Channel renumbering

[McYorkie]

Another option would be to do something similar to how Sky deal with this issue and renumber just small chunks of the EPG at a time, onto a coherent numbering system that matches on both Bromley and Langley, with information going out on Channel 119, Interactive, mailshot and/or Email to inform customers too.

Information could say something along the lines of "from XX of .... ntl will begin a process of restructuring your EPG numbers..."

But then, would that be far too logical?

[bob_builder]

If NTL moved a few channels per week they could slowly reorder the line-up without causing much inconvenience. There is plenty of free space available to make it easy.

For example they could move Sky1 from 140 to 150 and put a message on channel 140 informing of the move. That way people would not need to ring up as they would be presented with a simple message such as "Sky1 is now on channel number 150" on channel 140. It might take a while to reorder all of the channels but they would not need to do a mail-shot or anything.

Originally Posted by bob_builder

If NTL moved a few channels per week they could slowly reorder the line-up without causing much inconvenience. There is plenty of free space available to make it easy.

Especially if they did with with a period of "parallel running", ie not just switching it over, but having it duplicated for a week or two with messages saying "this channel is now available at X number, as of Y date the old one will be switched off".

[quadplay]

Problem with that is what happens if you want to move a channel to a space that is already occupied? And for quite a while, you'd end up with an even more confused numbering system. My opinion is that it's better to get it all over with in one hit, and send out LOTS of promo material for two months beforehand, maybe including a sticker to go on the back of the remote with the most popular channels on (Sky One, E4, etc.). Also have info on IVRs, myntlhome (Channel 119), the bills, the customer magazine, ntlworld.com, ntl.com, and a special free telephone number with recorded messages for people who can't find their required channel!

[SMHarman]

Originally Posted by andrew_wallasey

No because say if they renumbered the music channel so all the music channels would be together. e.g.

mtv 90
vh1 91
vh1 classic 92
mtv hits 93
mtv bass 94
etc
etc

People who watch say channel 100 at the moment will get the music channel instead of their current station and think there is a fault.

Whereas if they just changed the order of the channels it would be better.

What happens then when VH1 release a new channel onto the network, where does it go?

Langley had a reasonable structure to the line up when I first switched to digital.

101-110 expected stuff
110-130 News
200 PPV
300 - Entertainment
400 - Comedy entertainment
700 - Movies
900 - Adult

However new chanels are going in the same place on both platforms so they get stuffed into the 900s as they are free on both platforms leading to the mishmash that now exists.

[MarkD]

Sorry I dont rate renumbering as a high priority issue, and I doubt we would all agree what the ordering or logical structure should be.

It would be interesting to compare the ordering that people have made up using the change channel order option.

I would much rather the resources were spent on improving the software and fixing bugs.

[quadplay]

I don't think you're alone there, Mark - and I would guess that's why it's not been done yet. Better to have stable software and a slightly dodgy channel numbering system than buggy, crashing software and a perfectly logical numbering system.

*awaits comments about buggy software and dodgy channel numbering*

Originally Posted by MarkD

I would much rather the resources were spent on improving the software and fixing bugs.

People are doing that Very slowly then i guess

[Kneebs]

Originally Posted by andrew_wallasey

What about changing the channel order rather than channel number?

Can't everyone do this now anyway, by going into favourites, then pressing red to edit channel order. Bromley users have been able to do this for ages, and I thought Langley customers could do this since CR3 ?

Its a pain in the bum to do mind, takes ages, as you've got to move 1 channel at a time...

[KenK]

Originally Posted by MarkD

Sorry I dont rate renumbering as a high priority issue....

Nor I. After years of knowing that, e.g. Sky Sports 1 is on 721, I'd be displeased to have to memorise it on a different number.

It would be interesting to compare the ordering that people have made up using the change channel order option.

Tried that; got told to put it back the way it was.

I would much rather the resources were spent on improving the software and fixing bugs.

Agreed, plenty of work there for someone.

[KenK]

I know, this is totally off topic.

Originally Posted by SMHarman

We love you Proppin', we do, We love you Proppin' we do, We love you Proppin' we do, oh Proppin' where are you..

Proppin' makes regular appearances on another site. Either he has gone off this forum, or his bosses have.

[ntlrocks]

have i not saw proppin' on this forum too?

[paul11974]

i have organised my channels to just how i want them and on top of that i buy the daily mail on a saturday that has by far the best tv guide for the whole week with all the channel numbers . I would like more RED button features from ntl 1st

[browneggsandham]

Originally Posted by ntlrocks

have i not saw proppin' on this forum too?

Yes, he used to be on here.
He did explain his decision to leave a while back, but then stayed a little longer after that. He has obviously chosen to follow through with what he said.

Browneggsandham

[Stephen]

bring back proppin!!