Sky Atlantic on Virgin Media

[mersey70]

Originally Posted by muppetman11

In the way that people clearly want linear HD channels just look how many joined Sky HD

And will pay for it too, around 3 million I think.

You are right a mix of on demand and linear HD would be perfect which is what we get now to some extent but I have absolutely no doubt most new subscribers would be attracted to HD linear channels over on demand.

[muppetman11]

Originally Posted by mersey70

And will pay for it too, around 3 million I think.

You are right a mix of on demand and linear HD would be perfect which is what we get now to some extent but I have absolutely no doubt most new subscribers would be attracted to HD linear channels over on demand.

I've constantly said it on here VM need more HD channels for there TV service to really take off , TIVO looks great but what goods great hardware if you can't watch your favourite HD channel. I would rather VM added a £5.00 HD sub for extra channels if it meant we got more quality and choice. I'm not knocking VM they've made a great start but there's plenty more to be done.

Originally Posted by muppetman11

In the way that people clearly want linear HD channels just look how many joined Sky HD

So many people joined Sky HD because that was the only place you could get HD. As I said earlier, Sky already had all the premium content that could easily be shown in HD, therefore they were in a position to get all the early adopters.

Sky could do it because they are a well established premium content provider as well as a distribution platform. VM could not do it because they did not already have a roster of premium content that they could simply start showing in HD; also, as someone pointed out earlier, for legacy reasons the network needed more time for HD to be available nationally.

VM's HD strategy has always been a long term one, but not only because of the limitations of its current position versus Sky as regards linear HD. VM has bet the farm on TV viewers becoming increasingly willing to consume TV as an on-demand product rather than linear. That isn't going to happen overnight, but it will happen - is already happening.

As for running a poll to find out who wants linear HD right now, well I think there is just a teensy weensy chance that there might be a biased sample where this forum's membership is concerned. But if you want to do it, go ahead, fire away.

[muppetman11]

Very valid points and your right On Demand is becoming bigger. My main gripe on VM is the poor layout which results in difficulty finding what you want on the On Demand.

I don't think it is a case of who got it right or wrong. VM have struggled to do what they can with very limited funds. Sky didn't have to completely upgrade their infrastructure like VM did to provide more HD. They had to do that whilst heavily in debt. I think as well that Sky have already cornered most of the market of people willing to pay much money for HD. I think it is a rather limited market anyway. Most of the population aren't that bothered that much about HD. I'm talking about the ordinary man and woman in the street. The people who post in forums are enthusiasts and are not typical.
I don't think there is much doubt that VM have raised their game since the amalgamation of NTL and Telewest. Even a Sky executive said so the other day. They have a huge uphill battle though as they are up against a company with all the cards in their hand.
BTW I have voted that I want VM to get Sky Atlantic. I couldn't care less about getting it myself but a lot of people will and I think they should be able to watch the channel without having to change to another tv supplier.

[mersey70]

Originally Posted by Chris

So many people joined Sky HD because that was the only place you could get HD. As I said earlier, Sky already had all the premium content that could easily be shown in HD, therefore they were in a position to get all the early adopters.

Sky could do it because they are a well established premium content provider as well as a distribution platform. VM could not do it because they did not already have a roster of premium content that they could simply start showing in HD; also, as someone pointed out earlier, for legacy reasons the network needed more time for HD to be available nationally.

VM's HD strategy has always been a long term one, but not only because of the limitations of its current position versus Sky as regards linear HD. VM has bet the farm on TV viewers becoming increasingly willing to consume TV as an on-demand product rather than linear. That isn't going to happen overnight, but it will happen - is already happening.

As for running a poll to find out who wants linear HD right now, well I think there is just a teensy weensy chance that there might be a biased sample where this forum's membership is concerned. But if you want to do it, go ahead, fire away.

No I don't want to do a poll as I think I know what the answer would be, as did VM.

[muppetman11]

Originally Posted by mersey70

No I don't want to do a poll as I think I know what the answer would be, as did VM.

Yes hence the jump from 1 linear HD channel to 29 I think.

Originally Posted by muppetman11

Yes hence the jump from 1 linear HD channel to 29 I think.

Nope. All that proves is that VM wasn't prepared to screen HD channels at just any price*. As they don't own any HD channels themselves, they have always been at the mercy of those that do. And those that do, used them to hoover up the early adopters.

*Or possibly, it proves that those channels simply weren't for sale or rent, until Sky was forced to/no longer saw any benefit in exclusivity.

[v0id]

Where's the "I shall use Sky Atlantic exclusive to Sky, along with the removal of Bravo and Virgin/Channel One when I phone 'retentions' to get a discount on my services" option

[denphone]

Virgin have quite a bit in the last year but they have got to still do far more including more hd channels, the red button and making tivo available quickly.

[TheDaddy]

Originally Posted by Chad

I've also been checking online TV guides, some of which go ahead until the last week of January. I can find no mention of TNA Impact on any other channel. I wonder if TNA Impact will turn up on Atlantic?

Absolutely 100% no, SKY has an exclusivity deal with WWE meaning no other wrestling can be broadcast on it's channels, extreme sports might pick it up I guess...

[dsmuk]

Originally Posted by mersey70

With respect VM constantly said that the way to go was with HD On Demand and they were clearly totally wrong.

Also they did not really have the capacity to offer more until NGTV which in some areas was as late as the summer of 2010.

Along with stating that HD VoD was the way to go they have to date failed to provide a single HD VoD programme from Channel 4 despite signing a deal to say they could/would back in October 2007

http://pressoffice.virginmedia.com/p...cle&ID=1060314

[Flyboy]

Having looked at the line up of programming, I can't see anything that I would want to watch.

[mersey70]

Originally Posted by dsmuk

Along with stating that HD VoD was the way to go they have to date failed to provide a single HD VoD programme from Channel 4 despite signing a deal to say they could/would back in October 2007

http://pressoffice.virginmedia.com/p...cle&ID=1060314

It is probably coming soon, over 3 years isn't that long in VM time.

[Flyboy]

Originally Posted by dsmuk

Along with stating that HD VoD was the way to go they have to date failed to provide a single HD VoD programme from Channel 4 despite signing a deal to say they could/would back in October 2007

http://pressoffice.virginmedia.com/p...cle&ID=1060314

I think the important wording is:

Virgin Media has struck a deal with Channel 4 that enables them to offer a selection of Channel 4 programming in HD via their TV on demand service.

This means that they can, if they wanted to, not that they have to. I presume it is a matter of bandwidth, rather than desire. However, I am pretty sure Countdown has been available in HD VoD in the past.