General : Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2023)

[ozsat]

'The Lego Channel' seems to have been removed from Pluto - where it used to be.

---------- Post added at 17:04 ---------- Previous post was at 16:41 ----------

The press listings for 'CITV' were sent out last week and so list 'Channel no longer available' from 9pm on 1st September.

Originally Posted by Media Boy UK

Base on reports on DS Forum:

Listings indicate CITV will close at 2100 on the evening of 1 September 2023.

(I would have pick August 31st to close CITV)

[epsilon]

Originally Posted by ozsat

'The Lego Channel' seems to have been removed from Pluto - where it used to be.

Yes and unlike the other FAST channels wasn't actually added as a video slate. (per digitalbitrate.com). With FAST channels coming and going relatively frequently, adding them to other genres is going to be tricky.

[Media Boy UK]

Originally Posted by epsilon

Apparently, the 6 channels mentioned in your list, along with "The Lego Channel" were removed from Virgin's internal networks last night but the channel names weren't removed from the SDT. More of a roll back than progress so it will be interesting to see how this progresses.

That news to me so thanks for heads up mate.

[1701-e]

I saw something about the other FAST channels have to have ofcom licenses and Virgin media are requesting those. The content may suggest PIN protection.

[epsilon]

Originally Posted by 1701-e

I saw something about the other FAST channels have to have ofcom licenses and Virgin media are requesting those. The content may suggest PIN protection.

As far as I can remember the EPG PIN option wasn't enabled for the FAST channels.

[jfman]

Originally Posted by vincerooney

you have to hit the red button to launch these...the info isn't on the EPG guide....this is one of the most pointless things ever haha

Welcome to the glorious streaming future!

[OLD BOY]

Originally Posted by jfman

Welcome to the glorious streaming future!

They are not the streaming future. They are a flash in the pan.

I’d love to see the viewing figures when the dust settles.

[denphone]

Originally Posted by OLD BOY

They are not the streaming future. They are a flash in the pan.

I’d love to see the viewing figures when the dust settles.

The problem is OB is you see the future but its not as you know it or thought it....

[OLD BOY]

Originally Posted by denphone

The problem is OB is you see the future but its not as you know it or thought it....

Actually, everything is going to plan so far, even with the slower than expected broadband rollout. Anyway, let's not replay the arguments on here, just sit back and watch.

Originally Posted by OLD BOY

Actually, everything is going to plan so far, even with the slower than expected broadband rollout. Anyway, let's not replay the arguments on here, just sit back and watch.

Forbes disagree...

https://www.forbes.com/sites/forbest...h=34fbcad51c72

What This Means For The Future Of Television

Industry conversations and developments tell us that many streaming platforms will go the way of CuriosityStream, abandoning the subscription model in favor of FAST across as many platforms as possible, driving revenue on existing content libraries. The unit economics of a $5 to $10 subscription doesn't make much sense if, on average, you are paying $50 to $75 to acquire a subscriber and they churn out in six to nine months.

The model provides a lot of opportunities for content providers and platforms but also challenges. Platforms are once again having to plan programming rather than letting consumers simply select on demand. It also assumes that consumers will continue to have an appetite for whatever content is programmed. It's important to remember that on-demand options surged for a reason.

Conclusion
Consumer viewing habits have continued to develop as streaming options and models have advanced. With the rise of FAST, consumers are getting free content (via ad exposure), content providers are getting new revenue channels and platforms are getting more content to engage users.

When factoring in the options and content that now exist in the streaming universe—such as subscriptions that deliver original content and blockbuster movies on demand, live news or sports, and FAST channels—the landscape has undoubtedly changed and will continue to do so as the rise of new options like FAST channels aims to offer consumers exactly what they want.

https://advanced-television.com/2023...20in%20revenue.

Free ad-supported streaming TV (FAST) channel revenue grew almost 20 times between 2019 and 2022, and is set to triple between 2022 and 2027 to reach $12 billion (€11.9bn) according to research from analyst firm Omdia.

FAST channels are increasing rapidly with more than 1,500 channels already available in the US, according to Omdia.

Flash in the pan?

[OLD BOY]

Originally Posted by Hugh

Flash in the pan?

We’ll see, but I’ve yet to meet anyone who watches them. Maybe they will improve with better material and choice being offered over time, but that doesn’t alter my prediction about our main broadcast channels going streaming only. Of course, that is predicated by the expectation that industry drives this. If governments interfere, obviously things may change, but there is no sign of that yet.

Here comes another FAST Channel…

https://advanced-television.com/2023...-media-launch/

Comedy-on-demand streaming service NextUp has partnered with sports and entertainment programmer EXTREME to be available as a FAST channel on Virgin Media in the UK.

The linear ad-supported channel NextUp Live Comedy features its best stand-up comedy content including livestreams from the Edinburgh Fringe Comedy Festival throughout August, offering Virgin Media TV customers with TV 360, Stream or a V6 box access to hours of entertainment at no extra cost. NextUp is also working with EXTREME to launch its FAST channels on further platforms later in August.

[MatthewEastaugh]

It's not 'another' one - NextUp is one of the fourteen added the other day.

Originally Posted by Media Boy UK

My Source has just confirmed that 14
*Inside Crime UK - is set to launch on Virgin UK Channel 220.
*Real Wild - is set to launch on Virgin UK Channel 221.
*Mystery TV - is set to launch on Virgin UK Channel 222.
*HauntTV - is set to launch on Virgin UK Channel 223.
*History Hit - is set to launch on Virgin UK Channel 224.
*Homes under the Hammer - is set to launch on Virgin UK Channel 230.
*Great British Menu - is set to launch on Virgin UK Channel 231.
*Tastemade - is set to launch on Virgin UK Channel 232.
*NextUp Live Comedy - is set to launch on Virgin UK Channel 242.
*The Chat Show Channel - is set to launch on Virgin UK Channel 243.
*Baywatch - is set to launch on Virgin UK Channel 244.
*Deal or no Deal USA - is set to launch on Virgin UK Channel 250.
*Fear Factor - is set to launch on Virgin UK Channel 251.
*Wipeout Xtra - is set to launch on Virgin UK Channel 252.

[OLD BOY]

Originally Posted by MatthewEastaugh

It's not 'another' one - NextUp is one of the fourteen added the other day.

Thanks.

Originally Posted by OLD BOY

We’ll see, but I’ve yet to meet anyone who watches them. Maybe they will improve with better material and choice being offered over time, but that doesn’t alter my prediction about our main broadcast channels going streaming only. Of course, that is predicated by the expectation that industry drives this. If governments interfere, obviously things may change, but there is no sign of that yet.

Here comes another FAST Channel…

https://advanced-television.com/2023...-media-launch/

Comedy-on-demand streaming service NextUp has partnered with sports and entertainment programmer EXTREME to be available as a FAST channel on Virgin Media in the UK.

The linear ad-supported channel NextUp Live Comedy features its best stand-up comedy content including livestreams from the Edinburgh Fringe Comedy Festival throughout August, offering Virgin Media TV customers with TV 360, Stream or a V6 box access to hours of entertainment at no extra cost. NextUp is also working with EXTREME to launch its FAST channels on further platforms later in August.

Does your prediction about streaming include the streaming format mix - what mixture of linear/on-demand do you foresee?

50/50 (OD/linear). 75/25 (OD/linear), or ??/??

[jfman]

“I’ve never met anyone”

The final haven of anecdotal evidence. TV ratings since the beginning of widespread digital TV would demonstrate the vast, vast majority of people don’t watch the vast, vast majority of it. Why? The market is saturated.

It’d be as pointless as saying “I’ve never met anyone who has watched” the vast majority of any of the content on any streaming provider. Why? The market is also saturated.

The question is who is running a sustainable business model.