General : Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2013) Vol. 5.

[andy_m]

You have to remember that Virgin keep customers by bundling sports channels with xl, which means more money which means more of the stuff that non-sports fans on all tiers enjoy. Non-sports fans benefit by the inclusion of bt sport on xl, but it is easy to see why they might think that the only thing they get out of it are higher bills.

[passingbat]

Originally Posted by andy_m

You have to remember that Virgin keep customers by bundling sports channels with xl, which means more money which means more of the stuff that non-sports fans on all tiers enjoy. Non-sports fans benefit by the inclusion of bt sport on xl, but it is easy to see why they might think that the only thing they get out of it are higher bills.

As I previously said:

Originally Posted by passingbat

Personally I don't watch sports, but the addition of BT sports FOC on XL was a good thing in my view, as it makes VM XL TV a very attractive proposition and will help VM add/retain customers.

.

[andy_m]

Originally Posted by passingbat

As I previously said:

Indeed. Fwiw I'm a sport fan, and I like my sport in hd. I genuinely couldn't care less if the majority of other programmes I watch are in hd or not.

Originally Posted by Chad

This isn't aimed at anyone here in particular however I've noticed from posts here over the years, and posts on other forums, that people with the XL package who don't enjoy sports always seem to have a real problem with channels like BT Sports being added to XL.

BT Sports being added to XL was a direct replacement for the ESPN channels, which in turn where a direct replacement for Setanta Sports. These premium sports channels have been in the XL package now since July 2007.

When Setanta Sports launched in the XL package Virgin had no HD channels in the XL package at all. On Demand was still in it infancy with maybe only 10% of the content available today.

If anything Sports fans with the XL package who don't watch HD or on demand have taken a proper shafting since 2007

I'm a sports fan so I benefit from BTS being in XL. I think the root of the problem that non sports fans have with XL is HD.

If I set aside BT Sports then I would be happy with M+ content wise. But I prefer HD yet I cannot get the channels I want on M+ in HD in 2013.

Once again, I repeat, I'm happy with XL but I understand the frustrations of those who are made to stump up for XL just to get the M+ channels they want in HD while VM are busy advertising 'no additional charge for HD'.

[Chad]

Originally Posted by andy_m

You have to remember that Virgin keep customers by bundling sports channels with xl, which means more money which means more of the stuff that non-sports fans on all tiers enjoy. Non-sports fans benefit by the inclusion of bt sport on xl, but it is easy to see why they might think that the only thing they get out of it are higher bills.

It's a very true reflection of the pay TV market at the moment. Interestingly a competitor to Virgin Media is currently canvassing their customers to see if a build your own bundle service would be of interest. Pick and choose the channels you want and pay only for those channels. The feedback so far is an over whelming YES PLEASE. I'm sure we'll here more about this in the coming months.

I sense a potential shake up in the TV market.

[alwaysabear]

Originally Posted by Chad

It's a very true reflection of the pay TV market at the moment. Interestingly a competitor to Virgin Media is currently canvassing their customers to see if a build your own bundle service would be of interest. Pick and choose the channels you want and pay only for those channels. The feedback so far is an over whelming YES PLEASE. I'm sure we'll here more about this in the coming months.

I sense a potential shake up in the TV market.

Sounds good to me.

[ocav]

Originally Posted by Chad

I'd like to see SKY Atlantic available on Virgin Media, just in case I decide to return in 2 months time when my current SKY deal expires. I understand Virgin and SKY have been in talks however some of the information on the below links makes me think it won't be during 2013.

http://corporate.sky.com/media/press...set_collection

"Entertainment Extra+ customers can look forward to almost a hundred series of TV Box Sets joining the service this autumn, with some exclusive highlights only available on Sky, including:"

• The Wire (Complete box set - series 1-5, Sky Atlantic, from 1st Nov)
• The Sopranos (Complete box set - series 1-6, Sky Atlantic, from 1st Dec)
• Game of Thrones (Series 1& 2, Sky Atlantic, from 1st Oct)
• Mad Men (Series 1-3, Sky Atlantic, from 1st Oct)
• Seinfeld (Series 8, Sky Atlantic, from 1st Oct, and series 9 from 1st Nov)

Notice that all the SKY exclusive on demand content is for SKY Atlantic? If Virgin and SKY are in talks for SKY Atlantic I'd imagine Virgin would also like access to the SKY Atlantic on demand content as part of the carriage deal, like all the other SKY channels they currently offer.

Of course this could mean absolutely nothing at all. Come January SKY only have 2 years left under their exclusive deal with HBO. I wonder if SKY are planning to renew? I wonder if Netflix plan to swoop in and agree an exclusive deal with HBO ahead of SKY? That would pretty much kill off SKY Atlantic. I'm beginning to think it's now or never for SKY Atlantic appearing on Virgin Media.

Notice how they are all back-catalogue on demand content? Maybe VM will get Atlantic but only with Catch Up content.

[Chad]

Originally Posted by alwaysabear

Sounds good to me.

This type of service is already up and running in other parts of the world:

http://www.tatasky.com/channel-packages-mypack.html

I have no idea if 22 Rupees is good value for the Discovery channel

[efw]

Originally Posted by Chad

This type of service is already up and running in other parts of the world:

http://www.tatasky.com/channel-packages-mypack.html

I have no idea if 22 Rupees is good value for the Discovery channel

22 rupees is around 22p

[Chad]

Originally Posted by ocav

Notice how they are all back-catalogue on demand content? Maybe VM will get Atlantic but only with Catch Up content.

Maybe however that wouldn't add much value to Virgin customers. Say for example SKY Atlantic launches at the end of this month on Virgin, in time for series 4 of Boardwalk Empire, what use is that to Virgin customers who have never seen the show and can't go back and watch the first 3 series? They are very unlikely to start watching knowing they've already missed about 36 episodes.

It's the same with most shows on SKY Atlantic at the moment. They are all into series 3, 4 and 5. Understandably some people might have been buying DVD boxsets of these shows over the past 3 years, or downloading them illegally, so are able to jump right in should Atlantic launch. I can only guess however that these people are in the minority.

If SKY Atlantic does launch the on demand content is a must in order to get people interested and watching the shows. Without this, what's the point?

---------- Post added at 19:38 ---------- Previous post was at 19:37 ----------

Originally Posted by efw

22 rupees is around 22p

ESPN is only 29p

[Anypermitedroute]

Is it time for VM to maybe consider stripping out the HD at no additional cost and make it a standalone cost giving people the option on say m+ or L to upgrade just their equivalent HD channels?

Whilst I would welcome a build your own bundle I could see it as an administrative nightmare for VM. Also I could see broadcasters not keen on +1 being additional as it's an additional revenue generator and you could see people stripping out +1 to save cost. Also would anyone then buy 4seven (as another example).

Nice idea but can't see it not for a while yet

[theone2k10]

Originally Posted by Anypermitedroute;35628373[B

]Is it time for VM to maybe consider stripping out the HD at no additional cost and make it a standalone cost giving people the option on say m+ or L to upgrade just their equivalent HD channels?[/B]

Whilst I would welcome a build your own bundle I could see it as an administrative nightmare for VM. Also I could see broadcasters not keen on +1 being additional as it's an additional revenue generator and you could see people stripping out +1 to save cost. Also would anyone then buy 4seven (as another example).

Nice idea but can't see it not for a while yet

I think the XL pack will be completly overhauled.
VM are changing packs to be more competetive with Sky , regarding FOX this is in Skys basic package and VM aim to be more competative with their basic package M+
I think we'll see something like M+ all channels except sky movies , sports , bt sports , Netflix , Premier sports (if launched on VM) , HD.
L will be same as M+ but will include HD channels.
XL will include all channels , netflix , bt sport ,hd channels, premier sport (if launched) , possible Lovefilm , it will not include Sky movies or sports.
Sky movies and sports will be included in the VIP pack along with the rumoured 300mb broadband and ps4/xboxone rental.

Some will grumble at these packs still no doubt lol.

[andy_m]

Originally Posted by theone2k10

I think the XL pack will be completly overhauled.
VM are changing packs to be more competetive with Sky , regarding FOX this is in Skys basic package and VM aim to be more competative with their basic package M+
I think we'll see something like M+ all channels except sky movies , sports , bt sports , Netflix , Premier sports (if launched on VM) , HD.
L will be same as M+ but will include HD channels.
XL will include all channels , netflix , bt sport ,hd channels, premier sport (if launched) , possible Lovefilm , it will not include Sky movies or sports.
Sky movies and sports will be included in the VIP pack along with the rumoured 300mb broadband and ps4/xboxone rental.

Some will grumble at these packs still no doubt lol.

I reckon you're right with this, including the last part!

[RichardCoulter]

Originally Posted by vincerooney

i have xl due to the great offer on BT sport but if i didnt like sport HD channels and +1 channels wouldnt keep me on it to be honest chad. i like HD but i'll often forget to watch HD versions of channels as i find the normal SD quality fine enough not to notice!

Same here, which is why I'm thinking of downgrading onto a TiVo pack. Like a lot of other people, most programmes that I watch can be received on the free HD channels anyway.

Originally Posted by Chad

It's a very true reflection of the pay TV market at the moment. Interestingly a competitor to Virgin Media is currently canvassing their customers to see if a build your own bundle service would be of interest. Pick and choose the channels you want and pay only for those channels. The feedback so far is an over whelming YES PLEASE. I'm sure we'll here more about this in the coming months.

I sense a potential shake up in the TV market.

Originally Posted by Anypermitedroute

Is it time for VM to maybe consider stripping out the HD at no additional cost and make it a standalone cost giving people the option on say m+ or L to upgrade just their equivalent HD channels?

Whilst I would welcome a build your own bundle I could see it as an administrative nightmare for VM. Also I could see broadcasters not keen on +1 being additional as it's an additional revenue generator and you could see people stripping out +1 to save cost. Also would anyone then buy 4seven (as another example).

Nice idea but can't see it not for a while yet

On the surface, this seems like a good Idea- you only pay for the channels that you want to watch.

In practice, the argument against this has always been that this approach would push up the cost of channels that each individual subscribes to. As you strip out channels that you aren't interested in, others do the same to the channels that you do watch.

To keep the same revenue from subscriptions, each channel takes a higher cut (or loses revenue which will probably have an affect on programming).

The net result is that you end up paying the same for less channels (or pay less for in return for budget cuts in the programming that you enjoy).

Originally Posted by theone2k10

I think the XL pack will be completly overhauled.
VM are changing packs to be more competetive with Sky , regarding FOX this is in Skys basic package and VM aim to be more competative with their basic package M+
I think we'll see something like M+ all channels except sky movies , sports , bt sports , Netflix , Premier sports (if launched on VM) , HD.
L will be same as M+ but will include 0HD channels.
XL will include all channels , netflix , bt sport ,hd channels, premier sport (if launched) , possible Lovefilm , it will not include Sky movies or sports.
Sky movies and sports will be included in the VIP pack along with the rumoured 300mb broadband and ps4/xboxone rental.

Some will grumble at these packs still no doubt lol.

Now that does sound like a good Idea. It would also enable VM to continue to advertise that their HD is "free". It is if you would take XL anyway, but if you're taking XL purely for the HD channels, it is in effect a backdoor HD fee.

---------- Post added at 21:35 ---------- Previous post was at 21:30 ----------

Originally Posted by Chad

Maybe however that wouldn't add much value to Virgin customers. Say for example SKY Atlantic launches at the end of this month on Virgin, in time for series 4 of Boardwalk Empire, what use is that to Virgin customers who have never seen the show and can't go back and watch the first 3 series? They are very unlikely to start watching knowing they've already missed about 36 episodes.

It's the same with most shows on SKY Atlantic at the moment. They are all into series 3, 4 and 5. Understandably some people might have been buying DVD boxsets of these shows over the past 3 years, or downloading them illegally, so are able to jump right in should Atlantic launch. I can only guess however that these people are in the minority.

If SKY Atlantic does launch the on demand content is a must in order to get people interested and watching the shows. Without this, what's the point?

---------- Post added at 19:38 ---------- Previous post was at 19:37 ----------



ESPN is only 29p

If people can wait a little while, I'm pretty sure Sky Atlantic programming will become available on other channels and then eventually on free channels.

[yorkshireborn]

Originally Posted by theone2k10

I think the XL pack will be completly overhauled.

Originally Posted by theone2k10

VM are changing packs to be more competetive with Sky , regarding FOX this is in Skys basic package and VM aim to be more competative with their basic package M+
I think we'll see something like M+ all channels except sky movies , sports , bt sports , Netflix , Premier sports (if launched on VM) , HD.
L will be same as M+ but will include HD channels.
XL will include all channels , netflix , bt sport ,hd channels, premier sport (if launched) , possible Lovefilm , it will not include Sky movies or sports.
Sky movies and sports will be included in the VIP pack along with the rumoured 300mb broadband and ps4/xboxone rental.

Some will grumble at these packs still no doubt lol.

so XL will stay the same as it is now?