General Dropping TV package in the next 12 months

Qtx · 02-07-2013, 22:28

Seen more than a few people say they are likely to drop their tv packages soon and just go with freeview due to cost or just not needing all the channels. Wondered if this was just a handful of people or if many more are contemplating it?

Hope this is in the right subforum as there isn't one that covers all providers.

02-07-2013, 22:43

Depends what happens with the temporary Freeview HD channels.

Chad · 02-07-2013, 22:59

IF you have XL because of ESPN being included for free, rather than HD for free, a drop down to the L package would save you money each month. You'll lose some channels but the L package is still very good indeed:

http://store.virginmedia.com/digital...els/index.html

When you strip away all the HD channels, and +1 channels, you'll only really lose:

Liverpool TV
Motors TV
CBS Reality
CBS Drama
Horror Channel
FOX
Comedy Central Extra
Disney XD
Disney Channel
Disney Junior
Discovery Travel & Living
Discovery Turbo
National Geographic Wild
National Geographic
History
Crime & Investigation Network
Bio
MTV Rocks
MTV Dance
TV5

Admittedly there will be an impact on the on demand library you have access too however couple this with a drop in your current broadband size and the savings start to make sense.

Each to their own of course but I think the L TV package is worth considering. If BT Sports does come to Virgin, and costs between £12 to £15 per month, a few package changes will allow you to add the BT channels without being hit in the pocket.

Also remember Virgin charge £5.00 per month if you don't pay by direct debit, and a further £1.75 if you have your bill posted to you. Switch to Direct Debit and e-billing to save a further £6.75 per month.

MalteseFalcon · 02-07-2013, 23:17

I'd drop to the L package but watch a lot on FOX so dropping would actually be bad as I would then be upgrading as soon as I could again which would defeat the purpose.

Unfortunately, whilst there are channels on the XL package I love watching, there are others that wouldn't bother me if I never saw a single programme on them. I won't be dropping the package at all at any time.

---------- Post added at 23:17 ---------- Previous post was at 23:16 ----------

And the Nat Geo channel I watch a lot on, especially the Air Crash series.

Qtx · 02-07-2013, 23:26

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jameseh

Depends what happens with the temporary Freeview HD channels.

Have they added some some? Not heard anything about them.

Used to live down the hill from the main crystal palace transmitter and got a terrible signal for being below and so close, which was my main reason for getting Pay tv. Since moved and get around 107 freeview channels with perfect reception now.

Would miss the HD on channels more than losing most of the Sky channels. Tend to watch more catchup tv or on demand anyway, so switching to downloading them could be an option to take. My NAS can act as a PVR for freeview or Sky freeview so losing the recording storage on their box wouldn't matter.

If a lot of customers are looking to go to freeview/youview then it will obviously change the strategies of BT/Sky/VM.

WillPS · 03-07-2013, 00:22

Ofcom have asked for bidders interested in a 5 year (IIRC) HD slot on Freeview. ITV are thought to be interested in (at least) one.

harry_hitch · 03-07-2013, 01:08

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chad

IF you have XL because of ESPN being included for free, rather than HD for free, a drop down to the L package would save you money each month. You'll lose some channels but the L package is still very good indeed:

http://store.virginmedia.com/digital...els/index.html

When you strip away all the HD channels, and +1 channels, you'll only really lose:

Liverpool TV
Motors TV
CBS Reality
CBS Drama
Horror Channel
FOX
Comedy Central Extra
Disney XD
Disney Channel
Disney Junior
Discovery Travel & Living
Discovery Turbo
National Geographic Wild
National Geographic
History
Crime & Investigation Network
Bio
MTV Rocks
MTV Dance
TV5

Admittedly there will be an impact on the on demand library you have access too however couple this with a drop in your current broadband size and the savings start to make sense.

Each to their own of course but I think the L TV package is worth considering. If BT Sports does come to Virgin, and costs between £12 to £15 per month, a few package changes will allow you to add the BT channels without being hit in the pocket.

Also remember Virgin charge £5.00 per month if you don't pay by direct debit, and a further £1.75 if you have your bill posted to you. Switch to Direct Debit and e-billing to save a further £6.75 per month.

Some good points raised Chad, and I am sure many will find the list helpful.

I must admit though, I have become a HD snob recently, and I simply could not bear to watch the HD programmes (not a huge amount) I do actually watch in SD anymore. Horror channel, nat geo wild, comedy central extra, would all be missed somewhat too (and yes I "suffer" those in SD). I am lucky in having the TV package I have as a luxury I can still just about afford and, more importantly, justify spending money on.
L TV is very much worth considering, but currently it's not for me.
If my financial situation ever changes TV packages and broadband speeds would be the first to go though.

the_pidgeon · 03-07-2013, 05:34

i watch alot of fox. only reason i dont downgrade

03-07-2013, 07:37

I am tempted to drop altogether and live with freeview simply because I can source everything I want elsewhere. I would however miss recording features so I dunno if I would just go down to m+ this of course means I keep the kit and add channels back again

dilli-theclaw · 03-07-2013, 07:39

I have in the last month, got BT vision and a feesat box for the other TV

peanut · 03-07-2013, 07:48

Quote:

Originally Posted by tizmeinnit

I am tempted to drop altogether and live with freeview simply because I can source everything I want elsewhere. I would however miss recording features so I dunno if I would just go down to m+ this of course means I keep the kit and add channels back again

I'm exactly the same, I tend to source whatever I want to watch and don't rely on my v+ nor the normal scheduling.

As most freeview boxes / recorders come with 320 to 1tb hard drives and can also record 2 channels at the same time I don't quite understand why you'd miss the record functions.

Kabaal · 03-07-2013, 08:35

I'll be dropping mine in the next few weeks when i switch BB to FTTC. I only have the free M package though so it's no big loss, i'll just plug the arial into the TV for freeview and pretty much have the same channels anyway.

eljay · 03-07-2013, 09:32

My particular problem is that in my house we have 4 adults of varying ages, one 5 year old grandaughter and the dog who loves watching Animal Planet HD (not kidding). The point is we all have differing viewing preferences that go across several genres'. Therefore, only option is to have Pay TV. XL covers all our favourite channels and based on Harry's list we would loose a lot of those favourite channels if we went down a level.

Switching provider is not an option really due to documented signal problems in our area and to be honest potential cost saving is minimal, especially after first year as would need to take out insurance on repairs, support etc

Even though the above is limiting there is of course a break point. Where the headache I would get from the family members moaning would be countered by the relief of not giving any more of my hard earned money to the money grabbing entertainment industry.

Doug P · 03-07-2013, 11:25

Not dropping down a package as really love HD channels on XL. Am treating it as money saved whatever ott amount BT will charge if we get their sport channels...

theone2k10 · 03-07-2013, 11:30

I'm dropping tv fullstop once my contract ends in june 2014. I'm on M+ atm but i'm thinking about dropping my whole pack down to the starter bundle as only me here so 30mb bb should be fine.
I mostly watch stuff on the American networks sites via a vpn nowadays it's very rare i watch any live tv.