General : Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2013) Vol. 2.

[Chad]

Originally Posted by Jameseh

If HBO has any sense they'll do their own channel when the SA deal runs out, they already do Sweden/Norway I think. Can't imagine Sky are paying them more than they could make from subscriptions from any TV providers customers.

SKY are paying HBO £30 million per year.

HBO will also be making plenty of money from the UK market by way of Blink box on demand plus DVD and Blu-Ray sales.

It all comes down to what makes sense in terms of cost effectiveness. How much would it cost HBO to set up their own channel in the UK, and how much could they make from individual carriage deals from SKY, Virgin and BT?

To better their current deal with SKY, cover their set-up costs and cover the potential downturn in on demand and DVD sales, HBO would need to be making about £40 million per year in carriage deals to make it worth their while.

Maybe the viewing figures for SKY Atlantic will put HBO off. Only 8% of SKY’s overall customer base regularly watches SKY Atlantic. SKY, Virgin and BT have roughly 15,200,000 subscribers in total. Based on SKY Atlantic viewing figures only about 1,216,000 people would watch SKY Atlantic / HBO UK if it launched across all platforms.

HBO with their current SKY deal are probably laughing all the way to the bank.

[nialli]

Originally Posted by Jameseh

If HBO has any sense they'll do their own channel when the SA deal runs out, they already do Sweden/Norway I think. Can't imagine Sky are paying them more than they could make from subscriptions from any TV providers customers.

You would think, but I heard from someone I know involved with the Sky Atlantic deal the money put on the table by Sky was so ridiculous compared with the longer payback of establishing a new channel independently HBO just went for it.
Advertisers lose out on viewing numbers by being only available to Sky customers but are probably charged a premium for the more upmarket demographic of the audience.
It was said that the channel was going to be wholesaled once it was available via Sky's IP service Now TV, but it has gone very quiet regarding the entertainment channels on that platform.

[Media Boy UK]

More Channels not coming to Virgin Media?

Info thanks to Overnights.tv:

-TLC, TLC + 1 and Investigation Discovery +1 will launch on 30th April 2013.
-True Drama will be BARB reported from 24th April, 2013.

No news yet on if TLC +1 and Investigation Discovery +1 will be on Virgin from launch.

http://overnights.tv/public/content/News.aspx

You'd like to think Discovery included them in the deal so we don't have another Sky Movies Classics situation.

[Media Boy UK]

Originally Posted by Jameseh

You'd like to think Discovery included them in the deal so we don't have another Sky Movies Classics situation.

Well we are getting TLC and TLC HD from launch but you ever know with Virgin.

[hdtvfan]

Originally Posted by Perfect Choice

This is what happens when a popular programme is only available on a restricted/subscription access channel. No strong opinion on this, just stating what happens.

Thousands pirate Game of Thrones series three opener

The opening episode of the third series of Games of Thrones was the most pirated ever, according to TorrentFreak.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/newsbeat/22003821

As long as HBO can keep its subscriber base and fund the show as well as profit I doubt they care too much about people downloading their shows. If they weren't a subscription channel they couldn't make the shows they do make because of the rules on USTV, but because they are a premium subscription channel it encourages people who cant or wont pay to steal.

[heavyside]

Originally Posted by nialli

Advertisers lose out on viewing numbers by being only available to Sky customers but are probably charged a premium for the more upmarket demographic of the audience.

Interesting observation. I would have thought that satellite TV had a more downmarket demographic than cable.

[Media Boy UK]

April List update.

Keep up-to-date on the latest news on upcoming channel launches and other important events across all platforms of Virgin TV network.

NOTE: I do not work for Virgin Media so all the information on this list is subject to change.

Colours on my list are as followed:

Media Boy = New Info just added.
Media Boy = Virgin Media News and links.
Media Boy = Other Media news/Things.

=== Coming up on Virgin's Digital TV ===
=== Rumour to be Launching very soon ===
-Animal Planet HD will launch on Virgin Channel 217 on the XL HD Pack Soon.
-E! Entertainment HD to launch on Virgin Media soon.
-Universal HD to launch on Virgin Media soon.
-Create & Craft may launch on Virgin Channel 748.
-France 24 English may launch on Virgin Channel 624.
-France 24 French may launch on Virgin Channel 832.

=== April ===
15th. Sky Arts Rieu will be rebranded as Sky Arts 2 on Virgin Channel 283.
15th. Sky Arts Rieu HD will be rebranded as Sky Arts 2 HD on Virgin Channel 284.
30th. TLC to launch on Virgin Channel 167 today.
30th. TLC HD to launch on Virgin Channel ??? today.
30th. S4C to move from Virgin Channel 167 to Virgin Channel ??? today.

=== May ===
4th. Military History will be rebranded as H2 on Virgin Channel 236.
22nd. The Competition Commission will publish its final report by today on the Global Radio & GMG Radio takeover.

=== June ===
No News...

=== By end of June ===
-Liberty Global hope to close the transaction of Virgin Media.

=== July ===
31st. BT will takeover ESPN, ESPN HD and ESPN America on Virgin Channels 529, 530 and 531 from Today.
31st. ESPN to close ESPN Classic on Virgin Channel 533 by Today.

=== Summer ===
-FT.com says BT and Virgin Media are in talks over up to THREE BT Sports Channels launching on Virgin Media.

=== August ===
No News...

=== September ===
No News...

=== October ===
No News...

=== November ===
-Made in Leeds will launch on Virgin Media sometime this month.

=== December ===
No News...

=== By 2015 ===
-RTE Radio and WRN Radio will be axe in old Telewest areas or added to all areas of Virgin Media.

=== Unknown dates ===
-'Seven' will be rebranded as Lincolnshire Living on Virgin Channel 879 (Grimsby & Scunthorpe only).
-I have been told that Virgin Media are in talks with Sky to carry 'Sky Atlantic SD', 'Sky News HD' and 'Sky Sports News HD'.
-Local TV may launch on Virgin TV in some areas in Virgin Channels 600 mark (Starting in Late 2013).
-The BBC to axe BBC Radio 4 LW on Virgin Channel 911 ''in the long term''.
-UKTV on Demand may also launch on Virgin on Demand.
-Channel 4's ''4oD'' will offer HD content.
-Smooth fm (Smooth Radio) may get close or rebranded on Virgin Channel 916.
-Fashion One 'In talks with Virgin Media'.
-Sony Movies may launch soon on Virgin Media.

=== Channels THAT still to appear in all areas ===
List was last updated on December 1st 2010.

NO. Channel Name
917. Radio: RTE Radio
920. Radio: WRN Europe

NOTE: Channels are only broadcasting in Ex-Telewest areas right now.

=== Media Boy Extra info: ===
Media Boy Blog - For all things Virgin TV - http://mediaboyblog.blogspot.com/
See Virgin Media on ''twitter'' here - http://twitter.com/virginmedia
See Nialli's blog on Virgin Media High Definition & TiVo Services here - http://vmhd.blogspot.com/
Latest news on Freeview - http://www.cableforum.co.uk/board/10...l#post35353580

=== Ask Media Boy ===
Last updated March 14th 2013.

Q: WHERE DO YOU GET YOUR INFORMATION ABOUT VIRGIN MEDIA FROM?
A: I get all my info from Virgin Media viewers and Web Sites (NOTE: When I used web sites I will post an link to that web site).

Q: WILL I NEED TO WATCH MY DISNEY CINEMAGIC PROGRAMMES ON MY V+ OR TIVO BOX BY MARCH 27TH?
A: No Virgin Media viewers have until June 28th to watch recorded Disney Cinemagic programmes.

Q: WHY AM I NOT GETTING ''RTE RADIO'' OR ''WRN RADIO'' FOR?
A: RTE Radio and WRN Radio do not broadcast in Ex-ntl and Ex-Cable & Wireless areas - yet.

==== Virgin Media's Deals with broadcasters ===
List last updated on April 3rd 2013.

Welcome to the all new look of this part of the list.

When deals with broadcasters run out Virgin Media need to sign new one to keep that Channel on Virgin TV.
Here is an list of channel that Virgin may get when they old deal runs out with that broadcaster:
Also Radio channels are broadcasting on Digital Radio via Freesat, Freeview, Freesat from Sky or Sky.

NOTE: Shopping Channels are not on this list and only Broadcasts who has got some Channels broadcasting on Virgin Media right now appeared on this list. To start broadcasting soon = That channel has still to start broadcasting on Sky, Freesat or Freeview.

=== TV and Radio Channels: ===
=== Own by A+E Networks UK (A&E Television Networks/British Sky Broadcasting) ===
-Bio. +1
-Crime & Investigation Network HD
-Crime & Investigation Network +1
-HISTORY HD
-HISTORY +1
-Lifetime (May launch in 2013.)

=== Own by ARY Group ===
-ARY Qtv
-ARY Oneworld
-ARY Entertainment

=== Own by BET International Inc (Viacom) ===
-BET: Black Ent Tv
-BET: Black Ent Tv +1

=== Own by British Sky Broadcasting ===
-Pick TV +1
-Sky1 +1
-Sky 3D
-Sky Atlantic
-Sky Atlantic +1
-Sky Atlantic HD
-Sky News HD
-Sky Sports F1 HD
-Sky Sports 3 HD
-Sky Sports 4 HD
-Sky Sports News HD

=== Own by British Telecommunications Plc ===
-BT Sports 1 (To launch in UK and Ireland in Summer 2013.)
-BT Sports 1 HD (To launch in UK and Ireland in Summer 2013.)
-BT Sports 2 (To launch in UK and Ireland in Summer 2013.)
-BT Sports 2 HD (To launch in UK and Ireland in Summer 2013.)
-ESPN America HD (Will be owned by BT from August 1st 2013.)
-Sailing 1
-Sailing 2

=== Own by CBS Chellozone UK Channels Partnership ===
-CBS Reality +1
-Horror +1

=== Own by Channel Four Television Corporation ===
-More 4 HD

=== Own by CSC Media Group ===
-Bliss
-BuzMuzik
-Chart Show TV
-Chart Show TV Dance
-Flava
-Kix!
-POP
-Pop Girl
-Pop Girl +1
-Scuzz
-The Vault
-Tiny Pop +1

=== Own by Discovery Networks Western Europe ===
-DMAX +2
-Investigation Discovery +1 (Soon to start broadcasting).
-TLC + 1 (Soon to start broadcasting).

=== Own by Disney-ABC Television Group ===
-Disney Channel HD
-Disney Junior +
-Disney Junior HD (Soon to start broadcasting).
-Disney XD HD

=== Own by Entertainment Networks (UK) Limited (Sony Pictures Television) ===
-More Than Movies
-More Than Movies +1
-Movies 4 Men
-Movies 4 Men +1

=== Own by ESPN Inc. (until July 31st 2013) ===
-ESPN America HD

=== Own by Fox International Channels (News Corporation) ===
-FOX +1

=== Own by Global Radio ===
-Capital FM TV
-Heart FM TV

=== Own by Moving Movies Ltd. (CSC Media Group) ===
-True Drama (Soon to start broadcasting).
-True Entertainment +1
-True Movies 2

=== Own by MTV Networks Europe ===
-MTV CLASSIC
-MTV HD
-MTV LIVE
-MTV MUSIC
-MTV +1

=== Own by Multi Screen Media (Sony Pictures Television) ===
-Sahara One

=== Own by NGC-UK Partnership (National Geographic Society/Fox International Channels) ===
-Nat Wild HD

=== Own by Nickelodeon UK (MTV Networks Europe/British Sky Broadcasting) ===
-Nickelodeon HD
-Nick Jr. +1

=== Own by Paramount UK Partnership (Paramount British Pictures/British Sky Broadcasting) ===
-Comedy Central Extra +1

=== Own by Premier Media ===
-Premier Sports
-Premier Sports Xtra

=== Own by RTE ===
-RTE 2fm
-RTE lyric fm
-RTE Radio 1 (Broadcasts in Ex-Telewest areas right now).
-RTE Radio na Gaeltachta

=== Own by Real & Smooth Ltd [Was GMG Radio] (Global Radio) ===
-Real Radio Wales
-Smooth 70s

=== Own by Scripps Networks Interactive ===
-Food Network
-Food Network +1
-Travel Channel
-Travel Channel +1

=== Own by Sony Pictures Television ===
-Sony Entertainment Television +1
-Sony Movie Channel
-Sony Movie Channel +1

=== Own by STAR TV (News Corporation) ===
-STAR Jalsha
-STAR Plus HD

=== Own by Sunrise Radio Group ===
-Kismat Radio
-Punjabi Radio

=== Own by TIML Radio Limited ===
-Absolute 90s

=== Own by United Christian Broadcasters ===
-UCB TV
-UCB Bible
-UCB Gospel
-UCB Inspiration
-UCB Ireland

=== Own by Universal Networks International ===
-E! HD*
-Universal Channel HD*

*ALL CHANNELS OWN BY UNIVERSAL NETWORKS INTERNATIONAL ALL MAY LAUNCH ON VIRIGN MEDIA SOON.

=== Own by Zee Entertainment Enterprises ===
-ZEE Cafe
-Zing

==== See you later ===
List last updated on April 3rd 2013.

Next update: Later in April - But not until:

A) If Virgin are set to launch more than TWO channels (TV or Radio) on Virgin TV.
B) If Virgin are set to move more than TWO channels (TV or Radio) about on Virgin TV.
C) If Virgin are set to close or repackage more then TWO channels (TV or Radio ) on Virgin TV.

Did I miss anything??? If I did tell me and it will appear on the next update.

©copyright 2013 Media Boy 2006 - 2013. An ''Keep it real and free'' Production.

[andy_m]

I don't agree with piracy, but I do think there is an argument to be made that allowing a company to acquire first run, second run and on demand rights means that more people are likely to do it. That said, there was a recent study that suggested that piracy hadn't actually hurt the music industry at all financially as people who downloaded copied songs would never have actually paid for them even if that was the only way to obtain them, so perhaps Sky and hbo don't care too much.

[DaMac]

Indeed the millions that the mpaa argue is lost every year due to pirate DVDs isn't in fact lost because most people who acquire knock off wouldn't go to the cinema in the first place, Infact aren't cinema audiences at some sort of 20 year high?

[Media Boy UK]

MB Opinion: Where will S4C go on April 30th?

Last week Discovery reveal that TLC will relaunch in the UK and Ireland on Virgin Channel 167 on April 30th.

But Channel 167 is home to S4C right now...

So I am working with one of the following lineups from April 30th:

A)

166. S4C
167. TLC
168. TLC HD
169. TLC +1

OR B)

167. TLC
168. TLC HD
169. S4C

[DJ-SWITCH]

Originally Posted by Media Boy

MB Opinion: Where will S4C go on April 30th?

Last week Discovery reveal that TLC will relaunch in the UK and Ireland on Virgin Channel 167 on April 30th.

But Channel 167 is home to S4C right now...

So I am working with one of the following lineups from April 30th:

A)

166. S4C
167. TLC
168. TLC HD
169. TLC +1

OR B)

167. TLC
168. TLC HD
169. S4C

i would go with A

C) West Philadelphia.

[OLD BOY]

Originally Posted by heavyside

Interesting observation. I would have thought that satellite TV had a more downmarket demographic than cable.

Added to which, the upmarketers probably skip all the ads!

---------- Post added at 19:25 ---------- Previous post was at 19:13 ----------

Now that Travel Channel is owned by Scripps, maybe it will at last return to cable. That would be a decent channel to have, I missed it when it left our screens some years ago.

http://www.broadbandtvnews.com/2013/...ds-to-freesat/

[passingbat]

Originally Posted by heavyside

Interesting observation. I would have thought that satellite TV had a more downmarket demographic than cable.

I think that was one of the reasons that Sky wanted HBO type content, which is generally critically acclaimed, and why they wanted to keep it exclusive to Sky. Whether true or not, they perceived that type of content as raising the general quality bar of Sky as a whole.

---------- Post added at 19:39 ---------- Previous post was at 19:29 ----------

Originally Posted by Jameseh

C) West Philadelphia.

(C) for me would be, 'I don't care'.

But that is because I record everything I watch and set recordings up using the EPG. Because I don't watch live TV, except for the BBC news channel, I don't channel hop, and the only number I need to remember is 601.