General : Coming soon to Virgin TV 2014

[1andrew1]

Originally Posted by Chad

That's impressive. They've only been offering TV for 16 months and are set to hit 1 million TV customer by the end of next month. The fastest growing pay TV provider in the UK.

It's impressive but I think only 250,000 of those are paying for channels.

[RichardCoulter]

Originally Posted by Anypermitedroute

Ah yes forgot about local tv that would certainly boost numbers up

I hope that the number of new channels being mooted doesn't include lots of tiny local TV channels that most VM customers won't be able to receive (apart from any in their own areas).

[andy_m]

Originally Posted by andy_m

The £9.99 day pass for Sky Sports might seem expensive, but I get one Sunday off every three weeks so there's not any real value for me in subscribing to Sky Sports on a monthly basis, but give me a Sunday off with an exclusively live Grand Prix and two decent Premier League matches for a tenner and I'd have to consider it worthwhile. All depends on your circumstances.

I was just thinking about this, and looking ahead to the start of the F1 season. The Australian Grand Prix is exclusively live on Sky Sports F1, lights out at 6am our time. Then the afternoon brings Man Utd v. Liverpool followed by Spurs v. Arsenal. I'm off as well - I'll gladly pay a tenner for all of that, to be honest I've given the BBC highlights a go for a couple of years but I've had enough of that now!

Has anybody used Now TV to watch live sport? What's the streaming quality like? I'm considering getting the box.

[1andrew1]

Originally Posted by RichardCoulter

I hope that the number of new channels being mooted doesn't include lots of tiny local TV channels that most VM customers won't be able to receive (apart from any in their own areas).

Presumably only the larger stations will be able to afford carriage deals with VM? So could the 43 new channels look something like:
15 channels currently on other providers but not on Virgin Media.
6 catch-up/on demand services
9 radio stations
13 local TV
43

[theone2k10]

Originally Posted by 1andrew1

Presumably only the larger stations will be able to afford carriage deals with VM? So could the 43 new channels look something like:
15 channels currently on other providers but not on Virgin Media.
6 catch-up/on demand services
9 radio stations
13 local TV
43

That number i gave is including new od services too, sorry that was my bad i should of put that in.

[1andrew1]

Originally Posted by theone2k10

That number i gave is including new od services too, sorry that was my bad i should of put that in.

That's what I assumed and I've guessed that 6/43 will be on-demand/catch up services.

[Gavin-D]

Communicorp buys 8 Global Radio stations Real Radio stations will become Heart

Global Radio is selling eight radio stations in response to a ruling by the Competition Commission after buying GMG Radio in June 2012.

The stations being sold are Smooth Radio North West, North East and East Midlands, along with Capital South Wales, Real Radio North Wales, Capital Scotland, Real Radio Yorkshire and Real XS Manchester.

The single buyer for all stations is Dublin based Communicorp, owner of Today FM, Spin and Newstalk. Communicorp is wholly owned by Denis O’Brien, subject to regulatory approval.

And whilst the stations will operate under new owners and sell local airtime, national sales and non-peak programming will still be provided by Global Radio under a franchise agreement.

All existing Real Radio stations will become Heart, as expected, and the former Marcher stations, currently Heart, will become Capital.

Smooth Radio will expand to Gold’s frequencies on AM across the UK except in London, East Midlands and Manchester.

http://radiotoday.co.uk/2014/02/comm...adio-stations/

---------- Post added at 12:10 ---------- Previous post was at 11:43 ----------

Full round of of whats going on can be found here: http://www.mattdeegan.com/2014/02/06...als-disposals/

[OLD BOY]

Originally Posted by Anypermitedroute

But where is this information based on? One story that is highly speculative,

I can appreciate speculation/theory on channels VM consumers would like to acquire like SA
I can understand on ones that have been announced as intended to launch like ITV encore

But speculation on a channel that doesn't exist I.e. Sky bravo is just plain daft, if anything if such a channel was planned I suspect ITV encore is now this said channel, which will be a sky exclusive for given period.

Why would sky want to do a deal for sky bravo with VM when they have proven in the above two examples of doing it alone (SA), if anything this proves they want to do deal with producers like HBO and ITV and not direct competitors, BT and VM

I know that some on here have a mindset that leads them to be absolutely certain that some things will definitely not happen, just as they did with BT Sport. Although they insist on sources and certainties from those who tell them differently, their resistance to the idea is not backed up by sources and certainties either and is purely their opinion.

As far as Sky Atlantic is concerned, of course there is some uncertainty about this, because we are not privy to these delicate negotiations and we are reliant on what comes out of the media. However, there is quite a bit of evidence that points to the distinct likelihood that things may be about to change (which I won't repeat here as this has been done to death).

Now that VM have Netflix, some are speculating that this has killed off any likely deal with Sky, but frankly there is so much decent content on Netflix, I think Sky will realise that the small amount of additional 'decent' content that exists on Sky Atlantic in comparison means that it is no longer the USP that it once was, nice though it would be for us to get it. Sky will surely want to get some money in from VM viewers at some point to help pay for the massive outlay with very little return that they have had to date, with a ridiculously small audience share.

As for Sky Bravo not existing - well it doesn't at the moment, but Sky want to launch it when they can get VM to agree, so there's a negotiation there to be had as well. Sky Bravo is a prospective male orientated channel and has nothing to do with ITV Encore.

You may be interested in the link below as you seem to think that Sky Bravo is a figment of my imagination.

http://www.theguardian.com/media/201...nnel-itv4-dave

---------- Post added at 12:58 ---------- Previous post was at 12:52 ----------

Originally Posted by harry_hitch

Purely as devil's advocate, surely giving VM access to SA would give VM an edge over Sky due to their superior broadband speeds and any possible triple pay package deals that VM could offer to new customers coming over from Sky?

They already have the advantage with Netflix. How many shows would you watch on Sky Atlantic compared with the huge variety of material on Netflix? There's no comparison.

---------- Post added at 13:01 ---------- Previous post was at 12:58 ----------

Originally Posted by Chad

If they wouldn't give a provider they don't see as a big rival access to their prized American drama channel, when agreeing the new SKY basics carriage deal earlier this week, then Virgin Media have no chance.

Yes, but that was likely to be due to the price that Sky wanted from them. It doesn't mean it's not for sale now, and I think Liberty Global has bigger pockets if they can get a deal that they feel is worthwhile.

---------- Post added at 13:03 ---------- Previous post was at 13:01 ----------

Originally Posted by GrimUpNorth

So you've nothing to back up the statement with.

Cheers

Grim

Sky have form, Grim, it's just a question of learning from history.

Originally Posted by OLD BOY

I know that some on here have a mindset that leads them to be absolutely certain that some things will definitely not happen, just as they did with BT Sport. Although they insist on sources and certainties from those who tell them differently, their resistance to the idea is not backed up by sources and certainties either and is purely their opinion.

You just don't get it, do you? Nobody minds speculation, nobody minds gossip, nobody minds here-say (unless they sing, obviously). It's when you claim it to be fact, constantly refuse to provide your sources and then deride the people who question you as though they were idiots.

And your position that the converse position is not backed up by certainties is as ridiculous this week as it was last week. We have as much certainty as is possible in that Sky are constantly advertising that it is exclusive. We can't be absolutely certain that the Sun isn't a tennis ball can we? We haven't been there and touched it, have we? But we can be as certain as possible that it isn't, so that's the basis that we conduct discussions about it on.

A simple 'In my opinion' or 'Someone told me' or similar would allow readers of your posts to make a judgement about it. Or, if it is a certainty, provide provenance. It's not much to ask, it works beautifully on forums everywhere, even this one in most cases.

[OLD BOY]

Originally Posted by JustaBloke

You just don't get it, do you? Nobody minds speculation, nobody minds gossip, nobody minds here-say (unless they sing, obviously). It's when you claim it to be fact, constantly refuse to provide your sources and then deride the people who question you as though they were idiots.

And your position that the converse position is not backed up by certainties is as ridiculous this week as it was last week. We have as much certainty as is possible in that Sky are constantly advertising that it is exclusive. We can't be absolutely certain that the Sun isn't a tennis ball can we? We haven't been there and touched it, have we? But we can be as certain as possible that it isn't, so that's the basis that we conduct discussions about it on.

A simple 'In my opinion' or 'Someone told me' or similar would allow readers of your posts to make a judgement about it. Or, if it is a certainty, provide provenance. It's not much to ask, it works beautifully on forums everywhere, even this one in most cases.

What is your problem? If you read my last post, you will see that I said:

As far as Sky Atlantic is concerned, of course there is some uncertainty about this, because we are not privy to these delicate negotiations and we are reliant on what comes out of the media.

Of course Sky Atlantic is exclusive at the moment. Nobody's arguing with you. However, you seem to want to argue for the sake of it.

I get it, we all get it, you don't believe SA is coming. You are entitled to your opinion as am I.

Now stop trolling and post something useful for once.

[bamav]

Originally Posted by theone2k10

With fibre optic broadband launching across the uk now the tables may be turned on VM regarding fastest broadband. Still a long way to go ofcourse but it can't be denied broadband and tv is changing. VMs problem is traffic management many companies don't throttle speeds nowadays so say for example you're on skys upto 78mb package then you are going to get that speed no matter how much you use, vm throttle speeds i think VM will get rid of tm in due course though.

And of course, national fibre will reach places VM can't or won't. In a numbers of years, VM's fibre network will become secondary and therefore will reduce their clout when wheeling and dealing for TV programming. It's all about revenue - audience numbers and advertising reach.

As the BT grid is open to competitors offering their own products, the market will blow wide open. Both Sky and VM will need to come up with something extraordinary to keep customers. Exclusive linear channels won't be the way forward - on-demand content will.

---------- Post added at 13:51 ---------- Previous post was at 13:41 ----------

Originally Posted by passingbat

Is your optimism still based on media reports OB?

Last year, I think there were some media reports that did lead to encouraging signs, but such reports now seem to have disappeared.

I would think Sky launching Atlantic on Now TV will mean that any launch is way into the future (if it ever does launch) as Sky will want to milk now TV based Atlantic subscriptions for as long as they can.

I think there may have been reason for hope last year, but that hope seems 'straw clutchingly' faint now.

I don't think the fact that they have extended the contract with HBO helps. Sky have obviously seen it as a USP draw to their service and wish to continue using that draw. I know there is an argument that they could benefit from selling it to help pay for it, but they have survived a good few years without needing to do that, so I don't see why they can't survive a few more.

I'm not like Dave42 who says it will never come; I just think the chances are extremely small in the near to mid future. I hope I am wrong.

There lies the issue - it's HBO programmes that will remain exclusive, not Sky Atlantic. My feeling is that Sky will release Atlantic to competitors, but will use their own on-demand platform for offering for absolute exclusives. The model used by LoveFilm, Netflix and YouTube seems to be the way forward for obtaining and offering exclusives.

Now TV is almost pointless as a linear channel box, with the exception of Sports. If NowTV simply on deman everything and anything Sky broadcasts, and sold it as such, it may appeal to more people as an addition to linear channels. For example, as a VM customer, I would be happy on one of the lower end TV packages if I could pay Sky a tenner to get streaming all of their programming.

[OLD BOY]

Originally Posted by bamav

And of course, national fibre will reach places VM can't or won't. In a numbers of years, VM's fibre network will become secondary and therefore will reduce their clout when wheeling and dealing for TV programming. It's all about revenue - audience numbers and advertising reach.

As the BT grid is open to competitors offering their own products, the market will blow wide open. Both Sky and VM will need to come up with something extraordinary to keep customers. Exclusive linear channels won't be the way forward - on-demand content will.

I agree that the country will be pretty fully cabled up within a few years, but surely what that means is that VM, Sky and the other operators will be on a level playing field at last in terms of access to customers and what they can provide. It means that VM will have a lot more customers than they do now because they will use BT's fibre optic cables to make this happen.

Surely that means they will have more clout in attracting broadcasters to their platform?

Originally Posted by OLD BOY

What is your problem?

I (and the others you've succeeded in winding up again this morning) have laid out our problem quite clearly. Post appropriately, and nobody will be on your back. But don't keep repeating the same old mistakes and expect not to get the same old responses. Unless of course, you're seeking those responses...

[bamav]

Originally Posted by OLD BOY

I agree that the country will be pretty fully cabled up within a few years, but surely what that means is that VM, Sky and the other operators will be on a level playing field at last in terms of access to customers and what they can provide. It means that VM will have a lot more customers than they do now because they will use BT's fibre optic cables to make this happen.

Surely that means they will have more clout in attracting broadcasters to their platform?

I hadn't considered that VM would also be a competitor on BT's network - would they though? I know they provide ADSL on BT's copper network. As mentioned before by others, it does come across as double-standards that VM don't open up their network for fair competition. Perhaps the national fibre roll-out is the reason they won't be forced to.

VM have stopped selling 'National' ADSL. They still provision legacy customers IIRC.