General Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2015) - Page 206

Gunslinger · 07-07-2015, 00:02

Quote:

Originally Posted by OLD BOY

If Virgin can invite Amazon onto it's platform, why not Sky?

Because it takes two to agree - which is why Amazon Prime is not (yet) on Tivo either?

In the longer term, as faster and more reliable broadband becomes the norm, and smart TV's also become the norm, competitive pressures may force interoperability onto content providers, as the situation where they provide a hardware interface free or at cost becomes superfluous. Exclusivity is harder to justify if the customer is already equipped to view any content.

If/when that time comes of course, fixed linear service providers like Virgin and possibly also Sky, increasingly also become obsolete. Control and distribution of content becomes key, and can be marketed directly to customers.

It often occurs to me also that if Sky were to develop Now TV into a full blown Youview type service - effectively Sky without a dish - they could probably blow Virgin out of the water.

1andrew1 · 07-07-2015, 00:55

Quote:

Originally Posted by OLD BOY

They already have Netflix on the TiVo and they have invited Amazon as well. What's so special about Sky?

The simple thing is that Now TV would potentially take sales away from VM. Now TV is a far closer substitute to Virgin Media's TV service than Netflix is as Now TV offers a range of live and on-demand services covering many categories including up-to-date movies and sport. Netflix does not offer such live services nor does it offer sport, so it complements Virgin's existing offerings. It's not an ideal situation for Virgin Media but it does give VM something that Sky does not possess.
The other thing is that Netflix does not sell broadband and a full TV service. Now TV's owner Sky does and could target VM customers who signed up via VM.
But the key thing is that VM and Sky do not want to make it easy for fully-fledged pay-TV customers to downgrade to Now TV. For Sky, Now TV is aimed at Freeview customers who want a little more but don't want a fully-fledged pay-TV service.

---------- Post added at 23:55 ---------- Previous post was at 23:42 ----------

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gunslinger

It often occurs to me also that if Sky were to develop Now TV into a full blown Youview type service - effectively Sky without a dish - they could probably blow Virgin out of the water.

I'm sure the long-term future of Sky is via IPTV once its broadband network can support it. That would reduce the cost of installation which would justify the investment in the infrastructure. However, the current set-up is favourable to the incumbent (Sky) as it is not easy to switch to its competitors as different technologies and equipment are deployed by BT, Sky and VM.
In Italy, Sky offers its Sky HD box to Telecom Italia's customers via IPTV, a clever way of deterring Telecom Italia from developing its own service.

Gunslinger · 07-07-2015, 13:18

Quote:

Originally Posted by 1andrew1

For Sky, Now TV is aimed at Freeview customers who want a little more but don't want a fully-fledged pay-TV service.

Indeed, but it also already gives them access to VM customers who currently subscribe to get access to the Sky exclusive channels.

This could so easily be developed into a full subscription based service - 'Sky TV without a dish' is a very powerful proposition, indeed it was the motivation of many who have signed up to cable over the past 20 years.

If the BBC are also allowed to charge retransmission fees to Sky and Virgin as part of their finance review, this tilts the balance a bit further towards hybrid terrestrial/IP 'Youview' type services.

OLD BOY · 07-07-2015, 14:22

Quote:

Originally Posted by passingbat

You will never get all the different streaming services on one box.

As someone who is constantly talking about streaming being the future, you really need to get used to the fact.

Btw way, for some of us who maybe don't talk so much about it, but actually do it, the future is already here.

Oh, I'm doing it but I just resent having to pay extra to get the services I want on different devices.

I'm getting a smart TV on Saturday, and this will help to satisfy my appetite for new material.

nialli · 07-07-2015, 14:48

Anybody else noticed a drop in the picture quality of Virgin Movies On Demand service since Vubiquity took over the old Filmflex operation?
http://vmhd.blogspot.co.uk/2015/07/v...but-still.html

http://vmhd.blogspot.co.uk/2015/07/m...lity-drop.html

passingbat · 07-07-2015, 15:34

Quote:

Originally Posted by OLD BOY

I'm getting a smart TV on Saturday, and this will help to satisfy my appetite for new material.

Good stuff...

Which video apps does it support?

OLD BOY · 07-07-2015, 16:07

Quote:

Originally Posted by passingbat

Good stuff...

Which video apps does it support?

I didn't make a note of them all, but Amazon Prime Instant Video, Netflix and Now TV are included, and the on demand services such as the BBC I-player will be added in August.

---------- Post added at 15:07 ---------- Previous post was at 15:03 ----------

Quote:

Originally Posted by nialli

Anybody else noticed a drop in the picture quality of Virgin Movies On Demand service since Vubiquity took over the old Filmflex operation?
http://vmhd.blogspot.co.uk/2015/07/v...t-still.e html

http://vmhd.blogspot.co.uk/2015/07/m...lity-drop.html

Dear me! First, the BBC I-player with it's buffering problems, then the YouTube becoming unavailable, and now this!

VM need to act quickly to avoid a great deal of customer dissatisfaction.

heero_yuy · 07-07-2015, 16:19

Quote:

Originally Posted by passingbat

Good stuff...

Which video apps does it support?

We have quite a few on the Sony Bravia (KDL42W706):

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9WiFWooih7M

Apps screens at about 2 minutes.

Really only used Youtube one in vengeance but very smooth and no buffering.

And the media player for USB / network content.

harry_hitch · 07-07-2015, 16:22

Quote:

Originally Posted by OLD BOY

I didn't make a note of them all, but Amazon Prime Instant Video, Netflix and Now TV are included, and the on demand services such as the BBC I-player will be added in August.

---------- Post added at 15:07 ---------- Previous post was at 15:03 ----------

Dear me! First, the BBC I-player with it's buffering problems, then the YouTube becoming unavailable, and now this!

VM need to act quickly to avoid a great deal of customer dissatisfaction.

Good job VM don't have many other apps if the current ones aren't working very well. First they are at fault for not having enough apps, now they are at fault for the current ones not working - even though they do not create the apps. You have some extremely high standards for VM!!

passingbat · 07-07-2015, 17:00

Quote:

Originally Posted by OLD BOY

I didn't make a note of them all, but Amazon Prime Instant Video, Netflix and Now TV are included, and the on demand services such as the BBC I-player will be added in August.

---------- Post added at 15:07 ---------- Previous post was at 15:03 ----------

Dear me! First, the BBC I-player with it's buffering problems, then the YouTube becoming unavailable, and now this!

VM need to act quickly to avoid a great deal of customer dissatisfaction.

Quote:

Originally Posted by heero_yuy

We have quite a few on the Sony Bravia (KDL42W706):

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9WiFWooih7M

Apps screens at about 2 minutes.

Really only used Youtube one in vengeance but very smooth and no buffering.

And the media player for USB / network content.

LG TVs were the only make to have the three UK 'big ones': Netflix, Amazon and Now TV. They also had them on their bluray players, which was why I got one. Shame that the Amazon app was stereo only, and kind of slow. Their implementation on LG TVs could be different though. And for anyone not requiring 5.1, they are ideal.

theone2k10 · 07-07-2015, 17:05

Quote:

Originally Posted by OLD BOY

Oh, I'm doing it but I just resent having to pay extra to get the services I want on different devices.

I'm getting a smart TV on Saturday, and this will help to satisfy my appetite for new material.

Best move i made mate cutting the cord getting way more content for a lot less.
I think you are in for a treat, enjoy

zantarous · 07-07-2015, 17:25

If you want streaming TV best look away from Virgin as it is a) not in their interest yet b) app performance on Tivo is horrible.

I have a Amazon Fire TV in my living room and a Android TV box in the bedroom. I haven't powered my Tivos on in months, funnily enough neither of these two have Now TV but I can use chromecast for that.

passingbat · 07-07-2015, 17:42

Quote:

Originally Posted by zantarous

I have a Amazon Fire TV in my living room and a Android TV box in the bedroom..... funnily enough neither of these two have Now TV but I can use chromecast for that.

A wired Amazon Fire TV plus a Now TV box work best for me in the lounge.

In the bedroom, the LG bluray gets used just for Netflix, a Fire TV Stick for Amazon Prime and Now TV box for Now TV.

I find the WiFi of the Fire TV Stick, doesn't seem to work that well for Netflix, so use the wired connection on the LG. It's just quicker to use the Now TV box for Now TV, than drill down through the LG's menus
.

pk1 · 07-07-2015, 20:54

I have found myself watching more BBC & ITV content recently, and making use of Amazon & Netflix for something different to watch. I will be calling Virgin in August to cancel my TV as i just don't watch any of the extra channels available. I have fallen out of love with Pay TV offerings that are available from Virgin & Sky. You pay your money and make your choice.

vincerooney · 07-07-2015, 21:08

Any news on BT sport Europe media boy?