General : Virgin TV (2024)

[cheekyangus]

Originally Posted by OLD BOY

Ah, yes, we could just switch it off. A bit drastic for the sake of principle, but an option all the same.

I clearly didn’t get over what I meant to then OB, as what I was trying to get over was that I wouldn’t be choosing that because of principle, but because it made consumption of the content not worth the delivery hoops to jump through. Though there are decisions in life I will make solely on principle, I wouldn’t be making one about this one because of that alone. It usually takes multiple factors to make decisions.

I already don’t see lots of Disney content because I’m unwilling to use card info for certain services, so I only see their stuff if it’s on BBC or the like (so it’s old). And another TV provider I downgraded the tier as they wouldn’t allow payment on an existing and now discontinued (to new customers) tier via the payment method being used, even though they will still allow it on both the tier below and tiers above!

Yet another provider of services changed the level I originally signed up for so much that I cancelled. Not that long after they closed that service entirely, so it seems the customers like me thought they were changing too much.

I enjoy TV and films, but if the method of delivery isn’t close to what suits what I need, there are other content providers to take the money. Or I can be patient and wait for it to get old enough to get offered elsewhere. I will find different content from other places, I won’t just stop everything. Not all providers of content will make the same unpalatable changes, or they will offer enough flexibility/options, so the chances of it being a No TV household are very small.

And as my absence from these forums, and elsewhere, these days shows, I have other things happening in my life that I’m more than happy to devote time to now. I probably consumed too much televisual entertainment, but I still have the same delivery preferences and enjoyment of content.

[OLD BOY]

Fair enough, cheeky.

[epsilon]

Originally Posted by OLD BOY

I know many on here prefer to just stick with what they have, but change is inevitable, and in this day and age, it’s happening quicker than ever before. We are all going to have to keep up.

This isn’t just happening to Virgin subscribers. EE-TV (previously BT) are having to contend with moving to Sky Glass. Sooner or later all those on the EE-TV package will have to move over, but it’s discretionary at the moment.

At some time in the not too distant future, Sky satellite subscribers will have to move over to Sky Glass as the satellites will be ditched in favour of IPTV.

Whichever system you choose, it won’t last forever.

This is basic supply and demand. Customers won't simply have to go with the flow and accept whatever they are offered. If Virgin withdraw features, other suppliers will, most likely, step in to meet the demand. Virgin's loss will be their gain.

[TimeLord2018]

alibi and Gold become U&alibi and U&Gold on 7th November now being advertised.

[RichardCoulter]

Originally Posted by epsilon

This is basic supply and demand. Customers won't simply have to go with the flow and accept whatever they are offered. If Virgin withdraw features, other suppliers will, most likely, step in to meet the demand. Virgin's loss will be their gain.

Exactly, and if they don't, i'll consider scrapping pay TV altogether.

[TimeLord2018]

Originally Posted by OLD BOY

At some time in the not too distant future, Sky satellite subscribers will have to move over to Sky Glass as the satellites will be ditched in favour of IPTV.

Whichever system you choose, it won’t last forever.

Probably not until 2030 though , the contract was recently extended although noticeably only by 1 year , from the end of 2028 to the end of 2029.
https://rxtvinfo.com/2024/sky-extend...ce-until-2029/

They could only really extend it by a year as thats when the satellites reach their official End of Life.
Anything beyond that would require new satellites, or hope that the existing ones dont immediately fail.

[OLD BOY]

Originally Posted by epsilon

This is basic supply and demand. Customers won't simply have to go with the flow and accept whatever they are offered. If Virgin withdraw features, other suppliers will, most likely, step in to meet the demand. Virgin's loss will be their gain.

I don't know who you think would go down that route, given the unstoppable shift towards streaming. Sky won't go there, nor will EE (BT that was) - even Talk Talk is keeping up with the times. So what company did you have in mind?

It's not going to happen, epsilon.

---------- Post added at 08:51 ---------- Previous post was at 08:48 ----------

Originally Posted by RichardCoulter

Exactly, and if they don't, i'll consider scrapping pay TV altogether.

That sounds like cutting your nose off to spite your face. Surely, this is all about content, not an 'undelete' function or whatever it is that keeps you wedded to the TiVo.

Freely is not going to bridge that gap, so a move to ditch pay TV for the reason you gave seems rather illogical to me.

However, horses for courses....

---------- Post added at 08:52 ---------- Previous post was at 08:51 ----------

Originally Posted by TimeLord2018

Probably not until 2030 though , the contract was recently extended although noticeably only by 1 year , from the end of 2028 to the end of 2029.
https://rxtvinfo.com/2024/sky-extend...ce-until-2029/

Agreed.

[epsilon]

Originally Posted by OLD BOY

I don't know who you think would go down that route, given the unstoppable shift towards streaming. Sky won't go there, nor will EE (BT that was) - even Talk Talk is keeping up with the times. So what company did you have in mind?

It's not going to happen, epsilon.

Do you actually read what people are saying on this thread? Your opinions aren't shared by everyone. Just because you feel that there is an "unstoppable shift towards streaming" doesn't mean that it is actually the case. Sure, for you that's what has happened (somewhat). Not for everyone. EE are also "keeping up with the times" by exiting the market apparently (ditto for Talk Talk). Maybe Virgin will be next.

[OLD BOY]

Originally Posted by epsilon

Do you actually read what people are saying on this thread? Your opinions aren't shared by everyone. Just because you feel that there is an "unstoppable shift towards streaming" doesn't mean that it is actually the case. Sure, for you that's what has happened (somewhat). Not for everyone. EE are also "keeping up with the times" by exiting the market apparently (ditto for Talk Talk). Maybe Virgin will be next.

Yes, of course I see what people are saying.The last time I looked, this was a discussion forum.

I am telling you what I see, and I explain my comments. The response I seem to be getting is - that’s not what some people want. I get that, but they won’t prevent it from happening regardless.

I completely understand your point of view.I see why you draw these conclusions. However, I am not persuaded.

EE is throwing everything in with Sky, and guess what, Sky is not renewing its satellite licences beyond 2030. Same for Talk Talk. We are all moving over to IPTV, even if we don’t subscribe to Pay TV. The consumer won’t have a choice, whatever their preference.

Will the channels survive the change? Well, possibly, but in the long term I have no doubt everything will be on demand.

[Media Boy UK]

I have just been on Create & Craft web site and found that it been updated with 'Clearance while stocks Last'

So look like once an administrator has been appointed - Create & Craft LIVE broadcasts will return.

https://rxtvinfo.com/2024/freeview-s...other-channel/

[Mr K]

Originally Posted by Media Boy UK

I have just been on Create & Craft web site and found that it been updated with 'Clearance while stocks Last'

So look like once an administrator has been appointed - Create & Craft LIVE broadcasts will return.

https://rxtvinfo.com/2024/freeview-s...other-channel/

Oh good I'm overjoyed. Do love my knitting

[OLD BOY]

Originally Posted by Media Boy UK

I have just been on Create & Craft web site and found that it been updated with 'Clearance while stocks Last'

So look like once an administrator has been appointed - Create & Craft LIVE broadcasts will return.

https://rxtvinfo.com/2024/freeview-s...other-channel/

I would be surprised if that were to happen, MB. These small channels are operating on a shoestring, and Create and Craft has considerable debts. They are hoping to sell their EPG space to another, but frankly, I think Freeview is going to have increasing difficulties in filling the EPG due to diminishing advertisement returns resulting from lower audience numbers.

Expect more channels going to the wall or being closed in favour of streaming only over the coming months.

[Media Boy UK]

Originally Posted by OLD BOY

I would be surprised if that were to happen, MB. These small channels are operating on a shoestring, and Create and Craft has considerable debts. They are hoping to sell their EPG space to another, but frankly, I think Freeview is going to have increasing difficulties in filling the EPG due to diminishing advertisement returns resulting from lower audience numbers.

Expect more channels going to the wall or being closed in favour of streaming only over the coming months.

Why did Tiny Pop return to other network for then if streaming THAT good?

[epsilon]

Originally Posted by OLD BOY

Yes, of course I see what people are saying.The last time I looked, this was a discussion forum.

I am telling you what I see, and I explain my comments. The response I seem to be getting is - that’s not what some people want. I get that, but they won’t prevent it from happening regardless.

I completely understand your point of view.I see why you draw these conclusions. However, I am not persuaded.

EE is throwing everything in with Sky, and guess what, Sky is not renewing its satellite licences beyond 2030. Same for Talk Talk. We are all moving over to IPTV, even if we don’t subscribe to Pay TV. The consumer won’t have a choice, whatever their preference.

Will the channels survive the change? Well, possibly, but in the long term I have no doubt everything will be on demand.

Of course you explain your comments, you keep having to explain your comments because people don't agree with you. Is EE really "throwing everything in with Sky"? it looks as if they are exiting the TV business and simply retailing Sky. Comcast is, primarily, a cable company. Hardly surprising that Satellite isn't the best fit for them in the long term.

It doesn't matter if you are persuaded by my "conclusions", if a service provider keeps withdrawing parts of the service, the customer will eventually say, "that's it, no more". It seems to be the way things are going with Virgin.

Sure, it's a discussion forum but you insist on preaching that your vision of the streaming future is the only way forward. Despite people telling you they don't want that.

---------- Post added at 15:05 ---------- Previous post was at 15:02 ----------

Originally Posted by OLD BOY

I would be surprised if that were to happen, MB. These small channels are operating on a shoestring, and Create and Craft has considerable debts. They are hoping to sell their EPG space to another, but frankly, I think Freeview is going to have increasing difficulties in filling the EPG due to diminishing advertisement returns resulting from lower audience numbers.

Expect more channels going to the wall or being closed in favour of streaming only over the coming months.

The Create & Craft streaming apps on smart tvs and all major streaming platforms don't seem to have helped them very much...