General Coming Soon to Virgin Media TV (2016) Vol 2 - Page 181

Horizon · 28-10-2016, 17:03

Quote:

Originally Posted by nialli

The channel numbering is such a mess - when are they going to address it? I found myself on More4 last night but only in SD (channel 147). Where can I find it in HD? Channel 203! Where's the logic in that??

In fact, where's the logic in any of the numbering anymore? Why is BBC4 on 107 in SD but on 163 in HD? (and 106 is empty!)

I'm surprised the programme makers aren't up in arms - it's an absolute farce

Although it is better than Sky's, channel numbering on cable has always been one of the big three issues with cable tv. The other two being speed/usability and missing channels.

As I always say, I can move the channels wherever I want and whatever number I want on my Freeview boxes.

And before someone says but what about the local versions of say BBC One which are not in HD. I have BBBC 1 HD on ch 101 and BBC 1 SD London on Ch999 - right next to each other. Plus I have ITV SD London on 998 not too far from ITV HD on ch 103. Simple.

Why can't I do this on cable, especially as I'm paying a premium for the tv service??

RichardCoulter · 28-10-2016, 17:14

The VM EPG is a mess, but to be fair to VM, some positions are down to contractual agreements, operational considerations & the fact that their EPG is subject to regulatory requirements.

muppetman11 · 28-10-2016, 17:34

It's simple when going on an SD channel present a prompt to be taken direct to the HD variant if there is one. They do this in the USA but if you think are EPG's are a mess try theirs.

RichardCoulter · 28-10-2016, 17:39

Quote:

Originally Posted by muppetman11

It's simple when going on an SD channel present a prompt to be taken direct to the HD variant if there is one. They do this in the USA but if you think are EPG's are a mess try theirs.

Now that would be a good idea.

DaMac · 28-10-2016, 17:44

Errr the TiVo software is slow as it is, imagine another variable at line 45.
It is dead easy to implement HD swap, or hide SD channels, my grandkids could code it, if Virgin where interested in it, it would have been done before now.

Horizon · 28-10-2016, 18:37

Quote:

Originally Posted by muppetman11

It's simple when going on an SD channel present a prompt to be taken direct to the HD variant if there is one. They do this in the USA but if you think are EPG's are a mess try theirs.

But if that means to access the HD channels you have to go their SD versions first, then I wouldn't be keen on that. I much prefer my method, I choose to put them wherever I want and on whatever number I want.

RichardCoulter · 29-10-2016, 14:18

Quote:

Originally Posted by DaMac

Errr the TiVo software is slow as it is, imagine another variable at line 45.
It is dead easy to implement HD swap, or hide SD channels, my grandkids could code it, if Virgin where interested in it, it would have been done before now.

Ah, we don't want it to go any slower!

There looks to be a few changes in EPG positions & packs coming up as well as a new Disney channel:

170 Investigation Discovery (M+) (was 253)
171 Investigation Discovery +1 (Mix) was 254)
189 True Entertainment now M+ package (was Mix)
213 DMAX (Mix) (was 170)
214 DMAX+1 (Mix) (was 171)
330 Box Upfront (was 338)
336 Box Hits (was 337)
337 4Music (was 330)
338 Kiss (was 336)
420 Movies 24 + was M+ package now Fun TV package
424 True Movies/Christmas was Fun TV package, now M+
830 Disney UTV - new channel*

* I'm really surprised that this movie channel is joining VM, it wasn't long ago (September??) that Disney said they were pulling out due to losses and everybody assumed it would close

Is it on Sky or anywhere else in the UK?

Those on the next to the lowest tier appear to be losing Movies 24 and gaining True Entertainment & True Movies.

theone2k10 · 29-10-2016, 15:24

Quote:

Originally Posted by RichardCoulter

Ah, we don't want it to go any slower!

There looks to be a few changes in EPG positions & packs coming up as well as a new Disney channel:

170 Investigation Discovery (M+) (was 253)
171 Investigation Discovery +1 (Mix) was 254)
189 True Entertainment now M+ package (was Mix)
213 DMAX (Mix) (was 170)
214 DMAX+1 (Mix) (was 171)
330 Box Upfront (was 338)
336 Box Hits (was 337)
337 4Music (was 330)
338 Kiss (was 336)
420 Movies 24 + was M+ package now Fun TV package
424 True Movies/Christmas was Fun TV package, now M+
830 Disney UTV - new channel*

* I'm really surprised that this movie channel is joining VM, it wasn't long ago (September??) that Disney said they were pulling out due to losses and everybody assumed it would close

Is it on Sky or anywhere else in the UK?

Those on the next to the lowest tier appear to be losing Movies 24 and gaining True Entertainment & True Movies.

Disney utv is a hindu channel as far as i know, i can confirm it is not on BT TV don't know about SKY though.
So those on second lowest tier are losing a pay channel but getting 2 channels that are on freeview anyway in return, yup that makes sense lol.

RichardCoulter · 29-10-2016, 15:53

Quote:

Originally Posted by theone2k10

Disney utv is a hindu channel as far as i know, i can confirm it is not on BT TV don't know about SKY though.
So those on second lowest tier are losing a pay channel but getting 2 channels that are on freeview anyway in return, yup that makes sense lol.

Exactly.

Yes it's an Asian channel, at first I thought it was a collaboration between UTV Ireland & Disney!!

Inactive Digital · 29-10-2016, 17:04

Quote:

Originally Posted by theone2k10

So those on second lowest tier are losing a pay channel but getting 2 channels that are on freeview anyway in return, yup that makes sense lol.

It makes sense from the point of view that you often see VM customers asking why some channels are only available in the higher packs when they available to everyone with Freeview.

nodrogd · 29-10-2016, 17:24

Quote:

Originally Posted by Horizon

But if that means to access the HD channels you have to go their SD versions first, then I wouldn't be keen on that. I much prefer my method, I choose to put them wherever I want and on whatever number I want.

There are many issues with the PSB channels that currently stop an HD swap:

BBC1 has no english regional HD varients, so the SD channel is placed first in england, HD in Scotland, Wales & N. Ireland. With VM/Sky/Freesat 101 is the top of the EPG so has to carry the SD version. Freeview has the only type of box allowing single digit EPG numbers, so is tied to channel 1.

Conversely BBC2 is the other way around, as there are no HD varients in the national regions.

ITV is quite simply a mess. Some regions or parts thereof have HD, some don't, & they also differ between the platforms (ITV Anglia east is available in HD on Satellite, but not Freeview or cable, so viewers on these platforms get Meridian SE ITV HD instead).

Then channels 4 & 5 carry targetted advertising on their SD channels (5 regional varients for channel 4, & 4 for channel 5).

29-10-2016, 17:33

Quote:

Originally Posted by RichardCoulter

Exactly.

Yes it's an Asian channel, at first I thought it was a collaboration between UTV Ireland & Disney!!

Isn't it the channel previously known as UMP Movies? They didn't use the UTV name here as it was already taken by the Channel 3 franchise operator.

nodrogd · 29-10-2016, 17:34

Quote:

Originally Posted by Inactive Digital

It makes sense from the point of view that you often see VM customers asking why some channels are only available in the higher packs when they available to everyone with Freeview.

Makes sense as far as the channel owner is concerned. They can't make any money from a Freeview customer, but they can take a cut of the pack income on a pay platform & get some return on their outlay, so why shouldn't they.

29-10-2016, 17:38

Quote:

Originally Posted by nodrogd

Then channels 4 & 5 carry targetted advertising on their SD channels (5 regional varients for channel 4, & 4 for channel 5).

Viacom switched things around somewhat and scrapped the advertising regions for Channel 5. Channel 4's SD regions still exist, although a little odd to hang on to them with them not being mirrored on 4HD.

RichardCoulter · 29-10-2016, 19:54

Quote:

Originally Posted by jj20x

Isn't it the channel previously known as UMP Movies? They didn't use the UTV name here as it was already taken by the Channel 3 franchise operator.

I'm not sure, I'm only going by the new VM channel guide.

UMP Movies doesn't appear to be on VM after a quick look, but channel 830 is currently vacant, so you could well be right.

Perhaps the new channel has been assigned the wrong name in error??

Edit: UMP Movies closed down at the end of last September in the UK and was replaced by Rishtey Cineplex, maybe it's that that's coming as it's already launched on Sky. This article from 29/9/16 says that "it may launch on VM in the future":

http://www.media247.co.uk/bizasia/um...ons-in-uk-2016