General : Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2015)

[Media Boy UK]

May List update - May 8th update.

Keep up-to-date on the latest news on upcoming channel launches and other important events across all platforms of Virgin TV.

NOTE: I DO NOT WORK FOR VIRGIN MEDIA SO ALL THE INFORMATION ON THIS LIST IS STILL SUBJECT TO CHANGE

Colours on my list are as followed:

Media Boy = New Info just added.
Media Boy = Virgin Media News and links.
Media Boy = Local TV news, other Media news/Things.

=== Coming up on Virgin's Digital TV ===
=== Freeviews on Virgin Media ===
TBC. ??th. (Put channel name here) is having an freeview to all (Put package info here) packages on Virgin Channel ??? right now until TBC ??th 2015.

=== New Channels testing ===
Keep up to date on new channels testing on Virgin Media @ Latest News from Media Boy HQ on new channels testing

=== Soon ===
-That's Solent will soon launch in Southampton and surrounding areas.

=== May ===
14th. Big Centre TV may launch today in some Birmingham areas on Virgin Channel 159.
14th. Nat Geo Wild HD may launch today on Virgin Channel ???.

=== June ===
9th. Sky will rebrand Sky Arts 1 as Sky Arts today on Virgin Channel 281.
9th. Sky will rebrand Sky Arts 1 HD as Sky Arts HD today on Virgin Channel 282.
9th. Sky to close Sky Arts 2 today on Virgin Channel 283.
9th. Sky to close Sky Arts 2 HD today on Virgin Channel 284.

=== July ===
No News...

=== August ===
No News...

=== September ===
No News...

=== October ===
No News...

=== November ===
No News...

=== December ===
No News...

=== By 2016 ===
-Sky Movies to rebrand Sky Movies tbc1 as Sky Movies Aliens on Virgin Channel 4??.
-Sky Movies to rebrand Sky Movies Sky Movies Aliens as Sky Movies tbc1 on Virgin Channel 4??.
-Sky Movies to rebrand Sky Movies tbc1 HD as Sky Movies Aliens HD on Virgin Channel 4??.
-Sky Movies to rebrand Sky Movies Aliens HD as Sky Movies tbc1 HD on Virgin Channel 4??.
-Sky Movies to rebrand Sky Movies tbc2 as Sky Movies Gangsters on Virgin Channel 4??.
-Sky Movies to rebrand Sky Movies Gangsters as Sky Movies tbc2 on Virgin Channel 4??.
-Sky Movies to rebrand Sky Movies tbc2 HD as Sky Movies Gangsters HD on Virgin Channel 4??.
-Sky Movies to rebrand Sky Movies Gangsters HD as Sky Movies tbc2 HD on Virgin Channel 4??.

=== 2016 ===
-The BBC may close BBC Three on Virgin Media subject to approved by the BBC Trust.
-The BBC may close BBC Three HD on Virgin Media subject to approved by the BBC Trust.
-The BBC may launch BBC One +1 as an 24 hour channel on Virgin Media subject to approved by the BBC Trust.
-The BBC may add two extra hours per day to CBBC and CBBC HD on Virgin Media subject to approved by the BBC Trust.

=== January 2016 ===
No News...

=== February 2016 ===
No News...

=== March 2016 ===
No News...

=== April 2016 ===
No News...

=== May 2016 ===
No News...

=== June 2016 ===
No News...

=== July 2016 ===
No News...

=== August 2016 ===
No News...

=== September 2016 ===
No News...

=== October 2016 ===
No News...

=== November 2016 ===
No News...

=== December 2016 ===
No News...

=== Local TV on Virgin Media ===
-All the following Local TV broadcasters may launch by 2016 on Virgin Channel 159:

-YourTV Manchester
-YourTV Blackpool & Preston
-Cambridge Presents
-That’s Basingstoke
-That’s Surrey
-That’s Reading
-That’s Salisbury
-That's Oxford

=== Unknown dates ===
-The BBC hope to launch English regional variants of its existing BBC One HD service as well as Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland editions of BBC Two HD - but still need to be approved by the BBC Trust.

=== Channels ONLY in UPC Ireland areas ===
List last updated on April 16th 2015.

ONLY TV CHANNELS THAT ONLY BROADCAST IN THE UK ON OTHER NETWORKS WILL APPEAR ON THIS PART OF THE LIST.

ALSO THE FOLLOWING LIST OF CHANNELS IS CURRENTLY BROADCASTING ON UPC IRELAND BUT NOT ON VIRGIN MEDIA:

Documentaries:
-History HD
-Nat Geo Wild HD - CHANNEL NOW TESTING ON VIRGIN MEDIA.
-CI HD

Lifestyle:
-Fashion TV

Music:
-MTV Classic

Kids:
-Disney Channel HD

Specialist:
-EWTN

Radio:
-UCB Ireland

Channels only in UPC Ireland areas.

FOR LATEST NEWS ON UPC IRELAND SEE: http://www.cableforum.co.uk/board/11...iscussion.html

©copyright 2015 Media Boy 2006 - 2015. An ''Keep it real and free'' Production.

==== Virgin Media's Deals with broadcasters ===
Full list now at: http://mediaboyblog.blogspot.co.uk/p...adcasters.html

This part of list has now moved to my blog - follow link.

=== What is Media Boy on about??? ===
Here is what I mean when I post the following on Cable Forum:

Virgin Sources - means just that.
'Do Not Post' order - means an Virgin insider has given me some info on things that set to happen but has told me not to reveal it right now.

=== Media Boy Extra info: ===
Liberty Global - http://www.lgi.com/
Media Boy Blog - For all things Virgin TV - http://mediaboyblog.blogspot.com/
Follow Virgin Media on ''twitter'' here - http://twitter.com/virginmedia
See Nialli's blog on Virgin Media High Definition & TiVo Services here - http://vmhd.blogspot.com/

=== Ask Media Boy ===
Last updated May 8th 2015.

Q: WHERE DO YOU GET YOUR INFORMATION ABOUT VIRGIN MEDIA FROM?
A: Media Boy HQ gets all info from Virgin Media viewers, some Virgin Media workers (I called them Virgin Sources) and Web Sites (NOTE: When I used web sites I will post an link to that web site).

Q: WHY HAVE YOU ADDED 'ONLY IN UPC IRELAND AREAS' WHEN THIS THREAD IS FOR VIRGIN MEDIA?
A: Virgin Media and UPC Ireland are now both own by Liberty Global.

Q: WHY AM I NOT GETTING ''DISNEY CHANNEL HD'' FOR?
A: Disney Channel HD is only broadcasting in UPC Ireland areas right now.

==== See you later ===
List last updated on May 8th 2015.

Next update: TBC.

A) If Virgin Media are set to launch more than TWO channels (TV or Radio) in Virgin TV areas.
B) If Virgin Media are set to move more than TWO channels (TV or Radio) about in Virgin TV areas.
C) If Virgin Media are set to close or repackage more then TWO channels (TV or Radio) in Virgin TV areas.

©copyright 2015 Media Boy 2006 - 2015. An ''Keep it real and free'' Production.

[OLD BOY]

Originally Posted by muppetman11

So a pointless comparison , considering most peoples packages include many more channels.

And yet you pay for the XL TV package despite there being very little on.

So you pay in excess of £30 a month for the XL pack despite hardly watching any of the pay content just so you have choice , again baffling especially considering you love to educate us on the death of linear and the strengths of streaming services.

It is not a pointless comparison at all. The bulk of the payment we make excluding the premium channels is for the Sky channels, and this is what I was referring to. If you want to include the whole Sky offering, that would include the terrestrials, for which there is no charge, so this is pretty pointless.

I was drawing attention to the poor value of the Sky channels compared with what is on offer with Netflix. If you decide to extend that argument to include other channels, that is your right but it is not my argument.

Yes, I pay for the XL package because there are a few programmes my wife and I watch, such as Fox's The Walking Dead, in beautiful HD. I acknowledge we are paying a high price for a relatively small number of programmes. I am not alone in this.

As for the linear channels, I am not seeking their demise. I'm simply explaining that as people tire of having to watch all those commercials when relatively cheap alternatives exist where you don't need to and you can watch what you want, when you want, the number of viewers of broadcast channels will diminish. This will reduce advertising revenue, reduce the quality of programmes on linear and eventually reduce the number of channels broadcasting. Once this process starts, I think it will be the beginning of a relatively quick demise of this way of viewing.

How I watch TV is neither here nor there in this argument. It's all about economics, as I have said more than once.

I know that you know all this as I've explained it several times before, but of course you are being deliberately argumentative, you old tease.

[muppetman11]

Please do tell us how much of the XL fee goes to paying for the Sky basic channels ? You seem to be in the know.

Why does including other channels mean the terrestrial ? Does your XL package not include Watch , Alibi , Discovery , Animal Planet , Nat Geo , Nat Geo Wild , Comedy Central , Universal , Syfy , Fox , TLC , Lifetime , History , Disney Channel , Nickelodeon to name just a few.

As I say comparing a few channels to an entire On Demand service is pointless.

People will compare their entire package and make the decision on whether it represents value to them or not.

[passingbat]

Originally Posted by OLD BOY

I was drawing attention to the poor value of the Sky channels compared with what is on offer with Netflix.

You are forgetting one important aspect in your comparison; up-to-date viewing.

Netflix are at least one season behind on TV shows. The exception being their own content and the odd deal they make with a studio to add an episode of a show a few days after the US air date, e.g. The 100 on Netflix Canada and Orphan Black on Netherlands.

Being able to see shows as they are aired is important to some people.

And UK Netflix just isn't going to get the rights to most US shows shown on UK pay TV channels. Or if they do, it will be a few years later.

Netflix wins on overall content, but not on being current.

[muppetman11]

Originally Posted by passingbat

You are forgetting one important aspect in your comparison; up-to-date viewing.

Netflix are at least one season behind on TV shows. The exception being their own content and the odd deal they make with a studio to add an episode of a show a few days after the US air date, e.g. The 100 on Netflix Canada and Orphan Black on Netherlands.

Being able to see shows as they are aired is important to some people.

And UK Netflix just isn't going to get the rights to most US shows shown on UK pay TV channels. Or if they do, it will be a few years later.

Netflix wins on overall content, but not on being current.

Totally agree PB , you know my feelings since Netflix introduced its original content and got some more recent content its gone from strength to strength its also a leader on the technology front not to mention superb pq and audio. I just don't get a comparison between a few channels and an entire On Demand library most people have pay TV to pick shows across multiple channels not to mention multiple genres from a myriad of broadcasters.

[ase001]

Originally Posted by muppetman11

Totally agree PB , you know my feelings since Netflix introduced its original content and got some more recent content its gone from strength to strength its also a leader on the technology front not to mention superb pq and audio. I just don't get a comparison between a few channels and an entire On Demand library most people have pay TV to pick shows across multiple channels not to mention multiple genres from a myriad of broadcasters.

I've been looking around and considering the lack of good content I don't find VM good value anymore.
i.e I can get without deals!!

BT 40Mb broadband (only 10Mb less that VM, upload 10Mb where as VM is <2mb and limited)
BT sports SD where as VM is HD
BT YouView plus the extra channels (Sky living, Alibi etc)
BT Netflix 2 streams and HD
BT Free international calls (Not from VM)
Sky Entertainment pack

If you don't like BT, TalkTalk are slightly cheaper!

All for slightly less than VM even though I have customer loyalty discount, they need to start improving their offering or they will be losing customers.

[tassiekev]

Originally Posted by ase001

I've been looking around and considering the lack of good content I don't find VM good value anymore.
i.e I can get without deals!!

BT 40Mb broadband (only 10Mb less that VM, upload 10Mb where as VM is <2mb and limited)
BT sports SD where as VM is HD
BT YouView plus the extra channels (Sky living, Alibi etc)
BT Netflix 2 streams and HD
BT Free international calls (Not from VM)
Sky Entertainment pack

If you don't like BT, TalkTalk are slightly cheaper!

All for slightly less than VM even though I have customer loyalty discount, they need to start improving their offering or they will be losing customers.

Been thinking much the same for a long time (contract up in July), I wasn't aware that BT offered any Sky branded channels other than Sky Sports 1&2. Can't find any reference on their site, could you point me in the right direction please?

[ase001]

Originally Posted by tassiekev

Been thinking much the same for a long time (contract up in July), I wasn't aware that BT offered any Sky branded channels other than Sky Sports 1&2. Can't find any reference on their site, could you point me in the right direction please?

Sorry you are correct, it's Talktalk that offers the sky channels

[theone2k10]

Travel are rumoured to be launching a HD variant on all platforms in the Summer.

[Anypermitedroute]

Originally Posted by theone2k10

Travel are rumoured to be launching a HD variant on all platforms in the Summer.

What happened to nat geo wild HD rumour?

[theone2k10]

Originally Posted by Anypermitedroute

What happened to nat geo wild HD rumour?

Was supposed to launch last month *shrug* some rumpurs come true some don't i just post what gets passed onto me.
I think you'll see it in the summer along with a few other hd channels, not a rumour just my thoughts.

Worth noting also on my samsung sattelite tv bt sports 3 seems to be testing as a channel is showing up btsport3.

[steveh]

The Africa Channel's disappearance due to 'technical problems' is a bit odd. They're now tweeting that "We are working to resume regular service to Sky and Virgin Media in the next few hours."

[nodrogd]

Originally Posted by Anypermitedroute

What happened to nat geo wild HD rumour?

The last date rumoured for launch was next Tuesday (12 May).

http://www.tvchannellists.com/Forthc...%26_Ireland%29

[1andrew1]

Originally Posted by ase001

Sorry you are correct, it's Talktalk that offers the sky channels

But not Sky Atlantic. BT does offer the Sky Movies channels but Now TV is probably a cheaper solution for cable cutters who don't mind the lack of recording ability.

---------- Post added at 15:20 ---------- Previous post was at 15:17 ----------

Originally Posted by nodrogd

The last date rumoured for launch was next Tuesday (12 May).

http://www.tvchannellists.com/Forthc...%26_Ireland%29

That's a great resource you've linked to, thank you for sharing.

[theone2k10]

When sky arts2 closes sky arts will be renamed "ARTS" source a email from sky.