have a landline before finding he could cancel it and save money (he never uses it)?

Re: 2018 price rises
 

I would assume Virgin Media would wave the charge if he signs up to a new 12 month contract. He could always threaten to leave for another supplier and get any charge waived or lowered.

Re: 2018 price rises
 

There are reports of people getting the price rise notification on HotUKDeals having only signed up on 2nd August and as recently as 12th August - I understood it only applied to contracts before 1st August?

Re: 2018 price rises
 

Well I signed a new contract on the 2nd and haven't had anything through on a price rise. Have had this months bill for £0.00p - nicest bill I've ever had ;)

Re: 2018 price rises
 

We signed up in March and haven't received an email yet, though I expect it is on roll out?

Re: 2018 price rises
 

I singed up last month and saw nothing yet, am I due to get an price increase?

Re: 2018 price rises
 

How do broadband, TV, landline etc package prices in the USA compare with UK prices?
Do USA customers stand for over inflation price rises annually?

Re: 2018 price rises
 

Anyone who signed up after early August will be getting a price increase

The letters tend to take a number of weeks before they get to everyone so it could be mid September before you'll get it

Re: 2018 price rises
 

Quite a bit more? https://www.cox.com/residential/spec...s/bundles.html
(Look at the small print, not just the 12-month introductory offer)

Is it really relevant though? The prices of many things are different in the US, as are the salaries.

I'm sure US companies raise prices by as much as the market will stand. Why wouldn't they?

Re: 2018 price rises
 

So those who signed up before won't be getting one???

Re: 2018 price rises
 

i've been on VIVID 350 for quite a while now at £48/month, no notice received yet.

Re: 2018 price rises
 

If you signed up to Virgin Media after August 1st you won't get a price rise as it was already implemented for new customers anyone who signed up before ie July you'll get an increase in either October or November and a letter/email will arrive eventually

---------- Post added at 14:46 ---------- Previous post was at 14:45 ----------

Broadband only will increase by up to £3 a month

---------- Post added at 14:48 ---------- Previous post was at 14:46 ----------

Typo

New customers who signed up after August 1st will not be getting a price increase as it was already implemented for new sign up's

Re: 2018 price rises
 

I see, I signed up middle of last month, so when I see the letter I'll be calling to see if they can take the sting out of it then.

I assume I'd see the email or letter despite opting-out of their "junk" mail?

Re: 2018 price rises
 

Not sure about an e-mail as I've never had once about price rises you'll most certainly get a letter at some stage

Re: 2018 price rises
 

Time to check out if I am getting value out of my, package, been sometime since I checked, and I notice from the email they have sent me, that I am on the 'fun' package, but can't see what TV channel's that includes, is 'Fun' the same as 'Mix' ?

Because if its the same, looks as if I might drop down a bundle, to save cash

Re: 2018 price rises
 

have a look here at the current PDF channel guide and go from there

https://www.virginmedia.com/content/...Aug2018_06.pdf

Re: 2018 price rises
 

Thanks that's much clearer

Will drop to 'Mix' and drop my broadband speed a bit

Re: 2018 price rises
 

I'm already on Vivid 350 at £48 a month with phone. I never ever use my phone for calls, only my mobile. Is it worth downgrading my internet, if so, which one..I can't afford any more rises on my state pension after my SSE upped their prices for gas/electric..Sicl of all these price rises..

Re: 2018 price rises
 

I've had the price increase come through, £3 more a month. I rang up, had a whinge and the bloke put a £20 credit to cover the cost of the increase till the end of the contract. I have no complaints with the service, I currently get 350Mb and Phone for £28 per month.

Re: 2018 price rises
 

How we are paying £58 for 350mb, phone and the lowest level of tv.

Re: 2018 price rises
 

Perfect timing for me, out of contract tomorrow so had planned on calling up anyway but might as well hold on until i get the price increase email/letter for a bit more bargaining power.

Currently pay £44 for 100mb, phone and basic TV but the phone has been unplugged since redecorating near the start of the year (only ever got spam calls on it anyway as use the mobile for everything) and the TIVO is in the cupboard gathering dust.

Some of the deals people are getting in the hotukdeals thread are nuts.

Re: 2018 price rises
 

Up £4 from October 1st.

So £91.35 for Vivid 200 and Full House TV. Plus Talk Weekends (which we have never used).

£83.36 last October, so that's close to a 10% rise in a year.

Re: 2018 price rises
 

I'm currently pay £80.49 (with a small discount) for Vivid 200, Full House TV with 2 TiVo V6 boxes and talk weekends.


The new price for what I have without any discount according to the bundle builder is £86.50.

Re: 2018 price rises
 

I forgot to mention we have a TIVO and a V6 box.

Re: 2018 price rises
 

Didn't like the end of my new customer offer so now paying £29 for XL TV, 200Mb and line rental if I took line rental saver.