V+ : Should the VM EPG be aligned with the Sky EPG?

[RichardCoulter]

As per a discussion in the 'Coming Soon to VM' thread, I have created this poll to gauge the opinion of forum members.

As the Sky EPG is regulated, it would have to be VM who instigate any change.

The pros, as as I can see, are that it will make it easier for customers swapping from one of the two main platforms to another as they will already know their favourite channel numbers. It will also make it easier when channels are marketing themselves.

The cons appear to be that VM may dislike appearing to be seen to be following Skys shadow. Forum member DaMac also believes that this would be a mistake as the Sky EPG is a mess in itself!

Taking everything into consideration, what do you think?

[andy_m]

The position of some channels are contractual.

[RichardCoulter]

Originally Posted by andy_m

The position of some channels are contractual.

I'm not aware of any VM channels that are contractually placed on specific EPG numbers, that's not to say that there aren't any!

You do make a good point though, as, if this were to go ahead, there could be the added complication of contract renegotiation.

What do you think about alignment in principle Andy?

[muppetman11]

I'm sure Sky would be in favour , 1st page prominence for Sky One on 106 , Sky Living 107 and Sky Atlantic on oh wait.......

[Gunslinger]

Originally Posted by RichardCoulter

I'm not aware of any VM channels that are contractually placed on specific EPG numbers, that's not to say that there aren't any!

You do make a good point though, as, if this were to go ahead, there could be the added complication of contract renegotiation.

What do you think about alignment in principle Andy?

Not sure why channel owners would have a problem with this anyway - it makes it easier to promote and publicise their content if they only have one channel number to quote.

[denphone]

Originally Posted by muppetman11

I'm sure Sky would be in favour , 1st page prominence for Sky One on 106 , Sky Living 107 and Sky Atlantic on oh wait.......

Calm down oh great one as we would not want the precious to have a turn.

[MovedGoalPosts]

Why shouldn't the Sky EPG be aligned with VM's, Freeview and all the other stuff put together.

It would be nice to think there could be an independent commitee that could get conformity across all the platforms. But it's unlikely.

What I would really like to see though it channels with HD options and +1 grouped together logically. In manyt respects the V+ EPG is better than the TiVo one as you can at least set your own favourites on V+, yet on TiVo you can only sort by channel types. But to be able to put your own order on all the channels displayed is the real way forward so I can group say all the BBC, then all the ITV and so on.

[andy_m]

Originally Posted by RichardCoulter

I'm not aware of any VM channels that are contractually placed on specific EPG numbers, that's not to say that there aren't any!

You do make a good point though, as, if this were to go ahead, there could be the added complication of contract renegotiation.

What do you think about alignment in principle Andy?

I think currently channels are forced to give multiple channel numbers in their publicity, which provides additional awareness of Virgin Media, which would be lost. Can't see any benefit for Virgin on that basis. In addition, they are in a position to leverage epg position when negotiating with new channels or renegotiating expiring deals, but that would go if it was always going to be the same as where they already are on Sky.

---------- Post added at 19:55 ---------- Previous post was at 19:53 ----------

Originally Posted by Rob

Why shouldn't the Sky EPG be aligned with VM's, Freeview and all the other stuff put together.

It would be nice to think there could be an independent commitee that could get conformity across all the platforms. But it's unlikely.

What I would really like to see though it channels with HD options and +1 grouped together logically. In manyt respects the V+ EPG is better than the TiVo one as you can at least set your own favourites on V+, yet on TiVo you can only sort by channel types. But to be able to put your own order on all the channels displayed is the real way forward so I can group say all the BBC, then all the ITV and so on.

You can do favourites on TiVo. The issue is that after an hour the epg snaps back to show all, which is a slight irritation.

[dodgem22]

In my opinion the sky epg is in more of a mess than the Virgin epg so I would rather it not be changed to match Sky

[dwarfofpoison]

You left off the don't care in the slightest option?

Originally Posted by dwarfofpoison

You left off the don't care in the slightest option?

QFT

Originally Posted by dwarfofpoison

You left off the don't care in the slightest option?

Are you sure

[GrimUpNorth]

Originally Posted by Paul M

Are you sure

Thanks Paul. Can vote now.

Cheers

Grim

[RichardCoulter]

Originally Posted by Gunslinger

Not sure why channel owners would have a problem with this anyway - it makes it easier to promote and publicise their content if they only have one channel number to quote.

They may object if their channel ended up going further down the EPG. The theory is that the further down the EPG your channel is, the more likely that channel surfers will find something that interests them before reaching your channel.

Originally Posted by Rob

Why shouldn't the Sky EPG be aligned with VM's, Freeview and all the other stuff put together.

It would be nice to think there could be an independent commitee that could get conformity across all the platforms. But it's unlikely.

What I would really like to see though it channels with HD options and +1 grouped together logically. In manyt respects the V+ EPG is better than the TiVo one as you can at least set your own favourites on V+, yet on TiVo you can only sort by channel types. But to be able to put your own order on all the channels displayed is the real way forward so I can group say all the BBC, then all the ITV and so on.

I did think of suggesting this, but I don't know anybody from the Talk Talk, Freeview, Youview etc platforms to feed back to.

It would be a good idea though.

Originally Posted by andy_m

I think currently channels are forced to give multiple channel numbers in their publicity, which provides additional awareness of Virgin Media, which would be lost. Can't see any benefit for Virgin on that basis. In addition, they are in a position to leverage epg position when negotiating with new channels or renegotiating expiring deals, but that would go if it was always going to be the same as where they already are on Sky

Good points, there may indeed be beneficial commercial factors for VM to keep things as they are.

Originally Posted by dwarfofpoison

You left off the don't care in the slightest option?

I left off the don't know/care option deliberately as, for the purposes of this poll, I'm only interested in those who have a definite opinion on the matter either way.

Originally Posted by Paul M

Are you sure

I had assumed that those who don't care either way wouldn't vote, or, if undecided, would be pushed into making a decision.

At the moment, it looks like most people are against this idea. Could any of those who voted "no" possibly give your reason/s in the thread if you haven't done so already? Thanks.

[Aguero9320]

Personally, I believe that Sky should align their own EPG with that of Virgin's because at least we have some form of structure. Quite simply, Sky's EPG looks like a bomb has landed on it and mixed all the channels up. Honestly!!!

Even though I'm glad Virgin are moving the Sky channels; it is daft having Sky Living ahead of Sky1 in the EPG and leaving 501-509 in the Sports section. !Que loco!