General : Virgin Media & UKTV+ITV Channels

[Itshim]

Originally Posted by Mr K

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.

Very much doubt that this will hurt virgin, in the long run l think the big loser will be UKTV.loss of viewers, and the cut in advertising revenue.Plus the cost savings of not paying them carriage charges.

[alwaysabear]

Originally Posted by Mr K

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.

I really cannot see that, only a very small proportion of VM customers are going to move else where for a few repeat channels.
Whereas UKTV loose access to 4 million customers and advertisers will be looking for a reduction in fees, plus they will be getting nothing from VM.
Meanwhile VM have saved money.

[telegramsam]

The real losers of course are the Virgin Media customers who WANT to watch UK Gold,W,Alibi but now have to seek other ways of seeing them.

[Mr K]

Originally Posted by alwaysabear

Meanwhile VM have saved money.

That depends on how many customers they lose, and discounts they have to give to retain others.

[oliver1948uk]

The more I consider the course of events the more I believe VM knew what was going to happen (ie UKTV programmes would leave VM) and had weighed up in advance the costs and risks involved. I believe this because all of a sudden replacement channels were available, something which by past experience takes months or even years to negotiate. Rather than ITV holding VM to ransom, perhaps it was the other way round. By standing firm to UKTV, VM were showing they were not going to be messed about by ITV who have much to lose if they are not on VM. Only those in the room where negotiations take place really know. I doubt they are contributing to this forum.

VM know that many people are in a similar position to me. That is that money is limited and to get good broadband speed as well as adequate TV is going to cost more away from VM. I watched a lot on Drama in particular but it is not the end of the world! There is more in life than TV.

[Itshim]

Originally Posted by oliver1948uk

The more I consider the course of events the more I believe VM knew what was going to happen (ie UKTV programmes would leave VM) and had weighed up in advance the costs and risks involved. I believe this because all of a sudden replacement channels were available, something which by past experience takes months or even years to negotiate. Rather than ITV holding VM to ransom, perhaps it was the other way round. By standing firm to UKTV, VM were showing they were not going to be messed about by ITV who have much to lose if they are not on VM. Only those in the room where negotiations take place really know. I doubt they are contributing to this forum.

VM know that many people are in a similar position to me. That is that money is limited and to get good broadband speed as well as adequate TV is going to cost more away from VM. I watched a lot on Drama in particular but it is not the end of the world! There is more in life than TV.

This pretty close to my view except for the money part . Broadband is the reason l choose to stay.can always work around the few programs not available now. Can't says the new ones bring anything to my table.

[telegramsam]

Originally Posted by Itshim

This pretty close to my view except for the money part . Broadband is the reason l choose to stay.can always work around the few programs not available now. Can't says the new ones bring anything to my table.

Personally I think Virgin Media's broadband is too expensive.. They offer massive speeds that the average household doesn't need nor want then charge an arm and a leg for.

[RichardCoulter]

Originally Posted by OLD BOY

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.

Not after a week though, at best it's been done to put pressure on UKTV , at worst to be downright antagonistic.

Slot 106 was dormant for a long time before it was auctioned off to Channel 4.

---------- Post added at 00:42 ---------- Previous post was at 00:39 ----------

Originally Posted by alwaysabear

I really cannot see that, only a very small proportion of VM customers are going to move else where for a few repeat channels.
Whereas UKTV loose access to 4 million customers and advertisers will be looking for a reduction in fees, plus they will be getting nothing from VM.
Meanwhile VM have saved money.

The postings on various internet sites and complaints to Ofcom about people not being able to get through to cancel suggest otherwise.

---------- Post added at 00:51 ---------- Previous post was at 00:42 ----------

Originally Posted by oliver1948uk

The more I consider the course of events the more I believe VM knew what was going to happen (ie UKTV programmes would leave VM) and had weighed up in advance the costs and risks involved. I believe this because all of a sudden replacement channels were available, something which by past experience takes months or even years to negotiate. Rather than ITV holding VM to ransom, perhaps it was the other way round. By standing firm to UKTV, VM were showing they were not going to be messed about by ITV who have much to lose if they are not on VM. Only those in the room where negotiations take place really know. I doubt they are contributing to this forum.

VM know that many people are in a similar position to me. That is that money is limited and to get good broadband speed as well as adequate TV is going to cost more away from VM. I watched a lot on Drama in particular but it is not the end of the world! There is more in life than TV.

The new channels were either timed to launch on the weekend the UKTV channels were removed eg Paramount started late and Quest HD started early (which they had to take back down!) or negotiated at the last minute as per VM themselves.

I do think though, that it does question the mantra that VM always say about these things always taking a long time to sort out.

I think it's pretty clear that VM is superior for BB and Sky superior for channel choice. I always assumed that this would be an expensive way to do it as you would lose the triple play discounts but, apparently, this isn't always the case. I've seen posts where people have cancelled all VM services because of the removal of the UKTV channels, but VM have given them a good deal to remain with them for BB. Couple this with the financial incentives that Sky are offering to try and poach VM customers and it can actually work out cheaper!

[japitts]

Originally Posted by RichardCoulter

Not after a week though, at best it's been done to put pressure on UKTV , at worst to be downright antagonistic.

Slot 106 was dormant for a long time before it was auctioned off to Channel 4.

Well it's certainly deliberate for some reason. I'd have thought VM would want to leave the door open for a period of time and the announcement last week did seem rather soon.

Forcing the issue possibly. Make a point maybe. Dunno.

[OLD BOY]

Originally Posted by RichardCoulter

Not after a week though, at best it's been done to put pressure on UKTV , at worst to be downright antagonistic.

Slot 106 was dormant for a long time before it was auctioned off to Channel 4.

---------- Post added at 00:42 ---------- Previous post was at 00:39 ----------



The postings on various internet sites and complaints to Ofcom about people not being able to get through to cancel suggest otherwise.

Well, we can big this up to our hearts content, but the fact is that the UKTV channels are unlikely to come back, which Virgin recognise, and some viewers will be lost.

Then we get some more channels, some of which will be in UHD, possibly putting Virgin ahead of the game again, encouraging new subscribers.

It's business, and customers pays their money and takes their choice. It has always been thus.

[johnasimmons]

from the vm forum

Had a call from VM Complaints Department today (in response to my letter re lost UKTV channels) and he told me they are close to agreement on restoring SOME of the lost channels and an official announcement will be made in the next few days, as soon as details finalised. When I rang Customer Services to check they confirmed that it is true.

[Stephen]

So by some that's likely to be the freeview ones.

[johnasimmons]

I would guess so

[Dave42]

uktv still saying unlikely

Official UKTV
‏
Verified account

@UKTV
22m
22 minutes ago


More
Replying to @mrsp1974 @virginmedia
Hi, at the moment it's looking unlikely that we'll be retuning to Virgin Media. We are truly sorry that this has happened.

---------- Post added at 15:08 ---------- Previous post was at 15:05 ----------

Official UKTV
‏
Verified account

@UKTV
21m
21 minutes ago


More
Replying to @evcarmike @SkyUK and 2 others
Hi Mike, we know there's a lot of information flying around which is frustrating. We can’t give our channels away for free to a company that charges our viewers to watch but not does not pass any of that back to us to invest in more shows. We're sorry that his has happened

[Mr K]

Originally Posted by Stephen

So by some that's likely to be the freeview ones.

That at least would be something. Although I can get Freeview, having recordings in one place is more convenient. However theres no such suggestion from UKTV. Surely VM wouldn't just be saying anything to stop customers cancelling , would they ?

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

Like BT's latest advert
https://pbs.twimg.com/ad_img/1022499...=jpg&name=orig