General : Virgin Media & UKTV+ITV Channels

[Mr K]

Originally Posted by OLD BOY

ITV is now jumping on the bandwagon and threatening to withdraw its channels from VM!

However, it looks like they are close to a deal and VM say the ITV channels will remain on the platform.

https://www.theguardian.com/media/20...unning-dispute

Sensing now the time to get VM at its weakest no doubt..... Really don't watch ITV, rather have UKTV, but each to their own and the more choice, the better.

Beginning to think this outcry over UKTV is partly because we don't really make sitcoms any longer (the ones we do are terrible) - there's a large market for them. Steptoe/Dads Army/Porridge/Only Fools/Likely Lads/Fawlty Towers, are classics and do stand up to repeating. People need a bit of cheering up these days.

[pengedragon]

Originally Posted by Mr K

Presumably stuff already recorded will be able to view ? I know you can't do this with premium channels once unsubscribed, but I guess uktv recordings will be ok ?

think I read on here you'll be able to access them for 3 months

[Mr K]

Originally Posted by pengedragon

think I read on here you'll be able to access them for 3 months

Mind you if you've got a old TIVO with a scart out, you can 'archive' to your own HD/DVD. The V6 has lost this user friendly feature !

[denphone]

Perhaps more ominous news regarding UKTV..

Virgin Media’s four million pay-TV customers face permanently losing UKTV’s 10 channels, which include Dave and Gold, as the cable company looks to auction off the channel slots to rivals.

Virgin Media has sent a letter to broadcasters and media companies asking for expressions of interest in taking over the channel slots, with responses due by Friday.

Virgin Media has called the BBC a “dinosaur” for holding back the video on demand rights to its programming, instead selling digital rights to shows such as Top Gear to players such as Netflix. Virgin Media has said this strategy was no longer acceptable as viewers expect to be able to watch shows on demand.

https://www.theguardian.com/media/20...as-row-deepens

[SonicMaster]

Originally Posted by denphone

Perhaps more ominous news regarding UKTV..

https://www.theguardian.com/media/20...as-row-deepens

I think this is good news, as it really puts the pressure on UKTV... they will be very keen to hang on to all those prominent slots near the top of the EPG and may now be willing to give VM a better deal rather than risk losing them all...

UKTV occupies 23 channel slots – including high definition and plus one-hour versions of its 10 channel portfolio – a number of which are in coveted, valuable positions high on the electronic programme guide viewers use. In total, the channel slots are likely to be worth tens of millions of pounds.

Last year Channel 4 bid millions of pounds to successfully secure a high-rated channel slot, 106, for E4.

[denphone]

Well lets see Sonic as there are big players out there who would pay handsomely for those prestigious slots.

[SonicMaster]

Originally Posted by denphone

Well lets see Sonic as there are big players out there who would pay handsomely for those prestigious slots.

I'm personally not bothered whether they come back at all, but I appreciate that many others are, so I would like to see an agreement reached between them.

So far I'm not missing the UKTV channels at all, and when I really think about it, I haven't watched a single programme on W since it switched from Watch and adopted a female focus, I've never watched anything on Gold, Alibi, Drama, Really, Eden, Home, Yesterday or Good Food, and the only shows I watch on Dave (very few) I'll now use UKTV Play for. It's surprised me actually, as I watch quite a few programmes on pay TV channels like Sky One, Sky Living, FOX, Comedy Central, Universal and SYFY. UKTV's content clearly doesn't appeal to me.

[Gavin-D]

Virgin Media has refused to comment on the rumours, only confirming that there are no plans for any changes to its ITV offerings.

But it's more complicated still. ITV cannot technically remove its main channel (also called ITV) due to the way TV is licensed in the UK. The flagship is protected by public service broadcasting restrictions that means it must be made available across all platforms

However, reflecting how archaic the laws are, ITV HD could be removed as it is not technically part of the same deal as its simulcast standard definition channel.

ITV2, 3, 4, Be, both in HD and SD and on-demand services, Encore and ITV Hub are commercial operations and are not subject to the same restrictions, meaning that even though they are available (in SD) on Freeview, ITV is not obliged to make them available to Virgin Media.

https://www.v3.co.uk/v3-uk/news/3036...s-this-weekend

[OLD BOY]

Originally Posted by SonicMaster

I'm personally not bothered whether they come back at all, but I appreciate that many others are, so I would like to see an agreement reached between them.

So far I'm not missing the UKTV channels at all, and when I really think about it, I haven't watched a single programme on W since it switched from Watch and adopted a female focus, I've never watched anything on Gold, Alibi, Drama, Really, Eden, Home, Yesterday or Good Food, and the only shows I watch on Dave (very few) I'll now use UKTV Play for. It's surprised me actually, as I watch quite a few programmes on pay TV channels like Sky One, Sky Living, FOX, Comedy Central, Universal and SYFY. UKTV's content clearly doesn't appeal to me.

I think VM know that this is how most people feel. The objections we are hearing are from a vocal minority.

I certainly have never worried that the UKTV channels were in the package I pay for, and I will be happy for those who miss them if a deal can be done, but I don't blame Virgin for standing firm on the rip off arrangements that previously applied.

I have no inside information, but I reckon what is likely to happen now is:

1. Ofcom makes clear to UKTV that it will not permit them to make their free channels available to other plarforms without charge but not to Virgin Media. This is patently unfair practice. They should tell UKTV to address that without delay if they don't want to risk censure. That move alone should bring back Dave, Dave ja vu, Drama, Home, Really and Yesterday to our screens.

2. It should rule that UKTV was in breach of an agreement with VM in that it failed to deliver the required 'on demand' content in line with their contractual commitments (assuming that they find that as a fact).

3. It should rule that negotiations in respect of Virgin's stance with regard to UKTV's premium channels and on demand content should remain an issue for negotiations between the parties.

I'm sorry, but I think the anger towards Virgin Media is misplaced because they have right on their side. People should be attacking UKTV for the present state of affairs.

---------- Post added at 14:08 ---------- Previous post was at 14:03 ----------

Originally Posted by Gavin-D

https://www.v3.co.uk/v3-uk/news/3036...s-this-weekend

Yes, Ofcom needs to review the rules as a matter of urgency. This has become a fast evolving industry and Ofcom appears not to be keeping up. If ITV has certain privileges as a public service provider, it needs to behave like one.

---------- Post added at 14:19 ---------- Previous post was at 14:08 ----------

Originally Posted by SonicMaster

I think this is good news, as it really puts the pressure on UKTV... they will be very keen to hang on to all those prominent slots near the top of the EPG and may now be willing to give VM a better deal rather than risk losing them all...

I agree. A deal is likely to be forthcoming sooner rather than later, I feel.

[Dave42]

Virgin Media
‏
Verified account

@virginmedia
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10 minutes ago


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Replying to @JosiePointer
Hi Josie,
We continue to have constructive discussions with ITV.

All ITV channels remain live on Virgin TV and we have no intention of removing them.

[denphone]

Originally Posted by Dave42

Virgin Media
‏
Verified account

@virginmedia
10m
10 minutes ago


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Replying to @JosiePointer
Hi Josie,
We continue to have constructive discussions with ITV.

All ITV channels remain live on Virgin TV and we have no intention of removing them.

Personally ITV would be extremely foolish to pull their channels from Virgins platform.

[oxfordmark]

IF ITV went, surely that would constitute a break in contract for the customer?!

[Gavin-D]

Originally Posted by Dave42

Virgin Media
‏
Verified account

@virginmedia
10m
10 minutes ago


More
Replying to @JosiePointer
Hi Josie,
We continue to have constructive discussions with ITV.

All ITV channels remain live on Virgin TV and we have no intention of removing them.

They (VM) may have no intention of removing them but if talks go the same way as they did with UKTV they'll be removed whether they like it or not

[Mr K]

Originally Posted by OLD BOY

I think VM know that this is how most people feel. The objections we are hearing are from a vocal minority.

Think you're wrong there OB, have a look at the official support forum...

[Dingbat]

Can’t be bothered waiting for them to sort this UKTV (and now ITV) business out, so I’m ditching VM TV and going back to Sky.

While talking to the VM Retention’s agent, it seems that there’s lots and lots of others doing the same.

This debacle is gong to bite VM where it hurts.