General : Coming soon to Virgin TV 2014

[OLD BOY]

Originally Posted by harry_hitch

For what it's worth, I think this ITV channel will be a Sky exclusive for some years.

Yes, I think it will be, for the duration of the contract.

However, I don't see why ITV could not launch a channel for Virgin Media under a different name, and just broadcast the same or similar programmes at different times. After all, the exclusivity deal is for the channel, not individual programmes, isn't it?

If that is not possible, why could VM not ask Channel 4 for a similar exclusive channel for them? I'm sure that VM could do more to play Sky at its own game, but maybe they don't like to play as dirty as Sky do.

[Superblade7]

Quote from the Guardian (http://www.theguardian.com/media/201...sky-itv-encore) -

Under the deal, ITV Encore will be made available on Sky for an undisclosed "period of exclusivity", which will give the satellite broadcaster a chance to use it as a drawcard for new customers.


"It is another reason to talk to new customers who don't have Sky, it won't be available on rivals at first," said one observer.

[theone2k10]

Originally Posted by Media Boy

Discovery 3D is not broadcasting on Sky so maybe Discovery 3D will launch as an Virgin Media only channel or Virgin on Demand.

But Virgin can be found in the same 'Family Tree' as Discovery.

Here is that 'Family Tree':

1) Virgin Media is own by Liberty Global.
2) Who Chairman is John C. Malone.
3) Who is also CEO & Chairman of Discovery Holding Company (Discovery Communications).
4) Discovery Communications own Divisions over the world - Discovery Networks International own Discovery Channels in the UK and Ireland.

My source could be a legit source then. Interesting times ahead.

[harry_hitch]

Originally Posted by OLD BOY

Yes, I think it will be, for the duration of the contract.

However, I don't see why ITV could not launch a channel for Virgin Media under a different name, and just broadcast the same or similar programmes at different times. After all, the exclusivity deal is for the channel, not individual programmes, isn't it?

If that is not possible, why could VM not ask Channel 4 for a similar exclusive channel for them? I'm sure that VM could do more to play Sky at its own game, but maybe they don't like to play as dirty as Sky do.

They could do, VM did agree an exclusive period of time for Film4HD some while back.

[nodrogd]

Originally Posted by OLD BOY

Yes, I think it will be, for the duration of the contract.

However, I don't see why ITV could not launch a channel for Virgin Media under a different name, and just broadcast the same or similar programmes at different times. After all, the exclusivity deal is for the channel, not individual programmes, isn't it?

If that is not possible, why could VM not ask Channel 4 for a similar exclusive channel for them? I'm sure that VM could do more to play Sky at its own game, but maybe they don't like to play as dirty as Sky do.

At the end of the day it boils down to money. Sky doesn't have a huge network to maintain, & doesn't service it's customers equipment, so has more in the pot for making exclusive channel deals. Sky is available to 98% of the population as opposed to VM's 50%, so advertising revenues attracted by a Sky slot would be far higher than with VM.

[OLD BOY]

Originally Posted by nodrogd

At the end of the day it boils down to money. Sky doesn't have a huge network to maintain, & doesn't service it's customers equipment, so has more in the pot for making exclusive channel deals. Sky is available to 98% of the population as opposed to VM's 50%, so advertising revenues attracted by a Sky slot would be far higher than with VM.

Yes, that's true - Sky's 10m customers compared with Virgin's 3.8m. However, VM could join with others (eg BT) to increase the number of viewers and the money to pay for it.

[1andrew1]

Originally Posted by OLD BOY

Yes, that's true - Sky's 10m customers compared with Virgin's 3.8m. However, VM could join with others (eg BT) to increase the number of viewers and the money to pay for it.

BT has fewer than 1m TV customers so that still would not give much clout. Sky's the number one TV platform at the moment and so is able to do deals like this. In the future, as Liberty Global's footprint grows, it should be able to cut similar multi-country deals.

[OLD BOY]

Originally Posted by 1andrew1

BT has fewer than 1m TV customers so that still would not give much clout. Sky's the number one TV platform at the moment and so is able to do deals like this. In the future, as Liberty Global's footprint grows, it should be able to cut similar multi-country deals.

True, VM have more customers but BT have the money and they will be looking to expand their platform. I think there is room to think about this very carefully and come up with a response to Sky. Whether that will happen, of course, is a different matter.

[Chad]

The new channel will be available via NOW TV too.

[1andrew1]

Originally Posted by Media Boy

Discovery 3D is not broadcasting on Sky so maybe Discovery 3D will launch as an Virgin Media only channel or Virgin on Demand.

But Virgin can be found in the same 'Family Tree' as Discovery.

Here is that 'Family Tree':

1) Virgin Media is own by Liberty Global.
2) Who Chairman is John C. Malone.
3) Who is also CEO & Chairman of Discovery Holding Company (Discovery Communications).
4) Discovery Communications own Divisions over the world - Discovery Networks International own Discovery Channels in the UK and Ireland.

I think some of that information is out of date but it doesn't invalidate your argument. Malone is just a Discovery director these days but he still holds a 30% voting stake. The holding company roles ceased in 2008 when the company was floated off from Liberty. Malone's Liberty Media and Liberty Global commitments are enough at the moment!
http://corporate.discovery.com/leadership/john-malone/
http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/new...million-604849

[Mobes]

Personally I don;t see it as a problem. Sounds to me it will consist mostly of re-runs of ITV drama series past and present.

Although I appreciate it does state that some new ITV programmes will be made for it, expect to see them on regular ITV a month or so afterwards.

ITV would be mad to miss the revenue from FTA advertising.

[Media Boy UK]

Originally Posted by 1andrew1

I think some of that information is out of date but it doesn't invalidate your argument. Malone is just a Discovery director these days but he still holds a 30% voting stake. The holding company roles ceased in 2008 when the company was floated off from Liberty. Malone's Liberty Media and Liberty Global commitments are enough at the moment!
http://corporate.discovery.com/leadership/john-malone/
http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/new...million-604849

My information for my early post was base on Wikipedia.

[1andrew1]

Originally Posted by Media Boy

My information for my early post was base on Wikipedia.

Which can be very good especially for controversial matters that companies may not want to mention. In terms of who's who at a company, the company's own website tends to be most up to date. If you see the Wikipedia section below, you will see it puts confirms the Discovery holding company which John Malone used to have those roles at no longer exists. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Discovery_Holding_Company

[Media Boy UK]

Originally Posted by 1andrew1

Which can be very good especially for controversial matters that companies may not want to mention. In terms of who's who at a company, the company's own website tends to be most up to date. If you see the Wikipedia section below, you will see it puts confirms the Discovery holding company which John Malone used to have those roles at no longer exists. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Discovery_Holding_Company

Just seen the first five lines when I was working on my story about the Virgin Media / Discovery Family tree.

[paultrademark]

Using Wiki for a source is like using a chocolate fireguard.