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

[ocav]

Originally Posted by Arthurgray50@blu

If Liberty plan to sell the CBS channels, then they will make a lot of customers unhappy as these channels have brilliant shows on them.

Regarding +1 channels, the only reason why l was saying they are a waste of time, I spoke with CS and they said they dont have enough capacity on the network to take anymore channels, so bring the +1 channels on.

They are not getting rid of them, just cause they are selling them doesn't mean they will cease to exist, they will just be under new ownership.

[heavyside]

It looks like TiVo will have some serious competition soon with Microsoft's announcement of the X Box One. The text of the article specifically mentions Virgin Media as a target of the new console. I imagine that the new Play Station 4 will have a similar spec when it is announced soon. I wonder what TiVo will do to meet this challenge.

http://www.independent.co.uk/life-st...e-8626177.html

Absolutely nothing as existing cable boxes plug into the new Xbox. The new Xbox only challenges IPTV providers like BT and TalkTalk.

[BenMcr]

Originally Posted by heavyside

I imagine that the new Play Station 4 will have a similar spec when it is announced soon.

The PS4 spec has already been announced http://gamer.blorge.com/2013/02/20/p...-ray-and-more/

[ocav]

If it was challenging Sky and Virgin they would have to have a lot of channels available on the platform. As far as I can imagine, based on the current Xbox you can only watch Catch Up, Sky channels and Movies/Sport through Now TV. You'll still need a cable box or Sat box of some kind.

[dav]

The point is it won't be challenging Sky/VM etc as it won't be adding much in the way of MS content (other than Halo TV series). It is designed to augment and enhance the "TV experience" by enabling voice and gesture control and instant switching between TV/games/Skype and web etc.
The way I see it working is the VM box plugs in to the HDMI passthrough in the Xbox, you tell it you're on VM (package etc) and it downloads the channel and programme info. When you want to watch "Walking Dead" all you need to say if you can't remember the channel is something like "Xbox watch walking dead" and it will know enough to switch automagically to the right channel. Not sure if it will be able to do much with the PVR functions of a VM box as I can't see a return route back to the box.
I'm pretty upbeat about it, but it needs to be priced right as it doesn't want to be classed as an expensive remote.

[Chad]

Originally Posted by heavyside

It looks like TiVo will have some serious competition soon with Microsoft's announcement of the X Box One. The text of the article specifically mentions Virgin Media as a target of the new console. I imagine that the new Play Station 4 will have a similar spec when it is announced soon. I wonder what TiVo will do to meet this challenge.

http://www.independent.co.uk/life-st...e-8626177.html

This article suggests the opposite:

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/technolog...ing-rooms.html

"Microsoft’s new Xbox is called simply the One – the idea is that it will integrate with your TV, plus your Sky or Virgin box."

"Microsoft implied it would work with Sky and Virgin to get access to the right programming."

"The One looks like a great idea, and at the right price there’d be no reason not to buy one if the content deals have been done with Sky and Virgin and Netflix and Lovefilm."

[Media Boy UK]

May List update - May 22nd 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 ===
-The Active Channel to launch on Virgin Media soon.

=== May ===
No News...

=== June ===
Zee Café is being rumour on BizAsia as set to be rebranded as Zee Classic on Virgin Channel 811 sometime this month.

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

=== July ===
31st. ESPN will close on Virgin Channel 529 today.
31st. ESPN HD will close on Virgin Channel 530 today.
31st. ESPN America will close on Virgin Channel 531 today.
31st. ESPN to close ESPN Classic on Virgin Channel 533 by Today.

=== August ===
The following BT Sports channels launches has still to be confirmed by Virgin Media - Talks still ongoing:

1st. BT Sports 1 may launch on Virgin Media today.
1st. BT Sports 1 HD may launch on Virgin Media today.
1st. BT Sports 2 may launch on Virgin Media today.
1st. BT Sports 2 HD may launch on Virgin Media today.
1st. ESPN may launch on Virgin Media today.
1st. ESPN HD may launch on Virgin Media today.

=== 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' - no updates since August 2012.
-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''.
-Smooth fm (Smooth Radio) may get close or rebranded on Virgin Channel 916.
-Fashion One 'In talks with Virgin Media' - no updates in months.
-Sony Movies may launch soon on Virgin Media - no updates since August 2012.

=== 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/

=== Ask Media Boy ===
Last updated May 6th 2013.

Q: WHERE DO YOU GET YOUR INFORMATION ABOUT VIRGIN MEDIA FROM?
A: I get all my info from Virgin Media viewers, some Virgin Media workers (I called them Virgin Insiders) 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 May 22nd 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
-CI HD
-CI +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 on August 1st on Astra.)
-BT Sports 1 HD (To launch on August 1st on Astra.)
-BT Sports 2 (To launch on August 1st on Astra.)
-BT Sports 2 HD (To launch on August 1st on Astra.)
-ESPN [From BT] (To launch on August 1st on Astra.)
-ESPN HD [From BT] (To launch on August 1st on Astra.)

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

=== 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 Disney-ABC Television Group ===
-Disney Channel HD
-Disney Junior +
-Disney Junior HD
-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 (Channel will close on July 31st).

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

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

=== Own by IndiaCast (Viacom18) ===
-MTV India (Channel set to launch on Astra).

=== Own by Moving Movies Ltd. (CSC Media Group) ===
-True Drama (Soon to start broadcasting).
-True Entertainment +1 (Soon to get rebranded as True Drama)
-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 TIML Radio Limited ===
-Absolute 90s

=== Own by UKTV ===
-Drama (To launch on July 8th 2013 on Freeview).

=== 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

=== Own by Zee Entertainment Enterprises ===
-ZEE News (To start broadcasting soon).

==== See you later ===
List last updated on May 22nd 2013.

Next update: Sometime in June - unless:

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.

THIS UPDATE WAS JUST FOR ME TO FIX SOME INFO NEXT UPDATE SOMETIME IN JUNE.

[Mad Max]

Is it really necessary to post all this stuff?

[harry_hitch]

Cheers MB, thanks for keeping us up-to-date:-)

[Mad Max]

By all means keep people up to date with relevant whats coming etc, but do you have to list the companies who own this channel and that channel etc etc?

[Ben B]

Originally Posted by Mad Max

By all means keep people up to date with relevant whats coming etc, but do you have to list the companies who own this channel and that channel etc etc?

It can be useful to know which channels we can possibly get when contracts are up for renewal with particular providers

Originally Posted by Ben B

It can be useful to know which channels we can possibly get when contracts are up for renewal with particular providers

Yes but it's on the first page of the thread and rarely changes on the updates. It would be easier to follow if it just listed changes from the original listing.

[denphone]

Come on lads be fair as l don't see anybody else doing the fine job MB does.

[PurpleInfi]

A couple of days ago, Bio, Nat Geo Wild, and CI appeared on the L package for half a day, but were taken away, what gives? Was this some kind of glitch or something?

I have them saved on my favourites still but can't access as they're not on my package anymore.

I thought perhaps Virgin Media were moving channels to lower packages in preparation for new ones but it appears not. Still baffled why they gave me 3 channels and took away quite quickly though lol