Drop ESPN programming from XL package?

Chad · 03-03-2011, 19:56

I've just been reading posts on the coming soon thread that raised an interesting point.

ESPN channels are premium content which everyone on the XL package receives. Virgin have to pay ESPN a fee for everyone that takes the XL package, regardless of whether they watch the channels or not. If Virgin removed the ESPN content, this would free up money to add new channels. The ESPN channels would then become a subscription service, just like on SKY. If you want ESPN, then it's say Â£9.00 per month.

Do you believe removing ESPN, ESPN HD and ESPN America from the XL package would be beneficial to Virgin?

P.S. I haven't added ESPN Classic or Classic on demand as these would surely aren't classed as premium whilst the other 3 are.

TMLeafs · 03-03-2011, 20:04

I believe VM are not paying very much due to the fact they was a new channel with only 25 games of Premier League football a season not many take sky sports with VM and so even less would take ESPN. Two more years and we will be paying as most likely the deal was to the next premier league TV rights bin. I bet that the cost of a HD channel per customer is getting us the whole espn package. ESPN then get away with it due increased tv ad money plus they have Disney behind them.

alwaysabear · 03-03-2011, 20:07

I would pay the Â£9 as I did for NASN for many years, as long as it meant we would get ESPN America in HD along with other much needed HD content and other SD channels.

muppetman11 · 03-03-2011, 20:08

Quote:

Originally Posted by alwaysabear

I would pay the Â£9 as I did for NASN for many years, as long as it meant we would get ESPN America in HD along with other much needed HD content and other SD channels.

Ditto

OLDGOLD · 03-03-2011, 20:17

I understand the sentiments, but for me personally it's a no vote.

I recently switched from Sky (where I had Sky Sports & Movies plus ESPN), to VM XL (without Sky Sports and Movies) to save money. The reason I switched rather than just dropping the premium channels, was because of ESPN being included in the XL package - I watch more sport on ESPN/ESPN America than I did on Sky Sports.

VM should be providing more HD channels to XL without the need to sacrifice any existing channels.

telegramsam · 03-03-2011, 20:21

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chad

I've just been reading posts on the coming soon thread that raised an interesting point.

ESPN channels are premium content which everyone on the XL package receives. Virgin have to pay ESPN a fee for everyone that takes the XL package, regardless of whether they watch the channels or not. If Virgin removed the ESPN content, this would free up money to add new channels. The ESPN channels would then become a subscription service, just like on SKY. If you want ESPN, then it's say Â£9.00 per month.

Do you believe removing ESPN, ESPN HD and ESPN America from the XL package would be beneficial to Virgin?

P.S. I haven't added ESPN Classic or Classic on demand as these would surely aren't classed as premium whilst the other 3 are.

At the present moment I wouldn`t pay extra to get ESPN because there is so little Premier league football on it. If say in the future there was alot more then I would consider it but to be honest I`d probably just stick with Sky sports because they do it so much better than anyone else. I think Â£9 would be to much though,Â£4 more like it,if you subscribe to sky sports anyway.

Lew · 03-03-2011, 20:38

I think it would be a huge mistake to remove the ESPN channels from the XL package as they're a great selling point. Remember that they were added to make up for the loss of the Setanta Sports channels from the XL package in the first place.

Digital Fanatic · 03-03-2011, 20:44

Major mistake if ESPN was removed.. our customers tell us it's one of the reasons they sub to VM and the XL pack.

Should we now start removing Sky Arts1 & 2, just because not everyone wants it?

muppetman11 · 03-03-2011, 20:53

Quote:

Originally Posted by alwaysabear

I would pay the Â£9 as I did for NASN for many years, as long as it meant we would get ESPN America in HD along with other much needed HD content and other SD channels.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Digital Fanatic

Major mistake if ESPN was removed.. our customers tell us it's one of the reasons they sub to VM and the XL pack.

Should we now start removing Sky Arts1 & 2, just because not everyone wants it?

No try adding the Sky Arts 1 and 2 HD channels that were announced in an official press release last year.

http://pressoffice.virginmedia.com/p...823&highlight=

pengedragon · 03-03-2011, 20:57

noooo, this would be terrible for me

espnhd is probably my most watched channel thanks to the nba and serie a coverage

Digital Fanatic · 03-03-2011, 20:57

The poll results show what I and VM already know. Customers want ESPN on XL.

muppetman11 · 03-03-2011, 21:01

Quote:

Originally Posted by Digital Fanatic

The poll results show what I and VM already know. Customers want ESPN on XL.

They would also like the option to have channels of choice not just what VM can get on the cheap and throw at them.

poorchester · 03-03-2011, 21:01

ESPN was one of the main reasons I moved from Sky. My SD picture is so good I certainly wouldnt want to pay extra for HD. How much cheaper do you really think XL would be without ESPN ?

Digital Fanatic · 03-03-2011, 21:05

Quote:

Originally Posted by poorchester

ESPN was one of the main reasons I moved from Sky. My SD picture is so good I certainly wouldnt want to pay extra for HD. How much cheaper do you really think XL would be without ESPN ?

about Â£1

---------- Post added at 20:05 ---------- Previous post was at 20:01 ----------

Quote:

Originally Posted by muppetman11

They would also like the option to have channels of choice not just what VM can get on the cheap and throw at them.

Nothing wrong with getting a good deal, seems good way to do business to me.

You have a choice of providers if VM doesn't suit you

Chad · 03-03-2011, 21:13

Quote:

Originally Posted by Digital Fanatic

Major mistake if ESPN was removed.. our customers tell us it's one of the reasons they sub to VM and the XL pack.

Should we now start removing Sky Arts1 & 2, just because not everyone wants it?

When I moved into my flat in 2007 the main reason I got Virgin was because of Setanta Sports being included in XL. When Setanta closed I was gutted however Virgin added ESPN HD, I was delighted.

My brother, dad and my father-in-law all left SKY and joined Virgin because ESPN was included. My brother and father-in-law now have VIP50 plus a Virgin mobile.

ESPN being included is a very unique selling point which SKY would NEVER think of offering their customers. ESPN HD is a valuable channel to me. If Virgin dropped it from XL and in return gave me ITV2 HD, ITV3 HD, ITV4 HD and SKY Atlantic HD in return I'd be well hacked off.

I'd prefer if Virgin dropped TV choice and music-on-demand from XL and offer more linear channels as I never watch anything other than catch-up TV. There's probably plenty of things that could be removed from XL to accommodate new channels.

The truth of the matter is, if Virgin aren't delivering the TV you want or expect then it's time to move to another supplier. I'd love access to all HD channels, and could go to SKY however Virgins overall TV experience to me outweighs what SKY has to offer.