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? ;)