General : Coming soon to Virgin TV 2014

[theone2k10]

Originally Posted by ntluser

Given that the BBC may give up the licence fee in favour of subscriptions to channels, does anyone know what the effect will be on Virgin Media's transmission of BBC TV channels if that goes ahead? Just wondering if things will carry on as normal for Virgin customers or if Virgin will be required to charge extra. Any info greatly appreciated. TIA.

It will go one of two ways i think across all platforms, either the BBC channels will be re-packaged into another pack such as m+ etc or BBC will go it alone with subscription wise and it'll be like premier sport you'll pay a seperate subscription for them.

[1andrew1]

Originally Posted by ntluser

Given that the BBC may give up the licence fee in favour of subscriptions to channels, does anyone know what the effect will be on Virgin Media's transmission of BBC TV channels if that goes ahead? Just wondering if things will carry on as normal for Virgin customers or if Virgin will be required to charge extra. Any info greatly appreciated. TIA.

An Act of Parliament would be required for that to happen and none is proposed. The BBC has also said it does not have the technology to cut-off non-subscribers on DTT, Freesat, web or mobile devices so at the moment it's a non-starter and certainly not coming soon.

[ntluser]

Cheers,Guys.Thanx for the replies. I suppose as always we'll just have to wait and see and be prepared for any price increases that may come along.

[gemma307]

Originally Posted by theone2k10

It will go one of two ways i think across all platforms, either the BBC channels will be re-packaged into another pack such as m+ etc or BBC will go it alone with subscription wise and it'll be like premier sport you'll pay a seperate subscription for them.

How will they handle radio & web content?

[nicko]

I can't see it happening, I think it's funding will come from general taxation, but they won't like that, it will be a kind of loss of independence for the BBC .

[cj136uk]

Originally Posted by ntluser

Given that the BBC may give up the licence fee in favour of subscriptions to channels, does anyone know what the effect will be on Virgin Media's transmission of BBC TV channels if that goes ahead? Just wondering if things will carry on as normal for Virgin customers or if Virgin will be required to charge extra. Any info greatly appreciated. TIA.

There's isn't a given on this. The bbc executive and trust ruled it out. Scrambling the channels would be costly to reinstate, and a backwards move. The BBC is based on the principle of free to air in the uk for all services. Therefore the current way of receiving bbc will remain. The gov ruled out changing the the funding mechanism for the BBC. Some MPs took advice on withdrawing bbc channels from individuals who do not pay the license fee, but it doesn't seem to point on how they could do it without significant cost.

[Gunslinger]

Most likely BBC will be angling to charge a subscription for I-Player and other online TV content, which are currently exempt from licence fees.

Presumably where delivered via a TV provider like VM or Sky this might be wrapped up in a deal with those providers, so you won't actually notice a separate charge.

[cj136uk]

Originally Posted by Gunslinger

Most likely BBC will be angling to charge a subscription for I-Player and other online TV content, which are currently exempt from licence fees.

Presumably where delivered via a TV provider like VM or Sky this might be wrapped up in a deal with those providers, so you won't actually notice a separate charge.

Again, no plans to do that. What is proposed is a change in law to say catchup (BBC Iplayer) programmes broadcast in the last 30 days DO require a license fee. at present it doesn't require a license.

There are plans for a pay version of iplayer i.e. for archive material. this will be a low cost though.

[Gavin-D]

Looks like real radio will be re branded heart on Tuesday 6th May

[nodrogd]

Been on the cards for a long time as a result of the Global/GMG merger.

http://www.thedrum.com/news/2014/02/...icorp-35m-deal

Gold has also dissapeared from all but 3 areas of the country, being replaced by Smooth Radio on AM & DAB.

[Media Boy UK]

Originally Posted by Gavin-D

Looks like real radio will be re branded heart on Tuesday 6th May

Real Radio is not on Virgin Media.

Global Radio is set to make some money as they can sell Real Radio EPG Slot on Sky to an other Radio Broadcaster.

[RichardCoulter]

Originally Posted by Media Boy

Real Radio is not on Virgin Media.

Global Radio is set to make some money as they can sell Real Radio EPG Slot on Sky to an other Radio Broadcaster.

Has the launch queue for radio slots on Sky been closed too?

[Media Boy UK]

Originally Posted by RichardCoulter

Has the launch queue for radio slots on Sky been closed too?

Yes but if an Radio Channel is set to close (Real Radio) it owners can sell it EPG Slot.

[vincerooney]

Remember then we had to have a new thread nearly every month because of all the channel launches?? I wonder what has changed to make virgin media go from 3 channel launches a month on average (mainly rubbish) to literally not launching a single thing since january.

A lot of it has been about "broadband speeds" but considering majority of broadband around the UK has mega utilisation issues (im on 100MB and i can't get 2MB during peak) is this something to brag about? I wouldnt put all my eggs in one basket then a lot of people are very, very angry on the VM official forum about what they're getting. I left a very polite thread over my issues in the L10 area. There is a lot of mega profanity about VM broadband issues. Even more anger over the VM bragging over the telephone service being awarded top in the UK.

Whoever decided to stop launching channels and "content" and start concentrating on "speed" and "internet services" needs to be taken to the hang mans rope. Never concentrate all your service on an area which is really, really struggling.

The fact VM can now go "nahhh dont need anymore channels we're broadband baby!!" shows upper management are so detached from their product it frightens me. I'm being quoted huge reference numbers to call up to get a "refund". i asked why i can't get a refund automatically since VM know im getting dangerously bad broadband speeds. I was told "It hadnt been agreed".

Its a case of the right hand doesnt know what the left hand is talking about. If i didnt despise sky so much i would leave happily now. The fact VM think they're in a position to stop adding channel content really, really annoys me.

[passingbat]

Originally Posted by vincerooney

Whoever decided to stop launching channels and "content" and start concentrating on "speed" and "internet services" needs to be taken to the hang mans rope. .

There aren't many decent (worth having) channels left to launch; Apart from Universal HD, the others are held back by Sky. So it's not surprising that there haven't been many launches; there's not much to launch.

Streamed content is the future, so VM concentrating on broadband is hardly surprising.