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

[devilincarnate]

Originally Posted by muppetman11

If TIVO is a success on VM , Rupert will go out and buy TIVO LOL.

I cannot seeing that happening as what happened with TIVO and SKY in the UK?

[muppetman11]

Originally Posted by devilincarnate

I cannot seeing that happening as what happened with TIVO and SKY in the UK?

You know how he likes to have one up over the competitor LOL

[mersey70]

Originally Posted by devilincarnate

I cannot seeing that happening as what happened with TIVO and SKY in the UK?

NDS (who actually News Corp don't even own a controlling share in anymore) already have the Mediahighway middleware platform which is far more widely employed than Tivo software so I couldn't imagine them wanting to buy Tivo. Curiously Mediahighway isn't used by Sky though, they use Nagra's Open TV but NDS didn't own Mediahighway when Sky Digital started.

But you never know with Uncle Rupe I guess.

[muppetman11]

Originally Posted by mersey70

NDS (who actually News Corp don't even own a controlling share in anymore) already have the Mediahighway middleware platform which is far more widely employed than Tivo so I couldn't imagine them wanting to do that. Curiously Mediahighway isn't used by Sky though, they use Nagra's Open TV but News Corp didn't have an interest in Mediahighway when Sky started.

But you never know with Uncle Rupe I guess.

You never know anything with uncle Rupe , but I was only joking.

[devilincarnate]

Originally Posted by muppetman11

You never know anything with uncle Rupe , but I was only joking.

Yes we know but we all like a debate on here

[muppetman11]

Originally Posted by mersey70

NDS (who actually News Corp don't even own a controlling share in anymore) already have the Mediahighway middleware platform which is far more widely employed than Tivo software so I couldn't imagine them wanting to buy Tivo. Curiously Mediahighway isn't used by Sky though, they use Nagra's Open TV but NDS didn't own Mediahighway when Sky Digital started.

But you never know with Uncle Rupe I guess.

Originally Posted by devilincarnate

Yes we know but we all like a debate on here

Very true LOL

[mersey70]

Originally Posted by Horizon

That's how I see it too.

Sky News will be spun off into a separate company "independently" governed and managed, except Murdoch will still fund it.

Seems a total waste of time. The government should allow Murdoch to buy all of Sky or not and stop this messing about. Murdoch has always controlled Sky anyway, so whether he owns 40% or 100% is neither here or there.

No one else will buy it. No other company will be allowed to own it.

As we suspected yesterday given the media analysis that is pretty much what has happened.

The new Sky News holding company, Newco, who will run it independently of BSkyB, shares be offered to BSkyB stockholders with News Corp retaining 39% (as they do now) so it is much as was expected. And of course they will licence the Sky News brand, again much as expected.

I felt the BBC were (as usual on this subject) somewhat jumping the gun with their report yesterday, I don't feel they have been particularly impartial during this process.

At least Sky News will continue which has got to be good news.

But Digger Murdoch is going to have to dig deeper to get BSkyB though, forget £7 a share try £8.50!

Murdoch said they are the best Pay TV company in the world which they may well be, but given the rising shareprice I bet he wishes he hadn't bigged it up so much!

[Media Boy UK]

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.

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 Blog or on this thread.
Media Boy = Other Media news.

=== Coming up on Virgin's Digital TV ===
=== March ===
4th. ESPN will hold an ''Open Weekend'' to all Virgin Media viewers until March 6th on Virgin Channels 529, 530 and 531.
7th. Fiver will be rebranded as 5* on Virgin Channel 151.
7th. Fiver +1 will be rebranded as 5* +1 on Virgin Channel 152.
7th. Five USA will be rebranded as 5 USA on Virgin Channel 153.
7th. Five USA +1 will be rebranded as 5 USA +1 on Virgin Channel 154.
Virgin Media will introduce TiVo co-branded set-top boxes (In all areas).
Ginx TV may launch on Virgin Media this month

=== April ===
1st. Virgin Media to put up some prices on their TV Packages.
Sky Sports red button interactive service will launch on Virgin Media.
The BBC will rebrand BBC Radio 7 as BBC Radio 4 Extra on Virgin Channel 910.

=== May ===
7th. Disney/ABC Television Group is to rebrand Playhouse Disney as Disney Junior on Virgin Channel 727.

=== June ===
No News...

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

=== August ===
No News...

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

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

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

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

=== Before 2012 ===
-The BBC may close BBC Asian Network.

=== 2013 ===
-Channel 6 to launch on Virgin Media.
For the Latest news on the soon to launch Channel 6 see here - http://channel6uk.blogspot.com/

=== Unknown dates ===
-BBC iPlayer will offer subtitled content.
-Channel 4's ''4oD'' will offer HD content.
-Diva TV will be rebranded as Diva Universal on Virgin Channel 164.
-Sky Arts 1 HD and Sky Arts 2 HD will become available on Virgin Media.
-UKTV on demand will launch.
-Virgin Media will cease all analogue television transmissions.
-Virgin Media will introduce an enhanced TV interface

=== The following channels are rumoured to be launching or in talks with Virgin Media (But still not confirm by Insiders) ===

-Al Jazeera
-Comedy Central Extra +1
-ITV2 HD
-ITV3 HD
-ITV4 HD
-Luxury Life HD
-Premier Sports (Rumoured on their Facebook page as coming before April)
-Quest +1
-Rush HD
-Russia Today
-NDTV
-Pick TV +1
-Sky Arts 1 HD
-Sky Arts 2 HD
-Sky News HD
-Sky Sports News HD
-CBS Action
-CBS Drama
-CBS Reality +1
-Horror Channel +1
-BET
-BET +1
-Bio HD
-Colors
-Crime & Investigation Network HD
-Disney Cinemagic HD
-Disney XD HD
-Eden HD
-Eden +1
-ESPN2 (May launch in 2011)
-ESPN America HD
-ESPN News (May launch in 2011)
-Good Food HD
-HISTORY HD
-KidsCo
-MGM HD
-Nat Geo Wild HD
-NickToons Replay
-Pop Girl
-Sky Atlantic
-Sky Atlantic HD
-Squirt FM
-Universal Channel HD
-Vintage TV
-Yesterday +1

=== Channels THAT still to appear in all areas ===
List was last updated on December 1st 2010.

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

NOTE: Channels are only broadcasting in Ex-Telewest areas right now.

====== Media Boy Information =====
Media Boy - Keep it real and FREE on Cable Forum.

=== Media Boy Blogs & Extra TV info: ===
Virgin Media Blogs:
See My Virgin TV Blog here - http://virgintvmediaboy.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
See Nialli's blog on Virgin Media High Definition & TiVo Services here - http://vmhd.blogspot.com/


=== 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 and I will post your news on ''Coming soon to Virgin TV'' for you.

Q: WHY AM I NOT GETTING ''RTE RADIO'' OR ''WRN RADIO'' FOR?
A: RTE Radio and WRN Radio do not broadcast in Ex-ntl and Ex-Cable & Wireless areas - yet.

Q: NOW THAT BSKYB HAS TOOK OVER VIRGIN MEDIA TELEVISION WILL ANY CHANNELS CLOSE ON VIRGIN TV?
A: Yes Sky has closed Bravo, Channel One and Challenge Jackpot down. But us Virgin Media viewers will see some channels moving about as we have now got Sky1 HD and maybe getting Sky Arts 1 HD and Sky Arts 2 HD soon.

==== Deals with broadcasters ===
When deals with broadcasters run out Virgin Media need to sign new one to keep that Channel on Virgin TV.

Here is an list of channel that Virgin may get when they old deal runs out with that broadcaster:

NOTE: To start broadcasting soon = That channel has still to start broadcasting on Sky, Freesat or Freeview.

=== TV and Radio Channels: ===
=== Own by AETN UK ===
Bio HD
Crime & Investigation Network HD
Crime & Investigation Network +1
HISTORY HD
HISTORY +1

=== Own by ABC Television Group ===
Disney Cinemagic HD
Disney Cinemagic +1
Disney Junior + (Soon to start broadcasting).
Disney XD HD
Playhouse Disney + (Soon to be rebranded as Disney Junior +)

=== Own by ARY Group ===
ARY News
QTV ARY

=== Own by BSkyB ===
Pick TV +1
Sky 3D
Sky Arts 1 HD
Sky Arts 2 HD
Sky Atlantic
Sky Atlantic HD
Sky Movies Classic HD
Sky Sports HD3
Sky Sports HD4
Sky Sports News HD

=== Own by CBS International and Chello Zone ===
CBS Action
CBS Drama
CBS Reality +1
Horror Channel +1

=== Own by Channel 4 Television Corporation ===
More 4 +1

=== Own by CSC Media Group ===
Bliss
Chart Show TV
Dance Nation TV
Flava
Kix!
NME TV
POP
Pop Girl
Pop Girl +1
Scuzz
The Vault
Tiny Pop +1
True Movies 2

=== Own by Discovery Networks Europe ===
Animal Planet +1
Discovery Home & Health +1
Discovery Knowledge +1
Discovery Science +1
DMAX +1
DMAX +2
Investigation Discovery
TLC (To start broadcast in the UK in 2011.)
Quest +1

=== Own by ESPN Inc. (The Walt Disney Company/Hearst Corporation) ===
ESPN2 (May launch in 2011)
ESPN America HD
ESPN News (May launch in 2011)

=== Own by GMG Radio ===
Real Radio

=== Own by Independent Media Corporation ===
AAG
GEO News
GEO UK

=== Own by ITV Digital Channels Ltd ===
ITV2 HD
ITV3 HD
ITV4 HD

=== Own by MGM Channel (UK) Limited (BSkyB and MGM) ===
MGM HD

=== Own by NBC Universal Global Networks ===
Diva TV +1
Universal Channel HD

=== Own by NBC Universal, Corus Entertainment, Cookie Jar Group ===
Kids Co (Soon to start broadcasting.)

=== Own by Newco ===
Sky News HD

=== Own by NGC Europe Limited ===
FX +1
Nat Wild HD

=== Own by Rainbow Media ===
Rush HD
Sundance Channel HD

=== Own by Scripps Networks Interactive (Run by Chello Zone) ===
Food Network
Food Network HD (Soon to start broadcasting).
Food Network +1

=== Own by Sony ===
NOTE: The following channels will become part of the ''ViewAsia'' package if Sony can sign an new deal Virgin Media:
ARY Digital^
B4U Movies^
Colors
MAX^
SAB
Sahara One
SET Asia^

^ = On Virgin Media right now.

=== Own by STAR TV ===
STAR Gold
STAR One

=== Own by The Times Group ===
Zoom TV

=== Own by TIML Radio Limited ===
Absolute 90s

=== Own by Turner Broadcasting System Europe ===
Adult Swim Channel (Soon to start broadcasting).
TCM 2

=== Own by Twenty Four 7 Ltd. ===
Luxury Life
Luxury Life HD

=== Own by UKTV ===
Eden HD
Eden +1
Good Food HD
YeSTERDAY +1

=== Own by Viacom ===
BET
BET +1
Comedy Central Extra +1
MTV CLASSIC
MTV MUSIC
MTV +1
Nickelodeon HD
NickToons Replay

=== Own by Zee Entertainment Enterprises ===
ZEE Cafe

©copyright 2011 Media Boy 2006 - 2011. An ''Keep it real and free'' Production.

Next list update will be on March 13th.

[WillPS]

Cheers for the update MB.

With regards to capacity free'd up from analogue cessation, back in ITV Digital days I was under the impression that 1 analogue terrestrial channel used up about as much spectrum as 1 DTT multiplex (which could then carry 6 SD channels, now 8 or 9 I think). Does this logic carry over to Cable?

If it does, we should be due a rather large influx of channels, surely?

[BenMcr]

Originally Posted by WillPS

If it does, we should be due a rather large influx of channels, surely?

Some of the spectrum freed up will have been used for 100Mbit, upstream improvements and the 10Mbit connection in the TiVo boxes

It won't all go on new channels

[Digital Fanatic]

News Corp given green light to buy BSkyB

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-12631875

Rupert Murdoch's News Corporation has been given government approval for its controversial takeover of BSkyB.

The green light follows News Corp's offer to spin off Sky News as an independent company.

The decision follows concerns about the concentration of media outlets in the hands of one organisation.

Rival UK media groups dismissed News Corp's offer as a "whitewash" and said they would "vigorously contest" the takeover.

---------- Post added at 13:09 ---------- Previous post was at 13:05 ----------

The new structure for Sky News will be as follows:

• Sky News will be spun off as an independent UK public limited company with its shares publicly traded;

• Shares in the new company will be distributed to shareholders of BSkyB in the same proportions as their shareholding in BSkyB. As a result, News Corporation would retain the same shareholding in Sky News as it currently holds in BSkyB – a 39% economic interest and 37% voting interest;

• BSkyB will provide a 10-year carriage agreement which will give the new company a substantial long-term revenue stream;

• BSkyB will license the Sky News brand to the new company and will also provide facilities and support services "on arms-length terms";

The governance structure of the new company, Newco, will include:

• A board with a majority of independent non-executive directors;

• An independent non-executive chairman;

• A commitment to the principle of editorial independence and integrity that will be enshrined in the articles of association;

• Approval by the board of the hiring and firing of the editor of Sky News;

• A corporate governance and editorial committee, including an independent board member with senior editorial and/or journalistic experience, which will be responsible for overseeing compliance and advising the board on provisions relating to editorial independence

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

[mersey70]

Originally Posted by mersey70

Because I am really bored I fired off a very nice enquiry email to see if there's any news, i'll let you all know.

If they just said it's been canned and explain why that would be fair enough as obviously things change, and when the other lot are involved I would guess things can get tricky but you can't just say something like that nearly 8 months ago and leave it at that.

Not in my opinion anyway, we'll see.

Further to my post yesterday.

I just got a call from the CEO's office.

Basically we are not getting Sky Arts HD anytime soon. Despite VM announcing we would be they now say there are issues along the lines of Sky Atlantic HD, it's too expensive but hope to get it in the future. The young chap did kindly give me his direct number and advised to maybe call back in 6 months time for an update. I won't be bothering!

Very, very disappointing and perhaps this dosen't bode well for future channel launches but there you go.

At least I know not to keep expecting it every month!

[Perfect Choice]

So as part of the Sky basics deal VM were really only given permission to negotiate that all, price too high (in VM view) so no deal and so only SD version is available.

[Joedm45]

Originally Posted by mersey70

Further to my post yesterday.

I just got a call from the CEO's office.

Basically we are not getting Sky Arts HD anytime soon. Despite VM announcing we would be they now say there are issues along the lines of Sky Atlantic HD, it's too expensive but hope to get it in the future. The young chap did kindly give me his direct number and advised to maybe call back in 6 months time for an update. I won't be bothering!

Very, very disappointing and perhaps this dosen't bode well for future channel launches but there you go.

At least I know not to keep expecting it every month!

Good information there.

I personally think VM should stop chasing Sky HD channels now and concentrate on the others, although I appreciate some are part Sky owned too.

IMO Sky know TiVo blows them out of the water technology wise so are pulling out all the stops to make sure they have as many channels over VM as possible to retain customer share.

[Perfect Choice]

I really don’t expect VM to secure any more Sky controlled/own HD channels for the foreseeable future as Sky just value those at a higher value VM is prepared to pay. VM did the best it did when the Sky basics was negotiated and at least we ended up with Sky One HD, Sky Sports 1 and 2 HD.

Even when I expect a deal is done eventually on Sky Atlantic, I will not be surprised to find it is for the SD version only.

With the Tivo threatening Sky’s view of their own users TV viewing experience (by comparispon with Tivo), they will want to hold as many exclusive cards they can and pricing HD channels beyond VMs reasonable financial reach is a tactic I expect. Either VM say no deal to Sky or it’ another big fall out and back to the courts again but I don’t expect that.

However, there are still plenty of other HD channels VM have not signed up yet outside Sky, e.g. ITV2 to 4 HD. So VM should focus their efforts elsewhere to increase the HD viewing base for its customers.

On a side note though, VM need to make sure its Tivo box can upscale SD as best as possible then, as I’ve read variable reports on its performance with SD channels versus a user’s previous box. My SA V+ gives excellent upscaled SD on my Sony HX803 TV making the impact of higher quality PQ on HD channels less of an impact. So as long as I get this on the Tivo box (when I finally get the call!) I’ll be happy, but a general message VM needs to take note off if they cannot secure HD content channels of interest to VM TV subscribers.