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mersey70 · 31-03-2011, 09:30

I don't think VM 'shortchange' their TV customers but I think it is important to accept their TV offer for what it is.

The linear channel lineup is fine, actually it's more than fine but as VM are not really in the content business they have to rely on striking deals to fit in with the way they have chose to market their services. For me this isn't as flexible as I would like and I personally prefer to pay extra for channels I want, particularly HD. I don't always buy the argument that is often bandied about that certain channels are locked into deals with Sky, some of course are but I merely think VM cannot afford to carry some of them but when you don't pay extra for basic HD then that's the trade off, you just cannot have it both ways. Channels like ESPNA HD that have a tiny following are (in my opinion) the domain of stand alone subscriptions, I doubt you can expect content like this to be included in XL anytime soon but time will tell.

Catch Up is a great service and indeed their offer is unique, TV Choice soon became uncompelling for me but is still a valuable part of their line up. People compare it to BT (which I have had and think is better) but BT is primarily an on demand service, that's what you mainly pay for. And if PPV movies is your thing then VM wins hands down, no doubt about that.

VM offers a really good service, the only reason I chose Sky was I wanted to decide what channels I can access, and indeed pay for but that's just my view. I got tired of the squabbles with Sky which may or may not be justified but it isn't my fight. But VM really needs to up their game giving customer information though, it is lamentable. The Sky Arts HD situation is a case in point, it simply isn't good enough to make an announcement in July 2010 then say nothing else publicly 8 months later.

I suppose the bottom line is VM isn't Sky and vice versa. I doubt VM will ever have the line up of HD channels that Sky carries, nor will Smallworld or UPC and certainly not with their pricing structure. You need to decide what is most important to your family and subscribe accordingly.

31-03-2011, 09:30	#11
mersey70 Inactive Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Wirral Services: TV M, L BB, Sky+ HD Posts: 1,485	Re: Are virgin shortchanging tv subscibers? I don't think VM 'shortchange' their TV customers but I think it is important to accept their TV offer for what it is. The linear channel lineup is fine, actually it's more than fine but as VM are not really in the content business they have to rely on striking deals to fit in with the way they have chose to market their services. For me this isn't as flexible as I would like and I personally prefer to pay extra for channels I want, particularly HD. I don't always buy the argument that is often bandied about that certain channels are locked into deals with Sky, some of course are but I merely think VM cannot afford to carry some of them but when you don't pay extra for basic HD then that's the trade off, you just cannot have it both ways. Channels like ESPNA HD that have a tiny following are (in my opinion) the domain of stand alone subscriptions, I doubt you can expect content like this to be included in XL anytime soon but time will tell. Catch Up is a great service and indeed their offer is unique, TV Choice soon became uncompelling for me but is still a valuable part of their line up. People compare it to BT (which I have had and think is better) but BT is primarily an on demand service, that's what you mainly pay for. And if PPV movies is your thing then VM wins hands down, no doubt about that. VM offers a really good service, the only reason I chose Sky was I wanted to decide what channels I can access, and indeed pay for but that's just my view. I got tired of the squabbles with Sky which may or may not be justified but it isn't my fight. But VM really needs to up their game giving customer information though, it is lamentable. The Sky Arts HD situation is a case in point, it simply isn't good enough to make an announcement in July 2010 then say nothing else publicly 8 months later. I suppose the bottom line is VM isn't Sky and vice versa. I doubt VM will ever have the line up of HD channels that Sky carries, nor will Smallworld or UPC and certainly not with their pricing structure. You need to decide what is most important to your family and subscribe accordingly.