Could Virgin Eliminate Live TV?

grabbi · 08-05-2008, 20:17

Or even, could it be a GOAL of Virgin Media to eliminate Live TV off the Cable platform completely, and just have a whole network of On Demand?

My Girlfriend asked me a few months back if the Country, one day in the future, could just be On Demand, instead of waiting for schedules, and compiling a Playlist of Programs to watch.

Of course, my answer was "thats preposterous!" but upon thinking about it, and seeing the capabilities of the BBC iPlayer on Virgin, whose to say that every dedicated channel on the VM EPG COULDNT do the same?!

Finally, I came to the conclusion that it is entirely possible and likely that one day, all or many channels could follow suit with the iPlayer, and have that on one network.

If you want TV, you could go to Sky, but if you want programs on when you want them to be, then Virgin Media is the one for you.

The only thing you would see in the way of schedules, would be the waiting for programs to be added.

The only Down side? No ratings. Ratings would be completely abolished (well, on the Cable network they would be, anyway) and ratings could only be applied to programs actually watched ALL day as opposed to the 15 Minute ratings they have.

We have seen it before, you know. When Virgin removed channels like Flaunt, Scuzz etc. It was to bump up their own On Demand service, which doesnt touch the actual live TV Channels offering that music by some distance until all content viewable on the channels is available OD.

Mick Fisher · 08-05-2008, 20:35

But why would you want to watch 'all our yesterdays' on VM VOD whenever you want to when you can watch current TV whenever you want to with the aid of a PVR.?

the-cable-guy · 08-05-2008, 22:44

Quote:

Originally Posted by grabbi

Or even, could it be a GOAL of Virgin Media to eliminate Live TV off the Cable platform completely, and just have a whole network of On Demand?

My Girlfriend asked me a few months back if the Country, one day in the future, could just be On Demand, instead of waiting for schedules, and compiling a Playlist of Programs to watch.

Of course, my answer was "thats preposterous!" but upon thinking about it, and seeing the capabilities of the BBC iPlayer on Virgin, whose to say that every dedicated channel on the VM EPG COULDNT do the same?!

Finally, I came to the conclusion that it is entirely possible and likely that one day, all or many channels could follow suit with the iPlayer, and have that on one network.

If you want TV, you could go to Sky, but if you want programs on when you want them to be, then Virgin Media is the one for you.

The only thing you would see in the way of schedules, would be the waiting for programs to be added.

The only Down side? No ratings. Ratings would be completely abolished (well, on the Cable network they would be, anyway) and ratings could only be applied to programs actually watched ALL day as opposed to the 15 Minute ratings they have.

We have seen it before, you know. When Virgin removed channels like Flaunt, Scuzz etc. It was to bump up their own On Demand service, which doesnt touch the actual live TV Channels offering that music by some distance until all content viewable on the channels is available OD.

sorry but that wont ever happen on all channels, most channels get an income from adverts & with VOD thats unlikely to happen.

andygrif · 08-05-2008, 23:08

My personal feeling is that whilst we'll see far more content on-demand in an ideal world, I do not think it will ever replace all linear channels.

Human nature often means that channels are 'just-on' as wallpaper, or in the background.

Paul F · 08-05-2008, 23:26

I never really watch live TV anymore, apart from Live footy on a weekend so i would be happy if it did all go on-demand. I usually record anything i want to watch onto my V+ so i can watch them back later at night once i've finished work. Like said above, i dont ever think we'll get all on-demand programming as channels get their income from adverts etc

G UK · 09-05-2008, 01:06

Quote:

Originally Posted by the-cable-guy

sorry but that wont ever happen on all channels, most channels get an income from adverts & with VOD thats unlikely to happen.

You've not seen ITV's catch up online streams then? They add adverts that you cant skip to the program so that they still get the advertising revenue.

the-cable-guy · 09-05-2008, 10:30

Quote:

Originally Posted by G UK

You've not seen ITV's catch up online streams then? They add adverts that you cant skip to the program so that they still get the advertising revenue.

online is quite different from VOD dont confuse the two.

---------- Post added at 11:30 ---------- Previous post was at 11:27 ----------

Quote:

Originally Posted by Paul F

I never really watch live TV anymore, apart from Live footy on a weekend so i would be happy if it did all go on-demand. I usually record anything i want to watch onto my V+ so i can watch them back later at night once i've finished work. Like said above, i dont ever think we'll get all on-demand programming as channels get their income from adverts etc

i prefer to watch actual tv myself, as alot of what i watch isint on VOD, that being said tho there is the odd program that i do watch on VOD. at the end of the day everyone is different & likes different things so before anyone starts being clever, just cuz you like something doesnt mean that everyone else will. btw that last bit is not aimed at you Paul F.

dev · 09-05-2008, 10:30

Quote:

Originally Posted by the-cable-guy

online is quite different from VOD dont confuse the two.

not really, just the delivery method is different. both are on demand and streamed to you, VM could quite easily have a section of the stream where the fast forward button is disabled

G UK · 09-05-2008, 10:31

Quote:

Originally Posted by the-cable-guy

online is quite different from VOD dont confuse the two.

The same thing could be done on VOD though, the theory is sound.

the-cable-guy · 09-05-2008, 10:32

your completely missing the point.

G UK · 09-05-2008, 10:33

Quote:

Originally Posted by the-cable-guy

your completely missing the point.

How?

Can you restate your point so I can be sure were on the same wavelength and not talking at cross purposes.

the-cable-guy · 09-05-2008, 10:36

tell me what you dont understand & i'l try to be clearer for you.

G UK · 09-05-2008, 11:38

OK.

You said

Quote:

sorry but that wont ever happen on all channels, most channels get an income from adverts & with VOD thats unlikely to happen.

I understand by that that you mean its unlikely to happen on VOD because channels wouldn't get advertising revenue.

Quote:

You've not seen ITV's catch up online streams then? They add adverts that you cant skip to the program so that they still get the advertising revenue.

In response I mentioned that channels relying on advertising revenue were already placing programs onto a similar on-demand system, namely there website, with the adverts built in and unavoidable

Quote:

online is quite different from VOD dont confuse the two.

You then state that its different to VOD

Quote:

The same thing could be done on VOD though, the theory is sound.

To which I state the theory is the same and could be applied to VOD in the same way as it is on the internet.

To which your response is that I'm missing the point!?

How am I missing the point, I have shown a methodology and worked example on a similar system of how channels that rely on advertising income could still get that advertising revenue. As far as I can see this would negate the original reason that you said channels going all VOD wouldnt happen.

What point am I missing?

09-05-2008, 11:48

I have to agree - what point?! lol.
Ads could easily be added to any stream, I'd have thought.
Can't ever see all channels becoming VOD though.

RealDiamond · 09-05-2008, 18:40

I watch live TV but only for sport its better live.
since the VCR was made about half of TV programmes were watched via play back. that went up too when DVD Recorders was released. Time slip recording just changed every thing on DVD for me. now sky+ and V+ multi tuners means you never need to watch live TV again. Which is why the Next Change in adverts is coming as pointed out in the "simpsons movie" its happens in the US and its starting on SKY "advert banners" during the show yes they may be only for other TV shows but how long before Pepsi or PG tips get a banner running at the bottom of corri on ITV. I remember the product placement on the BBC was getting out of hand. the next shows 10 mins late due to the sport over running and now its 15 mins late because we have sat here watching 5 mins of adverts for BBC radio and the radio times. that no longer happens thanks to VOD. How people with out a PVR put up with a crap service like that god knows (well god answer, o shes got to much work on)