General : Virgin Media & UKTV+ITV Channels

[Dave42]

looking more likely this wont get resolved

[RichardCoulter]

Another forum member has posted this:

Originally Posted by moox;c-90770710

I wonder if this is a side effect of American ownership where the cable companies routinely play games with broadcasters, knowing that their customers are largely captive.

VM's new owners come from the American cable industry so there may well be the same mindset - and it's backfiring as people begin to wonder whether it's worth going to Freeview/Freesat or Sky/BT/TalkTalk (and taking the broadband/phone with them)

Must admit i'd not yet considered this point.

[denphone]

Originally Posted by Dave42

looking more likely this wont get resolved

Not a chance at the moment Dave.

[RichardCoulter]

Originally Posted by Dave42

looking more likely this wont get resolved

Yeah. UKTV have said that they are working on getting the rest of their channels added to Now TV.

This would be an ideal solution as those being held to their contracts could still downgrade to the lowest Player pack, get their TiVo fee subsidised by VM and record the vast majority of programmes watched.

Now TV could then be used without contract for accessing UKTV and other pay channels lost from VM both live and on demand; with the addition that Sky Atlantic would become available.

A decision on what to do long term could then be taken upon the expiration of the VM contract.

[Dave42]

Originally Posted by denphone

Not a chance at the moment Dave.

let hope VM can come up with something they need too

[japitts]

Originally Posted by OLD BOY

To be honest, I think Virgin have walked away in exasperation. Unless UKTV can come up with an acceptable offer, I don't think any further talks will be arranged.

So my advice to UKTV is to stop winding up Virgin's customers by Tweet and start talking to the BBC about their ludicrous stance on OD content. Only that and/or a reduction in price is going to move these talks on now.

That really wouldn't surprise me. And I must admit, I directed a few pointed Tweets myself at UKTV, it wasn't going to change anything of course but I was curious at what kind of response I got. I was left with an impression of "finger-in-ears" on some awkward points.

Both sides really are as bad as each other, in their own way.

[OLD BOY]

Originally Posted by Dave42

looking more likely this wont get resolved

Actually, Dave, this has been resolved. UKTV repeat channels have gone.

---------- Post added at 20:57 ---------- Previous post was at 20:55 ----------

Originally Posted by RichardCoulter

Yeah. UKTV have said that they are working on getting the rest of their channels added to Now TV.

This would be an ideal solution as those being held to their contracts could still downgrade to the lowest Player pack, get their TiVo fee subsidised by VM and record the vast majority of programmes watched.

Now TV could then be used without contract for accessing UKTV and other pay channels lost from VM both live and on demand; with the addition that Sky Atlantic would become available.

A decision on what to do long term could then be taken upon the expiration of the VM contract.

Yes, but do Now TV want to devalue their offering with a whole bunch of channels showing little other than repeats?

[dodgem22]

Repeats that some people like watching and not all of the programming is repeats Inside the Ambulance, 999 Rescue squad, Inside the Fire, John Bishop in conversation with, Murder on the Blackpool Express, Rebel, Marleys Ghost, Dinnerladies diaries, Blackadders most cunning moments were new.

Granted the last two were talking about repeats :-)

[Mr K]

Originally Posted by OLD BOY

Actually, Dave, this has been resolved. UKTV repeat channels have gone.

---------- Post added at 20:57 ---------- Previous post was at 20:55 ----------



Yes, but do Now TV want to devalue their offering with a whole bunch of channels showing little other than repeats?

You do know that 99% of cable TV are repeats OB? Expensive American trash, or cheap British classics, your choice, or used to be

[OLD BOY]

Originally Posted by dodgem22

Repeats that some people like watching and not all of the programming is repeats Inside the Ambulance, 999 Rescue squad, Inside the Fire, John Bishop in conversation with, Murder on the Blackpool Express, Rebel, Marleys Ghost, Dinnerladies diaries, Blackadders most cunning moments were new.

Granted the last two were talking about repeats :-)

Is that meant to inspire anyone?

[dodgem22]

Just because you dont like those shows does not mean nobody else does either. Horses for courses etc.

I do like the shows I mentioned yes. Would you be happy if channels that had the programming you enjoy were removed??

The list is not intended to inspire it is purely an example of new shows that UKTV have shown.

[OLD BOY]

Originally Posted by Mr K

You do know that 99% of cable TV are repeats OB? Expensive American trash, or cheap British classics, your choice, or used to be

Not the programmes I watch, old chap.

Hopefully, VM are now starting to aim higher. I have been drawing attention to the deteriorating quality of pay tv programmes and the vastly sperior offerings of Netflix and Amazon for some time.

Clearly, Virgin Media are responding to the challenge, and good on them for that. Unless they do something now, people will opt for streaming and ignore the cable offering.

Virgin need to be cognisant of that, improve the quality of their pay tv channels and increase the number of apps on their service.

They cannot afford to fall behind.

---------- Post added at 22:25 ---------- Previous post was at 22:21 ----------

Originally Posted by dodgem22

Just because you dont like those shows does not mean nobody else does either. Horses for courses etc.

I do like the shows I mentioned yes. Would you be happy if channels that had the programming you enjoy were removed??

I am all for Virgin having a comprehensive choice of programming, of course. But not at any price. UKTV are just rip-off merchants.

Also, I would say that most people taking out a pay tv subscription for the first time expect to get rather more than endless repeats of old programmes they have seen before. They can get those already on BBC1 in summer time!

We all deserve better.

[OLD BOY]

Anyone got any ideas for new channels or streaming services for channels we have lost? They need to be of better quality!

[RichardCoulter]

Originally Posted by OLD BOY

Actually, Dave, this has been resolved. UKTV repeat channels have gone.

---------- Post added at 20:57 ---------- Previous post was at 20:55 ----------



Yes, but do Now TV want to devalue their offering with a whole bunch of channels showing little other than repeats?

GOLD is already on Now TV. It would be an ideal time for them to pick up VM customers past or present, which is presumably why negotiations are taking place to add the UKTV channels.

---------- Post added at 03:40 ---------- Previous post was at 03:38 ----------

Originally Posted by OLD BOY

Not the programmes I watch, old chap.

Hopefully, VM are now starting to aim higher. I have been drawing attention to the deteriorating quality of pay tv programmes and the vastly sperior offerings of Netflix and Amazon for some time.

Clearly, Virgin Media are responding to the challenge, and good on them for that. Unless they do something now, people will opt for streaming and ignore the cable offering.

Virgin need to be cognisant of that, improve the quality of their pay tv channels and increase the number of apps on their service.

They cannot afford to fall behind.

---------- Post added at 22:25 ---------- Previous post was at 22:21 ----------



I am all for Virgin having a comprehensive choice of programming, of course. But not at any price. UKTV are just rip-off merchants.

Also, I would say that most people taking out a pay tv subscription for the first time expect to get rather more than endless repeats of old programmes they have seen before. They can get those already on BBC1 in summer time!

We all deserve better.

The profit that the BBC make from UKTV goes to help keep the TV Licence fee down and invest in new programming.

[telegramsam]

Originally Posted by OLD BOY

Not the programmes I watch, old chap.

Hopefully, VM are now starting to aim higher. I have been drawing attention to the deteriorating quality of pay tv programmes and the vastly sperior offerings of Netflix and Amazon for some time.

Clearly, Virgin Media are responding to the challenge, and good on them for that. Unless they do something now, people will opt for streaming and ignore the cable offering.

Virgin need to be cognisant of that, improve the quality of their pay tv channels and increase the number of apps on their service.

They cannot afford to fall behind.

---------- Post added at 22:25 ---------- Previous post was at 22:21 ----------



I am all for Virgin having a comprehensive choice of programming, of course. But not at any price. UKTV are just rip-off merchants.

Also, I would say that most people taking out a pay tv subscription for the first time expect to get rather more than endless repeats of old programmes they have seen before. They can get those already on BBC1 in summer time!

We all deserve better.

What programs of superiority do you mean that's on Amazon and Netflix? I've looked at the offers and not been impressed enough to sub to them.