Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2011) Vol. I. - Page 121

alwaysabear · 03-03-2011, 13:40

Quote:

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!

That is the trouble VM they are not prepared to pay for content, I was told a similar thing about ESPN America in January. I was told "its expensivebut we are trying to find away to bring it to our customers at an affordable price". The way things are going I would rather pay an extra Â£10.20 a month and get all HD.
Its all very disappointing

I shall be waiting for infinity ( about 2 to 3 months)and seeing what sort of package I can get from Sky for up to 40 mb bb and TV.

Digital Fanatic · 03-03-2011, 13:43

Quote:

Originally Posted by alwaysabear

That is the trouble VM they are not prepared to pay for content, I was told a similar thing about ESPN America in January. I was told "its expensivebut we are trying to find away to bring it to our customers at an affordable price". The way things are going I would rather pay an extra Â£10.20 a month and get all HD.
Its all very disappointing

Maybe a HD+ package is now required? with extra HD channels, that may be seen by some as niche, as some may not want a bigger rise in the cost of XL TV?

Perfect Choice · 03-03-2011, 13:45

I am also wondering VM need to think of a new XXL TV package or allow per channel uplifts. Its great to have an all encompassing top tier XL TV package but for those clients who really want everything, then some extra may be the route forward. The only issue I can see though is that the channel owners may want a minimum volume subscription/revenue, so building it into the price of all XL TV users is the only way VM can do this, but they don't want to make XL TV too expensive as well so the dilemma for VM.

mersey70 · 03-03-2011, 13:55

Quote:

Originally Posted by Digital Fanatic

Maybe a HD+ package is now required? with extra HD channels, that may be seen by some as niche, as some may not want a bigger rise in the cost of XL TV?

This model isn't working in my opinion.

An additional subscription option is required because it is clear lot's of us are just never going to be satisfed with the HD offer as things stand and if they don't do something people will simply jump ship.

If you want content you have to pay for it and I reckon people would, I wish VM would grasp that. I am sick and tired of being at VM's beck and call regarding 'negotiations'. Just charge for it and let us decide whether we want to pay for it but at least give us the choice.

My word even cheapo FTA channels like True Entertainment only appear because they swap out another channel.

I would be really interested to know how many XL customers actually require ESPN included for 'free', of course it's not free and I wonder how much of the sub goes to them and how many non premium HD channels it would pay for.

If people want ESPN they should pay a sub for it, it's not fair everyone on XL paying for it even if they dont want ESPN to subsidise those that do. That might pay for a few extra channels.

And I bet there would be more takers for a HD+ sub in the general customer base than those who would pay for Tivo features, i'm sure of that.

alwaysabear · 03-03-2011, 13:56

Quote:

Originally Posted by Perfect Choice

I am also wondering VM need to think of a new XXL TV package or allow per channel uplifts. Its great to have an all encompassing top tier XL TV package but for those clients who really want everything, then some extra may be the route forward. The only issue I can see though is that the channel owners may want a minimum volume subscription/revenue, so building it into the price of all XL TV users is the only way VM can do this, but they don't want to make XL TV too expensive as well so the dilemma for VM.

If they want to hold on to customers who want more HD then they will have to look to do something new quickly. I am only with VM because of BB and a decent package deal. Now with infinity due to be launched here in 2 to 3 months, time is running out for VM to do something as far as I am concerned.

mersey70 · 03-03-2011, 14:08

Can you still downgrade to M and get Catch Up?

Digital Fanatic · 03-03-2011, 14:11

Quote:

Originally Posted by mersey70

Can you still downgrade to M and get Catch Up?

No, M+ is the bottom pack now.

muppetman11 · 03-03-2011, 14:17

Quote:

Originally Posted by Digital Fanatic

Maybe a HD+ package is now required? with extra HD channels, that may be seen by some as niche, as some may not want a bigger rise in the cost of XL TV?

Read my previous posts I've been saying this for ages I would gladly pay a bit more if it got me ESPNA HD and the many others were missing. My feelings are like alwaysabear , I dont like Sky but if there's only them can provide what you want.

HD is were the growth is

http://www.iptv-news.com/iptv_news/2...wth_is_immense

http://www.fool.co.uk/news/investing...hd-growth.aspx

mersey70 · 03-03-2011, 14:39

Quote:

Originally Posted by muppetman11

Read my previous posts I've been saying this for ages I would gladly pay a bit more if it got me ESPNA HD and the many others were missing. My feelings are like alwaysabear , I dont like Sky but if there's only them can provide what you want.

I think many, many more average customers would prefer to pay a bit extra for more HD content than pay for Tivo and no extra content, I honestly do.

They certainly seem to with a certain other Pay TV provider.

Even little Smallworld get this, they introduce HD in April and they are charging for it too so it will be interestng what's offered.

muppetman11 · 03-03-2011, 14:50

Quote:

Originally Posted by alwaysabear

That is the trouble VM they are not prepared to pay for content, I was told a similar thing about ESPN America in January. I was told "its expensivebut we are trying to find away to bring it to our customers at an affordable price". The way things are going I would rather pay an extra Â£10.20 a month and get all HD.
Its all very disappointing

I shall be waiting for infinity ( about 2 to 3 months)and seeing what sort of package I can get from Sky for up to 40 mb bb and TV.

Doesnt sound good if Sky Arts is to "expensive" a phrase that seems to be getting used a lot.

---------- Post added at 14:50 ---------- Previous post was at 14:45 ----------

Another problem now with introducing a HD sub would be with those who already pay the Â£7.00 sky premium HD sub.

Perfect Choice · 03-03-2011, 14:59

Quote:

Originally Posted by muppetman11

[/COLOR]Another problem now with introducing a HD sub would be with those who already pay the Â£7.00 sky premium HD sub.

But the Â£7 is a premium for Sky Movies/Sports surely which for Sky subscribers is on top of the Â£10 they pay for HD access. So introducing a fee for some "premium HD channels" would be like VM starting to add some of that Â£10 Sky customers pay now for ALL their HD channels.

muppetman11 · 03-03-2011, 15:02

Quote:

Originally Posted by Perfect Choice

But the Â£7 is a premium for Sky Movies/Sports surely which for Sky subscribers is on top of the Â£10 they pay for HD access. So introducing a fee for some "premium HD channels" would be like VM starting to add some of that Â£10 Sky customers pay now for ALL their HD channels.

Sky sports on sky is 20.25 you get them in HD if you take the HD pack at 10.25.

Perfect Choice · 03-03-2011, 15:07

Correct, my error, we are talking about the HD add-on price only here not the subscription in the first place for Sky Sports. They really know how to charge on Sky, good job I'm not that bothered!

denphone · 03-03-2011, 15:11

Quote:

Originally Posted by Digital Fanatic

Maybe a HD+ package is now required? with extra HD channels, that may be seen by some as niche, as some may not want a bigger rise in the cost of XL TV?

l have said l am willing to pay a little extra for the extra channels.
they should introduce another tier package so as you say customers who want to can pay the extra, Virgin have to grab the bull by the horn and be more open to customers ideas and suggestions.
At the moment Virgin are not launching enough channels and have been getting rid of some and not replacing them.

muppetman11 · 03-03-2011, 15:13

Quote:

Originally Posted by Perfect Choice

Correct, my error, we are talking about the HD add-on price only here not the subscription in the first place for Sky Sports. They really know how to charge on Sky, good job I'm not that bothered!

On Sky
Sky Sports is 20.25 and HD pack is 10.25 plus if you take 6 mix that is 24.50
Total is Â£55.00 but no ESPN like VM.

On VM
Sky Sports is 22.50 and 7.00 HD premium charge plus XL TV 24.50 from April
Total is Â£54.00