Do the Virgin Media UK need an "tidy up"?
 

With Broadcasting going HD only or closing channels down is the time right for Virgin to do some tidy up?

You can see it with the following channels and areas.

214. DMAX +1
216. Blaze
222. C&I +1
226. Drama +1

536. Racing TV HD
544. LFC HD
546. Box Nation
551. Premier Sports 1 HD

But Virgin has only got two free channels left before the shopping channels start at channel 740. With the Kids channels having only 23 channels out of 39 EPG slots.

---------- Post added at 18:02 ---------- Previous post was at 18:01 ----------

This is just an fun poll so what is your views on Virgin Media UK's hit or miss EPG Channels numbers.

Re: Do the Virgin Media UK need an "tidy up"?
 

Be nice if the +1 channels were next to the main channel in the order.

Re: Do the Virgin Media UK need an "tidy up"?
 

3 more slots will be available soon in kids when the Disney channels are axed next month

I agree a tidy up is needed.

HD Swap just like sky would be great and save a lot of space

Re: Do the Virgin Media UK need an "tidy up"?
 

UKTV and Sky has done that in the past but when new deal was signed they ask for the main channels or HD Channels to be moved to use the +1 channel ex channel numbers.

I mean Challenge +1 was on channel 140 but when Sky Crime was launching it moved to Channel 229.

Re: Do the Virgin Media UK need an "tidy up"?
 

It won’t matter when we get access to the Horizon box.
The Horizon software has profiles, each of which can set up their own channel list in any order you like.

Re: Do the Virgin Media UK need an "tidy up"?
 

If they are really not updating V6 to Horizon it'll be a while before most VM TV customers have access to a box with this feature.

Re: Do the Virgin Media UK need an "tidy up"?
 

Telewest did have this feature when I join Telewest Digital back in 1999 on their boxes before it was axe when on demand started. (I has only 75 channels when I joined - months before Radio appeared.)

Re: Do the Virgin Media UK need an "tidy up"?
 

Not going to happen thank goodness (can't have itv+1 after itv because ch4 is there)

Re: Do the Virgin Media UK need an "tidy up"?
 

Be nice if they were all binned!

Re: Do the Virgin Media UK need an "tidy up"?
 

When watching Sky Replay (Sky 2) do Virgin offer a pop up prompt to watch the show airing from the start and in HD ?

Re: Do the Virgin Media UK need an "tidy up"?
 

I really don't see the need for the +1s anymore, or for that matter most of the other drivel repeat linear channels. With access to more and more content through Catch Up and On Demand both through VM apps or other means, will there really be such a need for the +1s in 2021+?
With the future release of the Horizon update and other advanced tech moving forward, including cloud storage, I think more and more such content will be app based, on demand and on the go.

Re: Do the Virgin Media UK need an "tidy up"?
 

Cloud recordings hasn't happened with the big TV platforms owing to rights issues. On Demand and Catch Up is already in the Cloud the sting being the length of time Shows/Movies are available via this method.

Re: Do the Virgin Media UK need an "tidy up"?
 

NTL also allowed you to reorganise your epg once upon a time. They introduced it with their CR3 software update in around 2002 or 2003 I think ... I went off-net a couple of years after that so I don’t know when or why they junked that feature. It was one of the simplest yet most useful things they ever did.

Re: Do the Virgin Media UK need an "tidy up"?
 

It's useful if you have missed the start of a programme.;) What's really need is better programmes..on all channels. So much crap and repeats.

Re: Do the Virgin Media UK need an "tidy up"?
 

Couldn't agree more Maggy :tu:

No matter who provides your TV viewing, around 80% of it - IMO - is worthless garbage, simply a filler between adverts :D

Re: Do the Virgin Media UK need an "tidy up"?
 

Bang on, Maggy.

Re: Do the Virgin Media UK need an "tidy up"?
 

Fundamentally if people keep paying for it then it’s not likely to change. Since the advent of pay-tv in this country the majority of content there’s been entire channels devoted to ex-BBC and ex-ITV content.

A customary look at the BARB top 30 from ‘other channels’ from 2018 shows series like Vera, Endeavour, Poirot getting hundreds of thousands of viewers on ITV3 in there. There’s new content getting less viewers on smaller channels.

Re: Do the Virgin Media UK need an "tidy up"?
 

Channels devoted to repeats are the home DVD collection of people who aren’t sufficiently motivated to go out and buy the stuff themselves, or aren’t so passionate about the shows that they’re bothered about lining up any specific episode to watch. They’re just content to switch on and see what’s there. For the broadcaster, it’s a very low cost way of meeting the demands of a small but consistent audience.

Re: Do the Virgin Media UK need an "tidy up"?
 

I'd look at that and think . . . maybe the new stuff isn't good enough?

. . especially sitcoms

Re: Do the Virgin Media UK need an "tidy up"?
 

The newer sitcoms are not a patch on the older sitcoms.

Re: Do the Virgin Media UK need an "tidy up"?
 

I think VM's "body language" suggests a tidy up of some sort is on the cards, they are allowing gaps to develop in order to make future moves easier.

The other thing on the cards is the OFCOM requirement for PSB channels to be in the Top24 positions by January 2021. Some of the documentation for Digital Terrestrial (i.e. Freeview) asked for responses by the end of July to amend their EPG rules in order to make achieving this easier on that platform to achieve that. They are aiming to do this by November so it's all done by Christmas. So VM may make moves around this time too.

For some reason OFCOM aren't content with services like S4C, BBC Scotland and BBC Alba only being Top24 in their relevant parts of the UK, so even though I think VM have already accommodated the requirement easily, for the most part (BBC Alba still needs moved), in those nations, due to 108 and 113 being not being required for BBC1 HD and ITV HD, so VM still have to move them in the rest of the UK.

Since VM have a Channel 100, the Top 24 ends at 123. That (probably) means anything up to 160 (BBC Alba is 161, BBC Scotland is 162, S4C is 166) could be on the move.

An easy fix would by Sky going HD-only as they could take their SD slots at 110 and 112 for Comedy and Arts leaving 121-123 free. Top24 problem solved. Not saying this will happen, just saying it's an easy fix and Sky wouldn't lose their prominence in the VM EPG.

Re: Do the Virgin Media UK need an "tidy up"?
 

The BBC have not got any +1 channels because they don't need them. I don't see enough praise for BBC iPlayer on here. Here are just three nuggets that put itv, Ch4 and Ch5 to shame:
(1) Able to restart any programme where you have missed the beginning.
(2) Always HD (your bandwith permitting)
(3) Superb collection of boxsets, films and documentaries, some in UHD.

Re: Do the Virgin Media UK need an "tidy up"?
 

All for £150 pa:td:

Re: Do the Virgin Media UK need an "tidy up"?
 

Everything comes at a price, whether that price is acceptable for the content is down to the individual viewer.

Same with clothing, furniture, cars, holidays . . . it's your choice if you accept or reject the quality at the price.

Re: Do the Virgin Media UK need an "tidy up"?
 

Well worth £150..:tu:

Re: Do the Virgin Media UK need an "tidy up"?
 

Glad there is some support on here for BBC cos I am fed up with all the negativity from the media. Continuing on from my 3 above...
(4) Amazing range of BBC radio stations including regional ones, all without adverts.
(5) Politically impartial and although some commentators do wear their colours on their sleeve, it's not overt like, for example, LBC.
(6) Pioneers for technology in the UK including colour (1967), Nicam Stereo, Widescreen broadcasting.

The rows are largely superficial. Why would you have Land of Hope and Glory at the Proms this year when there is no flag waving audience to sing it?

We are all go to the BBC for major news stories. If there was a death, say, in the Royal Family would everyone go to Netflix to get the details?

And because we all like tradition, the Queen's Christmas broadcast is broadcast simultaneously on BBC, ITV and Sky yet it's watched on the BBC by a margin of around 10:1.

Oh, and to get back on topic, Virgin are more or less fine. Perhaps by the time I write this they will have acknowledged that Sky 2 is now Sky Replay but there we go.

Re: Do the Virgin Media UK need an "tidy up"?
 

If there was a death in the Royal Family I’d go to Netflix to watch something else.

Re: Do the Virgin Media UK need an "tidy up"?
 

Ha ha! As a last minute edit before posting I did add "to get the details" in anticipation of that!

Re: Do the Virgin Media UK need an "tidy up"?
 

Have to admit I watch BBC news but I also equally watch Sky News and have many times gone there first.

Re: Do the Virgin Media UK need an "tidy up"?
 

They wanted a BBC1 +1 from 7PM until closedown to utilise the old BBC3 capacity, but it wasn't allowed as it was feared that this would impact on the commercial channels.

Re: Do the Virgin Media UK need an "tidy up"?
 

Haven't 'watched" an ad in years record and start later so skip them . Same with live sports cut the messing around out:erm:

Re: Do the Virgin Media UK need an "tidy up"?
 

You are not allowed to be funny anymore, someone is always getting "offended".

Not to me.

Do you work for them ? You certainly seem to like building them up.

Re: Do the Virgin Media UK need an "tidy up"?
 

A very tiny minority l would say as the vast majority of those supposedly being offended actually enjoy these programmes.

Re: Do the Virgin Media UK need an "tidy up"?
 

Supposition upon supposition...

Re: Do the Virgin Media UK need an "tidy up"?
 

Cheaper than VM or Sky, for mostly original output and no adverts.

Re: Do the Virgin Media UK need an "tidy up"?
 

So instead decided to use it for BBC Scotland HD on Freeview and 2 hours of it to extend CBBC (except the HD version in Scotland on Freeview).

Re: Do the Virgin Media UK need an "tidy up"?
 

Great name for a firm of equality lawyers ;)

Re: Do the Virgin Media UK need an "tidy up"?
 

No I don't work for them but I couldn't live without I'm Sorry I Haven't A Clue an a regular basis!

Also they don't get everything right. Getting rid of the free licence for the over 75s was thoughtless. Instead why not say it's being abolished from Sep 1 but keep it for existing beneficiaries - the annual cost would go down year on year until it reached zero.

Re: Do the Virgin Media UK need an "tidy up"?
 

It's the Govt. who got rid of the free licence fee. It was funded by the Govt. who withdrew the funding. The alternative was cutting services and channels. Tbh can't see anything wrong with affluent pensioners paying, they watch TV more than anyone else.

Re: Do the Virgin Media UK need an "tidy up"?
 

But BBC taking on and funding the free licence was part of the agreement in last round of talks - they have then reneged on the deal.

As suggested a good solution would be to retain the free licence for those who currently receive it whilst future free licences could be means tested.

Re: Do the Virgin Media UK need an "tidy up"?
 

It was hardly an 'agreement' it was a 'take it or else' from the Govt. They new that could save loads of money, then blame the BBC. Perfect for them.

Re: Do the Virgin Media UK need an "tidy up"?
 

I am fairly certain it was a condition of the licence fee remaining as was.

From that point of view to retain the licence fee (as opposed to seeking alternative funding) it was take it or leave it - but the BBC obviously thought they would be better off agreeing (unless of course they intended reneging after a couple of years)

I wouldn't put anything past the left-wing BBC

Re: Do the Virgin Media UK need an "tidy up"?
 

Oh dear, I see you're part of the BBC right wing vendetta brigade ! ;) Lets hope they resist political bullying from all sides otherwise we'll end up with Fox News....

Anyway we're way off topic, not my fault !

Re: Do the Virgin Media UK need an "tidy up"?
 

I can guess which side of the fence you sit on as well.

Re: Do the Virgin Media UK need an "tidy up"?
 

And then there's the fence not really being a fence, more an even symmetrical hump with a gradual gradient change, and some don't consider themselves on either side.

Anyway...back on topic. I think there will be a gradual tidy up with two peaks. One, the OFCOM Top24 PSB requirements being implemented as I mentioned earlier. Two, the new English football season starting, as I think if any Sky Sports changes are going to happen (e.g. goes HD and better only) they'll happen to coincide with the start.

September and November basically. The latter as they'll want the PSB number changes done before Christmas and the deadline is January.

Re: Do the Virgin Media UK need an "tidy up"?
 

The government did not withdraw funding, they transferred responsibility for it to the BBC.

The BBC has decided that rather than reduce their high salaries and create efficiencies, they would rather choose to concentrate on soft targets to allow them to carry on regardless. Only a subscription model will stop the waste at the Beeb.

---------- Post added at 16:23 ---------- Previous post was at 16:19 ----------

Not so if you don't use it. £150 for naff all..

Re: Do the Virgin Media UK need an "tidy up"?
 

Well that is your opinion but l very much beg to differ...:p:

Re: Do the Virgin Media UK need an "tidy up"?
 

YPersonally, I don't see the point in constantly changing the channel numbers. You can find the programme you are looking for from the EPG relatively easily. I don't really care what numbers they give them.

---------- Post added at 16:30 ---------- Previous post was at 16:29 ----------

So you think it is worth £150 per year if you don't use it? How curious (or maybe you didn't read my post properly!).

Re: Do the Virgin Media UK need an "tidy up"?
 

:D:D:D Yes, well, that's a another way of putting it !

Re: Do the Virgin Media UK need an "tidy up"?
 

I fund many things through my taxes that I'll never use. Others in turn with be paying for things I may use, if not now then at least in the future, that they themselves may not need. Scale of payment helps subsidise things for everyone.

Re: Do the Virgin Media UK need an "tidy up"?
 

How much are you paying VM each year, for mostly repeats, a lot of it stuff the BBC made in the first place?

New innovative British programmes, some of them commercial broadcasters wouldn't take a risk with, needs to be funded. Sky do a little, VM.sod all. Be careful what you wish for or it will be loads more of those UKTV type channels which I know you love ;)

Re: Do the Virgin Media UK need an "tidy up"?
 

That’s £150 a year those plucky upstarts at Amazon or Netflix could hoover up, along with talent, content, and maybe even kill off linear television dontcha know?

Re: Do the Virgin Media UK need an "tidy up"?
 

Yes, I do, but I'm not speaking for myself here. I am simply drawing attention to the unfairness of some people paying for an entertainment service they don't use.

I would be happy to pay a sub for the Beeb, personally.

---------- Post added at 18:34 ---------- Previous post was at 18:33 ----------

Nobody here is discussing terminating the BBC.

Re: Do the Virgin Media UK need an "tidy up"?
 

I must have misunderstood your post:

More money in the pot for streamers etc. Weaker linear television. It flows through that your irrational aspiration to reduce consumer choice is assisted by a weakened BBC.

Re: Do the Virgin Media UK need an "tidy up"?
 

I don’t get where you are coming from here, jfman. If the BBC offered a TV service with commercials and a world-wide streaming service with a subscription, why would it be weakened?

What is in that post that you did not understand?

Re: Do the Virgin Media UK need an "tidy up"?
 

Because it’d get fewer than 23 million subscribers in the UK, plus weaken an already fragile market for selling commercials.

I understand what you are saying, it just doesn’t stand up to scrutiny.

Re: Do the Virgin Media UK need an "tidy up"?