TiVo : Poor choice of Channels

[Safcftm21]

In an effort not to get banned from going off topic in Media Boys thread about what's coming soon to VM I thought I'd start a specific thread about the poor choice of channels, and also what tripe is alleged to be coming.

Channel 5+1 - A poor channel to start with now delayed by an hour
The Africa Channel - Don't know what to say about this so I won't
ITV HD channels - supposed to be coming soon but really if a company has to haggle to get these then it's not really trying is it
A decent 3D channel would be nice - if you look at VM's advertising you would and most probably will be fooled into thinking they have one
A very poor choice of HD channels

I now know why it's cheaper than Sky because it's a very poor second best to it

Move to Sky, then....

[Chad]

Originally Posted by Safcftm21

In an effort not to get banned from going off topic in Media Boys thread about what's coming soon to VM I thought I'd start a specific thread about the poor choice of channels, and also what tripe is alleged to be coming.

Channel 5+1 - A poor channel to start with now delayed by an hour
The Africa Channel - Don't know what to say about this so I won't
ITV HD channels - supposed to be coming soon but really if a company has to haggle to get these then it's not really trying is it
A decent 3D channel would be nice - if you look at VM's advertising you would and most probably will be fooled into thinking they have one
A very poor choice of HD channels

I now know why it's cheaper than Sky because it's a very poor second best to it

Most honest Virgin customers will concede that when it comes to linear channels, SKY are the best in the UK. Anyone who claims otherwise is simply deluded. I wouldn't say what Virgin offer is poor, they carry something like 99 of Britain's top 100 popular channels according to Barb. That's excellent compared to Freeview, Freesat, Talk Talk and BT Vision

As long as Virgin TV customers aren't leaving in huge numbers, what incentive is there for Virgin to pay big money to add more channels? Virgin are very happy up selling to their current TV customers, and getting them onto TiVo and mobile contracts etc...

At the end of the day we are all free to chose our own TV providers. If your current provider doesn't meet your needs go somewhere else. It really is that simple. Why stay with a TV provider who doesn't provide what you want? I'd say that's bordering on madness. Sure some people can't get SKY because of poor reception, or their landlord won't let them have a dish on the property. These people should be grateful that Virgin offer such a competitive alternative service. These people would be screwed for top quality TV without Virgin.

[geordiechris]

Originally Posted by Hugh

Move to Sky, then....

IIRC the OP moved from Sky to VM. Perhaps he is now regretting leaving and believes he should have stayed with them

[Chad]

Originally Posted by geordiechris

IIRC the OP moved from Sky to VM. Perhaps he is now regretting leaving and believes he should have stayed with them

Probably. That's what can happen if you don't do your research before changing provider. The grass isn't always greener on the otherside.

Even when (if) we get additional ITV HD channels they probably won't have Dolby sound. Better picture quality with 2 channel audio. Hardly a huge leap. One of the reasons that most HD channels are worth having is the 5.1 soundtrack. Not so for ITV1 currently, so rather disappointing IMHO.

[Doug P]

I visit a home with Sky fairly regularly and I really cannot agree with the description of VM's channels as "poor"; way ott in my view.

[Virgin Territory]

I suggest we all go back to the 50s, black & white 4/5hrs a day. Nothing to moan about there.

[Doug P]

Somehow take a recording machine with us and save all those wonderful shows that got lost!

[Chad]

Originally Posted by Virgin Territory

I suggest we all go back to the 50s, black & white 4/5hrs a day. Nothing to moan about there.

Or lets go back to the 1850's. No TV, 16 hour working days and about 1 days holiday a year spent at the local seaside. Plenty to moan about there

Oh almost forgot instead of a PVR in the 1850's you had TB.

[passingbat]

Originally Posted by Chad

At the end of the day we are all free to chose our own TV providers. If your current provider doesn't meet your needs go somewhere else. It really is that simple. .

I don't think it is that simple. If TV channels was my only consideration, then, yes, Sky would win hands down and it would be a simple choice.

But there is more than one aspect to consider when choosing a service provider, especially when you factor in that you are usually buying triple play services of phone, TV and Broadband.

For me, VM are far better than Sky on everything apart from TV channels. The three recordable tuners and Whishlists are that Tivo offers have become a 'must have' feature for me and to downgrade to the limited functionality of a Sky box would be unacceptable.

But I also want Sky atlantic, and would prefer to have more channels in HD, which means going to Sky.

Because VM have vastly increased their HD channels, I don't see HD as a significant problem now, as a very big proportion of the shows I record are in HD anyway.

That just leaves channel content. The only channel that I really want is Atlantic; I don't really care about the other channels that Sky have that VM haven't.

So I stay with VM. But when both services have things that you want that aren't available on the other, you do have to make a decision. But if you have to compromise your requirements, it isn't a simple one

[Taf]

I never watch 70% of the channels VM offers, and about the same of Freeview channels. Too much dross, or good programmes spread thinly over too many other channels.

I have neighbour who will apparently watch anything if it's in HD, but wouldn't if it was in SD.

[harry_hitch]

Originally Posted by Taf

I never watch 70% of the channels VM offers, and about the same of Freeview channels. Too much dross, or good programmes spread thinly over too many other channels.

I have neighbour who will apparently watch anything if it's in HD, but wouldn't if it was in SD.

I agree Taf. I am all for quality content over quantity of content, alas how does anyone know what defines "quality" content. For me x-factor, soaps, all other reality shows should not be allowed to be made. Other people adore these shows and will say documentaries, history, nature shows are dross.

I think some people just feel they are missing out on something special by not having the missing channels they are liable never to watch (excluding HD variations).

[nodrogd]

When you consider that Virgin is responsible for every piece of hardware between the satellite or wired feed from the broadcaster & the customer, they do a pretty good job for what they charge us. Sky's got it easy. No cables & the satellites are someone else's problem.

Don't have the choice of Sky where I live as I have no line of sight, but even if I did I wouldn't change.

[andy_m]

Originally Posted by Chad

Oh almost forgot instead of a PVR in the 1850's you had TB.

Those were the days - loads of tb. My TiVo is apparently state of the art, but only has 1tb,which feels like a real backwards step.