Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2011) Vol. I.

[Henkesghost]

Originally Posted by denphone

When you are paying over 100 pounds a month l expect to have these extra channels and red button.

This. Also expect virgin to tell us what is coming soon, not some random bloke on here who may or may not (as is usually the case) know what's going on

[mersey70]

Originally Posted by Henkesghost

This. Also expect virgin to tell us what is coming soon, not some random bloke on here who may or may not (as is usually the case) know what's going on

If anyone has seen Sky's implementation of the red button, and VM's middleware it is obvious that a great deal of work is needed to get it up and running on VM, both by Sky and VM themselves.

It isn't ideal but I have no reason to doubt the staff who have confirmed it's on it way and hopefully sooner rather than later. If it wasn't for them we would be even more in the dark so personally i'm always grateful for their input.

To be honest I personally wouldn't expect VM to go into the technicalities of what is needed to provide the service but Sky themselves did say from the outset of their smear campaign it would not be available until 2011, it's only 14/1/2011. I guess an update wouldn't go a miss though.

However, I would say it is a bit concerning that Sky Arts HD still hasn't arrived though as (I assume) there is nothing technical holding it back but I could be wrong on that.

[muppetman11]

Also why no Sky News HD or Sky Sports News HD all basic channels I believe.

[mersey70]

Originally Posted by muppetman11

Also why no Sky News HD or Sky Sports News HD all basic channels I believe.

Even though VM's press release said that as part of the VMtv sale they were given access to all Sky's basic HD channels (for an incremental fee) it is unclear whether that meant the existing portfolio of channels when the deal was done, or whether they had an option on future channel launches which I would guess they surely must have agreed to, they would be short sighted not to but of course I am guessing. No one seems to be able to clear this up. I have asked VM but just got the usual message about what's coming soon, I didn't really expect them to answer such a business sensitive question which I suppose is fair enough

As far as I know SSN HD wasn't broadcasting when the deal was done although I think Sky News HD was. Nevertheless they only confirmed that Sky Arts HD and Sky One HD was launching together with the sports and movie HD channels. They have delivered all of these except Sky Arts HD.

I suppose we will only find out if, and when channels launch. Given their pricing structure, which we all benefit from I am one of the camp that thinks they cant possibly keep adding basic HD channels at no extra cost, it dosen't add up when Sky are raking in £300 million in HD subs alone although I accept they have many more HD customers although interestingly I think VM have a comparable percentage overall.

I would welcome a statement on the reason (of which there are almost certainly many) why certain channels are not available if only to put a stop to us blaming one party or another, I doubt it will happen though.

Anyway I have asked the question again so I will let you know what they say.

[muppetman11]

I agree with you re the pricing structure but I wish they would add channels and have a HD+ pack for an extra fee of say £5.00 , this way it gives people who want the extras a chance to have them and those who don't still get free HD.

[clinteastman]

Has this thread been repurposed as a "what's on Sky" thread?

Personally given the choice between Bravo/Channel One (channels I can't remember the last time I watched) and a lump sum for investment in the network/Sky OD I would go for the latter every time.

Also none premium channel are not going to stay exclusive for long because that is basically giving away your advertising dollars which no company can realistically do, It's a business after all.

Originally Posted by muppetman11

I agree with you re the pricing structure but I wish they would add channels and have a HD+ pack for an extra fee of say £5.00 , this way it gives people who want the extras a chance to have them and those who don't still get free HD.

I respect your opinion muppetman11 and accept that would be better for you but I would rather they didn't start charging extra for HD. I would rather we had the most popular HD channels in the xl package at no extra charge. I would expect that VM use feedback from user surveys and feedback from the retentions dept. to decide what most customers want. After all if customers are leaving because a channel isn't in their package they would have to add it. It also puts clear blue water between VM and Sky and on an unrelated matter probably brings forward the day when Sky drop the charge as they will also be sitting up and taking notice of customer surveys.
I agree with Mersey70 about Sky Arts HD. As they have announced that they had an agreement in place it should be added ASAP.

[Moonblade]

Originally Posted by mersey70

Even though VM's press release said that as part of the VMtv sale they were given access to all Sky's basic HD channels (for an incremental fee) it is unclear whether that meant the existing portfolio of channels when the deal was done, or whether they had an option on future channel launches which I would guess they surely must have agreed to, they would be short sighted not to but of course I am guessing. No one seems to be able to clear this up. I have asked VM but just got the usual message about what's coming soon, I didn't really expect them to answer such a business sensitive question which I suppose is fair enough

As far as I know SSN HD wasn't broadcasting when the deal was done although I think Sky News HD was. Nevertheless they only confirmed that Sky Arts HD and Sky One HD was launching together with the sports and movie HD channels. They have delivered all of these except Sky Arts HD.

I suppose we will only find out if, and when channels launch. Given their pricing structure, which we all benefit from I am one of the camp that thinks they cant possibly keep adding basic HD channels at no extra cost, it dosen't add up when Sky are raking in £300 million in HD subs alone although I accept they have many more HD customers although interestingly I think VM have a comparable percentage overall.

I would welcome a statement on the reason (of which there are almost certainly many) why certain channels are not available if only to put a stop to us blaming one party or another, I doubt it will happen though.

Anyway I have asked the question again so I will let you know what they say.

Well said

[DaMac]

Ive been a follower of this thread for about 4 months now and i feel i need to have my say... Although Virgin media pipe tv into my house, i am a sky premium customer, i pay sky although not directly for my Sky Sports HD, My Sky Movies HD, i want my sky sports red button services, and not just on HD 1 & 2, i want them on champions league nights on Sports 4 so i can choose what match i want to watch, i am paying just as much for sports and movies as someone who as a sky box, this is unfair competition, ofcom who whoever it is, need to start throwing the book at sky.. Also indirectly i am a sky basics channel subscriber, i was promised Sky Arts in HD for a small extra sub..i am paying this sub but not getting the channels, there are loads of stuff i do want to watch on sky arts in hd. Granted some of the older stuff on there won't entirly benefit from this, but alot of the newer stuff is recorded at higher than sd broadcast quality and add dolby digital and i would be a happy bunny. Do i wany Sky Sports news in HD, Not bothered because if ever a channel didn't warrant a HD feed its Sky Sports News, but if there is any reason i should have it - ie previous agreements, ofcom rulings or unfair competition then i want it. Sky get a lot of money from me every month, its not my fault they can't offer me a decent broadband service, but still i give them loads of money, i want what i am due.

[muppetman11]

Originally Posted by ahardie

I respect your opinion muppetman11 and accept that would be better for you but I would rather they didn't start charging extra for HD. I would rather we had the most popular HD channels in the xl package at no extra charge. I would expect that VM use feedback from user surveys and feedback from the retentions dept. to decide what most customers want. After all if customers are leaving because a channel isn't in their package they would have to add it. It also puts clear blue water between VM and Sky and on an unrelated matter probably brings forward the day when Sky drop the charge as they will also be sitting up and taking notice of customer surveys.
I agree with Mersey70 about Sky Arts HD. As they have announced that they had an agreement in place it should be added ASAP.

But like Mersey70 states how long can Virgin Media sustain adding more HD and including it in the XL , I would rather see VM grow the free HD but add a HD+ pack for around £5.00 and add channels quicker.

[Digital Fanatic]

Originally Posted by DaMac

Ive been a follower of this thread for about 4 months now and i feel i need to have my say... Although Virgin media pipe tv into my house, i am a sky premium customer, i pay sky although not directly for my Sky Sports HD, My Sky Movies HD, i want my sky sports red button services, and not just on HD 1 & 2, i want them on champions league nights on Sports 4 so i can choose what match i want to watch, i am paying just as much for sports and movies as someone who as a sky box, this is unfair competition, ofcom who whoever it is, need to start throwing the book at sky.. Also indirectly i am a sky basics channel subscriber, i was promised Sky Arts in HD for a small extra sub..i am paying this sub but not getting the channels, there are loads of stuff i do want to watch on sky arts in hd. Granted some of the older stuff on there won't entirly benefit from this, but alot of the newer stuff is recorded at higher than sd broadcast quality and add dolby digital and i would be a happy bunny. Do i wany Sky Sports news in HD, Not bothered because if ever a channel didn't warrant a HD feed its Sky Sports News, but if there is any reason i should have it - ie previous agreements, ofcom rulings or unfair competition then i want it. Sky get a lot of money from me every month, its not my fault they can't offer me a decent broadband service, but still i give them loads of money, i want what i am due.

totally agree on your points there, but don't forget Sky Arts will be part of the XL pack when it launches, not the Sky £7 premium charge.

[muppetman11]

http://www.cable.co.uk/news/virgin-m...age-800340204/

[Pair of Ducks]

Originally Posted by alwaysabear

Sorry guys Adult swim has not been granted a UK TV broadcast Licence.
http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/digitalt...m-licence.html

They're saying it's a renewal of a mobile broadcasting license. But I'm not buying it since it's a new license and I'm not sure that's the same section for mobile broadcasting

[muppetman11]

Murdoch after keeping it in the family, another purchase to strengthen News Corp

http://www.guardian.co.uk/media/2011...rgan-news-corp

[Ben B]

Originally Posted by denphone

When you are paying over 100 pounds a month l expect to have these extra channels and red button.

Maybe you should start expecting less then you'll be delighted when something extra comes along