Virgin One to launch - cable & Freeview

[Stephen]

With all these US TV shows they are buying I hope they do a HD version of the channel.

Originally Posted by DarthYoda

With all these US TV shows they are buying I hope they do a HD version of the channel.

Now that would be something to write home about

[Downloads]

Originally Posted by GuestUK

Plus, it almost makes one wonder whether they were truly serious about getting the Sky channels at all, or whether they had plans for all of this and getting rid of the Sky channels on the VM platform was part of the plan. Gives them the money to do these ventures and knocks out the competition on the platform so they get more viewers.

I think they were serious. I don't think this is a plan but a reaction. Otherwise there wouldn't be rumours of them buying up content like it was going out of fashion etc. If there was a plan it wouldn't appear to be this hurried and maybe a couple of the bigger shows might have had bids placed on them by VM. All very interesting though and can only be good news for the viewer to have another competitor.

[v0id]

I think this new Virgin 1 will be a success, as long as they keep it fresh and not full of stagnant repeats like Sky One.

Gotta give props to VM though, for actually doing something with the money saved from not being able to renew the sky channels though

[JMcB]

How about a Virgin 1 HD channel

And is V/M get back ITV from Sky ITV HD sounds good to me

[tvtimes]

I think this is fantastic news, good sportmanship allowing SKY to also have it.

This channel is going to be available to all platforms which also means by the digital switchover it will be available to all homes.

If Virgin get this channel right it will be a fantastic bargaining tool against sky in the next loads of negotiations if the programmes and the channel is succesful SKY customer's are gonna be peeved to see it removed if SKY are not willing to pay a fair price for it. It will also be a viable and good alternative to sky when they pull their own channels off freeview which they may now have to reconsider

Apparently it will be a linear channel available to all and all the content they have bought will be available through VM on demand which will be fully interactive! Very exciting times ahead!

[Toto]

Originally Posted by JMcB

How about a Virgin 1 HD channel

And is V/M get back ITV from Sky ITV HD sounds good to me

Uhmm...nope, I don't think that will happen, rumours are that Sky will swap its shares in ITV for control of another channel, that would mean that VM could still not get controlling power of ITV.

http://www.cableforum.co.uk/article/...ontrol-of-five

[GuestUK]

There's something I don't quite understand though, how is a linear channel going to break free of being a linear channel, unless there's something I don't quite understand (I know it will probably be on on-demand on VM as well, but the statement makes a general claim)

Virgin 1 will shake up multi-channel and free-to-air TV, and start liberating viewers from the linear schedule

[VMNick]

I knew it!!! Virgin are going to take Sky on and WIN! I hope they can start bidding for top US shows and if they get the rights.......

Maybe Lost or something that would hit Sky hard. I am looking forward to this coming to my screen.

[GuestUK]

Originally Posted by VMNick

I knew it!!! Virgin are going to take Sky on and WIN! I hope they can start bidding for top US shows and if they get the rights.......

Maybe Lost or something that would hit Sky hard. I am looking forward to this coming to my screen.

The problem is, top US TV shows often are incredibly expensive. For example, the cost of one series of Lost was equal to the price of the entire Sky Basics package for VM. In order for it to work (at least in the first year or so) they'll probably have to go with cheaper things and hope they work out. If Virgin had so much money to spare and throw towards anything they like (such as top expensive shows) it is likely they could have easily paid Sky for the basics package, as well as having a lot more content on VOD than is currently available.

What I'd iamgine they'd do is try to go with cheaper shows but which may become big hits, hope that it works out, as well as being on Freeview and Cable and satellite, get more money and then be able to afford bigger shows in years to come if it works out, and if it doesn't work out, scrap the venture.

The channel will mix newly commissioned and acquired programming with user-generated content and content from Virgin Media pay-TV channels. Catch-ups, previews and exclusive content will be available via broadband and Virgin Media on-demand

Sounds like it definitely is going with the channel approach, using VOD only for small extra bits and catchup TV which will disappear. What's interesting is: user-generated content? I wonder what that could be like...

Nice to know it will take an FTN approach as well by including some programs from their pay channels, as well as programs they are buying in - sounds quite good and I will look forward to seeing how it works out.

[pachelbel]

Originally Posted by VMNick

I knew it!!! Virgin are going to take Sky on and WIN! I hope they can start bidding for top US shows and if they get the rights.......

Maybe Lost or something that would hit Sky hard. I am looking forward to this coming to my screen.

Sorry but even as a VM subscriber my money is on SKY. Their aim is control of the DTT platform and it seems like Ofcom are going to allow the 3/4 pay channels. It will be the slow creep to UK media domination, newspapers, satellite TV, broadband and now terrestrial television.

[Ben B]

This is the best thing that has happened since the rebranding. At least now there will be more competition and possibly higher profits for VM which will give them money to add lots more shows to the new channel and invest in the VoD service a bit more so that it actually works!

[LiamTG]

I have a few gripes with VM but that's been detailed in other threads. Reality is I like Virgin, I have worked for them (in a fashion) selling their credit card, I have their credit card, I have their TV, BB, Telephone, I have their V+ box and service. I think the VOD stuff is brill. I was pis*ed off when we lost Sky, I think we need more HD stuff.

But the fact remains, if this channel comes off in the right fashion, which I hope it will, then all of the ppl that have been negative - me included - will be eating humble pie!

Rock on VM!!

[Chris Howell]

My faith in Virginfercation has been restored.

So.....when is Virgin 1 HD launching?

[dav]

Looks promising, but I think I'll reserve judgement until I see what they have been bidding like crazy for.

If it's generic pap, then it won't rock my boat. If it's something gripping and genuinely ground breaking then I'll be more than happy.