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

[passingbat]

Originally Posted by pauldavies83

So you want to continue paying for a channel you don't watch, purely because its available elsewhere?

Why?

It's because people want to see VM have the widest channel choice possible and don't look at it from a 'what I want' point of view.

I don't watch sports channels, but the more they get the better.

The plus side of that: Sky's only advantage over VM is more channels. If VM get more channels, that (very small in my view) advantage Sky have is reduced and VM get more cutomers bringing in more revenue.

[muppetman11]

Anyone know where the Sky OD content is ?

[pauldavies83]

Originally Posted by passingbat

It's because people want to see VM have the widest channel choice possible and don't look at it from a 'what I want' point of view.

I don't watch sports channels, but the more they get the better.

But the way VM have set out their model (i.e. trying to get everyone on XL so everyone gets everything bar Sports/Movies), they have to cater to the widest audience possible.

And removing a channel that will have a minuscule viewing figure % in comparison to other channels isn't going to upset enough people (or by keeping it entice enough people) to make it viable.

Choice with VM's TV is extremely limited. It has it's advantages (i.e. ESPN for free - which other platforms see as a premium channel). But this is one of the disadvantages - you will always be at the mercy of what VM consider the best deal for the majority.

Originally Posted by passingbat

The plus side of that: Sky's only advantage over VM is more channels. If VM get more channels, that (very small in my view) advantage Sky have is reduced and VM get more cutomers bringing in more revenue.

Only if they are channels that a large % of customers will kick up a stink about if they can't view. Satellite has lots of channels that nobody watches in comparison to the "big ones". Doesn't mean VM should get them just for the sake of it if nobody is going to watch them. Someone will have to pay for their distribution on the VM network at some point. And that cost will get passed on in some way to me and you - something I can certainly do without

Originally Posted by muppetman11

Anyone know where the Sky OD content is ?

Sky? (sorry)

[muppetman11]

Originally Posted by passingbat

It's because people want to see VM have the widest channel choice possible and don't look at it from a 'what I want' point of view.

I don't watch sports channels, but the more they get the better.

The plus side of that: Sky's only advantage over VM is more channels. If VM get more channels, that (very small in my view) advantage Sky have is reduced and VM get more cutomers bringing in more revenue.

Excellent point , couldn't have put it better.

---------- Post added at 12:03 ---------- Previous post was at 11:50 ----------

The Sky On Demand content was mentioned ages ago , but alls gone quiet.

[mersey70]

Originally Posted by passingbat

It's because people want to see VM have the widest channel choice possible and don't look at it from a 'what I want' point of view.

I don't watch sports channels, but the more they get the better.

The plus side of that: Sky's only advantage over VM is more channels. If VM get more channels, that (very small in my view) advantage Sky have is reduced and VM get more cutomers bringing in more revenue.

It's quite an advantage though to Joe Bloggs.

And of course being a cable customer of any operator you are always at the operators mercy on channel choice. You have to weigh up what else is offered, as we know there's plenty extra on VM aside from the channels available.

However I do find it a bit worrying though that broadcasters are swapping channels, I can't deny it especially when in this case they are only FTA channels anyway. I hope it isn't something that becomes the norm.

[muppetman11]

My question with regards to VM is were's Sky Arts HD , Sky Red Button and Sky On Demand Content all part of the VMTV channels sale.

[Media Boy UK]

Originally Posted by muppetman11

My question with regards to VM is were Sky Arts HD , Sky Red Button and Sky On Demand Content all part of the VMTV channels sale.

1) No news update in months.
2) April.
3) As number 1.

[Andrewcrawford23]

Originally Posted by mersey70

It's quite an advantage though to Joe Bloggs.

And of course being a cable customer of any operator you are always at the operators mercy on channel choice. You have to weigh up what else is offered, as we know there's plenty extra on VM aside from the channels available.

However I do find it a bit worrying though that broadcasters are swapping channels, I can't deny it especially when in this case they are only FTA channels anyway. I hope it isn't something that becomes the norm.

there fta but virgin pay a carraige cost to carry them so unless virign pay more for more channels we wont get them but the broadcaster obviousl feels the new chnnel will do bette rn virign so swapped until until they negetioe a new carriage due this year u believe

[Media Boy UK]

Originally Posted by Andrewcrawford23

there fta but virgin pay a carraige cost to carry them so unless virign pay more for more channels we wont get them but the broadcaster obviousl feels the new chnnel will do bette rn virign so swapped until until they negetioe a new carriage due this year u believe

I do not know how long Virgin Media did sign the deal with CSC for but Wikipedia says POP, Tiny Pop and True Movies 1 launch on Virgin on the following dates:

True Movies 1 - October 16th 2007.
POP & Tiny Pop - October 11th 2007.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of...s_on_Virgin_TV

[passingbat]

Originally Posted by mersey70

It's quite an advantage though to Joe Bloggs..

A year ago, sky had a big advantage over VM channel wise becase of the lack of HD on VM, and Sky was tempting for that reason. I still thought VM had the overall advantage though, plus, I've had many years of excellent service from cable and that counts for a lot in my book. But lack of HD did make me visit the Sky web site a good few times to look at options

Over the last year, VM have made massive strides sorting that out and from a personal prspective, sky's channel line up only has a small advantage, except for Sky Atlantc, which Id really like. But I think Virgin are right to wait until they can get it at a fair price.

Other people with different tastes may have other views, hence the need for a wide channel selection.

[Media Boy UK]

Rumour post: Virgin Media viewer give Media Boy some rumour information.

The following information was given to me by an Virgin Media viewer:

premier sports to hold talks with Virgin this week as stated on their facebook page.

CBS channels to be added before April (slight delay from what I've heard)

ESPN to wait until the summer before launching ESPN 2 & ESPN Sports News and red button

Various SD & HD channels will be added "within the next 2/3 months as talks are on going regarding new channels" from a Virgin supervisor in CS.

My Insider has ''Not seen anything official.'' about any of the channels listed in this post.

[DJ-SWITCH]

Originally Posted by mersey70

If it had closed down then fair enough.

Maybe CBS Reality will swap with CBS Drama, or Horror with CBS Action.

I dont think they will swap, it says on MBs list horror+1, CBS Reality+1, CBS Action and CBS Drama coming

---------- Post added at 18:37 ---------- Previous post was at 18:31 ----------

Il be glad when i can watch them HD channels

ITV2 HD
ITV3 HD
ITV4 HD
BIO HD
EDEN HD
HISTORY HD
UNIVERSAL HD
CRIME & INVESTIGATION HD

[Media Boy UK]

Originally Posted by DJ-SWITCH

I dont think they will swap, it says on MBs list horror+1, CBS Reality+1, CBS Action and CBS Drama coming

I hope they all launch but until I know the deal that the broadcaster has signed with Virgin Media all is just an rumour.

That how I have put them under the Banner: ''The following channels are rumoured to be launching or in talks with Virgin Media (But still not confirm by Insiders)''.

[OLD BOY]

Originally Posted by passingbat

A year ago, sky had a big advantage over VM channel wise becase of the lack of HD on VM, and Sky was tempting for that reason. I still thought VM had the overall advantage though, plus, I've had many years of excellent service from cable and that counts for a lot in my book. But lack of HD did make me visit the Sky web site a good few times to look at options

Over the last year, VM have made massive strides sorting that out and from a personal prspective, sky's channel line up only has a small advantage, except for Sky Atlantc, which Id really like. But I think Virgin are right to wait until they can get it at a fair price.

Other people with different tastes may have other views, hence the need for a wide channel selection.

Got it one, Passingbat. What we want is programme choice and I for one don't care how I get it (except that it should be through VM because I don't want to be paying multiple subscriptions).

When I visit my daughter (who has Sky, only because she can't get cable in her area) we are amazed constantly by how little choice we have, despite the abundance of channels.

The reason for this is that most channels are either totally rubbish or have a very small number of good programmes on them. Even 'popular' channels like Sky 1 only have one or two programmes that I record because most of the schedule is not of any interest to me.

However, you can build a schedule on the recorder from the complete range of channels that are available to us, and supplement these with the video on demand selection.

What I hope will happen in the near future is:

1. The TV Choice section of VOD will be massively enhanced to include a huge range of archived series. If we have to pay extra for some programmes, so be it.

2. Catch up TV going back one month, perhaps with whole series on there rather than just the last show.

3. The new TIVO boxes enabling us to get a huge selection of new films and TV series via video streaming through the likes of Lovefilm, thus avoiding the Sky stranglehold on such programming.

All of this will set Virgin Media apart from all other TV platforms and we will no longer be subject to the Sky monopoly on 'exclusive' films and programmes.

That means that I can subscribe to Lovefilm (or a similar alternative supplier) and leave the rest to Freeview. This will enable VM to charge a reasonable amount for such use and make a better profit. Win, win.

This is my dream - hopefully it will come true before I die!

[Digital Fanatic]

Originally Posted by OLD BOY

Got it one, Passingbat. What we want is programme choice and I for one don't care how I get it (except that it should be through VM because I don't want to be paying multiple subscriptions).

When I visit my daughter (who has Sky, only because she can't get cable in her area) we are amazed constantly by how little choice we have, despite the abundance of channels.

The reason for this is that most channels are either totally rubbish or have a very small number of good programmes on them. Even 'popular' channels like Sky 1 only have one or two programmes that I record because most of the schedule is not of any interest to me.

However, you can build a schedule on the recorder from the complete range of channels that are available to us, and supplement these with the video on demand selection.

What I hope will happen in the near future is:

1. The TV Choice section of VOD will be massively enhanced to include a huge range of archived series. If we have to pay extra for some programmes, so be it.

2. Catch up TV going back one month, perhaps with whole series on there rather than just the last show.

3. The new TIVO boxes enabling us to get a huge selection of new films and TV series via video streaming through the likes of Lovefilm, thus avoiding the Sky stranglehold on such programming.

All of this will set Virgin Media apart from all other TV platforms and we will no longer be subject to the Sky monopoly on 'exclusive' films and programmes.

That means that I can subscribe to Lovefilm (or a similar alternative supplier) and leave the rest to Freeview. This will enable VM to charge a reasonable amount for such use and make a better profit. Win, win.

This is my dream - hopefully it will come true before I die!

1. certainly possible

2. VN's BBC iPlayer already offers "series catch-up" via the red button (can also find programmes in A-Z) other broadcasters may follow this

3. again, very possible. VM are talking to a lot of providers at the moment.. so watch this space as they say