TV Hits free for top pack subscribers.?

Rillington · 08-02-2007, 20:06

According to Virign Media's website I should be getting TV Hits as part of the top tier package (XL I think it's called), which I am on, but the content is still pay only. Can anyone tell me what the situation is please.

Bob · 08-02-2007, 20:24

Their site refers to TV Choice, which is what will replace TV Hits. Anyone with the Virgin branded EPG on the XL package will get TV Choice included in their package.

Those who don't should have it included by June when they get the relevant software update

McYorkie · 08-02-2007, 20:40

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bob

Their site refers to TV Choice, which is what will replace TV Hits. Anyone with the Virgin branded EPG on the XL package will get TV Choice included in their package.

Those who don't should have it included by June when they get the relevant software update

Then perhaps a little note to that effect from the VM Team would have been useful within the text on the website to explain that so that people aren't confused by the different versions out there - not all VM customers will come looking here for intelligent answers - and has been shown from the OP's question, it's an easy mistake to make if things aren't explained properly in marketing stuff.

BTW, thanks Bob for clearing that one up for us.

Rillington · 08-02-2007, 20:55

Thank you for that clarification.

Now given I live in Leeds it will be "coming soon" so expect it in the distant, not the enar future!

---------- Post added at 20:55 ---------- Previous post was at 20:41 ----------

Quote:

Originally Posted by McYorkie

Then perhaps a little note to that effect from the VM Team would have been useful within the text on the website to explain that so that people aren't confused by the different versions out there - not all VM customers will come looking here for intelligent answers - and has been shown from the OP's question, it's an easy mistake to make if things aren't explained properly in marketing stuff.

BTW, thanks Bob for clearing that one up for us.

Indeed. If it wasn't for this clarification then I'd be wondering myself. Not the best start for Virgin Media is it.

Bob · 08-02-2007, 22:14

BTW June was what was quoted in that letter-drop we got last month

Rillington · 13-02-2007, 17:41

UPDATE:

have just spent an 'entertaining' afternoon with CS on this issue and four people gave me four different answers. One said that TV Choice/TV Hits is paid for. The second said that it is free but the box says it is not and that when the box sends back the information the billing system will not charge me and that if I do get charged on my monthly bill then I should call CS and they will credit my account withy any charges. He added that when the software changes to TV Choice then it will be free and this will happen by May. The third seemed on a different planet and didn;'t even know what VOD was and what I was talking about I just hung up the phone when I was about to really have a go at him. The fourth said that browsing TV Hits was included but that charges apply to SOME of the content. I then followed this up by quoting the website and he said that "inlcuded" meant browsing the area is free and he gave me a teer's worth of free viewing. His advice was what the box says, goes - ie if the box says it is charged then I will be charged. None of the four people I spoke to said that TV Hits/TV Chocie is part of the XL package.

All did confirm that I was on the XL package but none of them said I would get this as part of the package and the STB says it is charged.

I think people should be very wary about all of this and be aware that you could get a nasty surprise if you are not careful. I'm not going to touch it with a long bargepole.

Bob · 13-02-2007, 17:49

Like I said, wait till you have the Virgin branded software and then TV Choice will definately be free with the XL TV package

Nikesh · 13-02-2007, 17:53

What is TV Hits/Choice?

Bob · 13-02-2007, 18:00

TV Hits is a PPV section (49p per episode of a programme on average) on the older version of NTL on Demand (i.e. the blue software)

TV Choice is the new name for TV Hits/Teleport TV when your STB software becomes black and Virgin branded. People with the XL (former Family/Supreme package) can watch programmes through this service at no extra cost. People on the Starter/Select (no longer available for new customers) , M (Free TV pack) or L (Base/Essential) packages can subscribe to the service for ÃƒÆ’Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ãƒâ€šÃ‚Â£5 a month*.

*At least those on the ex-Telewest side of things can - you'll have to get quadplay to confirm that

Rillington · 13-02-2007, 18:04

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bob

Like I said, wait till you have the Virgin branded software and then TV Choice will definately be free with the XL TV package

That's basically what the second CS person said. When I said I was worried that i would get charged he advised it might be best not to use it until the new software appears, whenever that may be.

Thats aid, I'm still inclined to come ehre for 100% accurate information so I'll ask what people ehre suggest I do. Should I wait until this enw software appears before using TV Hits/Choice in case I might get charged given that I still have this old software?

Bob · 13-02-2007, 18:06

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rillington

That's basically what the second CS person said. When I said I was worried that i would get charged he advised it might be best not to use it until the new software appears, whenever that may be.

I believe that still stands as June

Rillington · 13-02-2007, 18:07

Aye. The CS guy said May at the latest but this IS cable isn't it!

McYorkie · 13-02-2007, 18:08

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rillington

UPDATE:

have just spent an 'entertaining' afternoon with CS on this issue and four people gave me four different answers. One said that TV Choice/TV Hits is paid for. The second said that it is free but the box says it is not and that when the box sends back the information the billing system will not charge me and that if I do get charged on my monthly bill then I should call CS and they will credit my account withy any charges. He added that when the software changes to TV Choice then it will be free and this will happen by May. The third seemed on a different planet and didn;'t even know what VOD was and what I was talking about I just hung up the phone when I was about to really have a go at him. The fourth said that browsing TV Hits was included but that charges apply to SOME of the content. I then followed this up by quoting the website and he said that "inlcuded" meant browsing the area is free and he gave me a teer's worth of free viewing. His advice was what the box says, goes - ie if the box says it is charged then I will be charged. None of the four people I spoke to said that TV Hits/TV Chocie is part of the XL package.

All did confirm that I was on the XL package but none of them said I would get this as part of the package and the STB says it is charged.

I think people should be very wary about all of this and be aware that you could get a nasty surprise if you are not careful. I'm not going to touch it with a long bargepole.

And these are supposed to be the new, improved staff that are trained better to be able to answer questions properly? For a company whose reputation is riding on the staff's behaviour towards customers as well as content, it doesn't bode well for keeping RB's "Virgin magic" intact when an example like that happens.

Nor does it inspire confidence in the customer that it's safe to use the supposed "free" content thats meant to be theirs to view. The idea is good, but so far its lacking in execution.

All thats needed is clear, concise information available as has already been said, so that CSR's don't get hammered from now until June with endless calls asking the same question.

Rillington · 13-02-2007, 18:11

Exactly McYorkie. It was like the bad old days of ntl apart from the fact they answered the phone immediately.

The final CS person I spoke to did admit that he didn't know, which is fair enough, and also said that the Virgin Media website is confusing but he said that his colleages told him that it was an element of feee and paid-for, ie what it says on the box whereby some is free but most is paid for. he also told me that some of the films were also free which i find hard to believe. He did give me ÃƒÆ’Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ãƒâ€šÃ‚Â£10-worth of credits to spend on VOD programming.

Bob · 13-02-2007, 18:13

There has been the odd HD movie available free for SOME people with a V+ box since the Virign rebrand on Thursday - he could possibly be referring to them?

Other than that, the only other thing I have seen for free are making of... programmes associated with a new movie launching.

I admit, the new site is not really good enough to be honest. I think they were relying on people noticing a difference in the names, but they are too similar for that to be effective. How often we have seen sloppy wording cause NTL a headache?