SD : Looking to switch but lack of African channels

[IAmErroSennin]

Good Afternoon all,

I have a bit of a dilemma that Virgin has just become available in my area and my family were looking to switch from Sky the only problem being Virgin don't have the 3 only channels my parents watch.

The channels in question are Vox Africa, TVC News and BEN television.

The offers Virgin are presenting are better in every other regard but without these channels my parents don't see the need of switching, so I ask is there any way to get these 3 channels on Virgin?

[BenMcr]

It's up to Virgin Media to add those channels. It's not something you can do yourself.

[johnathome]

Those 3 channels you want are available for free on internet connected smart tv's, at least they are on my 2010 samsung.

They are on demand on channel visiontv, 244 on the epg, along with another 21 free channels.

If they don't have a smart tv then it would seem an expensive way to go about getting them though.

You may be able to get them if you buy a Freeview+ box, not sure how much they are but if VM have just moved into your area you may be able to get a good deal on broadband.

[1andrew1]

They sound the kind of channels that might appear on VM's World Box service, which is still a fairly new service so might be added in the future.

[harry_hitch]

The trouble is IAmErroSennin, you will find people generally moan about the addition of tv channels that do show dumbed down, overhyped, mainstream British/American tv shows. Every timer a foreign channel launches, people will often ask why we don't get some guff like Tru TV instead.

Trying to engage people in other cultures is a bit of a losing battle, and it's a shame VM can't just add the channels for people like your parents. It does not hurt anyone to have the channels on the network, but still people moan when they are launched.

Don't have your parents spend a fortune on a tv or freeview box, see if anyone you know feels confident enough to try and negotiate a new, cheaper, deal with Sky for your parents. Speak to the relevant department, tell them you are thinking of leaving and you will most likely get a better deal.

Good luck, I hope your parents get a good deal. Even if they can not, at least they are with a company willing work harder to reach out to many different cultures.

[RichardCoulter]

Are these channels Free To Air on satellite? Cancelling Sky doesn't mean that all the channels will disappear, you will still get the many free channels that are available.

If so, you could move over to Virgin Media and simply switch back to satellite for them.

[1andrew1]

Unfortunately, I don't see Vox Africam TVC News and BEN listed under the channels available on Sky's non-subscription service. But it is worth double-checking with the channels.
http://www.sky.com/shop/freesat/home/what-can-i-watch/

[johnathome]

Originally Posted by 1andrew1

They sound the kind of channels that might appear on VM's World Box service, which is still a fairly new service so might be added in the future.

You'd think if they're available for nothing on Freeview, albeit over BB, then VM would have them on the World Box.

Before dumping VM i'd never used the Freeview service and am quite amazed at the amount of channels available for nowt.

[RichardCoulter]

Originally Posted by 1andrew1

Unfortunately, I don't see Vox Africam TVC News and BEN listed under the channels available on Sky's non-subscription service. But it is worth double-checking with the channels.
http://www.sky.com/shop/freesat/home/what-can-i-watch/

I've asked someone with Sky to check and they are all Free To Air transmissions.

The OP could sign up to VM and his parents could switch back to these channels at no extra cost- or even have the two services wired up to two televisions.

Does anybody know the best way to switch between cable and satellite on one TV?

[MutleyF]

Two different HDMI sockets Richard surely would be the easiest way to have both services on one TV ?

[johnathome]

As the OP hasn't been back we can only speculate and forever hang on tenterhooks wondering how this all turned out.

[1andrew1]

Originally Posted by MutleyF

Two different HDMI sockets Richard surely would be the easiest way to have both services on one TV ?

Agreed.

Originally Posted by johnathome

As the OP hasn't been back we can only speculate and forever hang on tenterhooks wondering how this all turned out.

This comment genuinely made me laugh.

[RichardCoulter]

Originally Posted by MutleyF

Two different HDMI sockets Richard surely would be the easiest way to have both services on one TV ?

Thanks. I was asking this for both myself and the OP.

How would this work? Does one simply plug the satellite receiver and the Virgin box into two separate HDMI sockets and toggle between the two somehow with the TV remote?

I am thinking of doing this when I get a new TV.

Yes - it's just like switching between Cable and a BluRay player.

Just select the appropriate input channel.

[johnathome]

Originally Posted by RichardCoulter

Thanks. I was asking this for both myself and the OP.

How would this work? Does one simply plug the satellite receiver and the Virgin box into two separate HDMI sockets and toggle between the two somehow with the TV remote?

I am thinking of doing this when I get a new TV.

I do it with my chromecast and the DLNA for my laptop, just press source and select whatever input you want.

I realise the source automatically switches to chromecast when i select it in my browser but i have to press source and select the HDMI input to select the youview box again.