General Coming soon to Virgin TV 2014 - Page 64

1andrew1 · 06-02-2014, 19:30

Quote:

Originally Posted by theone2k10

Just had a memo this is not Sky Atlantic coming to VM BTW so don't get excited. Anyway the memo is "coming soon watch all your favourite HBO content on demand on Virgin Media and other providers."
To me this is just adding more fuel to the Nowtv app that is rumoured to be coming to VM this year.

Would that not just be HBO on Demand?

OLD BOY · 06-02-2014, 19:33

Quote:

Originally Posted by 1andrew1

Would that not just be HBO on Demand?

Sounds like it. I would settle for that rather than Sky Atlantic if that's the deal they've done, but the bit I don't like is that the programmes are on there for only a month. That would cramp my viewing style a bit, but I'm sure I'd cope!

harry_hitch · 06-02-2014, 19:34

Quote:

Originally Posted by denphone

Its is a advantage in that it is seamlessly is incorporated into the TiVo STB and as such many see that as a advantage Harry.

I know see that is somewhat of an advantage Den, but equally Sky viewers can seamlessly watch SA on their STB. VM users would have to watch via the internet or a NOW TV box.

Also, if people have smart TV's the app may well be on their TV's too.

Imho, this evens out the TIVO Netflix app "advantage".

passingbat · 06-02-2014, 19:34

Quote:

Originally Posted by OLD BOY

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.

.

But here is the difference: it's easy to get Netflix on any number of devices, many of them already in many people's home: PS3, Xbox, Wii, Smart TV, Bluray players, Tablets, computers etc.

HBO shows are nowhere near as easy to get. Up until recently the only way was to move to Sky Satellite. Netflix will not carry HBO content for the next five years at least in the UK and most likely not in any other Netflix region.

Atlantic would be the better option for VM to have over Netflix if they had had a free choice to pick just one purely because it is dead easy to get Netflix by other means. The fact that Atlantic shows brand new shows rather than shows at least one season behind (excluding Netflix originals) is also a point in favour of Atlantic.

Therefore, Sky having Atlantic and not Netflix is better than VM having Netflix and not Atlantic, in my view.

denphone · 06-02-2014, 19:34

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gunslinger

Maybe. But it depends on rights issues and when contracts next come up to renew. Ireland is a different rights market anyway, and just because VM buy Smallworld doesn't mean it buys the rights to distribute its content over a much bigger customer base.

How long did it take fully to harmonise NTL and C&W, or NTL and Telewest content when those companies merged?

From what l remember these integrations take longer then you think and perhaps Ben or Spiderplant might have the relevant correct information.

harry_hitch · 06-02-2014, 19:43

Quote:

Originally Posted by ozsat

You don't need a broadband or wireless network subscription to watch Netflix on TiVo.

Nobody with Sky can watch Netflix unless they also have broadband or a wireless network connection.

My mum has no broadband as she has no computer - so Netflix on TiVo is an advantage.

That sir, is a very good point.

I imagine not many customers would live without BB in this day and age, but for those who don't, Netflix via TIVO is a distinct advantage

I doth my proverbial cap to you

OLD BOY · 06-02-2014, 19:44

Quote:

Originally Posted by passingbat

But here is the difference: it's easy to get Netflix on any number of devices, many of them already in many people's home: PS3, Xbox, Wii, Smart TV, Bluray players, Tablets, computers etc.

HBO shows are nowhere near as easy to get. Up until recently the only way was to move to Sky Satellite. Netflix will not carry HBO content for the next five years at least in the UK and most likely not in any other Netflix region.

Atlantic would be the better option for VM to have over Netflix if they had had a free choice to pick just one purely because it is dead easy to get Netflix by other means. The fact that Atlantic shows brand new shows rather than shows at least one season behind (excluding Netflix originals) is also a point in favour of Atlantic.

Therefore, Sky having Atlantic and not Netflix is better than VM having Netflix and not Atlantic, in my view.

Yes, I understand your point, although I know which I would choose, but that's me. Good point about the Smart TVs, though.

If HBO On Demand came to Virgin as indicated in another recent post however, that would be a good substitute for Sky Atlantic, don't you think?

harry_hitch · 06-02-2014, 19:49

Quote:

Originally Posted by OLD BOY

I agree that Netflix can be watched in different ways, but many people don't want to watch it on computer screens and those with other devices are in the minority at present. I think very many people will see Netflix on VM as a good facility, and as they add more, like Lovefilm, VM will become the platform of choice for a lot more people.

As for Blokey, he can have a go at me if he likes, but actually I gave him nothing to complain about. I do not know what it was in that post that sparked him off yet again, but it doesn't take much, and it has become personal for him. However, I guess that's his problem. I shan't be responding to any more of his posts in case I give him an apoplectic attack.

---------- Post added at 19:27 ---------- Previous post was at 19:24 ----------

It doesn't need to be an app though, surely? They can just add it to the Sky Anytime On Demand menu.

It is a good facility, and I agree that if VM do launch Lovefilm and/or NOWTV then it probably will be a much better option than Sky's current STB.

OLD BOY · 06-02-2014, 19:51

Quote:

Originally Posted by theone2k10

Just had a memo this is not Sky Atlantic coming to VM BTW so don't get excited. Anyway the memo is "coming soon watch all your favourite HBO content on demand on Virgin Media and other providers."

That's the best news I've heard this year so far! This may well be the historic compromise that we've been waiting for!

Let us know if you hear any more, like when it might be coming!

passingbat · 06-02-2014, 19:52

Quote:

Originally Posted by 1andrew1

Would that not just be HBO on Demand?

It does sound that way. But in the states, as I understand it, you can only use HBO On Demand if you already subscribe to HBO via your cable/satellite provider; HBO have always resisted launching a stand alone service.

In other parts of the world that isn't the case, e.g. HBONordic.

It does make you wonder what is going on. I'm sure Sky wouldn't be too pleased if HBO sold directly to VM rather than via Sky.

Maybe if HBO do sell directly to VM it will be a separate premium charge; Sky can advertise that they offer HBO shows free and VM charge for them; just like VM advertise that BT Sport free on VM and it's chargeable on Sky. But Sky have paid an awful lot of money for something that is not exclusive, so I find that hard to believe

All wild speculation, but it's going to be fun working out what is going on (if anything).

OLD BOY · 06-02-2014, 19:55

Quote:

Originally Posted by passingbat

It does sound that way. But in the states, as I understand it, you can only use HBO On Demand if you already subscribe to HBO via your cable/satellite provider; HBO have always resisted launching a stand alone service.

In other parts of the world that isn't the case, e.g. HBONordic.

It does make you wonder what is going on. I'm sure Sky wouldn't be too pleased if HBO sold directly to VM rather than via Sky.

Maybe if HBO do sell directly to VM it will be a separate premium charge; Sky can advertise that they offer HBO shows free and VM charge for them; just like VM advertise that BT Sport free on VM and it's chargeable on Sky. But Sky have paid an awful lot of money for something that is not exclusive, so I find that hard to believe

All wild speculation, but it's going to be fun working out what is going on (if anything).

I agree with all of that. But it would be a face saver for Sky, because they can still say that Sky Atlantic is exclusive to their platforms. I'm not sure how many people out there really get the connection with HBO.

muppetman11 · 06-02-2014, 19:56

Quote:

Originally Posted by 1andrew1

Would that not just be HBO on Demand?

Quote:

Originally Posted by OLD BOY

If HBO On Demand came to Virgin as indicated in another recent post however, that would be a good substitute for Sky Atlantic, don't you think?

How could that launch in this country ?

As far as I'm aware Sky Atlantic has the exclusive linear and On Demand subscription rights for HBO content in the UK.

passingbat · 06-02-2014, 20:00

Quote:

Originally Posted by OLD BOY

If HBO On Demand came to Virgin as indicated in another recent post however, that would be a good substitute for Sky Atlantic, don't you think?

I think it would be fine except that it would be chargeable. VM customers get one Premium service free (BT sport) but have to pay for another (HBO). That doesn't seem fair, and one of the reasons I'm planning to dump the TV side soon. Still it would be better than the situation we have now. And as or the fact that it would be HBO shows only, personally, I have little interest in the Sky produced content on Atlantic.

denphone · 06-02-2014, 20:00

Hmmmmm all the excitement and speculation is making me dizzy

and one must hope this speculation as such does not fall flat on its face like all the rumours we had before...

passingbat · 06-02-2014, 20:04

Quote:

Originally Posted by muppetman11

How could that launch in this country ?

As far as I'm aware Sky Atlantic has the exclusive linear and On Demand subscription rights for HBO content in the UK.

That's what I don't get. Which means it could be another false hope rumour that has no foundation in fact. Still it's fun speculating and talking about.