Interesting comparison.
Channels do not really bother me, but a system that often comes up with " on demand is unavailable" on Virgin would, in my opinion, need priority and stability before any channel additions.
That said, Virgin have come on leaps and bounds since they arrived on the scene. Like them or loathe them, they have invested in a better system.
Sky have been around for about 30 years (on Astra), and have not had to worry about the infrastructure of delivery, so could concentrate on technology instead (remember the old 16 channel boxes with Horizontal and Vertical Polarisation!)
Strange - I have no loyalty to any company, but I still miss screensport, lifestyle, and good old Sat1 from those days
Nostalgia time