General : Coming soon to Virgin TV 2014

[Dave42]

Originally Posted by OLD BOY

Well, through other content providers who offer on demand facilities. We know about the Amazon/Lovefilm possibilities already, VM have confirmed their interest in this. Alternatively, we could get HBO UK as an app. However, these alternatives don't come cheaply if viewed as PPV or 'buy' - I know they are not subscription; I didn't say they were.

I mentioned also before that it is not beyond the realms of possibility that we may have an on demand facility provided by Sky that excludes the first run series of programmes on Sky Atlantic. This would retain their USP, if this is the issue. Sky would still be able to claim that Sky Atlantic was available only directly from Sky and that all first run HBO shows are exclusive to the platform.

I could live with that and I think it would be widely perceived as being a fair solution that has advantages for both sides (for Sky, increased income for a start).

sky could do that by doing deals for SA with other providers for a reasonable price they don't want anyone to have it that why they set unreal price they know no one would pay

[Chad]

Originally Posted by Dave42

sky could do that by doing deals for SA with other providers for a reasonable price they don't want anyone to have it that why they set unreal price they know no one would pay

SKY are not pricing the channel out of the market, the channel is simply off limits to other providers full stop. I asked SKY during a recent marketing session, they confirmed Atlantic is off limits to other providers for the foreseeable future.

As is their right - they see it as a USP/market differentiator.

Why let others have what you see as your 'crown jewels'?

[Chad]

Originally Posted by Hugh

As is their right - they see it as a USP/market differentiator.

Why let others have what you see as your 'crown jewels'?

Very true. Virgin Media have TiVo and super-fast broadband. I can't see Virgin allowing their competitors to use TiVo or share their broadband network anytime soon. I wouldn't want them too either. Keeps innovation and competition healthy.

[Lostlam]

IMO, TiVo is VM only USP. If they lost that, then I can't see them being any different to the crowd.

[denphone]

Originally Posted by Hugh

As is their right - they see it as a USP/market differentiator.

Why let others have what you see as your 'crown jewels'?

And many because of that have adapted their strategy accordingly as there is more then one way to skin a cat.

[1andrew1]

Originally Posted by Lostlam

IMO, TiVo is VM only USP. If they lost that, then I can't see them being any different to the crowd.

The crowd has up to 76mb broadband, Virgin Media has uip to 120mb. Surely this is a key USP? Other less important USPs include Netflix integrated with a PVR, ability to get broadband without a landline and an extensive mobile phone offering, and the Ginx gaming channel. Virgin also has the widest channel range and best HD offering apart from Sky so would stand out from BT and TalkTalk on its channels alone.

[RobboEdin]

Originally Posted by 1andrew1

The crowd has up to 76mb broadband, Virgin Media has uip to 120mb. Surely this is a key USP? Other less important USPs include Netflix integrated with a PVR, ability to get broadband without a landline and an extensive mobile phone offering, and the Ginx gaming channel. Virgin also has the widest channel range and best HD offering apart from Sky so would stand out from BT and TalkTalk on its channels alone.

The BB differentiation is now even better as the top speed is now 152, double 76.

[Chad]

Originally Posted by 1andrew1

The crowd has up to 76mb broadband, Virgin Media has uip to 120mb. Surely this is a key USP?

Very true however how many people actually need 120mb and above? Are people paying for a service they simply don't need or use?

http://www.freeview.co.uk/articles/a...mers-cash.html

"Streaming TV shows and movies is the eighth most popular use for broadband in 2014; an activity which uses a relatively minimal download speed of 7Mbps for Super HD quality viewing(5). Similarly, browsing the internet, checking emails and social networking remain the most popular online activities in three quarters of households (77 per cent), requiring a base speed of just 5Mbps. Despite this, UK households are paying for an average speed of 32Mbps, which is over six times higher than they need."

[denphone]

Originally Posted by Chad

Very true however how many people actually need 120mb and above? Are people paying for a service they simply don't need or use?

http://www.freeview.co.uk/articles/a...mers-cash.html

"Streaming TV shows and movies is the eighth most popular use for broadband in 2014; an activity which uses a relatively minimal download speed of 7Mbps for Super HD quality viewing(5). Similarly, browsing the internet, checking emails and social networking remain the most popular online activities in three quarters of households (77 per cent), requiring a base speed of just 5Mbps. Despite this, UK households are paying for an average speed of 32Mbps, which is over six times higher than they need."

When there are quite a few in the household using different devices Chad you will find that the higher speeds are needed by some and remember for quite a few even getting a base speed of just 5Mbps is just not attainable for quite a few people as my Parents don't even get 1Mbps in their household.

[muppetman11]

Surely with cloud storage becoming more and more frequently used its also worth considering the upload speed of a service , whilst VM offer the greater download speeds BT's FTTC is a clear winner with uploading , horses for courses I guess.

[theone2k10]

Originally Posted by Chad

Very true however how many people actually need 120mb and above? Are people paying for a service they simply don't need or use?

http://www.freeview.co.uk/articles/a...mers-cash.html

"Streaming TV shows and movies is the eighth most popular use for broadband in 2014; an activity which uses a relatively minimal download speed of 7Mbps for Super HD quality viewing(5). Similarly, browsing the internet, checking emails and social networking remain the most popular online activities in three quarters of households (77 per cent), requiring a base speed of just 5Mbps. Despite this, UK households are paying for an average speed of 32Mbps, which is over six times higher than they need."

Being a keen gamer the faster speeds (100mbs) are a must for me for the higher ping and upload.
Most people who just use net for streaming,emails, surfing ect don't really need much more than 8mbs though.

[vincerooney]

Originally Posted by Chad

Very true. Virgin Media have TiVo and super-fast broadband. I can't see Virgin allowing their competitors to use TiVo or share their broadband network anytime soon. I wouldn't want them too either. Keeps innovation and competition healthy.

I agree with all this Chad i just think its a really sad world we live in now that other tv providers aren't allowing other providers to have channels as its the viewer who loses out. I know television is a business etc and sky are there to make money etc but i just genuinely think its a sad turn of events where companies like sky can withhold channels and charge more for sky sports etc than their own customers.

I sometimes yearn for a return to the 1980s...yes we had limited choices but tv was regarded as something for everyone and no one had to pay for it (except the license fee) rather than the dirty war we're all involved in now as one company offers super fast broadband and the other offers HBO content.

"cant i have both?"
"NO! You pick one or the other and you pay through the roof and be happy for it!!"

Thats my pointless rant over with. I'm only 28 years old and i'm already this cynical and angry at this world...

[muppetman11]

Originally Posted by theone2k10

Being a keen gamer the faster speeds (100mbs) are a must for me for the higher ping and upload.
Most people who just use net for streaming,emails, surfing ect don't really need much more than 8mbs though.

You do realise the lower the ping the better for gaming

[1andrew1]

Originally Posted by Chad

Very true however how many people actually need 120mb and above? Are people paying for a service they simply don't need or use?

http://www.freeview.co.uk/articles/a...mers-cash.html

"Streaming TV shows and movies is the eighth most popular use for broadband in 2014; an activity which uses a relatively minimal download speed of 7Mbps for Super HD quality viewing(5). Similarly, browsing the internet, checking emails and social networking remain the most popular online activities in three quarters of households (77 per cent), requiring a base speed of just 5Mbps. Despite this, UK households are paying for an average speed of 32Mbps, which is over six times higher than they need."

There's some truth in what you say. But it's still a USP in the same way that Sky Atlantic is a USP whose shows don't appeal to everyone. Very fast broadband does not appeal nor is needed by everyone. But it's still unique to Virgin.