Coming Soon to Virgin TV

[Andrewcrawford23]

Originally Posted by Arthurgray50@blu

I think the funniest thing about todays TV, is that there are so many channels out there, that we are spoilt for choice, and as we have all agreed, we like some channels, and some don't, when BSB, was around, we had the same problem, ie Telewest was around, then Sky took over BSB, and then Telewest was taken over by NTL, then we had VM, there are rumours that Sky was going to buy VM, so we are spoilt for choice - who to have, so we would go for the company who had the best channels going, and now we have the battle of the big guns VM v Sky, but who will give the best choice - your guess is as good as mine.

Actually that idea might not be so far fetched, there a rumor that sky and virgin media might want to merge :O but i doubt it

[OLD BOY]

Originally Posted by wwe

so no new channels

Well, not this week, but in October, we are expecting 20-30 new channels. Most of them will be +1 channels, I dare say.

[Thebenster]

Originally Posted by OLD BOY

Well, not this week, but in October, we are expecting 20-30 new channels. Most of them will be +1 channels, I dare say.

That is extremely unlikely - there is room for 30 or so new channels but it will depend on how quickly VM sign some deals.

[Andrewcrawford23]

Originally Posted by Thebenster

That is extremely unlikely - there is room for 30 or so new channels but it will depend on how quickly VM sign some deals.

Some are already signed its more harmonising you wills ee bu the harmonise will not use up the 30 new possible channels

[wwe]

Originally Posted by OLD BOY

Well, not this week, but in October, we are expecting 20-30 new channels. Most of them will be +1 channels, I dare say.

what are the new channels going to be will there be any hd channels

[fluffychick]

Do you really not have enough channels already? Why not turn of the TV set and go and do something less boring instead?

[Media Boy UK]

No HD Channels will appear this year but maybe (And it the big maybe) in 2009.

[moroboshi]

Originally Posted by wwe

what are the new channels going to be will there be any hd channels

You should know from experience now that there is about a 99% chance of any new channel either being a pointless +1 channel, a pointless shopping channel, or a pointless repeats channel.

How many genuinely good channels are there on cable? I can think of about 3 or 4 and that's at a stretch.

There will be no new HD channels on Virgin because a) Virgin think they are pointless, and b) Sky have them all signed up in exclusivity deals.

[Andrewcrawford23]

Originally Posted by moroboshi

You should know from experience now that there is about a 99% chance of any new channel either being a pointless +1 channel, a pointless shopping channel, or a pointless repeats channel.

How many genuinely good channels are there on cable? I can think of about 3 or 4 and that's at a stretch.

There will be no new HD channels on Virgin because a) Virgin think they are pointless, and b) Sky have them all signed up in exclusivity deals.

Sky dnt acutally but part a is right

[Horizon]

I think there is a bit of an assumption here that because someone has seen tests of 30 new "tv" channels, that will translate into 30 new tv channels. These 30 test streams could either be used for broadband, interactive, VOD or tv channels.

Originally Posted by Media Boy

No HD Channels will appear this year but maybe (And it the big maybe) in 2009.

Yes, after Berkett's webcast at Goldman Sachs on Wednesday, that's my impression too, but still don't expect lots of HD channels though....

He said he did want to make HD a priority went its right to do so, but that would still mainly appear in the form of VOD rather than linear channels. He did admit HD is better. Other titbits from the webcast:

I think there was separate thread but can't find it so will post here instead and that's regarding UKTV on VOD. Basically, UKTV which VM own half of, do not own VOD rights to the BBC programming. UKTV programming could appear via the BBC's Iplayer, if the BBC so wished it, but UKTV do not own VOD rights to the programmes they show.

VM will launch mobile broadband by the end of the year. Expect to see fixed line/mobile bundles soon both for voice and broadband packages.

Lots of hints that all broadband speeds could be upgraded in the future. Berkett wants VM to have "clear water" between VM and DSL competitors in this market. Which is why he has given priority to broadband and VOD, rather than HD.

50mb on course to launch by the end of the year and hints of upgrades to upload speeds in the future, once DOCSIS 3 and its bonding of channels is rolled out. But this product will never be anything near 50/50 speeds both ways.

VM has no intention of going after illegal downloaders for the reason there is no law to say they should. VM prefers to work with people like the music industry, but he made it clear that's its the owners of intellectual property (ie music companies) who should protect their property, not VM. Berkett said that VM would like to offer its own music service, but no details were given.

No agreement with Sky on getting the basic channels back. Berkett made clear he would prefer to avoid litigation, but for the court case to be dropped there needs to be a deal done first on good economic terms for VM. Berkett made clear that this issue is tied into the wider issues with Sky that Ofcom are investigating and the issues surrounding pricing of premium channels too. Berkett made clear he could have the Sky channels back now if he wished, but the price isn't right. Where's Lesley Crowther when you need him...

That's about it.

[Felim_Doyle]

Originally Posted by fluffychick

Do you really not have enough channels already? Why not turn of the TV set and go and do something less boring instead?

What, like abusing people in internet forums?

[OLD BOY]

Originally Posted by fluffychick

Do you really not have enough channels already? Why not turn of the TV set and go and do something less boring instead?

In answer to your first question, no. As for the second, the point is that when you switch the TV on, even if you don't watch it that frequently, you actually want to have a decent choice of material to watch. People who want more channels are not necessarily telly addicts.

[fluffychick]

Originally Posted by OLD BOY

In answer to your first question, no. As for the second, the point is that when you switch the TV on, even if you don't watch it that frequently, you actually want to have a decent choice of material to watch. People who want more channels are not necessarily telly addicts.

I don't think you answered the second question. Just continued answering the first.

Originally Posted by Neptune

Yes, after Berkett's webcast at Goldman Sachs on Wednesday,

I didn't see that. Thanks for the post.

Mobile broadband would be good if priced right (I have T-Mob W'n'W plus and a Three data stick but my partner just has Virgin mobile with no BB). Faster BB would be good as well.
the only TV channel I'd like to see that I don't have is Sky One - guess there's no chance of that in the foreseeable future!

Thanks again.

[Media Boy UK]

Post one has now been updated....


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