General : Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2013) Vol. 3.

[Gavin-D]

Originally Posted by freakgirl

Has this article been posted on here http://www.broadcastnow.co.uk/news/b...057814.article

Yes I'm sure it has

for those who can't see what It says

The prospect of Sky Atlantic becoming available to Virgin Media’s 3.8 million TV subscribers has moved closer after it emerged that talks between the two companies have reopened. The channel had a high-profile launch in February 2011, but the UK’s two biggest pay-TV operators never really got close to agreeing a cable carriage deal at the time.

Sources have indicated that the operators have now reopened negotiations and, although a deal is not imminent, they are significantly closer to agreeing a price for Sky Atlantic than they were two years ago. One source said a “degree of realism” had entered the talks. Sky Atlantic launched with a number of flagship series from US premium broadcaster HBO, including Boardwalk Empire and The Sopranos, after BSkyB struck an output deal with the Time Warner-owned network.

It was designed as an exclusive home for premium content, including shows such as AMC’s Mad Men and Showtime’s House Of Lies, and was conceived as a way to attract and hold on to subscribers who were less interested in sport and movie content. Dramas The Following and Game Of Thrones now regularly deliver consolidated audiences of more than 1 million. The channel had a reach of around 11.1 million viewers in the first three months of 2013, according to Barb research, a year-on-year increase of 1.3 million. This puts it level with channels such as Fox and Discovery.

It is thought that Sky could be persuaded that an additional 4 million potential viewers for Sky Atlantic would be a positive move, boosting ratings for its content, which is often accused of rating poorly relative to its quality. Carriage negotiations for Sky’s other channels on Virgin Media are due to be renewed this month, at which time a deal for Sky Atlantic is likely to be discussed.

Virgin Media could also be looking to replace ESPN, which will close this summer, in its premium XL package. It will want to ensure it keeps churn low for its top bundle and has not yet struck a deal for BT’s forthcoming sport channels. A move for a high-profile channel such as Sky Atlantic could help it retain customers. The cable operator’s outgoing chief executive Neil Berkett has previously said that Sky had initially asked for an “unrealistic price for the product”.

[johnasimmons]

I really do feel that VM should spill the beans on BT Sport; only a week to launch...

They mightn't have any beans to spill.

[johnasimmons]

Originally Posted by Jameseh

They mightn't have any beans to spill.

Well, they should let us know either way then...
I notice BenMcr hasnt been around for a while, doesn't he work for VM?

[Doug P]

Why?

Saying it might not happen or it might happen is silly and very poor business.

[Gavin-D]

Originally Posted by johnasimmons

Well, they should let us know either way then...
I notice BenMcr hasnt been around for a while, doesn't he work for VM?

BenMcr is on the forums now but he may not be able to post anything re BT Sport begin a VM employee which could be why he's keeping quiet

If they don't have a deal they'll be working on doing one.

If they already have one, I imagine they'll have an embargo on when they can announce it.

[johnasimmons]

Originally Posted by Gavin-D

BenMcr is on the forums now but he may not be able to post anything re BT Sport

You are right, I see him lurking in the 'currently active users' list down the bottom, sneeky man!

---------- Post added at 16:46 ---------- Previous post was at 16:45 ----------

Originally Posted by Jameseh

If they don't have a deal they'll be working on doing one.

If they already have one, I imagine they'll have an embargo on when they can announce it.

They are pushing it with a week to go...

I'd imagine BT are doing the pushing. They'll do a deal at the last possible second on the chance of people getting sick of waiting and joining BT Vision/broadband instead.

That's if they do one, I still can't see it happening.

[Harryn9000]

i honestly think it done and dusted but like bomber said there an embargo till 31st let bt sell and most of bt tv ads say offer end 31st july we find out in a week

[johnasimmons]

Originally Posted by Jameseh

I'd imagine BT are doing the pushing. They'll do a deal at the last possible second on the chance of people getting sick of waiting and joining BT Vision/broadband instead.

That's if they do one, I still can't see it happening.

Well, if we don't get BT Sport I hope they have other channels to launch to make up for it...

---------- Post added at 16:51 ---------- Previous post was at 16:51 ----------

Originally Posted by Harryn9000

i honestly think it done and dusted but like bomber said there an embargo till 31st let bt sell and most of bt tv ads say offer end 31st july we find out in a week

I hope so...

[denphone]

Originally Posted by johnasimmons

Well, they should let us know either way then...
I notice BenMcr hasnt been around for a while, doesn't he work for VM?

Ben very nice man he is would not say a peep.

---------- Post added at 17:02 ---------- Previous post was at 17:01 ----------

Originally Posted by johnasimmons

I really do feel that VM should spill the beans on BT Sport; only a week to launch...

Patience my old padawan.

[nialli]

Originally Posted by Gavin-D

Yes I'm sure it has

for those who can't see what It says

The prospect of Sky Atlantic becoming available to Virgin Media’s 3.8 million TV subscribers has moved closer after it emerged that talks between the two companies have reopened. The channel had a high-profile launch in February 2011, but the UK’s two biggest pay-TV operators never really got close to agreeing a cable carriage deal at the time.

Sources have indicated that the operators have now reopened negotiations and, although a deal is not imminent, they are significantly closer to agreeing a price for Sky Atlantic than they were two years ago. One source said a “degree of realism” had entered the talks. Sky Atlantic launched with a number of flagship series from US premium broadcaster HBO, including Boardwalk Empire and The Sopranos, after BSkyB struck an output deal with the Time Warner-owned network.

It was designed as an exclusive home for premium content, including shows such as AMC’s Mad Men and Showtime’s House Of Lies, and was conceived as a way to attract and hold on to subscribers who were less interested in sport and movie content. Dramas The Following and Game Of Thrones now regularly deliver consolidated audiences of more than 1 million. The channel had a reach of around 11.1 million viewers in the first three months of 2013, according to Barb research, a year-on-year increase of 1.3 million. This puts it level with channels such as Fox and Discovery.

It is thought that Sky could be persuaded that an additional 4 million potential viewers for Sky Atlantic would be a positive move, boosting ratings for its content, which is often accused of rating poorly relative to its quality. Carriage negotiations for Sky’s other channels on Virgin Media are due to be renewed this month, at which time a deal for Sky Atlantic is likely to be discussed.

Virgin Media could also be looking to replace ESPN, which will close this summer, in its premium XL package. It will want to ensure it keeps churn low for its top bundle and has not yet struck a deal for BT’s forthcoming sport channels. A move for a high-profile channel such as Sky Atlantic could help it retain customers. The cable operator’s outgoing chief executive Neil Berkett has previously said that Sky had initially asked for an “unrealistic price for the product”.

Interesting, but the article's a month old

[Dave42]

Originally Posted by nialli

Interesting, but the article's a month old

exactly still cant see sky changing there stance on SA

[denphone]

Originally Posted by nialli

Interesting, but the article's a month old

And a lot can happen in a month.