General : Virgin Media & UKTV+ITV Channels

[muppetman11]

Both Netflix and Amazon have good stuff that said they also have lots of junk as well.

[Dave42]

lets hope VM got something up there sleeves as UKTV channel aint coming back

[RichardCoulter]

I wouldn't rule it out as Ofcom are now meeting with both parties.

[Dave42]

Originally Posted by RichardCoulter

I wouldn't rule it out as Ofcom are now meeting with both parties.

uktv saying it even more unlikely now with the channel slots out for bids they are even less happy now so cant see it being resolved but hope it can be just cant see it sadly

Official UKTV
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@UKTV
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Replying to @Skynet_TX @SkyUK @virginmedia
If it helps, we've heard from Virgin Media, but they are now asking other broadcasters to buy our slots - so our channels coming back is looking ever unlikely, sadly

[pip08456]

Originally Posted by RichardCoulter

I wouldn't rule it out as Ofcom are now meeting with both parties.

What do you think OFCOM can do Richard? VM is a private company and can't be forced to take channels if it isn't prepared to pay the amount requested by UKTV.

[japitts]

Originally Posted by pip08456

What do you think OFCOM can do Richard? VM is a private company and can't be forced to take channels if it isn't prepared to pay the amount requested by UKTV.

In terms of the commercial side, absolutely right. There's been intimations on here and some other threads about the whole FTA thing, carriage fees on one platform but not another etc. I should imagine Ofcom would want a level playing field with that.

Otherwise I suspect restoration depends on which company is getting hurt the most at the moment, and therefore who is more likely to want an escape route.

[dodgem22]

Virgin are still using the statement below as a reply and said it to me on Twitter 2 hours ago I said to them and UKTV the following in response to the slots being put up for auction.

Perhaps they are asking other broadcasters as a tactic to encourage a deal between yourselves before its to late. If only those at the top of UKTV and VM would sort this out put the customer first

Hi Steve. We’re still talking to UKTV and have offered to restore UKTV’s free channels for our customers immediately with their permission. We’re ready when they are. Read more here:

So who knows maybe the channels will return? Hopefully they will but I wont hold my breath.

[Raider999]

Haven't missed them at all, personally.

I hope this new content is going to be UK sourced not even more Crap from the USA.

[RichardCoulter]

Originally Posted by Dave42

uktv saying it even more unlikely now with the channel slots out for bids they are even less happy now so cant see it being resolved but hope it can be just cant see it sadly

Official UKTV
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@UKTV
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Replying to @Skynet_TX @SkyUK @virginmedia
If it helps, we've heard from Virgin Media, but they are now asking other broadcasters to buy our slots - so our channels coming back is looking ever unlikely, sadly

Well, the decision to auction off the EPG slots so soon is nothing short of inflammatory and will do nothing to help negotiations.

---------- Post added at 17:25 ---------- Previous post was at 17:21 ----------

Originally Posted by pip08456

What do you think OFCOM can do Richard? VM is a private company and can't be forced to take channels if it isn't prepared to pay the amount requested by UKTV.

They say that they are to mediate between the two sides and have expressed concern on the fairness of the VM customer contract. If either side refuse to take part, I imagine that they will make this public. This would have the effect of influencing public perception, rightly or wrongly, as to who is to blame.

Ofcom can't force VM to restore the channels, but if no agreement is made, I suspect that they will refer the matter to a more appropriate body with regards to the contract issue.

---------- Post added at 17:31 ---------- Previous post was at 17:25 ----------

Originally Posted by japitts

In terms of the commercial side, absolutely right. There's been intimations on here and some other threads about the whole FTA thing, carriage fees on one platform but not another etc. I should imagine Ofcom would want a level playing field with that.

Otherwise I suspect restoration depends on which company is getting hurt the most at the moment, and therefore who is more likely to want an escape route.

What normally happens with companies in these situations is that it becomes a matter of pride and either side not wanting to be seen with egg on their face. Often the guy/s at the top 'go on to do other thing's, resign 'to spend more time with their family' etc.

It took a change of personnel before the Sky basics dispute was settled.

You're right, as always, money will certainly play a major part in getting this sorted out. Then we can expect a gushing statements from both companies about how pleased they are to continue building on their partnership into the future etc etc.

VM have yet to feel the full financial effects of the situation because they are forcing customers to stay with them, but they must surely realise that, as contracts expire, people will want to move to another provider to regain the channels or out of pure resentment for the way they've been treated.

This whole incident (and the realisation that ITV could have been removed) has also had the effect of putting off new potential customers. Many people have stated that they have effectively lost confidence in the platform to continue to provide the channels that they signed up for, whether these include the actual channels involved or not.

For the majority of channels, as a closed platform, it's entirely up to VM and successful carriage negotiations which channels are carried. This isn't the same with satellite or even Freeview and I think it was very unwise of VM to highlight this fact to the public.

They clearly didn't look at the bigger picture when embarking on this course of action.

[Dave42]

Originally Posted by RichardCoulter

Well, the decision to auction off the EPG slots so soon is nothing short of inflammatory and will do nothing to help negotiations.

---------- Post added at 17:25 ---------- Previous post was at 17:21 ----------



They say that they are to mediate between the two sides and have expressed concern on the fairness of the VM customer contract. If either side refuse to take part, I imagine that they will make this public. This would have the effect of influencing public perception, rightly or wrongly, as to who is to blame.

Ofcom can't force VM to restore the channels, but if no agreement is made, I suspect that they will refer the matter to a more appropriate body with regards to the contract issue.

---------- Post added at 17:31 ---------- Previous post was at 17:25 ----------



What normally happens with companies in these situations is that it becomes a matter of pride and either side not wanting to be seen with egg on their face. Often the guy/s at the top 'go on to do other thing's, resign 'to spend more time with their family' etc.

It took a change of personnel before the Sky basics dispute was settled.

You're right, as always, money will certainly play a major part in getting this sorted out. Then we can expect a gushing statemeng from both companies about how pleased they are to continue building on their partnership into the future etc etc.

same could be said about uktv telling everyone to switch providers

[RobboEdin]

UKTV telling Virgin Media customers to switch suppliers is just childish and reeks of desperation.

[RichardCoulter]

Originally Posted by Dave42

same could be said about uktv telling everyone to switch providers

Indeed it could.

Indidently, I have also learnt that Sky are proactively contacting those who complained on social media with very decent offers to switch.

[Gavin-D]

Originally Posted by RichardCoulter

Indeed it could.

Indidently, I have also learnt that Sky are proactively contacting those who complained on social media with very decent offers to switch.

Yep. The twitter feed has loads of VM customers they are trying to sign up

https://twitter.com/SkyUK/with_replies

[OLD BOY]

Originally Posted by RichardCoulter

Well, the decision to auction off the EPG slots so soon is nothing short of inflammatory and will do nothing to help negotiations.

Well, VM can't be expected to hold the channel numbers open forever, Richard. The two sides cannot agree. The negotiations are over and relationships have broken down.

There comes a point when you have to move on.

[Mr K]

Originally Posted by RobboEdin

UKTV telling Virgin Media customers to switch suppliers is just childish and reeks of desperation.

Why ? It's practical advice if the customer wants to watch UKTV channels. Many may not be aware some are on Freeview and may review their need for VM. I see this hurting VM more in the long run, than UKTV, other providers are now going to highlight the channels VM don't provide.