Sky Atlantic on Virgin Media

[Digital Fanatic]

Originally Posted by alwaysabear

I never thought that a single channel would make people switch, I certainly would not.
I do feel that VM do need to keep adding HD channels to keep there top tier customers, there are plenty of HD channels we do not have, that are nothing to do with sky and therefore should be readily available eg ESPN America this channel has been coming soon/ in negotiation for 7 months at least.
Coming soon to VM seems to be sometime in the yet to be determined future.

I was mainly replying to mersey

Yeah, I know what you mean. HD is a priority for VM, but they have to find a balance with price too. They can keep adding HD, but the package price will have to rise and not everyone wants that.

Have VM announced EPSN America as "coming soon" though? It's only on forums that negotiations are talked about. VM wouldn't say anything as it could be commercially sensitive.

[pauldavies83]

Originally Posted by Digital Fanatic

There are plenty on here who bash VM and you know that. I bet if the poll showed loads would go to Sky, then you'd say it was an indication of what will happen.

I don't hate Sky, in fact I admire them in some ways. They are good at what they do. They have some underhand ways about them though.

But quite a few on here only post something that shows VM in 100% positive light. Commendable at times (from those who work for the company), but doesn't really add to a balanced discussion.

Sky have very many underhand ways, but today without their content VM would not be providing a viable TV service. VM need Sky more than Sky need VM in today's market.



You've completely missed mersey70's point on the current take-up of V+ - a quarter of the current customer base take it. So why will there be a stampede to get TiVo? Have the other 3/4's of the customer base decided V+ was rubbish and TiVo will win them round?

Originally Posted by mersey70

V HD with Tivo priced smartly might be a different kettle of fish to these people altogether. If 3/4 of VM's customer base currently don't require any PVR whatsoever why on earth would you think they need a 1TB PVR?

Which goes back to what I said to you, it will be a niche product until it is the de facto platform and even then the majority of STB's will almost certainly be non PVR's unless the price drastically reduces, as will the 1TB Sky box. It simply isn't required by most people as your own V+ subscriber numbers prove.

It gives the average Joe's TV watcher nothing more that they are interested in - they wan't to turn their TV on and channels to appear (apparently as many as possible, or at least the ones that they consider to have the best content). If the content starts drying up and Sky start going exclusive (which appears to be already kicking-off again in ernest), then TiVo isn't going to sway these average Joe's.

[alwaysabear]

Originally Posted by Digital Fanatic

I was mainly replying to mersey

Yeah, I know what you mean. HD is a priority for VM, but they have to find a balance with price too. They can keep adding HD, but the package price will have to rise and not everyone wants that.

Have VM announced EPSN America as "coming soon" though? It's only on forums that negotiations are talked about. VM wouldn't say anything as it could be commercially sensitive.

I have e mailed ESPN and VM about this and so have others and I am pretty sure ,but cannot be certain as it was back in August when I wrote, that I got the information.
Information may or may not be commercially sensitive ,but VM are terrible at communicating with there customers eg Red Button and Sky basics HD, we were told 7 months ago they would be coming soon ,so far we have Sky HD1, we have had no formal update from VM to there customers as to when these services will be available if at all!

[mersey70]

Originally Posted by Digital Fanatic

There are plenty on here who bash VM and you know that. I bet if the poll showed loads would go to Sky, then you'd say it was an indication of what will happen.

I don't hate Sky, in fact I admire them in some ways. They are good at what they do. They have some underhand ways about them though.

I have great respect for you DF but you are totally wrong. I am absolutely no bias towards any platform, read my posts which surely prove that. I genuinely couldn't care less who provides our services so long as we get the channels we want at a price that suits my family. For now that is VM.

But I note you didn't answer my questions which is fair enough being a staff member, I respect that.

So I will sum up. If 3/4 of VM customers currently have no V+, a PVR which is way cheaper than Tivo and in addition to that I would bet a lot of non V+ customers are not higher tier subscribers either so want to avoid the additional V+ charges for non XL subscribers, or just have no need for a PVR at all so have a V or V HD box instead why on earth do VM think they are going to shell out for Tivo, sign a new contract, maybe pay an additional Tivo sub and possibly have to subscribe to a higher tier of service?

I seriously doubt they will, not all because of a top notch set top box and that is all it is, a set top box. By all accounts a very nice set top box but if they don't want, or more importantly don't need a V+ now I doubt they will want, or need, Tivo either.

[Flyboy]

Originally Posted by mersey70

No, it will be encrypted. My understanding is it will be 'free' to all Sky customers regardless of what packs they have. A bit like XL customers get 'free' HD.

Aah, the old "free" scam, which really means that it is included in the price.

[mersey70]

Originally Posted by Flyboy

Aah, the old "free" scam, which really means that it is included in the price.

Exactly, and it is only 'free' for a period of time I think I have read since making that post but it would only cost £1 to add to an existing subscription though, once you have paid around £20 or so for at least one pack!.

ESPN is included in XL, but it isn't free though. Of course it isn't.

BT used the ESPN trick too. Although both decent value though if you want ESPN.

All platforms play similar cards but it's easy enough to see through.

Originally Posted by mersey70

You are totally wrong. I am absolutely unbiased to any platform, read my posts. I couldn't care less who provides my services so long as I get the channels I want at a price that suits my family. For now that is VM.

But I note you didn't answer my questions which is fair enough being a staff member, I respect that.

So I will sum up, if 3/4 of VM customers currently have no V+, a PVR which is way cheaper than Tivo and in addition to that I would bet a lot are not higher tier subscribers either, not on XL and don't need XL so want to avoid the additional V+ charges for non XL subscribers so have a V or V HD box instead, why on earth do VM think they are going to shell out for Tivo, sign a new contract and pay an additional sub and probably have to subscribe to a higher tier of service?

I seriously doubt they will, not all because of a fancy set top box and that is all it is, a set top box and by all accounts a very nice one too but if they don't want V+ now I doubt they will want Tivo either.

If you are totally unbiased Mersey70 I don't know why you always seem to be concerned when anyone criticises Sky, or saying as you have that as a VM customer you have no right to criticise Sky. For instance jumping on someone for suggesting that Sky might have a hand in the removal of ondemand packages from lower tier when Sky has form for that sort of thing.
Personally I was never worried about the situation regarding Sky until the Sky basics dipute. Before that I used to swap regularly between platforms and liked having the choice. After that I could see the way the wind was blowing and that one platform had become too powerful and that with Murdoch's political influence nobody would do anything about it.
I think us VM customers have every right to criticise Sky especially when they use there far greater content buying power to try and force people to their platform.
I also think that VM customers should criticise VM especially when they give the impression that something is coming soon and doesn't arrive. Quite honestly I have very little to criticise them for personally. They give me what I want for a reasonable price.
Sorry if this is a bit personal but I wonder if you are as unbiased as you say. I will admit I am biased against Sky for the reasons stated.

[mersey70]

Originally Posted by ahardie

If you are totally unbiased Mersey70 I don't know why you always seem to be concerned when anyone criticises Sky, or say as you have that VM customers have no right to criticise Sky. For instance jumping on someone for suggesting that Sky might have a hand in the removal of ondemand packages from lower tier when Sky has form for that sort of thing.
Personally I was never worried about the situation regarding Sky until the Sky basics dipute. Before that I used to swap regularly between platforms and liked having the choice. After that I could see the way the wind was blowing and that one platform had become too powerful and that with Murdoch's political influence nobody would do anything about it.
I think us VM customers have every right to criticise Sky especially when they use there far greater content buying power to try and force people to their platform.
I also think that VM customers should criticise VM especially when they give the impression that something is coming soon and doesn't arrive. Quite honestly I have very little to criticise them for personally. They give me what I want for a reasonable price.
Sorry if this is a bit personal but I wonder if you are as unbiased as you say. I will admit I am biased against Sky for the reasons stated.

You are free to hold that opinion but if you read through my posts on here, DS and the VM forums on a number of subjects you may not have come to that conclusion but to be frank i'm not mindful to convince you as it is just that, an opinion.

I do think that a lot of VM customers should look a bit closer to home before slating other platforms and programme providers though as that is who you are paying your hard earned money to, but that is just my opinion.

Originally Posted by mersey70

You are free to hold that opinion but if you read through my posts on here, DS and the VM forums on a number of subjects you may not have come to that conclusion but to be frank i'm not mindful to convince you as it is just that, an opinion.

Fair enough.

Originally Posted by mersey70

I do think that a lot of VM customers should look a bit closer to home before slating other platforms and programme providers though, but that is just my opinion. .

Agreed. I think we should also praise them when they make improvements though. A constant negative commentary is as unhelpful and unnecesary as making no criticism. The new tivo box being a case in point.

[mersey70]

Originally Posted by ahardie

Fair enough.


Agreed. I think we should also praise them when they make improvements though. A constant negative commentary is as unhelpful and unnecesary as making no criticism. The new tivo box being a caase in point.

Praise as in the excellent catch up services, that they have come on leaps and bounds with HD and that as a bundle VM offers far better value than Sky could offer me. It's all there in my posts, some of which are in this very thread.

I don't believe I said Tivo will be rubbish or anything like that, all I think is that it will be a niche product if the far cheaper and established V+ is anything to go by.

But you are free to hold your opinion, but so am I.

[Digital Fanatic]

I'm done... I've made my point

[mersey70]

Originally Posted by Digital Fanatic

I'm done... I've made my point

Me too, i'm done.

Great thread.

[Henkesghost]

Originally Posted by alwaysabear

I have e mailed ESPN and VM about this and so have others and I am pretty sure ,but cannot be certain as it was back in August when I wrote, that I got the information.
Information may or may not be commercially sensitive ,but VM are terrible at communicating with there customers eg Red Button and Sky basics HD, we were told 7 months ago they would be coming soon ,so far we have Sky HD1, we have had no formal update from VM to there customers as to when these services will be available if at all!

Spot on mate, that'll have the apologists gnashin their teeth. 7 freakin months with sod all, pathetic!

[spiderplant]

Originally Posted by alwaysabear

Red Button and Sky basics HD, we were told 7 months ago they would be coming soon

Are you sure about that? All I can find is

# For an incremental wholesale fee, Virgin Media will, for the first time, have the option of carrying any of Sky's basic HD channels, Sky Sports HD 1 and Sky Sports HD 2, and all Sky Movies HD channels.
# Virgin Media will also have access to red button interactive sports coverage and the opportunity to deliver selected standard definition programming over the internet.

Originally Posted by spiderplant

Are you sure about that? All I can find is

# For an incremental wholesale fee, Virgin Media will, for the first time, have the option of carrying any of Sky's basic HD channels, Sky Sports HD 1 and Sky Sports HD 2, and all Sky Movies HD channels.
# Virgin Media will also have access to red button interactive sports coverage and the opportunity to deliver selected standard definition programming over the internet.

Red button was always said to be early 2011. I know Richard1960 contacted the ceo's office months ago and that is what he was told. I hope for his sake it isn't delayed.

People who want sky Arts HD may have more cause for complaint though as it was announced as coming months ago although I dont know whether they mentioned any time frame.