Does Virgin media have spare capacity?

alwaysabear · 26-02-2011, 13:49

I was just wondering if the reason we have not seen any new HD channels recently is due to lack of spare capacity in the VM system?
We have also seen a number companies swapping out channels suggesting a lack of capacity.

muppetman11 · 26-02-2011, 13:51

It's rumoured on a few forums as well. We will never know the truth.

borrissey · 26-02-2011, 14:14

But a few channels have been closed recently Bravo, Virgin etc etc.

Digital Fanatic · 26-02-2011, 14:17

There are no capacity issues.

p.s don't flame me about channel launches! lol

mersey70 · 26-02-2011, 14:20

Quote:

Originally Posted by alwaysabear

I was just wondering if the reason we have not seen any new HD channels recently is due to lack of spare capacity in the VM system?
We have also seen a number companies swapping out channels suggesting a lack of capacity.

One reason (like MTV and the owners of Pop and True Entertainment) might feel the need to swap channels rather than add is that maybe it is simply prohibitively expensive for some channels to lauch on Virgin, who knows. Maybe it is down to capacity although we have all read that is supposedly no longer an issue.

There must be some logical reason why so many FTA channels don't appear, an extra 4m customers would surely be a boon for anyone.

devilincarnate · 26-02-2011, 14:35

With VM working on the on demand network to make more space and also with NEIL BERKETT saying that they hope to have 80 HD channels in the next 3 years i do not think that there is a problem with capacity ( this is just my view )

borrissey · 26-02-2011, 14:47

Sky Sports Red button seems to be causing them problems though, were still waiting for it.

Digital Fanatic · 26-02-2011, 14:52

Quote:

Originally Posted by borrissey

Sky Sports Red button seems to be causing them problems though, were still waiting for it.

Nothing to do with capacity. That's a software issue. Sky have to develop the software with VM.

Marcus125 · 26-02-2011, 15:28

Probably doesnt mean much as its probably different systems but...

Cable networks in the US carry 100 an 100's of tv channels so I would imagine VM have lots of capacity.

Why doesnt VM merge with a massive US cable network? Then again I spose the debt issuse may stop that.

**Hugh** · 26-02-2011, 15:36

Erm, most of the fledgling UK Cable companies were started by US Cable Companies (Nynex, Jones Cable, CableTel, PacBel, United Cable, SBC/Cox Comms, etc etc).

devilincarnate · 26-02-2011, 15:36

Quote:

Originally Posted by Marcus125

Why doesnt VM merge with a massive US cable network? Then again I spose the debt issuse may stop that.

They will be unable to do so due to the licensing of the shows and also i do not think that if they were able to the debt would stop them due to they would be able to get it all sorted, as if they wewre able to show the same channels on VM in america and vice versa it would be a win - win situation.

Peter_ · 26-02-2011, 16:35

Quote:

Originally Posted by borrissey

But a few channels have been closed recently Bravo, Virgin etc etc.

That was a decision taken by SKY not Virginmedia though.

Stuart · 26-02-2011, 16:56

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hugh

Erm, most of the fledgling UK Cable companies were started by US Cable Companies (Nynex, Jones Cable, CableTel, PacBel, United Cable, SBC/Cox Comms, etc etc).

All of whom pulled out of the UK...

**Hugh** · 26-02-2011, 17:14

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stuart

All of whom pulled out of the UK...

Yup - because it was a money pit....

jtaylor06 · 26-02-2011, 17:30

Aren't we moving to a switched video system soon anyway?
There will be hardly any capacity issues then as only the watched channels will be streamed rather than the whole lot being streamed.

Correct me if I am wrong