4 HD channels to launch on Virgin Media - Page 5

TheDon · 14-07-2009, 10:36

Quote:

Originally Posted by Central

VM are in no position to bargain HD channels. VM need to have there channels on Sky.

I wish people would stop saying this because it's completely untrue when it comes to linear HD channels.

What extra revenue are VM going to get from having an HD version of their channels on Sky?

The answer? Just what Sky pay them for them.

There is pretty much zero added ad revenue from a HD channel (which is the only reason you want your channels on as many platforms as possible) as you're not gaining enough new viewers to demand more for ad space.

This is the exact reason why Sky can withhold their HD channels, they don't need the Sky basics or premium channels in HD on VM because they're still generating the ad revenue from the SD varients. There's no incentive to offer them as the only thing it will do is stop people switching to you to get them.

Offering HD varients of channels to other providers only has the possibility of LOWERING your revenue, not increasing it.

LondonRoad · 14-07-2009, 10:45

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheDon

I wish people would stop saying this because it's completely untrue when it comes to linear HD channels.

What extra revenue are VM going to get from having an HD version of their channels on Sky?

The answer? Just what Sky pay them for them.

There is pretty much zero added ad revenue from a HD channel (which is the only reason you want your channels on as many platforms as possible) as you're not gaining enough new viewers to demand more for ad space.

This is the exact reason why Sky can withhold their HD channels, they don't need the Sky basics or premium channels in HD on VM because they're still generating the ad revenue from the SD varients. There's no incentive to offer them as the only thing it will do is stop people switching to you to get them.

Offering HD varients of channels to other providers only has the possibility of LOWERING your revenue, not increasing it.

What about the extra money Sky charge for HD content. Do they keep that all?

TheDon · 14-07-2009, 10:52

Quote:

Originally Posted by harmitage

What about the extra money Sky charge for HD content. Do they keep that all?

Pretty much yes, that pays for the cost of them developing their HD platform in the same way that their EPG fees to broadcasters pays for them developing their EPG.

You may get Sky paying you for carriage, but it's questionable if that makes up for the loss of exclusivity on your platform, especially if you have channels that are in demand, as it will be negligable ontop of the existing carriage deal (not to mention that in some cases you'll actually have to pay Sky for them to carry the channel).

LondonRoad · 14-07-2009, 11:16

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheDon

Pretty much yes, that pays for the cost of them developing their HD platform in the same way that their EPG fees to broadcasters pays for them developing their EPG.

You may get Sky paying you for carriage, but it's questionable if that makes up for the loss of exclusivity on your platform, especially if you have channels that are in demand, as it will be negligable ontop of the existing carriage deal (not to mention that in some cases you'll actually have to pay Sky for them to carry the channel).

Pretty much got it stitched up haven't they.

tex · 14-07-2009, 11:29

Quote:

Originally Posted by v0id

well, those on the lower packages already have to pay extra per month for the v+ box (which you need to receive hd channels) whereas xl subscribers don't.
Maybe that's what it means? :/

hi there,
where do you get the idear you pay for a xbox?
When i got mine i payed Â£25 and no extra a month.
Tex

oliver1948uk · 14-07-2009, 11:33

I am very confused! I have seen a post where somebody is looking forward to watching DAD'S ARMY in HD! Surely, the only programmes that will benefit from HD (as opposed to upscaled SD) are those that are filmed and broadcast in HD, which will be only some programmes made recently.

We know about those that are on BBC HD, but, for instance, is EASTENDERS filmed in HD? I suspect not since it is not broadcast on BBC HD.

The point I am making is that surely HD channels will only be as good as the technical quality of the programmes broadcast. What percentage of programmes being made at the moment are actually filmed in HD quality?

I suspect having lots of HD channels will mean filling them up with programmes not made in HD which will be of little or no benefit.

I am sure somebody will put me right if I have got it all wrong!

LondonRoad · 14-07-2009, 11:36

Quote:

Originally Posted by tex

hi there,
where do you get the idear you pay for a xbox?
When i got mine i payed Â£25 and no extra a month.
Tex

It's Â£5 a month unless you have the XL package according to their website:

http://allyours.virginmedia.com/html...us-hd-box.html

Stephen · 14-07-2009, 12:19

Quote:

Originally Posted by oliver1948uk

I am very confused! I have seen a post where somebody is looking forward to watching DAD'S ARMY in HD! Surely, the only programmes that will benefit from HD (as opposed to upscaled SD) are those that are filmed and broadcast in HD, which will be only some programmes made recently.

We know about those that are on BBC HD, but, for instance, is EASTENDERS filmed in HD? I suspect not since it is not broadcast on BBC HD.

The point I am making is that surely HD channels will only be as good as the technical quality of the programmes broadcast. What percentage of programmes being made at the moment are actually filmed in HD quality?

I suspect having lots of HD channels will mean filling them up with programmes not made in HD which will be of little or no benefit.

I am sure somebody will put me right if I have got it all wrong!

There are many programmes on the HD channels that are upscaled SD, however as with old moviees now on Blu-Ray they can make a HD copy by scanning the original 35mm film in to a computer. Probably doesn't apply to old TV stuff though.

oliver1948uk · 14-07-2009, 12:30

Further to my previous post about the technical quality of programmes on HD channels, I note on BBC HD that the improvement in sound quality in those programmes that are broadcast in true 5.1 (not all of them) is a bigger bonus to me than the better picture quality. (I have my V+ connected by digital sound cable to an old Yamaha amplifier with 5 speakers and sub woofer).

I wonder how many programmes on these forthcoming HD channels will be broadcast in true 5.1.

TheDon · 14-07-2009, 14:09

Quote:

Originally Posted by oliver1948uk

I am very confused! I have seen a post where somebody is looking forward to watching DAD'S ARMY in HD! Surely, the only programmes that will benefit from HD (as opposed to upscaled SD) are those that are filmed and broadcast in HD, which will be only some programmes made recently.

We know about those that are on BBC HD, but, for instance, is EASTENDERS filmed in HD? I suspect not since it is not broadcast on BBC HD.

The point I am making is that surely HD channels will only be as good as the technical quality of the programmes broadcast. What percentage of programmes being made at the moment are actually filmed in HD quality?

I suspect having lots of HD channels will mean filling them up with programmes not made in HD which will be of little or no benefit.

I am sure somebody will put me right if I have got it all wrong!

I think that post was mine, and it was tongue in cheek about how the quality of shows on the "british" channels that people are crying for in HD doesn't match the output that made British TV world reknowned.

However something doesn't have to have been "filmed in HD", it just has to have been filmed on film rather than videotape. Some old stuff will have been shot on film, and so can then be resampled at a HD resolution. If it was shot on videotape then yes it'll just up upscaled.

14-07-2009, 14:32

Quote:

Originally Posted by oliver1948uk

Further to my previous post about the technical quality of programmes on HD channels, I note on BBC HD that the improvement in sound quality in those programmes that are broadcast in true 5.1 (not all of them) is a bigger bonus to me than the better picture quality. (I have my V+ connected by digital sound cable to an old Yamaha amplifier with 5 speakers and sub woofer).

I wonder how many programmes on these forthcoming HD channels will be broadcast in true 5.1.

In order to be part of the Sky EPG all HD channels must carry Dolby Digital, but yes not everything has to be 5.1, theres a lot of 2.0

The best thing about MTVN HD is the fact that it currently has no adverts, (and is 5.1 or 2.0 where appropriate).

Stephen · 14-07-2009, 15:30

Quote:

Originally Posted by The-Darkside

In order to be part of the Sky EPG all HD channels must carry Dolby Digital, but yes not everything has to be 5.1, theres a lot of 2.0

The best thing about MTVN HD is the fact that it currently has no adverts, (and is 5.1 or 2.0 where appropriate).

I am sure every HD channel on any provider is Dolby Digital. Same goes for all the On Demand HD stuff.

oliver1948uk · 14-07-2009, 15:31

Not everything on BBC HD is Dolby Digital

Stephen · 14-07-2009, 16:17

Quote:

Originally Posted by oliver1948uk

Not everything on BBC HD is Dolby Digital

my amp says otherwise, it might only be 2.0 and not 5.1 all the time buts still dolby digital.

14-07-2009, 17:33

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stephen

I am sure every HD channel on any provider is Dolby Digital. Same goes for all the On Demand HD stuff.

How many (apart from On Demand) are using DD as they have to because they want to be on Sky.

---------- Post added at 17:33 ---------- Previous post was at 17:31 ----------

Quote:

Originally Posted by oliver1948uk

Not everything on BBC HD is Dolby Digital

Yes it is on the main audio. The only none Dolby audio carried on any HD channel is the Audio Description which is PCM.