V+ ESPN listings totally wrong- having to check SKY listings to see when NBA is on!

Sugar Kane · 28-04-2011, 09:34

The whole reason we have VM is for ESPN. My partner lives for NBA. So when he noticed that halfway through the playoffs no games were being listed he was not happy. He spoke to his friend about it- his friend has Sky. His friend tells him that Sky have games listed and at what times. So my partner tapes whatever is listed in these time slots- random stuff- AFL review, UFC, Drag Racing, Le Mans, Planet Speed and Premier League stuff. Guess what, it is the Miami Vs Philadelphia and Oklahoma vs Denver games, chopped up into little pieces. This was last night. My partner is not impressed and asked me to complain. As the billpayer and an avid NBA fan, he is very annoyed that Virgin cannot get something as basic as the listings right. We will move to Sky if this carries on- we shouldn't have to guess what to record because VM can't get it right.

I have just noticed that I never have anything positive to say about VM, what a shame.

greyposter · 28-04-2011, 09:52

I found it on 531

squealy · 28-04-2011, 09:53

I don't know what, if any, the significance of this is, but the programmes you mentioned (AFL, UFC etc) are those that are listed in Total TV Guide magazine for last night. I've noticed in the past that the VM EPG always exactly matches the content as stated in Total TV Guide, even when it's wrong. Perhaps these are the default programmes in case there is no live sport to show?

Shoddy lack of performance from VM really, especially seeing as most people use the EPG to set their recordings.

Sugar Kane · 28-04-2011, 10:03

Quote:

Originally Posted by squealy

I don't know what, if any, the significance of this is, but the programmes you mentioned (AFL, UFC etc) are those that are listed in Total TV Guide magazine for last night. I've noticed in the past that the VM EPG always exactly matches the content as stated in Total TV Guide, even when it's wrong. Perhaps these are the default programmes in case there is no live sport to show?

Shoddy lack of performance from VM really, especially seeing as most people use the EPG to set their recordings.

If Sky can keep their listings current, Virgin has no excuse for such incompetence. It isn't like the playoffs would have caught VM by suprise- these games, like any sport are scheduled in advance. We are so fed up of problems with the service at this point. When the one thing you have the service for is not being listed properly, we would be stupid not to go elsewhere.

squealy · 28-04-2011, 10:16

You're right, there is no excuse. The EPG is supposed to be dynamic, in a way that no printed tv guide can ever be. If it isn't then it's a wasted opportunity to provide a safety net to those misinformed by tv guides printed two weeks in advance.

Sugar Kane · 28-04-2011, 10:19

Quote:

Originally Posted by squealy

You're right, there is no excuse. The EPG is supposed to be dynamic, in a way that no printed tv guide can ever be. If it isn't then it's a wasted opportunity to provide a safety net to those misinformed by tv guides printed two weeks in advance.

Yet they will do nothing about it, and I will be forced to check Sky listings regularly before I inevitably move to Sky for good!

OLDGOLD · 28-04-2011, 20:19

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sugar Kane

Yet they will do nothing about it, and I will be forced to check Sky listings regularly before I inevitably move to Sky for good!

Have you complained directly to VM about it? If so, what was their response?

Sugar Kane · 30-04-2011, 09:31

Quote:

Originally Posted by OLDGOLD

Have you complained directly to VM about it? If so, what was their response?

Despite providing them with the incorrect listings from Wednesday night, they want me to provide them with incorrect listings before the shows air! How am I supposed to know?! Whose job is it?! Not mine!

merlintt · 30-04-2011, 10:09

This happened last night on espmAM. They listed an MLB game but showed an NHL game.

It's also a pain when games go into overtime as it stops before the game is over. I watch NHL and usually record the next show to combat missing the end of a game.

OLDGOLD · 30-04-2011, 12:08

Quote:

Originally Posted by merlintt

This happened last night on espmAM. They listed an MLB game but showed an NHL game.

It's also a pain when games go into overtime as it stops before the game is over. I watch NHL and usually record the next show to combat missing the end of a game.

I have had that problem too, but always set up manual recordings now for live sports events, allowing a couple of hours past the scheduled record time.

---------- Post added at 11:08 ---------- Previous post was at 11:02 ----------

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sugar Kane

Despite providing them with the incorrect listings from Wednesday night, they want me to provide them with incorrect listings before the shows air! How am I supposed to know?! Whose job is it?! Not mine!

It's disgraceful. Correct EPG listings should be a given on any system, it's fundamental to the main purpose of DVRs.

The TV listings on the ESPN website is probably the most up to date way of finding out what's on and when. You could then set up manual recordings in line with the info from the website. I know that's a pain in the backside and you shouldn't have to do it, but at least you'll record exactly what you want to see then, regardless of how incorrect the EPG is.

Doz007 · 30-04-2011, 13:22

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sugar Kane

Despite providing them with the incorrect listings from Wednesday night, they want me to provide them with incorrect listings before the shows air! How am I supposed to know?! Whose job is it?! Not mine!

Wow, that response is a joke! You're right, it certainly isn't your job as a customer to make sure the EPG is correct.

This EPG problem is also effecting the new TiVo box. VM really need to get this sorted as a priority, if Sky can get it right then Virgin Media & TiVo have no excuse either!

muppetman11 · 30-04-2011, 13:26

Must admit when I was on XL ESPN listings could be very hit and miss , for example I've recorded college football at night only to find out it's recorded something else.

alwaysabear · 30-04-2011, 13:32

Quote:

Originally Posted by muppetman11

Must admit when I was on XL ESPN listings could be very hit and miss , for example I've recorded college football at night only to find out it's recorded something else.

The listings are poor and are subject ,to change very quickly on ESPN America as well. I usually record Sports Nation I checked last night and confirmed it was on at 9 am this morning. When I came down this morning at 9am ESPNA were showing the Ice Hockey play offs.

muppetman11 · 30-04-2011, 13:35

Quote:

Originally Posted by alwaysabear

The listings are poor and are subject ,to change very quickly on ESPN America as well. I usually record Sports Nation I checked last night and confirmed it was on at 9 am this morning. When I came down this morning at 9am ESPNA were showing the Ice Hockey play offs.

The Sky box must update regular then as I have Sports nation on series link and its always recorded it.

alwaysabear · 30-04-2011, 13:37

Quote:

Originally Posted by muppetman11

The Sky box must update regular then as I have Sports nation on series link and its always recorded it.

Has it been on today?
Just seen its on at 2pm on VM EPG. Never the less the ESPNA guide said 9 am.