Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2011) Vol. III. - Page 99

Gavin-D · 03-09-2011, 16:24

I've started a topic here - http://www.cableforum.co.uk/board/11...hd-charge.html

passingbat · 03-09-2011, 16:31

Quote:

Originally Posted by andrewstevenson

Well they could look to offer a free hd package paid for like m hd free, x hd Â£2.50 and xl hd Â£4 and xl hd with sport Â£11 therefore freeing up revenue to purchase more hd, who agree and disagree

This has been discussed many times before; there must be several threads around.

Many people, myself included, like that VM has free HD and accept fewer channels.

Currently, there is a clear cut choice and if you want max HD channels, Sky is the best option. If you want fewer HD channels but no cost, VM is the best option.

Introducing a pay HD version of VM, will muddy the waters and channels that would eventually be added for free will get added to the pay bit IMHO.

denphone · 03-09-2011, 16:35

Quote:

Originally Posted by passingbat

This has been discussed many times before; there must be several threads around.

Many people, myself included, like that VM has free HD and accept fewer channels.

Currently, there is a clear cut choice and if you want max HD channels, Sky is the best option. If you want fewer HD channels but no cost, VM is the best option.

Introducing a pay HD version of VM, will muddy the waters and channels that would eventually be added for free will get added to the pay bit IMHO.

But losing 36,000 customers in the last quarter suggest to me that their HD TV channel strategy is not working.

passingbat · 03-09-2011, 16:42

Quote:

Originally Posted by denphone

But losing 36,000 customers in the last quarter suggest to me that their HD TV channel strategy is not working.

What proof do you have that it was lack of HD that lost those customers?

denphone · 03-09-2011, 16:51

Quote:

Originally Posted by passingbat

What proof do you have that it was lack of HD that lost those customers?

Whether it was the lack of HD channels or something else the fact remains that they lost 36,000 tv customers so that in itself tell you that their TV strategy regarding HD or SD channels is not working.

devilincarnate · 03-09-2011, 16:52

Quote:

Originally Posted by passingbat

This has been discussed many times before; there must be several threads around.

Yes it has been discussed many times before as you have quite rightly stated

Quote:

Originally Posted by passingbat

Many people, myself included, like that VM has free HD and accept fewer channels.

I for one am the same.

Quote:

Originally Posted by passingbat

Currently, there is a clear cut choice and if you want max HD channels, Sky is the best option. If you want fewer HD channels but no cost, VM is the best option.

Very very true and if you want more HD go to Sky and stop moaning about the lack of HD on VM. At least we do not have to pay extra for the HD that we get

Quote:

Originally Posted by passingbat

Introducing a pay HD version of VM, will muddy the waters and channels that would eventually be added for free will get added to the pay bit IMHO.

Yes also very true and I have to say that you have hit the nail on the head here

We are all consumers and we will vote with our feet if we are not happy with the service that we get? (Or fingers in the case of TV channels)

Horizon · 03-09-2011, 16:57

...post moved to other thread.

nialli · 03-09-2011, 17:59

Quote:

Originally Posted by denphone

Whether it was the lack of HD channels or something else the fact remains that they lost 36,000 tv customers so that in itself tell you that their TV strategy regarding HD or SD channels is not working.

Q2 is always a poor one for VM. Sure they lost customers, but they make more money now from those they have. I wouldn't draw a conclusion from one quarter's results that a strategy is "failing", just as I wouldn't suggest it was succeeding after a few good months.

Digital Fanatic · 03-09-2011, 18:08

Quote:

Originally Posted by denphone

But losing 36,000 customers in the last quarter suggest to me that their HD TV channel strategy is not working.

VM said it was down to keeping higher spending customers (basically not fighting when lower spenders want to leave) and students leaving.

Quality not quantity, it's easier to retain the higher spenders and not throwing discounts at the lower ones.

denphone · 03-09-2011, 18:32

Quote:

Originally Posted by Digital Fanatic

VM said it was down to keeping higher spending customers (basically not fighting when lower spenders want to leave) and students leaving.

Quality not quantity, it's easier to retain the higher spenders and not throwing discounts at the lower ones.

But if they had more flexibility with their HD offerings they could make even more money thus increasing the monthly ARPU they make from customers DF.

**Hugh** · 03-09-2011, 19:31

Quote:

Originally Posted by denphone

But if they had more flexibility with their HD offerings they could make even more money thus increasing the monthly ARPU they make from customers DF.

You have to remember that often the HD (and other) channels are offered to VM in groups/packs, so it isn't as simple as it seems.

ARPU is one factor, EBITDA is another, but profit is the important one - turnover is vanity, profit is sanity......

If they paid more for the HD channels, they would have to charge their customers more, and that would lead to unhappy customers (for instance, you have repeatedly stated you would not be happy with any VM price increases).

denphone · 03-09-2011, 19:39

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hugh

You have to remember that often the HD (and other) channels are offered to VM in groups/packs, so it isn't as simple as it seems.

ARPU is one factor, EBITDA is another, but profit is the important one - turnover is vanity, profit is sanity......

If they paid more for the HD channels, they would have to charge their customers more, and that would lead to unhappy customers (for instance, you have repeatedly stated you would not be happy with any VM price increases).

l would not be happy to pay for increases in our phone and broadband packages as they are dear enough but if they added certain extra SD and HD channels l would be willing now to pay a little extra for them thus l believe there should be a little extra flexibility in their TV packages to allow this.

muppetman11 · 03-09-2011, 20:22

Quote:

Originally Posted by denphone

l would not be happy to pay for increases in our phone and broadband packages as they are dear enough but if they added certain extra SD and HD channels l would be willing now to pay a little extra for them thus l believe there should be a little extra flexibility in their TV packages to allow this.

I personally agree with you Den , the current pricing structure leaves little room for adding new pay TV HD channels, in fact there is currently only 13 included in XL the rest are FTA HD channels. Many on here have already said they prefer the HD for free structure currently adopted by VM and I respect their opinions, I guess its a subject that many will have differing views on.

alwaysabear · 03-09-2011, 23:08

Quote:

Originally Posted by muppetman11

I personally agree with you Den , the current pricing structure leaves little room for adding new pay TV HD channels, in fact there is currently only 13 included in XL the rest are FTA HD channels. Many on here have already said they prefer the HD for free structure currently adopted by VM and I respect their opinions, I guess its a subject that many will have differing views on.

I would also have to agree, VM need to offer more choice for those of us who would like more HD content. If they change the packages around as suggested then those that dont want to pay for more HD would not be affectected.

passingbat · 03-09-2011, 23:44

Quote:

Originally Posted by alwaysabear

If they change the packages around as suggested then those that dont want to pay for more HD would not be affectected.

Yes they would. New HD channels will be added to the pay bit. I'd rather wait longer for HD channels and get them free.

As you are prepared to pay more for HD, why not split your services and get internet/phone from VM and TV from Sky? (I know that not everyone can get Sky.)