Quote:
Originally Posted by telegramsam
Not sure if you can get a free mini Q box still,when I switched to Sky I got a free mini Q box for free.
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Yes. Like Virgin Media want to get the free UKTV channels for free!
---------- Post added at 01:24 ---------- Previous post was at 01:16 ----------
Quote:
Originally Posted by japitts
Ok there's some merit in that argument, with a couple of provisos..
1: VM claiming the new channels are replacements, they're nothing of the sort and they know it.
2: "We will take the free channels but they're stopping us". Anyone who wants any of them back, wants the lot back. VM's position here smacks of opportunism.
3: UKTV claiming no contact from VM - I'd expect to see both parties not only talking behind closed doors, but putting out at least a semblance of a unified "we're both trying" approach.
Maybe UKTV are in denial over the value of their product - but the PR storm would seem to suggest VM may have underestimated this a wee tad...
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1. I have not claimed that the new channels are replacements. I am not Virgin Media!
2. That may be so, but getting the free channels back on VM concentrates the minds of the negotiators on the price to be paid for the premium channels.
3. Frankly, we don't know. If Virgin have made their position clear and UKTV won't give way, there is nothing to discuss.
I think UKTV will start feeling the pinch sooner rather than later.
---------- Post added at 01:34 ---------- Previous post was at 01:24 ----------
Quote:
Originally Posted by RichardCoulter
There was a lot of annoyance caused by the withdrawal of the Sky basic channels that's true, but cable had fewer customers then and it was handled in a much more sensitive manner by the previous owners of VM.
As a result this has escalated into something far more serious than anybody could have imagined. From a holistic point of view with regards to the whole business, VM must surely regret this ever happening.
For the sake of argument, let's assume that VM are in the right with regards to the dispute.
With Ofcom involvement, extensive negative media attention, costs to the company far exceeding what they had hoped to save, their customer contracts being the subject of unprecedented scrutiny by legal bods and 43% of customers either leaving or considering leaving their TV service (and possibly leaving BB and telephony too because of the financial incentives for taking all services from the same provider) at the end of their contract or with 30 days notice, their other channel suppliers and competitors seizing upon the opportunity to take advantage of the situation, i'm sure that they would never have gone down this road if they could have seen into the future.
Management have boxed themselves into a corner and are allowing their own pride to continue with their stance and as a result the whole business is likely to suffer greatly. I'm really surprised that John Malone hasn't become personally involved as he's known for being straight talking and hands on.
In essence, in business, the correct thing to do isn't always the right thing to do.
VM certainly are rocking the boat at this sensitive time, namely by now threatening to auction off the UKTV EPG slots! They have also repeatedly claimed that they are in continued talks with UKTV, but UKTV have repeatedly denied this. During one news interview with both parties the UKTV spokesman said that an offer had been put to VM via email, but no response had been received. Bouchier all but called the UKTV spokesman a liar live on air!
This whole episode is one of the most unprofessional and immature corporate incidents that I have ever witnessed.
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Not so. One cannot help but believe that the only reason you are so cock-a-hoop about all this is that you can claim compensation. You are beside yourself with the idea that the ITV channels may disappear too!
Your previous posts reveal indisputably that you will claim compensation for any loss of service, whether or not it affects you materially. This is no different.
If Sky are so great, why not go over to them? Your experience may prove rather different from what you expect, I fear.
Speaking personally, I am rather pleased that VM are finally making a stand on this. Being reliant on the content of others, this is the little guy standing up to the big guys.