General : Virgin TV (2024)

[jfman]

Originally Posted by OLD BOY

Is that your best argument against our streaming future, Andrew? The problems being experienced by some streaming companies is not relevant to this argument.

The main problem Discovery+ has is with its programme quality. This should improve with more scripted content - and producing more intelligent documentaries would certainly help.

Are you seriously questioning the fact that streaming in most areas (other than sport) is cheaper than bundled TV channels?

Absolutely, OB. One only has to take two or three general entertainment subscription services to suddenly find themselves paying over the odds compared to traditional TV platforms.

I’ve pointed out repeatedly that there will be consolidation when it comes to sport streamers, although popular demand will always push up prices. Just look at boxing and premier league football as examples.

That wasn’t what I said was ‘silly’. What was silly was this:

‘People who want to watch TNT want to watch live sports. No amount of punditry on an app will ever compensate for that.’

It sounded very much like you were failing to acknowledge that you can stream live sport. What else could you have meant?

I've been pointing out to you that Sky have been streaming sport for over fifteen years.

Eh? If they can’t do a deal on TNT, maybe they can finally bring Discovery+ to the platform instead, which was meant to be coming this year, by the way.

And why should I, a rational consumer in the marketplace, settle for this higher cost, lower quality offering from Discovery+ compared to TNT Sports that I get in my Virgin Media package?

Even for those that pay £18 a month through Virgin. Why should they, also rational consumers in the marketplace, pay the retail price of £30.99 a month to get Discovery+ with TNT Sports just to indulge your streaming fantasy?

[epsilon]

Originally Posted by OLD BOY

Indeed, it has happened. It’s being rolled out and more innovations and content is being added all the time.

It is the phasing out of the old system that we are talking about now.

The technology is not flawed. It is developing all the time and audiences are increasing.

Ah yes, the cult of 2030. The belief that audiences will continue to increase, even though some streamers already have declining numbers.

To continue to grow the audience, streamers have to endlessly produce new, quality content to keep the viewers interested. They grew their audience share initially by running at a loss. The trouble is, they can't keep running at a loss indefinitely. If the profits aren't there, the shareholders kill the projects. If the streamers cut costs and therefore the quality / quantity of content or both, the viewers will lose interest and stop subscribing. It is already happening with Apple & Paramount+ in the UK. That's the reality.

The cult of 2030 won't accept any of this, of course.

---------- Post added at 21:56 ---------- Previous post was at 21:46 ----------

Originally Posted by 1andrew1

I'm not sure an article about a vastly debt-ridden company over a year old will assist us much to future gaze in 2024. Current talk about Warner Brothers Discovery is around asset disposals and even breaking it up.

Pfft! that sort of realistic statement has no place in the cult ideology.

[epsilon]

https://www.kantar.com/company-news/...m-record-highs

[jfman]

Originally Posted by epsilon

https://www.kantar.com/company-news/...m-record-highs

I suspect the incumbents around the world will be proven right not to prop up every streamer with no business model. Once the streamers have mostly put themselves out of business operators can pick up carriage deals with the one or two left.

[TimeLord2018]

Originally Posted by OLD BOY

Is that your best argument against our streaming future, Andrew? The problems being experienced by some streaming companies is not relevant to this argument.

The main problem Discovery+ has is with its programme quality. This should improve with more scripted content - and producing more intelligent documentaries would certainly help.


Eh? If they can’t do a deal on TNT, maybe they can finally bring Discovery+ to the platform instead, which was meant to be coming this year, by the way.

I don't see any improvements happening with Discovery+ somehow not now anyway, it will stopped being used for Live Sport streaming when Max launches in the UK in 2026 probably before the Winter Olympics

[epsilon]

Overnight changes:
Sky Sports Arena channels renamed Sky Sports+.
The Channel Update slates (for TNT Sports service removals) move a stage closer to being launched as the hide flags have been removed.
First the slate services have to be added to the NIT of customer networks and have video feeds added.
Further information: https://ukcabletvchanges.blogspot.com

[TimeLord2018]

Originally Posted by vincerooney

what would they be replacing it with? some snide deal with premier sports or something to go

"Yep we lost tnt sports butttttttt heres some premier sports"

its what they did when they lost the uk tv channels isn't it. cant remember what they replaced them with mind. maybe mediaboy can remind me!

That's exactly what they are doing for a month at least.

[OLD BOY]

I suspect Virgin will take this to the wire to see if TNT blinks first. I doubt that we will lose the content, but we could lose the channels.

[Mr K]

Originally Posted by OLD BOY

I suspect Virgin will take this to the wire to see if TNT blinks first. I doubt that we will lose the content, but we could lose the channels.

Happened twice before, with Sky One, and UKTV. They disappeared for weeks, it was a great time to get a good deal put of VM as customers kicked off big time.

One things for certain, it will be resolved before the Premiership starts, can't have those hard up players losing wages.

[TimeLord2018]

Originally Posted by OLD BOY

I suspect Virgin will take this to the wire to see if TNT blinks first. I doubt that we will lose the content, but we could lose the channels.

The lack of any communication from Virgin or WBD by now is a sign of that.

[Media Boy UK]

FT: Virgin Media UK 'closing in' on new deal with TNT Sports UK

https://mediaboyukblog.blogspot.com/...in-on-new.html

[jfman]

Originally Posted by OLD BOY

I suspect Virgin will take this to the wire to see if TNT blinks first. I doubt that we will lose the content, but we could lose the channels.

There is zero chance of Virgin streaming TNT Sports through Discovery+ as an alternative to linear channels in the EPG.

Absolutely zero.

[OLD BOY]

Originally Posted by jfman

There is zero chance of Virgin streaming TNT Sports through Discovery+ as an alternative to linear channels in the EPG.

Absolutely zero.

To be clear, I don’t think it will happen, but if a deal can’t be done with TNT, it’s that or nothing.

[jfman]

Originally Posted by OLD BOY

To be clear, I don’t think it will happen, but if a deal can’t be done with TNT, it’s that or nothing.

TNT will provide the product in the manner that VMO2 demand it.

Unlike you the ultimate shareholders of the joint venture are tech agnostic. A linear dollar is worth the same as a streaming dollar.

[epsilon]

Originally Posted by Media Boy UK

From July 31st at 10am Adult Phone in channel 'Meets the Babes' is set to close on Virgin Media UK.

Source: V6.

Although the channel is scheduled to continue overnight, end of service / placeholder flags have now been added to "protect any recordings for a short period following the removal of the service".
Further information: https://ukcabletvchanges.blogspot.com