General : Virgin TV (2025)

[RichardCoulter]

Originally Posted by ozsat

Yes they do. Some same name services have different schedules and Pluto US has some really good channels not available here.

Do you know if the same name FAST channels on different platforms in the UK ever have different schedules?

Where can people find these, I did a search and can't seem to find what's on after discovering that the films being shown aren't on the Virgin EPG (I remember them trying out putting them on the EPG, but TiVo/V6 tried to record some of the programmes but, of course, was only recording the slate)!

[vincerooney]

Originally Posted by cheekyangus

Probably unintentional Vince, but grouping those two lines together suggests you think all FAST channels have Pluto behind running them. I’m guessing you don’t think that and it’s just a possible interpretation that could be made by someone else (me in this case).

oh i thought all the FAST channels on virgin media were also on pluto tv?

[ozsat]

Not going to go through them all - but I don't see these VM Fast channels on Pluto TV in UK:
Red Bull TV
Trace Sport Stars
WeDoTV Movies

Some FAST channels on VM are from Rakuten TV - like Action. You'll see it loads the Rakuten app when you play the channel.

Originally Posted by vincerooney

oh i thought all the FAST channels on virgin media were also on pluto tv?

[cheekyangus]

Originally Posted by vincerooney

oh i thought all the FAST channels on virgin media were also on pluto tv?

Nope. A mixture of providers.

I don’t use them myself, prefer a proper linear broadcast channel.

[vincerooney]

since virgin media own the channel spaces couldn't they just run these channels as proper linear channels? like get the stream and broadcast it as a linear channel without the need to press red etc and with the same functionality as a linear channel.

i assume its to save money even though virgin media own everything their end?

[epsilon]

Originally Posted by vincerooney

more FAST channels!

Do the channels on pluto differ from country to country do we know?

Yes, very different channels between countries, although some of the more popular "brands" are repeated across regions.

---------- Post added at 06:01 ---------- Previous post was at 05:57 ----------

Originally Posted by RichardCoulter

Do you know if the same name FAST channels on different platforms in the UK ever have different schedules?

Where can people find these, I did a search and can't seem to find what's on after discovering that the films being shown aren't on the Virgin EPG (I remember them trying out putting them on the EPG, but TiVo/V6 tried to record some of the programmes but, of course, was only recording the slate)!

Yes, they can have different schedules. I've seen, say, Rakuten channels on one platform carrying a completely different version or a time-shifted version of what is available on other platforms.
Recording the slate was a V6 bug, TV360 doesn't have the red button / slate.

---------- Post added at 06:06 ---------- Previous post was at 06:01 ----------

Originally Posted by ozsat

Not going to go through them all - but I don't see these VM Fast channels on Pluto TV in UK:
Red Bull TV
Trace Sport Stars
WeDoTV Movies

Some FAST channels on VM are from Rakuten TV - like Action. You'll see it loads the Rakuten app when you play the channel.

The Pluto ones aren't on the V6 EPG as Virgin didn't seem to manage to make the V6 work with the Pluto API. Ditto for Rakuten.

---------- Post added at 06:07 ---------- Previous post was at 06:06 ----------

Originally Posted by vincerooney

since virgin media own the channel spaces couldn't they just run these channels as proper linear channels? like get the stream and broadcast it as a linear channel without the need to press red etc and with the same functionality as a linear channel.

i assume its to save money even though virgin media own everything their end?

They probably aren't licensed as broadcast linear channels?

[nodrogd]

Originally Posted by vincerooney

since virgin media own the channel spaces couldn't they just run these channels as proper linear channels? like get the stream and broadcast it as a linear channel without the need to press red etc and with the same functionality as a linear channel.

i assume its to save money even though virgin media own everything their end?

These channels don't require a "cable & satellite" licence from OFCOM as a broadcast channel would. Also broadcast channels can be recorded, which will lead to the inevitable rights issues.

[epsilon]

Originally Posted by nodrogd

These channels don't require a "cable & satellite" licence from OFCOM as a broadcast channel would. Also broadcast channels can be recorded, which will lead to the inevitable rights issues.

Although the trend is for them to have a "cable & satellite" licence.
This for example.

[Media Boy UK]

Hearst Networks UK has been given an OFCOM License to launch FAST Channel 'World War TV' on Virgin Media.

But it NOT testing in Virgin Media HQ at time of posting.

[ozsat]

I've see it on other platforms - It is on Rakuten and Plex.

Originally Posted by Media Boy UK

Hearst Networks UK has been given an OFCOM License to launch FAST Channel 'World War TV' on Virgin Media.

But it NOT testing in Virgin Media HQ at time of posting.

[Mr K]

Tried one of the the Fast Channels as I thought it might appeal, 'British Screen Classics', showing British films. Indeed it does have some decent films but the same few going round and round. No info on the EPG to tell you what's on, can't record, can't pause, can't ff through ads, stream degrading to lower quality at times. If this is the 'future of tv', God help us.

[Media Boy UK]

Originally Posted by ozsat

I've see it on other platforms - It is on Rakuten and Plex.

I know World War TV is on other networks.

But to launch on Freeview, Freely, Freesat, Virgin Media or Sky they need an OFCOM License.

[ozsat]

I can already get it on my VM box.

People not leaving in the dark ages already have access.

Originally Posted by Media Boy UK

I know World War TV is on other networks.

But to launch on Freeview, Freely, Freesat, Virgin Media or Sky they need an OFCOM License.

---------- Post added at 11:08 ---------- Previous post was at 11:07 ----------

Nearly all the FAST channels are like that - just the same content going round and round.

But then U& channels are the same.

Too many channels - too little content.

One of the best FAST channels I've seen in Universal Monsters - but after a couple of weeks you've seen it all.

Originally Posted by Mr K

Tried one of the the Fast Channels as I thought it might appeal, 'British Screen Classics', showing British films. Indeed it does have some decent films but the same few going round and round. No info on the EPG to tell you what's on, can't record, can't pause, can't ff through ads, stream degrading to lower quality at times. If this is the 'future of tv', God help us.

[Mr K]

Originally Posted by ozsat

Nearly all the FAST channels are like that - just the same content going round and rouns.

But then U& channels are the same.

Maybe it doesn't matter if its 'homes under the hammer', you want to watch 24/7 ( although if that's the case, I recommend The Samaritans instead.... ).

For films though, it's utterly useless/pointless, e.g. I'll watch the final half hour now and maybe try and catch the first hour when it comes back round, if I can time it right, and knew the non existent epg !

[1701-e]

Originally Posted by Mr K

Maybe it doesn't matter if its 'homes under the hammer', you want to watch 24/7 ( although if that's the case, I recommend The Samaritans instead.... ).

For films though, it's utterly useless/pointless, e.g. I'll watch the final half hour now and maybe try and catch the first hour when it comes back round, if I can time it right, and knew the non existent epg !

Just how TV was back in the day...

Welcome to the 70s....
Our great streaming future