Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2010) Vol. I

[borrissey]

Originally Posted by Frank_Butcher

Exact same position here, i'm not sure how long I can wait for Virgin to get Sky Sports HD, I have decided I will wait until the end of summer and then switch to Sky, probably still keep my cable broadband though!

I don't want a Dish on my wall though. No one has in my street will spoil the look of house.

[Horizon]

Originally Posted by clinteastman

Will be interesting to keep an eye on the big Tivo announcement tomorrow.

http://www.engadget.com/2010/02/11/t...arch-2-in-nyc/

They're releasing a new version of their software in the States. This will be the same software, albeit modified and with a different look, that VM will use.

[TheDon]

Originally Posted by Verizon

They're releasing a new version of their software in the States. This will be the same software, albeit modified and with a different look, that VM will use.

Indeed, and if the industry speculation is right (and all signs point to it being so) it's going to be heavily flash based, which is going to seriously limit the boxes the software can be run on as there's only a very few stb chipsets that can run flash lite, and afaik none of the current VM ones are equipped with a flash lite capable chipset (the samsung v+ might be but I can't find exactly what chipset it uses, but it's unlikely). I'd put money on the new HD only box supporting it though as it'd make no sense to release it otherwise.

IMO the new HD box is going to be pushed as the tivo non-pvr (as the tivo announcement said they'll be doing the software for non-pvrs as well) and we'll see another box appear as the tivo pvr. I'd also guess there will be a premium for having the tivo boxes similar to the V+ one now. Tivo will be a massive selling point especially if they take full advantage of all the features rather than crippling it down to just another pvr, so it'll likely come at a premium.

[jtaylor06]

I dunno if I'm right, or even if this is technically correct, but isn't the software supposed to be all done at the headend, then 'streamed' to the box?
Same for recording in the future?

I'm probably all wrong, but hopefully someone can back me up

[zantarous]

The box still needs software on it, if it is all done over the network and you just have a dumb box I can see this being one very slow device.

[tvtimes]

I can't see Tivo offering a slow second rate service no way.

[zantarous]

We don't know anything ither then, a Tivo interface is coming, it will be better then what we currently have.

If you lead/listen to the various intervies that Berkett has given not only are we getting a unified Tivio experince (for all boxes) but mobile content as well as the ablity to watch via a PC (could this have something to do do with Living and Bravo going on the Sky Player).

[Media Boy UK]

BBC confirm it to close BBC 6 Music, Asian Network and more.

The BBC are to close BBC 6 Music and BBC Asian Network Radio Channels as well as BBC Switch and BBC Blast plus some online things.

BBC Local Radio will become an part-time BBC Radio England (The BBC vision of Heart Radio).

Midday UPDATE: The BBC director general further revealed that the earliest 6 Music and Asian Network would cease broadcasting would be the end of 2011, while BBC Radio 7 will be rebranded as Radio 4 Extra.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/8544150.stm

[devilincarnate]

Anybody got any idea what the VMTV 2.9 TEST is, its showing in TV CHOICE ON DEMAND and showing a clip of Most Haunted ?

[Media Boy UK]

I hope to have my list back on post one next week - here is this week update.

Keep up-to-date on the latest news on upcoming channel launches and other important events across all platforms of Virgin TV network.

NOTE: I do not work for Virgin Media so all the information on this list is subject to change.

This list was last updated by Media Boy on the 2nd of March.

BOLD = New

Colours on my list are as followed:

Media Boy = New Info just added.
Media Boy = Virgin Media News.
Media Boy EXCLUSIVE: = It an Media Boy EXCLUSIVE and you can only see it on my Blogs or on this thread.
Media Boy = Other Media news.

=== Channels having Freeviews on Virgin TV right now ===
FX is free to all Virgin Viewers on Virgin Channel 157 until March 26th.
Nat Geo is free to all Virgin Viewers on Virgin Channel 230 until April 1st.
Nat Geo HD is free to all V+ Viewers on Virgin Channel 232 until April 1st.

=== Coming up on Virgin's Digital TV ===
=== Imminent ===
Virgin Media is starting an ''TV Card Swap'' so at the end of the project there will be no more Ex-Telewest, Ex-ntl or Ex-CW areas and we will all have the same channel lineup.
All BBC Branded Channels (TV or Radio) as well as BBC News Multiscreen will launch in all areas as part of NGTV - NOTE: Only English Local Radio Channel will be BBC Radio London on Channel 937 all the rest will be removed by Virgin TV.

=== March, April, May (Spring) ===
Discovery HD will launch on Virgin TV.


=== March ===
The following BBC Radio channels will closed on the following dates - Virgin will remove them an week later:
18th. BBC Radio Kent will close in the Basildon area.
24th. BBC Radio Bristol & BBC Radio Gloucester will close in the Bristol (Aztec) area.
31st. BBC Radio Shropshire & BBC Radio West Midlands will close in the Birmingham area.

=== March - Other News ===
26th. Sky Movies Action & Thriller will be rebranded as Sky Movies Action & Adventure on Virgin Channel 404.
26th. Sky Movies Drama will be rebranded as Sky Movies Drama & Romance on Virgin Channel 406.
26th. Sky Movies Screen 1 will be rebranded as Sky Movies Showcase on Virgin Channel 411.
26th. Sky Movies Screen 2 will be rebranded as Sky Movies Crime & Thriller on Virgin Channel 412.

=== April ===
The following BBC Radio channels will closed on the following dates - Virgin will remove them an week later:
1st. BBC Radio Shopshire & BBC Radio West Midlands will close in the Wolverhampton (Midlands) area.
6th. BBC Radio Lancashire will close in the Preston area.
6th. BBC Radio Merseyside will close in the Liverpool area.

=== April - Other news ====
13th. Sci Fi will be rebranded as Syfy Universal on Virgin Channel 135.
Eurosport HD, Cartoonito and Military History will all launch on Virgin TV sometime this month.

=== May ===
No News...

=== June ===
ITV1 HD may launch on Virgin TV.

=== July ===
No News...

=== August ===
MOTD2 will launch on BBCi Player.

=== September ===
No News...

=== October ===
No News...

=== November ===
No News...

=== December ===
No News...

=== Before 2011 ===
-Nat Geo Wild HD and some Discovery branded channels may launch on Virgin TV
-YeSTERDAY +1 will relaunch on Virgin Channel 204.
-Eden +1 will relaunch on Virgin Channel 209.
-Virgin Media will cease all analogue television transmissions.
-Diva TV & Diva +1 are set to be rebranded as Diva Universal & Diva Universal + 1 on Virgin Channels 164 & 165.
-KidsCo. may launch on Virgin Media.
-Virgin Media will introduce TiVo co-branded set-top boxes.

=== Unknown dates ===
-Zone Horror to be rebranded as an CBS Branded Channel on Virgin Channel 149.
-Virgin Media are to move some channels about on their EPG Channel lineup.
-Virgin Media are rumoured to be in talks with ITV with an view of carrying ITV1 HD and maybe even ITV2, ITV3 and ITV4's +1 hour channels.
-Media Boy EXCLUSIVE: An executive of Sony UK told me in 2009 that Sony are in talks with Virgin about carrying more Asian TV channels on their platform to build the View Asia package but it depends on space available on Virgin. ''ViewAsia pack'' is price at £17.99 per month.
-Men & Motors may close on Virgin TV to make may for launch of ITV1 +1 (Maybe on Virgin Channel 113) - Only in England and Wales.
-BBC ALBA (Deal has been signed).
-Virgin Media will introduce an enhanced TV interface.
-Virgin Media will introduce an IP-based delivery platform to replace its existing digital cable television service.
-HISTORY + 1 - to be added to Ex-Telewest.
-The BBC TV and Radio Channels that are only in some areas of Virgin TV to be added to all areas of Virgin Media.
-Channel 4's ''4oD'' will offer HD content.
-ITV Net Player will offer HD content.

=== Latest news on HD Channels on Virgin TV ===
-Virgin Media are in talks with ITV with an of carrying ITV1 HD.
-Virgin Media did say in 2009 they hope to have 20-30 HD channels on air by July 2010 - Virgin rumoured to be looking to add Crime and Investgation HD, History HD, E4 HD, Luxe HD, Bio HD, National Geo Wild HD, ITV HD, Rush HD, Five HD, Good Food HD, Sundance HD, SciFI HD, Living 2 HD, Sky 1 HD, Sky Arts 1 HD, Sky Arts 2 HD, Sky Real lives HD, Sky Sports 1 HD, Sky Sports 2 HD, Sky Sports 3 HD, Sky Movies HD.

Note: If say Discovery HD appear on Virgin TV that does not mean that all the missing SD Channels will not appear as well as Virgin Media are signing two deal with that broadcast - one for SD Channels and an other for HD Channels.

=== Rumoured/Hope/No news in months ===
-Geo TV and Virgin Media are expecting to start negotiations over Geo's channels joining Virgin TV.
-Five are also in the advanced stages of plans to roll out its Kids show Milkshake making it into an TV Channel.
-Virgin Media are rumoured to be in talks with the following broadcaster: Five (For Five on Demand).

=== What happened on Virgin Media this month ===
Channels rebranded/Move EPG:
Mar. 1st. MTV R has been rebrand as MTV Shows on Virgin Channel 170.
Mar. 1st. VH1 Classic has been rebrand as MTV Classic on Virgin Channel 321.
Mar. 1st. MTV TWO has been rebrand as MTV Rocks on Virgin Channel 325

Channels moved Package:
Virgin has not move any channels to new package so far this month...

New Channels added:
No new Channels has been added into Virgin Media so far this month...

Channels Stop broadcasting/Been removed on Virgin TV:
Virgin Media has not remove any channels that broadcast on Virgin TV so far this month.

=== New channels that are now testing on some Virgin Media boxes. ===
New Channels that are testing ARE Currently showing:
Last update: 16th of February 2010.

Name - Testing with
Channel AKA

NOTE: All have no EPG right now unless added (With EPG), ^ = Testing in Ex-Cable & Wireless areas, ^^ = Testing in Ex-ntl areas & ^^^ = Testing in Ex-Telewest areas.

=== Channels THAT still to appear on both platforms ===
=== Channels that still to appear in Ex-Telewest areas ===
List was last updated on February 8th 2010.

NO. Channel Name
235. HISTORY +1
811. ZING
812. Zee Punjabi
833. Phoenix CNE

=== Channels that will launch soon in some Ex-Telewest areas ===
List was last updated on March 2nd 2010.
Virgin Media will soon add the following channels to the following Headends:- Aztec, Basildon, Croydon, Gateshead, Haringey, Hayes, Knowsley, Langley, Newton Abbot, Preston, Witton, Wolverhampton.

NO. Channel Name
861. BBC One England
862. BBC One Scotland
863. BBC One Northern Ireland
864. BBC One Wales
865. BBC Two England
928. Radio: Magic 105.4
930. Radio: BBC Radio Scotland
931. Radio: BBC Radio Wales
932. Radio: BBC Radio Ulster
934. Radio: BBC Radio nan Gaidheal
936. Radio: BBC Radio Cymru
937. Radio: BBC Radio London (Is broadcasting in London areas of Ex-Telewest on Channel 930)
963. Radio: Kiss 100

=== Channels soon to closed or move Channels numbers on Ex-Telewest ===
List was last updated on February 4th 2010.

NO. Channel Name - Broadcast area
930. BBC London 94.9 - Croydon, Haringey and Hayes (Moving soon to Channel 937 in all areas)
930. BBC Radio Lancashire - Preston
930. BBC Radio Merseyside - Knowsley
931. BBC Radio Kent - Basildon
945. BBC Radio Shropshire - Perry Barr (Witton) and Wolverhampton
946. BBC WM - Perry Barr (Witton) and Wolverhampton

=== Channels THAT still to appear in Ex-ntl areas ===
List was last updated on February 8th 2010.

NO. Channel Name
917. Radio: RTE Radio
920. Radio: WRN Europe

=== Channels that will launch soon in some Ex-ntl areas ===
List was last updated on March 2nd 2010.
Virgin Media will soon add the following channels to the following Headends:- Acton, Andover, Ashford, Baguley, Belfast, Bromley, Cambridge, Cardiff, Colchester, Coventry, Glasgow, Guildford, Hemel, Hersham, Kirklees, Lewisham, Northampton, Norwich, Oldham, Oxford, Peterborough, Reading, Solent, Sussex, Swansea, Swindon, Warwick, Wearside, Wessex.

NO. Channel Name
911. Radio: BBC Radio 4 LW
937. Radio: BBC Radio London

=== Media Boy Thinks: ===
Virgin will keep the following Channels:
All the BBC TV and Radio Channels
Kiss Radio
Magic Radio
HISTORY +1
ZEE channels

====== Media Boy Information =====
Media Boy - giving out information for FREE on Cable Forum.
Media Boy is part of ''Media Boy Family''.

=== Media Boy Blogs & Extra TV info: ===
See My Virgin TV Blog here - http://virgintvmediaboy.blogspot.com/
See latest on Virgin TV's Analogue switch off - http://www.cableforum.co.uk/board/10...-schedule.html
See Setanta Sports UK fall out News here - http://setantasportsuknews.blogspot.com/
See Virgin Media on ''twitter'' here - http://twitter.com/virginmedia
See latest news about Virgin on Demand via ''twitter'' here - http://twitter.com/vmondemand

=== Ask Media Boy ===
Q: WHERE DO YOU GET YOUR INFORMATION ABOUT VIRGIN MEDIA FROM?
A: I get all my info from Virgin Media workers (NOTE: I called them ''An Insider''), Virgin Media viewers, my blogs and Web Sites (NOTE: When I used web sites I will post an link to that web site).

Q: I HAVE GOT NEWS BUT I WORK FOR VIRGIN MEDIA AND I DON'T WANT ANYONE TO SEE MY USER NAME?
A: All you need to do is pm me right now and tell me what Virgin Media area you are from* and I will post your news on ''Coming soon to Virgin TV'' for you.

* = I also need to know you local cable network - was you in an Ex-Telewest, Ex-ntl or Ex-Cable & Wireless area before Virgin Media appeared.

Q: WHY AM I NOT GETTING ''CHANNEL Z'' FOR?
A: Some channels are only in some areas - Magic Radio is only in Ex-ntl and Ex-Cable & Wireless areas but Ex-Telewest area have got RTE Radio.

Q: WHY HAS VIRGIN MEDIA PULLED SOME LOCAL RADIO OFF EX-TELEWEST FOR?
A: BBC Radio Scotland, BBC Radio Wales, BBC Radio Ulster, BBC Radio nan Gaidheal, BBC Radio Cymru and BBC Radio London will replace them soon. This is part of the process of aligning the Channels so that everyone can have the same Channels lineup.

Q: HOW DO I KNOW IF MY AREA HAS JOIN NGTV?
A: Ex-ntl will find BBC Radio 4 LW on Virgin Channel 911 and Ex-Telewest will find BBC Radio Wales on Channel 931.

==== Deals with broadcasters ===
The infomation for this part of the list will be back next week on post one.

[Pster72]

Any news on if or when we will get the extra discovery channels such as Quest etc and what about Five on demand any news on that and more on demand content to come cheers

[Media Boy UK]

Originally Posted by Pster72

Any news on if or when we will get the extra discovery channels such as Quest etc and what about Five on demand any news on that and more on demand content to come cheers

I do not have any news on both Discovery and Five on Demand.

All the info I do have is on my list (See post 1210 for this week update.)

Originally Posted by Media Boy

I do not have any news on both Discovery and Five on Demand.

All the info I do have is on my list (See post 1210 for this week update.)

Possibly late summer for Quest & +1, will phone to find out about remaining Discovery Channels

[clinteastman]

Originally Posted by clinteastman

Will be interesting to keep an eye on the big Tivo announcement tomorrow.

http://www.engadget.com/2010/02/11/t...arch-2-in-nyc/

Just a note, it's at 6pm EST today.

http://www.wolframalpha.com/input/?i=6pm+EST

[i love virgin]

Do we have a Date for Eurosport HD yet?